The Zills!?
- Thread starter Tiffany
- Start date
Azeeza
New member
I'd get started as soon as possible.
My experience with zills began six months after I learned a few basic dance movements. Once the zills came on, it was like I had to relearn (is that a word) how to dance all over again.
It's much easier to dance without them later on than to have to learn how to dance WITH them years later.
Just my opinion,
Azeeza
PS When practicing, move your arms all around and walk or try and dance with them (still moving your arms around). Zills are eaiser to play sitting down and not moving, but if you are going to dance while playing them, I suggest you get into that habit.
My experience with zills began six months after I learned a few basic dance movements. Once the zills came on, it was like I had to relearn (is that a word) how to dance all over again.
It's much easier to dance without them later on than to have to learn how to dance WITH them years later.
Just my opinion,
Azeeza
PS When practicing, move your arms all around and walk or try and dance with them (still moving your arms around). Zills are eaiser to play sitting down and not moving, but if you are going to dance while playing them, I suggest you get into that habit.
Yasmine Bint Al Nubia
Moderator
Hi Tiffany,learning to play zills is very exciting and really adds texture and variety to your dance. How early you start depends on how well grounded you are in basic technique. Zills are a percussive instrument and developing knowledge of Middle Eastern rhythms is essential.
I started learning zills after 6 mos of dancing and the trick is something has to become automatic: either the dance steps or the zill pattern.That's why having a strong foundation in the dance is important. There's a clip of Tarik on the youtube forum dancing with zills, watch what he does with his arms.
Yasmine
I started learning zills after 6 mos of dancing and the trick is something has to become automatic: either the dance steps or the zill pattern.That's why having a strong foundation in the dance is important. There's a clip of Tarik on the youtube forum dancing with zills, watch what he does with his arms.
Yasmine
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gwinity
New member
I started learning zills with my first teacher in the first class. My current teacher has threatened a zill choreography for next term (I've been dancing with her for about 8 months).
Something that I've found useful recently is to air-zill when walking and listening to music. The fingers start to get more co-ordinated without noise, and if nobody is around, throw in a few arm or dance movements.
Something that I've found useful recently is to air-zill when walking and listening to music. The fingers start to get more co-ordinated without noise, and if nobody is around, throw in a few arm or dance movements.
Safran
New member
I have given this topic a lot of thought after we discussed it on this forum the last time (I'll find the thread for you in a few minutes)... And I have decided that I'd prefer to take zills on later. Like Yasmine said - you first have to get a hold of the dance basics, before adding new "distractions" When exactly that point would come, I have no idea, as it varies from person to person. I know that I definitely wasn't ready after my first 6 months of dancing :lol:
But indeed, zills are a very important part of dancing. Playing them contributes very much to your perception of rhythms. Dancing with them trains your body coordination. And lets face it, they are just fun!
When exactly that point would come, I have no idea, as it varies from person to person. I know that I definitely wasn't ready after my first 6 months of dancing :lol: But indeed, zills are a very important part of dancing. Playing them contributes very much to your perception of rhythms. Dancing with them trains your body coordination. And lets face it, they are just fun!
Yasmine Bint Al Nubia
Moderator
I've another question regarding zills (if I may ask it in this thread). What is important to keep in mindr when you want to buy them? I might get them for my birthday
Hi Moon, Buy double slotted zills,meaning there are two slots on the top of each zill in which you place flat elastic. I use Saroyan zills because he makes and sells a variety of zills rom beginner to professional. here's a link:Finger Cymbals for Students and Advanced Dancers
Yasmine
Hi Moon!
I was lucky that i could buy my zills from my teacher. But i have other ones then she is using in class, which are very light and have a high tone. Mines are heavy and have a deeper sound. A bit like a "zaanse klok" ( a typical dutch clockwork) but not that deep. I think they are from Turkey.They also have a double slot and i agree on that one with Yasmine
Maybe you can ask where your teacher is buying zills and what she would recomment. Maybe she is nice to bring some for you in class to show...
I don't know where you live in Holland, but if you are in or near Den Haag, you can go to BellydanceSaray, it is a specialist bellydance store.
I was lucky that i could buy my zills from my teacher. But i have other ones then she is using in class, which are very light and have a high tone. Mines are heavy and have a deeper sound. A bit like a "zaanse klok" ( a typical dutch clockwork) but not that deep. I think they are from Turkey.They also have a double slot and i agree on that one with Yasmine
Maybe you can ask where your teacher is buying zills and what she would recomment. Maybe she is nice to bring some for you in class to show...
I don't know where you live in Holland, but if you are in or near Den Haag, you can go to BellydanceSaray, it is a specialist bellydance store.
Safran
New member
And here is the link I promised (yesterday... Eh, better late than never, huh? )
http://forum.orientaldancer.net/instructors-students/934-beginners-cymbals.html
)http://forum.orientaldancer.net/instructors-students/934-beginners-cymbals.html
Azeeza
New member
I suppose everyone learns differently.
Once the zills were on, I found it extremely difficult to move even though I knew the basics of dance. However, in saying that, my brain was moving in all directions at one time when dancing and playing the zills.
For me, it took at least two years to feel comfortable playing zills and dancing at the same time and I still am learning years later.
Great question,
Azeeza
PS I'm a slow learner, so that could be why I didn't catch on as quickly with the zills as the other dancer had.
Once the zills were on, I found it extremely difficult to move even though I knew the basics of dance. However, in saying that, my brain was moving in all directions at one time when dancing and playing the zills.
For me, it took at least two years to feel comfortable playing zills and dancing at the same time and I still am learning years later.
Great question,
Azeeza
PS I'm a slow learner, so that could be why I didn't catch on as quickly with the zills as the other dancer had.
Zills
Hi there...I am new here, but I wanted to add something that really helped me with zills, and coordinating them with my movements.....its kind of a different idea, but its one that really worked for me. When I started zills, I got the initial first few patterns down BEFORE dancing, and then rather than put on middle eastern rythms, which at the time were quite different for me, I put on pop music...the kind with the really bouncy beat, and just danced as I would normally around the room, playing my zills with the rhythms I had learned. Because the songs were very common to me, and I was able to anticipate what was coming next, it was actually fun to play the zills and dance around.....then I started throwing in a few basic belly dance moves, like a large hip circle, arabesques, beladi kicks etc...before you knew it - I was dancing with my zills! Then I just changed to Middle-eastern music!
Hope it helps!
Hi there...I am new here, but I wanted to add something that really helped me with zills, and coordinating them with my movements.....its kind of a different idea, but its one that really worked for me. When I started zills, I got the initial first few patterns down BEFORE dancing, and then rather than put on middle eastern rythms, which at the time were quite different for me, I put on pop music...the kind with the really bouncy beat, and just danced as I would normally around the room, playing my zills with the rhythms I had learned. Because the songs were very common to me, and I was able to anticipate what was coming next, it was actually fun to play the zills and dance around.....then I started throwing in a few basic belly dance moves, like a large hip circle, arabesques, beladi kicks etc...before you knew it - I was dancing with my zills! Then I just changed to Middle-eastern music!
Hope it helps!
gwinity
New member
Gah. Remember how I told you my first teacher introduced us to Zills (on page 1)? She neglected to include any lower-body movement other than basic walking so my first "real" zill class last night was a confusion of un-co-ordinated limbs.
I can get the rhythms with my hands - that's not a problem, but trying to do a 3/4 shimmy at the same time, just sends my brain into a tailspin. :shok: It's as bad (worse?) as trying to pat your head and rub your stomach!