Journal

 by sahiracc

FREE Finger Cymbal Masterclass – 5 Crucial Elements Your Practice Needs to Succeed

Whether you feel you’ve been spinning in circles with your finger cymbal practice, or are ready to take it up a notch to a higher level, there are five crucial elements your zill practice needs to succeed.

 

 

Join me for this FREE masterclass and discover what’s been missing in your practice and how to immediately incorporate these essential elements in order to achieve finger cymbal success.

 

And bring your cymbals, because we’ll be putting these ideas to work during the class to get you moving and making music right away.

 

Sign up now for this limited time masterclass and supercharge your finger cymbal practice today.

 

SahiraBellyDances.com/masterclass

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 by sahiracc

OPEN NOW! The 2023 Zill Challenge. 📀⭐️📀

 

Are you ready to level up your zill skills and find confidence, creativity and connection in your finger cymbal practice?

Welcome to The Zill Challenge – an annual event that brings togethers hundreds of belly dancers ready to take their cymbal skills to the next level with a fun and engaging 10-day learning party.

TheZillChallenge.com

During this unique challenge experience you will:

✓play new and interesting zill sounds

✓gain a deeper understanding of musical rhythm and timing

✓learn some really cool zill riffs

✓dance a short choreography while playing your finger cymbals

…all while being part of an amazing international community of dancers who LOVE to learn and grow with their zills!

You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with others, share your progress, receive support and encouragement along the way and WIN PRIZES!

Whether you’re a seasoned ziller or just starting out, this challenge will totally inspire and invigorate your practice.

So what are you waiting for?

Join The 2023 Zill Challenge today and become the zill star you are meant to be.

TheZillChallenge.com

Doors close on May 15th at noon central.

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 by sahiracc

“The Beladi Run” – Belly Dance Finger Cymbal Combo Tutorial Part 2

 
Well hey there zillstar! Welcome to part 2 of a fabulous finger cymbal tutorial – “The Beladi Run”!
 
This one is jam-packed with so much goodness that I am delivering it to you over two different tutorials.
 
This video is part 2 of the two-part series. So be sure to check out the first video to learn the zill pattern and the dance combination we will be using in this video:
 
 
In this video I’ll be showing you how to put these two pieces of the puzzle together in a straight-forward, step-by-step way that will have you dancing and playing in no time!
  
Feel free to take this riff and make it work for you! (For example, you can slow me down – or speed me up – using the gear at the bottom of the video.) It’s all about finding your unique expression with those fabulous little instruments on the ends of your fingers.
 
Let’s dive in and make some music!
 
If you enjoy this kind of step-by-step zill learning, you totally must join me for the The 2023 Zill Challenge – A 10-Day Finger Cymbal Learning Adventure!
 
 
Registration is open now and the challenge begins on May 15! Join me for ten days of on-demand tutorials, Facebook live Q&A’s, community and prizes!
 
 
******
 
Extra special thanks Samer Issa and Bahaia for the music used in this video. It is “Sharuk Cheeky Mix” from Ya Bahaia Vol.2: Belly Dance Training Companion
 
Love this zills I am playing? They are the Saroyan Tuts in Brass
Get your very own set here: SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals
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 by sahiracc

“The Beladi Run” – Belly Dance Finger Cymbal Combo Tutorial Part 1

 

 
Well hey there zillstar! Welcome to another fun and fabulous finger cymbal tutorial – “The Beladi Run”!
 
This one is jam-packed with so much goodness that I am delivering it to you over two different videos.
 
In this video – Part 1 – we are going to focus on the fingers and learn the cymbal pattern we’ll eventually be dancing to. I’ll take you step-by-step through the cymbal technique and the musical counting method that will allow you to more easily put this pattern together with your dance.
 
Feel free to take this riff and make it work for you! (For example, you can slow me down – or speed me up – using the gear at the bottom of the video.) It’s all about finding your unique expression with those fabulous little instruments on the ends of your fingers.
 
And when you’re ready to put the dance and the zilling together, join me here so I can help you do it!
 
Let’s dive in and make some music!
 
 

If you enjoy this kind of organized step-by-step instruction to help you zill creatively and with more confidence then you need to join me inside ​The Finger Cymbal Revolution​, my signature online membership that combines the best of one demand and live interactive instruction plus an incredible community to give you the momentum you need to reach your zillstar goals.

The membership opens just once a year… and it’s open NOW through June 3rd.

 
******
 
Love this zills I am playing? They are the Saroyan Tuts in Brass
Get your very own set here: SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals
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 by sahiracc

Zill Hero Series – Mesmera

Calling all finger cymbal enthusiasts! You are definitely going to want to check out this incredible Zill Hero interview!
 
Mesmera has been a name in the belly dance community for many years and made one of the very first videos dedicated to teaching how to play finger cymbals.
 
Her name has come up time, and again when I talk to people about their original finger, simple inspiration, so I just knew that I had to meet this woman and interview her for the special series.
 
In this fascinating conversation, you will learn all about how Mesmera was introduced to the finger cymbals and danced with them without recorded musical accompaniment for performances all over the Hollywood area when she first started out.
 
