Thread: Saidi Cane Proportions

How do you determine the best length for a saidi cane? What do you find is the best proportion body to cane length? I am thinking about cutting my cane a bit smaller because I am so tall that I end up playing pinata with the disco ball while on stage. : D

Originally posted by Elleyla

I am thinking about cutting my cane a bit smaller because I am so tall that I end up playing pinata with the disco ball while on stage.

I'm tall too, and I know what you mean! Being tall, I've also had close encounters with ceiling fans and other fixtures when dancing with a veil.

One question to consider is how you dance with your cane. For example, if you place the tip on the floor, rest your hand on the hook, and do a hagallah shimmy traveling in a circle around it, then it would be a bad idea to shorten it because that would make you stoop over to do this move. But if you don't do the types of moves that involve resting the cane on the floor, then maybe shortening the cane wouldn't be a problem.

Hmm good point, for some reason I didn't think about that.... (that is why Bhuz is so great). My canes are about hip bone height, so maybe I could just try an a couple inches but make sure it is not so short that I stoop like an old man during that particular move. ha ha

I was taught that the cane should be the same level as your belly button ..... it's worked for me and and all my dance friends, so maybe give that one a go.

Before you hack into your cane, could you try the smaller length with a dowel or a piece of PVC pipe to see if you like that height? You can always cut shorter, but you can't add length back on very easily.

Check what your cane is made of too- bamboo is nice and lightweight and fairly sturdy, but if you cut it wrong it just shatters.

Originally Posted by Shaharazade07

I was taught that the cane should be the same level as your belly button ..... it's worked for me and and all my dance friends, so maybe give that one a go.

This is what I was taught as well.

With that said, the cane I usually dance with is a good deal shorter than this - because it used to belong to a very petite dancer. Kinda hard to make it longer...

Guidelines are just that: guidelines. Start with that, then alter to fit you and your circumstances.