Thread: Two pieces of advice

If you could give two pieces of advice to a beginning student, what would they be?

Here are my two:

1. Try classes with a variety of different teachers so you can expose yourself to a broad range of personal styles, thus helping develop your own individual style.

2. Do some research before picking a teacher. Don't just pick according to the lowest-price classes or the closest location, pick according to who is experienced and qualified.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

If you could give two pieces of advice to a beginning student, what would they be?

Here are my two:

1. Try classes with a variety of different teachers so you can expose yourself to a broad range of personal styles, thus helping develop your own individual style.

2. Do some research before picking a teacher. Don't just pick according to the lowest-price classes or the closest location, pick according to who is experienced and qualified.

I would have said something similar. So instead, I will offer this: Practice! If you practice even 15 min. a day, you will make much better progress than if you do not practice between classes.

1. PRACTICE OUTSIDE OF CLASS.

2. Invest in some Middle Eastern music. The music and the dance are connected, so it's important to start getting a feeling for the music.

Did I mention, PRACTICE OUTSIDE OF CLASS?!

Originally Posted by dunyah

I would have said something similar. So instead, I will offer this: Practice! If you practice even 15 min. a day, you will make much better progress than if you do not practice between classes.

Good lord we read each other's minds!

PRACTICE. That is the key - if I waited until each class I would still be learning shoulder shimmies and hip drops!!

1. Sorry to be repetitive, but pleeeeeeeease practice outside of class. Even if it's just some chest lifts in the car waiting for the red light to turn green, at least it's something.

2. Please go to haflas or other BD events so you can expose yourself to different dance styles, costumes and level of performer. If you live in an area where there's not much going on, ask your teacher for some online video clip or DVD recommendations. What you learn in class is such a small part of what this dance is really about.

1. practice outside of class, even if it's just doing glute squeezes in your car!
2. don't be afraid to try!

Originally Posted by laura 2

2. Please go to haflas or other BD events so you can expose yourself to different dance styles, costumes and level of performer. If you live in an area where there's not much going on, ask your teacher for some online video clip or DVD recommendations. What you learn in class is such a small part of what this dance is really about.

Oh, this is a GREAT one!

Also, did anybody mention PRACTICE????????????????? OK, I'll stop before someone hits me...

I wanted to try and add some new tips, but I am echoing everyone else with my #1:

1. Practice, practice, practice
2. Watch videos of the big name performers. Watch them a lot! Watch all different styles; it will take some time before you figure out what style speaks to you the loudest.

Ditto on practice. Number 2, when you invest in belly dance items, invest in good quality ones. They will be more expensive, but they will last longer and look better.

You don't need 10 cheap hipscarves that have 3 coins hanging from them and are falling apart - you need one gorgeous and sturdy hipscarf that will last you years. You don't need a cheap sword that bends when you look at it cross-eyed, you need a solid one that will cost more, but it will look better on stage and will be heavier and easier to balance. You don't need 5 cheap butterfly costumes, but you need one solid workhorse bra and belt set.

I understand when dancers are new and not sure about spending a lot of money, but quality pieces can be resold. I have drawers full of junk that I will never sell to anyone because of the quality. I wish someone had told me that (and they probably did - I wish I had listened!)

Nothing wrong with what's been said so far - but mine are a bit more fundamental:

1) Don't worry about looking dumb/stupid/clumsy/awkward in class. Everyone does. If you already knew how to do this, you wouldn't be there! Its OK, really! Don't apologize for being a klutz, its OK. Did I mention that its really OK?

2) Give it time. You're not going to be Dancer (of whatever form) of the Universe in six weeks - or even six years!

These are issues I see with beginning dancers over, and over, and over, and over... again!

In addition to all the great advice already mentioned.....Don't over think the movement.

Originally Posted by phillyraqs

I understand when dancers are new and not sure about spending a lot of money, but quality pieces can be resold. I have drawers full of junk that I will never sell to anyone because of the quality. I wish someone had told me that (and they probably did - I wish I had listened!)

This is so true. I have so much crap just laying around that I will never, ever use.

I'm going to agree with everyone else and say practice.

Something that helped me back in the day was yoga or pretty much any kind of stretching. I don't really know if that would help everyone, but it was great for me. I tend to be really inflexible anyway, and yoga helped increase my range of motion and lessened some of the muscle aches I would get from using muscles I didn't even know I had.

In addition to all of the above: Breathe! :)

In addition to the more practical stuff above:

1. Be open-minded and try to explore and appreciate other forms of belly dance to understand that being a different style/prop/costume/music doesn't make something better or worse - just a different interpretation adding to our tapestry of dance.

2. Be yourself and explore both what the dance can bring to you and what you can bring to the dance.

1. Give it time.
some moves come easy , some things take a loooog time, and not in the same order for everyone, so give it time.

and like Damiena said :
2. Watch videos of the big name performers. Watch them a lot! Watch all different styles; it will take some time before you figure out what style speaks to you the loudest.

