TIPS ON DANCING TO LIVE MUSIC
You'll come to love this awesome & challenging experience
By Meagan Mayada Hesham
Reprinted from Yallah Magazine - Winter 2013/14
Dancing to a live band can certainly be intimidating to dancers just starting their careers. I find more and more newer dancers choosing pre-recorded music shows over live music shows... and missing out on the awesome experience of improvising, learning to work with musicians, and the richness that that brings! Dancers may feel they need to work up to dancing with live bands, but postponing it often turns it into such a big deal that they don't ever get around to it, or are super-nervous when they finally do make the effort. One of my first professional gigs was at a restaurant dancing to a live band… Was I flowing perfectly to the melody? Did I hit every accent and beat? Did I know exactly how to deal with the band? Were ideas for movements coming to me easily? A big "NO", not at all! I was a bit of train-wreck I’m sure, but I did it. Then I did it again, and then I did it again, and again, until I started to feel relatively confident dancing to any live band! Aside from the obvious advantage of being able to seek and accept gigs at all the venues in town that have live music, there are other - often overlooked - benefits to be gleaned from dancing to live music. Dancing with an Arabic band helps you understand the music and the feelings it communicates so much better, it lets you work on your improvisation skills, it takes your bellydancing to the next level, and ultimately makes you a much better performer, artistically and culturally. I hope this article will take some of the mystery and worry out of dancing to live music by giving you the tools to prep a bit; perhaps you'll be inspired to take the leap into the world of improv and live music!
Dealing with the band
There are so many awesome bands made up of lovely musicians, but it’s important to make a great connection from the get-go… it’s very bad news if the band doesn’t like you. A few things can help endear you to a band… Of course, a courteous and professional attitude are givens. I know many dancers believe they should inform the band of specific songs or even a whole playlist they want for their show… if it’s your first time dancing with a particular band, I wouldn’t recommend approaching them with demands for a whole personalized show. It looks fairly bossy to the band. If they ask you what music you want, you can certainly suggest something. Make sure it’s a popular song that bands tend to play often, or else they may attempt to play what you want without knowing it too well and it will sound sad. I usually ask them what they like to play (this way, I know it’s going to be played well!) A big complaint I hear from bands about dancers they don’t care for is, “She’s such a snob!” Make sure you smile and acknowledge the band, talk to them or at least look at them between songs, clap for the band or gesture to them at the end of your show, share your tips with them, and be sure to thank them for the awesome music at the end of the night. The first few times you dance with a band they may act distant and rude to you no matter what. Don’t worry, and try not to take this personally; I’ve found it’s just a little test they put a new dancer through. How to cope? Smile at them and be friendly no matter what. They will most likely warm up to you and a working alliance will be formed; you’ll end up relating easily, able to tell them the music you like and what you’d like more of!
What to Expect
The structure of your show to a live band varies depending on the band, but usually it’s quite similar to the show structure you would use when making a CD show. Be ready for anything when dancing to a band! The best way to prepare to dance with bands is to do your homework and become very familiar with popular songs that bands tend to play for dancers. Try improvising at home to these popular songs. Below I’ve listed a basic guideline of what to listen to prepare to dance to an Arabic band as well as what to expect for each section of the show. Another great way to get comfortable with dancing to Arabic bands is going out for a night to venues that host live music, being around that music, getting up and dancing all night to the band, and of course, studying the bellydance show from an audience point of view!
Entrance
Usually while you're backstage (or in the kitchen/dressing room, lol!) the band will announce your name and then start playing your entrance… your show has started! Add drama by waiting a minute or so and picking the perfect time in the music to take the stage. Enter with confidence… you only have one chance to make a first impression! I personally like to strut on and present myself then start dancing rather than skipping or dancing onstage. Take your time and present yourself like the star that you are! Entrances are most often malfouf beat (dum tak tak) with some accents here and there to add excitement. Some famous openings that many bands play for dancers are: - Sit el Hosn - Mashall - Aziza - Bahia
Taksims
Taksims are improvised solos by a single instrument. Most modern bands use a keyboard to make the sound of a violin, nay, qanoon, etc. taksim. Or sometimes if there is a singer, you may dance to a muwal (basically, a singing taksim). Bands will often put a few short taksims between songs or as part of the start of a song during a show. Taksims are usually full of feeling and this is your time to show that you are really feeling the music and truly improvising along with the musician. Slow snake-like movements like undulations, figure eights, hip circles, etc. usually fit well here. Best advice is to take your time, don’t rush or feel you have to do a million moves - let the music move you (don’t move before the music)!
