Zyll Patterns

Here are some basic zyll patterns for you to practice at home.

Basic Longa (in 4/4 time)
Play odd numbers on your right, or dominant hand.  Play even numbers on your left, or non-dominant hand.

123  123  123  123
+a1  +a2  +a3  +a4  (and a one, and a two...  Step on each numbered beat.)

Variations (in 4/4 time)
123  123  1234567

123  1234567  123

123  12345  12345

12345  123  12345

12345  123  1  123

123  1  123  12345

123  1  123  1  123  (Baladi etc.)

Sonic texture
Ring (R)      Clack (C)

RRR  CCC  RRR  CCC

(CC)R  R  CCC  R  CCC (Baladi)

(CC)R  C  CCR  R  CCC  (Saidi)

Moving while playing zylls:
-Step in place on each beat.  Practice stepping onto a flat foot, on the balls of your feet, and alternating between the two.
-Step, touch, step, touch.
-Practice playing zylls while walking forward, backward, and side to side. 
-Add a hip bump or other accent on each step.

Chanting while playing zylls:
123                123                      1234567
I love shoes,  I love shoes,        I love really comfy shoes (on flat feet)

123                123                      1234567
I love shoes,  I love shoes,        I love really slutty shoes (on balls of feet)
   
123                    12345                             12345
I love shoes,      I love comfy shoes,        I love comfy shoes.

Great Music Site

This is my new favourite music site.  Lots of amazing artists old and new with great samples and bios...even some very rare offerings from the likes of the great Sayyid Darwish and the exquisite Marie Jubran.
Click here and check it out.

Maqam World

Maqam World is a website geared toward musicians who want to gain an understanding of the Arabic modal system - or maqam system.  I include this on the site because I think it's a great resource for developing your ears even though it might seem a bit overwhelming for a dancer (or even a musician for that matter!). What can I say... I am a bit of a maqam nerd and I love this kind of information.  Check it out:
www.maqamworld.com

RADIO BASTET: Vintage Bell...

This site specializes in podcasts of vintage vinyl bellydance music mainly from the 1950's to the 1980's.  There are some real treasures here.  The album covers alone delight me to no end.  There is also a great page of YouTube finds from old Egyptian films.

Click here and Enjoy!