I make most of my costumes, skirts, veils and tops myself. I haven't got
round to writing these instructions down and putting them online so in
the meantime visit these links for free costume construction instructions:
http://www.shanmonster.com/belly/costuming/index.html
http://members.iinet.net.au/~damask/raqs/costumes/
I used the Neue Mode carnival/fancy dress pattern below to make the
costume for Sonia on the right. It needed considerable adaptions to make
it suitable for dancing. I used Lycra instead of satin, and lengthened
the sleeves so that the top didn't ride up when the dancer raised her
arms.
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Link to more links:
http://www.joyofbellydancing.com/costuming.htm#Costuming%20Websites
If sewing is not your thing
it’s easy to pick up a long, wide skirt at one of Amsterdam’s marvellous
markets. Look for an elasticated waist which can be eased over the hips.
A brightly coloured rectangular or triangular scarf to define the hips
completes a beginner’s outfit. It’s important to invest some time and
energy in your costume as this will help the learning process. Jeans and
a jumper won’t help you get the feel of Middle Eastern dance. Putting
on special clothes will help you make that transition from your workaday
self to your dancing, exotic self!
Music used in my lessons
for warming up and cooling down;
Exotic Dance-Anugama & Sebastiano
Mystical Garden-Omar Faruk Tekbilek
Belly Dance-Arabesque
Recommended music for
beginners;
The Best of Belly Dance-George Abdo downloadable from www.emusic.com
Dark Fire-Light Rain download cd and more from
www.emusic.com (free trial for 2 weeks but do remember to cancel in
time otherwise they take the fee from your credit card anyhow)
Basic Forms- Garsaaidi (This CD covers all the most commonly used Egyptian
rhythms-I have a few copies for sale)
Delta Festival-Henkesch
The best belly dance album in the world, volume 1 - various artists (Virgin
records)
or any Arab music with a strong beat that gets you moving!
Music used for choreography and basic moves for classes in
November 2007 & January 2008;
Rhythms of the Nile-Hossam Ramzy (tracks 3 & 12, Saaidi) download
here
Secrets of the Eye-Hossam Ramzy (track 8, Go in Peace) download here
Electric Oasis-Various artists (download track 6 Move Your Belly by Louie
from emusic here)
Belly Dance -Arabesque (download track 10 Farah, dreamy flute solo
here
Gedida-Natacha Atlas (download track 4, Bahlam here)
Recommended musicians you may find in a large cd store; (World
Music – Arabic section)
Farid-al-Atrache
Mostafa Sax
Bashir Abdel Al
Omar Faruk Tekbilek
Hossam Ramzy
George Abdo (Read more about the 'King
of Belly Dance Music,' sadly no longer with us.)
Visit this site for cd's www.maqam.com
They're based in U.S. and specialize in Arabian music. I've been very
satisfied with their service and cd's are cheaper than any others I've
found on the net. Inexpensive and fast delivery rates to Europe.
There is an excellent selection of Arabic music in the main library on
the Prinsengracht, Amsterdam. The style of dancing I teach in the lessons
is Egyptian, so look out for Egyptian music rather than Lebanese or Turkish.
Rai is an Algerian style of popular music that can be danceable and is
listed under North African. In the audio-visual section you will find
'Visual Rhythms' by Serena and Hossam Ramzy and 'Bellydance Superstars
live at the Folies Bergére,' both of which I can recommend as performance
DVDs. Jillina's instructional DVDs levels 1,2 & 3 are also available
for loan.
Below are some external links suitable for serious dance-students wishing
to deepen their knowledge of Arabic music.
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Middle Eastern instruments Lutes, flutes, zithers, saxophones and tambourines - the instruments of the Middle East have a haunting elegance and mystery which has bewitched and enthralled many forms of European music. Learn more about traditional instruments by visiting Keti Sharif's dance site |