Main Songs
Time to have fun! These songs are the main part of the show and this is where you can really bust out any combos or ideas you’ve been working on! This part of the show is usually the easiest to prep for by listening to LOTS of Arabic music and dancing around to it at home. Often new dancers tell me when they get out there, they forget all the hundreds of steps they know and just keep repeating two or three over and over again! This is normal at the start, and I totally went through this (still do some days!) The easiest way to circumvent this is to practise, practise, practise your improv skills: dance around to everything at home, improvise mini-shows for friends and family, and improv to bands whenever you get the chance. A trick I used to use right before going on to improv to a live band, is making myself a little 'cheat sheet'. I found that If I looked over a list of all the steps I knew or steps I wanted to bust out that night and quickly drilled them in my body, the memory would then be fresh and they would come easily to me during my show. Make sure to listen and dance to various versions of the same song so you don’t get married to one version - each band will play songs a little differently, sometimes with different accents or emphasis.
Songs to be familiar with:
- Most songs by Om Kalsoum (see below) - Most songs by Abdel Halim Hafez (Sawah, Gan El Howa, Zai El Howa)
- Bint El Sultan - Tahtil Shibek - Yalla Bina Yalla - Batwanis Biik - Zeina - Habibi Ya Aini - and many others!!!
Drum Solo
To prepare for this portion of your show, listen to lots of different recorded drum solos and try improvising to them at home. You can also have some combos pre-prepared to whip out for different common beats that pop up in most drum solos. A considerate drummer will generally play four of the same rhythm/combo and will repeat this. So the first set you just shimmy or whatever to hear what’s happening, and then the next three, you match with some awesome accents, shimmies, and combos. The drum solo will usually end with a long tremmel where you can just shimmy, shimmy with some layering, ballet shimmy, turn, or mix in all of these (depending how long it goes on for!) After the tremmel, you may get another drum solo section, or the piece may just end.
Oum Kalsoum
Sometimes her songs will be in amongst the other songs, but sometimes a band will save a really awesome, well-loved, and challenging song for the end of the show to really let you show off your skills. Or to test you as a dancer (Oh yes, that happens!) Prepare by listening to both original Oum Kalsoum pieces, as well as to all the shorter, more dance-y versions. It is amazing - and cannot be overstressed - how much of an impact listening to original Oum Kalsoum pieces can have on your understanding and interpretation of Arabic music. Oum Kalsoum songs don't follow a normal system and it's very difficult to fake your way through dancing to one. There are surprises in the music: it’s not like a normal song where you can kind of count on being able to do four of this, then four of that! Oum Kalsoum songs are full of emotion and feelings and loved soooo much by Arabs, which means if you can really pull one of these off, you will win over your (Arabic) audience! Some of her most played songs to be familiar with are : - Lisa Fakr - Ana Fe Antazarik - Lailet Hob - Huwa Sahih - Inte Omri - Fakarouny - Alf Leyla Wa Leyla
Finale
The finale is usually a reprise of something from the opening, or it may just be a malfouf beat with some music behind it. The band typically plays one cycle of it, announces the dancer's name with a flourish, then plays the cycle again. You can either dance through both cycles, or dance, do your grand pose, then use the second cycle of music as your walk-off music and exit. Common finale movements are skipping, gliding/walking, turning, any traveling step really; you want to 'get around' to all of your audience and say goodbye! Finales are similar to openings but are usually shorter.
So that's it for Dancing to Live Music 101! Immerse yourself in the music, both recorded and live, keep these tips in mind, and be confident you can ratchet your bellydance skills up to the next level. Performing to live music is a thrill not to be missed!