She will give you an insight into her unique style of counting and approaching the Zills and share some tips on how you can use your cymbals to create a unique dance highlighter that is all your own. 
 
Enjoy!
 
Be sure to subscribe to Mesmera’s YouTube channel
 
and follow her on social media:
 
 
 
Both of her finger cymbal instructional videos are also available on her website at Mesmera.com
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 by sahiracc

Saroyan Backstage Tour “From Metal to Music” Part 3 – The Lobby & The Money Room

 
Go behind the scenes of the manufacturing process of the best finger cymbals in the world with this exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from inside the Saroyan Mastercrafts workshop in Riverside, California.
 
I had the pleasure to tour their facility and get an inside peek at how these incredible instruments are made and I’m taking you with me!
 
The owners, Vince and Virginia, were kind enough to take us inside their world of metal in music, and show us how they make the magic!
 
In this video, part three of a three-part series, you’ll get to see some of Harry Saroyan’s collection of coins and art in the Saroyan workshop lobby and inside look into what they called the “money room”.
 
You’ll also find out why it takes a lot longer to make finger cymbals when it’s cold outside!
 
Intrigued? Watch on my friend and enjoy!
 
Check out the other parts of this backstage tour video series here: Saroyan Mastercrafts at Sahira Bellydances
 
*****
 
I don’t know about you, but knowing more about how these instruments are made makes me appreciate them even more!
 
Pick up your own pair of Saroyan finger cymbals at SahiraBellyDances.com/saroyancymbals
 
 
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 by sahiracc

Learn to play with belly dance layers like Legos (and have more success) with this tutorial!

 
 
 
Layering of more than one movement together is a hallmark of fabulous belly dancing. But this advanced concept is often very intimidating and confusing for people who are new to the idea.
 
Banish layering confusion as you learn to tackle your belly dance layers in a brand new, step-by-step and incredibly practical way.
 
My building block methodology allows you to approach layers from many different angles and get to success more quickly.
 
So tie in your hip scarf and let’s tackle some beautiful belly dance layers together!
 
*****
 
Learn to belly dance with me online and in person at sahirabellydances.com
 
Special thanks for the fabulous Miss Thea for the music used in this video. Support her on Bandcamp here: Miss Thea at bandcamp.com
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 by sahiracc

The benefits of belly dance make news!

 

These past three years have been really tough for so many people, what with the pandemic, war, recession, civil unrest and more filling the news.  There has been an increase in people reporting feeling depressed and under stress, and many are looking for new ways to find calm and happiness amidst the storm.

 

How about some belly dancing?

 

For years science has shown us that our emotions are closely tied to our motion, and one can be used to affect the other in very positive ways. And while exercise is a great way to boost your mental state, dance – with it’s combination of creativity, musicality, cardio and community – creates a positive boost that no workout can give you.

 

In this video I discuss the positive mental health benefits of belly dance ON TV with CW39 anchor (and fellow belly dancer) Sharron Melton.

 

So the next time you are feeling a little blue, tie on your hip scarf and come dance with me! You’ll be feeling better in no time.

 

*****

 

If you are ready to start your positive happiness-boosting belly dance journey you can join me here for a FREE 7-Day Belly Dance Jumpstart.

 

 

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 by sahiracc

Intermediate Belly Dance Technique and Combination Tutorial

 

Hey there fabulous dancer, are you ready to tear it up on the dance floor?

Then you are in the right place!

In this video I am taking you through several different intermediate belly dance techniques and movements to help you build a fun and challenging combination that will have you dancing around like a pro in no time!

This intermediate-level combination uses all these delicious movements –
(Get a more details breakdown of most of them on my channel at the links below:)

Horizontal Hip Circles
Inner Hip Rolls 
Unweighted Drop/Release 
Single Hip Ommi

I will walk you through each movement step-by-step and then show you how to put them all together to create a seriously delicious combination right now!

*****

Join my mailing list at sahirabellydances.com/joinme where I will send you free bellydance tips and tutorials every week!

*****

Special thanks for the fabulous Miss Thea for the music used in this video. Support her on Bandcamp here: https://missthea.bandcamp.com/track/voxybeat

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 by sahiracc

Zill Hero Interview – Miryam Yen

 

Learning a new skill is one thing. Developing your own unique style with that skill is quite another.

Once you’ve gotten some finger cymbal basics down and you begin to play with a bit of confidence and ease, it’s incredibly exciting to start to develop a style that is all your own.

This style comes not only with time, but with a melding together of a variety of experiences that are unique to your journey.

 

I’ve watched thousands of dancers play finger cymbals. When I saw this performer for the first time, I just knew I had to ask her how she created her amazing style that was unlike anything I had ever seen before.

Miryam Yen is a dancer and cymbalist from China – a country with relatively little finger cymbal scene, yet she has taken the art form to the next level.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with her about how she’s developed her incredibly unique and fascinating finger cymbal style.

In this conversation she also discusses the important elements that every finger cymbal player should include in their practice and shares with us how she helps encourage others zill players to find their unique voice in the art form.

 

Join me for this eye-opening conversation and find new inspiration in your zill playing!

 
*****
 
Connect with Miryam online to be inspired by her unique zill style.
 
 
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