Brass Butterflies

Even though this is an advanced finger cymbals DVD beginning and intermediate dancers should not let that stop them from adding this to their library.  You can always concentrate on just learning the rhythms before including the dance steps.

In this DVD from IAMED, Ansuya covers 6/8, 9/8, and Masmoudi.  She gives a through break down of each pattern and allows for plenty of time to familiarize yourself with each one before adding music and a simple dance step like Figure 8's with a step ball change.  Have your brains and fingers at the ready because the one thing she doesn't do in this DVD is stop, turn to the camera and say "Now, let's speed it up,"  before increasing the tempo.

When it's time to put the playing and the dancing together she demonstrates each step completely, walking it out and talking through the rhythm, before adding zills and music.  Beginners can focus solely on playing the rhythm or follow along, while you intermediate students can trying adding a little of your own flavor to the mix.   

The drill at the end that combines all 3 rhythms is done without music and she just jumps straight into them with no walking through it.  I'm not sure of how I feel about this section.  Maybe the lack of music was meant to make this part less intimidating, but it just felt awkward to me. 

The last chapter covers different ways of playing zils in order to elicit different sounds, ie. a bell like ringing vs. a flatter clacking sound; a quick review of the Ayub and Beledi patterns that were taught in the "Finger Cymbals" DVD; a section on embellishing the three rhythms learned in this DVD with singles; and ends with a brief explanation on how to safely build up strength and stamina in the wrists and fore arms.  

At the end Ansuya, gives an electrifying and inspiring performance; beautiful brass butterflies fluttering at her finger tips. She's wearing a bedlah and skirt of fresh chartreuse with accented with sky blue turquoise and shimmering silver, and most fabulous necklace that I'm totally in love with.  The bead artist/jewelry designer in me is just itching to make something like that for myself.

My only complaint with the DVD is that the audio is somewhat fuzzy and muffled. 

Gluing Your Fingers To Your Hips

....or your arms, legs, and any other moveable body parts is what dancing with finger cymbals, also known as zills, is all about, and it's probably the most difficult and elusive skill for belly dancers to acquire.

My first belly dance teacher, Nancy Ireland, handed me a pair of finger cymbals and started teaching me to play and dance with them on the very first day of class!  Of course I was beyond lousy, but after a few weeks of practice I began to see steady improvement.  It's something I'll always be grateful for because teaching finger cymbal playing skills from day one is no longer the norm for belly dance classes.  Most students can study for several years before they ever learn how to play them, let alone dance with them, and I find that extremely sad.  Once people do decide to start using zills in their dance it can be extremely difficult to successfully blend the two arts together.

In my mind it would be like learning how to surf before learning how to swim.  There is a vital link missing.

I recently spent a week reviewing and enhancing my zills skills with Ansuya's "Finger Cymbals" DVD by IAMED. 

This is a great DVD for beginner or intermediate dancers who want to start playing finger cymbals and work on a bit of their dance technique at the same time.  Advanced dancers with limited zill skills can add some interest to the drills by adding arms paths, or layering shimmies over some of the easier steps.  

After a brief introduction to finger cymbals Ansuya moves on to the heart of the matter; playing a simple percussion instrument while dancing.  The four rhythms taught are; 4/4, Beledi, Bolero, and Chiftitelli.  Each one has it's own chapter which makes it easy to pick and choose the rhythm du jour.  

Each section starts with an introduction and a detailed break down of each zill pattern followed by a variety of easy drills using basic belly dance steps that will help build the foundation for "gluing your fingers to your hips."  

The final chapter is a simple routine using all four rhythms followed by a dynamic performance by Ansuya.  

On a personal note, I'm recovering from a sore throat that turned into walking pneumonia so my dance practice has become a healing yoga practice until next Monday then I'll spend a week with Ansuya's "Advanced Finger Cymbals" DVD.