You'll come to love this awesome & challenging experience
By Meagan Mayada Hesham
Reprinted from Yallah Magazine - Winter 2013/14
Dancing to a live band can certainly be intimidating to dancers just starting their careers. I find more and more newer dancers choosing pre-recorded music shows over live music shows... and missing out on the awesome experience of improvising, learning to work with musicians, and the richness that that brings! Dancers may feel they need to work up to dancing with live bands, but postponing it often turns it into such a big deal that they don't ever get around to it, or are super-nervous when they finally do make the effort. One of my first professional gigs was at a restaurant dancing to a live band… Was I flowing perfectly to the melody? Did I hit every accent and beat? Did I know exactly how to deal with the band? Were ideas for movements coming to me easily? A big "NO", not at all! I was a bit of train-wreck I’m sure, but I did it. Then I did it again, and then I did it again, and again, until I started to feel relatively confident dancing to any live band! Aside from the obvious advantage of being able to seek and accept gigs at all the venues in town that have live music, there are other - often overlooked - benefits to be gleaned from dancing to live music. Dancing with an Arabic band helps you understand the music and the feelings it communicates so much better, it lets you work on your improvisation skills, it takes your bellydancing to the next level, and ultimately makes you a much better performer, artistically and culturally. I hope this article will take some of the mystery and worry out of dancing to live music by giving you the tools to prep a bit; perhaps you'll be inspired to take the leap into the world of improv and live music!
Dealing with the band
There are so many awesome bands made up of lovely musicians, but it’s important to make a great connection from the get-go… it’s very bad news if the band doesn’t like you. A few things can help endear you to a band… Of course, a courteous and professional attitude are givens. I know many dancers believe they should inform the band of specific songs or even a whole playlist they want for their show… if it’s your first time dancing with a particular band, I wouldn’t recommend approaching them with demands for a whole personalized show. It looks fairly bossy to the band. If they ask you what music you want, you can certainly suggest something. Make sure it’s a popular song that bands tend to play often, or else they may attempt to play what you want without knowing it too well and it will sound sad. I usually ask them what they like to play (this way, I know it’s going to be played well!) A big complaint I hear from bands about dancers they don’t care for is, “She’s such a snob!” Make sure you smile and acknowledge the band, talk to them or at least look at them between songs, clap for the band or gesture to them at the end of your show, share your tips with them, and be sure to thank them for the awesome music at the end of the night. The first few times you dance with a band they may act distant and rude to you no matter what. Don’t worry, and try not to take this personally; I’ve found it’s just a little test they put a new dancer through. How to cope? Smile at them and be friendly no matter what. They will most likely warm up to you and a working alliance will be formed; you’ll end up relating easily, able to tell them the music you like and what you’d like more of!
What to Expect
The structure of your show to a live band varies depending on the band, but usually it’s quite similar to the show structure you would use when making a CD show. Be ready for anything when dancing to a band! The best way to prepare to dance with bands is to do your homework and become very familiar with popular songs that bands tend to play for dancers. Try improvising at home to these popular songs. Below I’ve listed a basic guideline of what to listen to prepare to dance to an Arabic band as well as what to expect for each section of the show. Another great way to get comfortable with dancing to Arabic bands is going out for a night to venues that host live music, being around that music, getting up and dancing all night to the band, and of course, studying the bellydance show from an audience point of view!
Entrance
Usually while you're backstage (or in the kitchen/dressing room, lol!) the band will announce your name and then start playing your entrance… your show has started! Add drama by waiting a minute or so and picking the perfect time in the music to take the stage. Enter with confidence… you only have one chance to make a first impression! I personally like to strut on and present myself then start dancing rather than skipping or dancing onstage. Take your time and present yourself like the star that you are! Entrances are most often malfouf beat (dum tak tak) with some accents here and there to add excitement. Some famous openings that many bands play for dancers are: - Sit el Hosn - Mashall - Aziza - Bahia
Taksims
Taksims are improvised solos by a single instrument. Most modern bands use a keyboard to make the sound of a violin, nay, qanoon, etc. taksim. Or sometimes if there is a singer, you may dance to a muwal (basically, a singing taksim). Bands will often put a few short taksims between songs or as part of the start of a song during a show. Taksims are usually full of feeling and this is your time to show that you are really feeling the music and truly improvising along with the musician. Slow snake-like movements like undulations, figure eights, hip circles, etc. usually fit well here. Best advice is to take your time, don’t rush or feel you have to do a million moves - let the music move you (don’t move before the music)!