I'm not teaching any beginners currently but I think this goes for students of all levels:

If you are enrolled in a belly dance class, commit to regularly attending class. Set aside this one hour each week for your well being. If you enjoy class and feel better when you are dancing and socializing with the other students then recognize that attending class has value and should not be skipped on a whim. Of course "real life" intrudes on all our plans from time to time but it's important to take care of ourselves. Don't let other people tell you "well, it's just belly dance class...it's not important." In many cases that argument really means "well, it's just something you enjoy but my needs are more important." Stand up for your right to do something enjoyable for yourself!

In addition to attending class, be "present" while you are in class. It will be much more difficult to learn new things if your mind is distracted. While stretching or warming up for class, try to let go of your stress and free your mind to focus on the task at hand. Mental stress often becomes physical stress which can result in muscle tightness, limited range of movement, high blood pressure and the inability to balance. Prolonged stress can even result in serious medical problems. Dance helps me let go of physical stress and I see that in my students as well. The first step is to "let go" and relax, breathe and really let the music flow through you. This really works! I've had students arrive at class in tears because of something that happened to them earlier in the day and then leave class with a smile. If you allow it, belly dance really can change your life.

Okay, I'm done sermonizing! :soapbox: ..g.:

Great advice from all -- but my #1 would be:

Come to class regularly. As a beginner dancer, you cannot afford to miss class. (wish I had a dollar for every student that signs up for a 10 week class, comes to maybe 5 or 6 and then wonders why he/she can't execute the most basic of the movements at the end of the 10 weeks. I could retire to a life of leisure . . .)

My second would echo so many of yours: Practice OUTSIDE of class.

1) Have FUN.

2) Remove the words "can't" and "never" from your vocabulary.

I've seen so many potentially good dancers stop themselves from progressing because they have convinced themselves that they "can't" get this move or "will never" achieve XXX.

1. You can't write a novel before you can construct sentences. You can't write a sentence if you don't know the words.

2. Listen to the music

My teachers words of advice on the first day
1. Give yourself time, this is new and it is a new way of moving your body and using your muscles. It takes time for the brain and body to connect and even more time before it looks good.
2. Ignore your preconceived notions about body image. Everyones body is different and so can give something different to the dance. Let your body give what it can.
3. Relax and have fun. Laugh about yourself, it is okay to make mistakes and the tenser you are, the less able you will be able to do the moves.
4. Practice. This won't happen overnight and it will never happen if you don't practice.

1. Familiarize yourself with the different styles. Remember there is more to belly dance than one style.

2. Practice, practice, practice and more practice.

1. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher if there is something you don't understand.

2.Be kind to yourself- some movements may be difficult in the beginning but don't worry-all it takes is practice!

1. Understand that some things will come much easier to you than others. Do not worry about the things that aren't "easy" - with practice and determination they will come to you. But appreciate and be excited about the things that just seem to click with you.

2. Don't compare yourself to other students in the class (this goes along with #1). Everyone has things that they do really well, and that they don't do so well, so focus on improving your own personal technique.

And of course, enjoy the ride!

I would encourage them to take Ballet and Jazz classes for obvious reasons.
I would tell them to be dedicated to learning, watch videos of a list of names I would give them.
I would tell them to read about Middle Eastern music, culture, folklore.
I would give them materials to study from
I would encourage them to develop technique first rather than style more, and not to copy anyone.
I would encourage them to do homeworks and ask them questions in the class
I would have them focus on specific combinations and come up with their own additional and show me what they did and why...how they interpret the music.

1. If you buy every hip scarf, zills, veil, Madam Abla costume, DVD and CD available, you will instantly become a better dancer. Indeed, these things can replace the need for actually practicing the moves.

2. You will only need a few lessons before you're ready for restaurant dancing...just as long as you've got the costume.

Oops, did I read the question wrong???..g.:

Most of the above in a circle sit and talk session &.....

I have to add that learning takes a lot of time and effort in this dance. Practice is important and you can never be any worse than the first day you walked in here and began your first class. Even the most accomplished bellydance performers were beginners once, just like you, and you get out of it what you put into it. Learning is meant to be fun, not frustrating, so there will be times when you need to think to yourselves 'give me a break brain, this is new to me and I'm learning at my own pace, not yours'.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

1. If you buy every hip scarf, zills, veil, Madam Abla costume, DVD and CD available, you will instantly become a better dancer. Indeed, these things can replace the need for actually practicing the moves.

2. You will only need a few lessons before you're ready for restaurant dancing...just as long as you've got the costume.

Oops, did I read the question wrong???..g.:

You cracked me up!

..l;,

1. Learn the rhythms.
2. Practice makes perfect!

I may be repeating what others say:
practice at least 1/2 to 1 hour a day.(for me with my schedule that is all I have time for but its practice)or more if you got the time to commit to it.
listen to and interpret the music, learn the rhythms
some moves come easy some you will struggle with.That's normal
you got to enjoy and have passion for the dance
breathe and most important have fun!!!

Alrana