Main Songs
Time to have fun! These songs are the main part of the show and this is where you can really bust out any combos or ideas you’ve been working on! This part of the show is usually the easiest to prep for by listening to LOTS of Arabic music and dancing around to it at home. Often new dancers tell me when they get out there, they forget all the hundreds of steps they know and just keep repeating two or three over and over again! This is normal at the start, and I totally went through this (still do some days!) The easiest way to circumvent this is to practise, practise, practise your improv skills: dance around to everything at home, improvise mini-shows for friends and family, and improv to bands whenever you get the chance. A trick I used to use right before going on to improv to a live band, is making myself a little 'cheat sheet'. I found that If I looked over a list of all the steps I knew or steps I wanted to bust out that night and quickly drilled them in my body, the memory would then be fresh and they would come easily to me during my show. Make sure to listen and dance to various versions of the same song so you don’t get married to one version - each band will play songs a little differently, sometimes with different accents or emphasis.
Songs to be familiar with:
- Most songs by Om Kalsoum (see below) - Most songs by Abdel Halim Hafez (Sawah, Gan El Howa, Zai El Howa)
- Bint El Sultan - Tahtil Shibek - Yalla Bina Yalla - Batwanis Biik - Zeina - Habibi Ya Aini - and many others!!!
Drum Solo
To prepare for this portion of your show, listen to lots of different recorded drum solos and try improvising to them at home. You can also have some combos pre-prepared to whip out for different common beats that pop up in most drum solos. A considerate drummer will generally play four of the same rhythm/combo and will repeat this. So the first set you just shimmy or whatever to hear what’s happening, and then the next three, you match with some awesome accents, shimmies, and combos. The drum solo will usually end with a long tremmel where you can just shimmy, shimmy with some layering, ballet shimmy, turn, or mix in all of these (depending how long it goes on for!) After the tremmel, you may get another drum solo section, or the piece may just end.
Oum Kalsoum
Sometimes her songs will be in amongst the other songs, but sometimes a band will save a really awesome, well-loved, and challenging song for the end of the show to really let you show off your skills. Or to test you as a dancer (Oh yes, that happens!) Prepare by listening to both original Oum Kalsoum pieces, as well as to all the shorter, more dance-y versions. It is amazing - and cannot be overstressed - how much of an impact listening to original Oum Kalsoum pieces can have on your understanding and interpretation of Arabic music. Oum Kalsoum songs don't follow a normal system and it's very difficult to fake your way through dancing to one. There are surprises in the music: it’s not like a normal song where you can kind of count on being able to do four of this, then four of that! Oum Kalsoum songs are full of emotion and feelings and loved soooo much by Arabs, which means if you can really pull one of these off, you will win over your (Arabic) audience! Some of her most played songs to be familiar with are : - Lisa Fakr - Ana Fe Antazarik - Lailet Hob - Huwa Sahih - Inte Omri - Fakarouny - Alf Leyla Wa Leyla
Finale
The finale is usually a reprise of something from the opening, or it may just be a malfouf beat with some music behind it. The band typically plays one cycle of it, announces the dancer's name with a flourish, then plays the cycle again. You can either dance through both cycles, or dance, do your grand pose, then use the second cycle of music as your walk-off music and exit. Common finale movements are skipping, gliding/walking, turning, any traveling step really; you want to 'get around' to all of your audience and say goodbye! Finales are similar to openings but are usually shorter.
So that's it for Dancing to Live Music 101! Immerse yourself in the music, both recorded and live, keep these tips in mind, and be confident you can ratchet your bellydance skills up to the next level. Performing to live music is a thrill not to be missed!
Mayada performing with the awesome Arabesque Orchestra at Myth Restaurant
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Mayada teaching one of her DANCING TO LIVE MUSIC Workshops with Keyboard Sam
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