Thread: Suggestions for practice music for beginning students

I just started teaching some students who are absolute beginners but who seem very enthusiastic and eager to learn. I told them I'd compile some recommendations for music to use for practicing at home. At present they know pretty much nothing about belly dance music, so this will be their introduction.

Anyone have any favorites for practice music for beginners? When I was a brand-new belly baby, beginning students used Eddie Cochac and George Abdo and that sort of thing -- I'm not against this but I'd like to come up with something a little more contemporary as well. I thought of something like 10 Songs Every Bellydancer Should Know, and maybe some of the BDSS CDs.

Any other ideas? I'd also like for most things to be available of iTunes or other downloadable purchase.

Tell them to check out "Rotana Presents: Music From The Middle East" on Amazon. It's a little old (2009), but it's a sampler of seven of iconic voices of popular Arabic music, and it's FREE, so they have no excuse not to get it.

Originally Posted by JeanneLF

Anyone have any favorites for practice music for beginners? When I was a brand-new belly baby, beginning students used Eddie Cochac and George Abdo and that sort of thing -- I'm not against this but I'd like to come up with something a little more contemporary as well. I thought of something like 10 Songs Every Bellydancer Should Know, and maybe some of the BDSS CDs.

Any other ideas? I'd also like for most things to be available of iTunes or other downloadable purchase.

I think "10 Songs" is a great CD for this purpose, so I agree with you on that one.

I steer my students to the "Gems of the Middle East" series of three CD's by Mary Ellen Donald and the late Mimi Spencer. Here's a link to my review: Music Review: Gems of the Middle East, by Mary Ellen Donald and Mimi Spencer

You might want to choose ONE pop singer's "greatest hits" CD just to introduce your students to what younger audience members might like. Could be someone like Nancy Ajram, Sherin, Amr Diab, or whoever you like enough to recommend. The benefit of pop music is that it tends to have a steady, monotonous beat, which makes it easy to use for practice. But of course the disadvantage of pop music is that its steady, monotonous beat can make for monotonous performances once your students reach the stage of being ready to perform.

I personally don't recommend the BDSS CD's because they contain a lot of composed-in-America music (stuff like Entrance of the Stars) and I prefer to steer students to Middle Eastern music so they can learn "the repertoire". But your position on this may be different from mine. The other issue with BDSS albums is that EVERYBODY and her sister is using them, which could pose a problem when your students are ready to perform. There's a risk that hafla audiences may be bored with songs from those CD's, not to mention the risk that someone else in the same hafla may be dancing to the same song. That said, there is some good music on those CD's.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Tell them to check out "Rotana Presents: Music From The Middle East" on Amazon. It's a little old (2009), but it's a sampler of seven of iconic voices of popular Arabic music, and it's FREE, so they have no excuse not to get it.

Went to download this only to discover that I have previously downloaded it!

I actually use "Shik Shak Shok" by Hassan Abdou El Seoud. It has a number of steady beat numbers, some drum, it starts getting them familar with some Egyptian standards and beledi improvisation. Unlike pop music it has some meat and variety. I leave full blown Orientales until they can hear the music.

One of my early belly dance CD's was Dark Fire by the band Light Rain. It sounds a bit more gypsy than traditional oriental music, but it was a great introduction to the middle eastern rhythms. The songs ranger from fast to slow and you can pick out rhythms easily and they are not too complicated to listen to. I still love working with this music. And it is great to zill to, so your students can grow into the whole CD.

You can find it on cdbaby.com or amazon

I second Sheek Shak Shook and Light Rain. I also like compilations like Bellydance Superstars (vol 1 my favorite) as they offer an introduction to different styles of songs. Plus pop compilations like the 'Now That's What I Call Arabia' series for the latest Middle Eastern stars. I've got an article on my CD recommendations at Jewel Bellydance - Belly dance classes melbourne Australia ::: Articles. Admittedly it's a bit old!

If they're after purchasing actual CDs (rather than downloading), I think Hollywood Music Centre offers prompt, reliable delivery. They also produce a lot of their own CDs, and are happy for you to use it in videos, etc if credit is given.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Tell them to check out "Rotana Presents: Music From The Middle East" on Amazon. It's a little old (2009), but it's a sampler of seven of iconic voices of popular Arabic music, and it's FREE, so they have no excuse not to get it.

What a shame, I got all excited at the idea of a free download, but it is only available in the US - not the UK!

I used to practice to Hakim a lot when I just started out, and Nancy Ajram. Both on the pop spectrum, so steady rhythms. I think the first BDSS CD & On Fire! have some of the classics on them and are good for practicing to.

Thanks, ladies! I added all these suggestions to my list.

Check out bellydancedownloads.com for dancers' and teachers' picks for the classroom!

These two are great all-purpose practice songs:
- Zeina from Magical Belly Dance
- Habibi Ya Eaney from Oriental Belly Dance

I like these two for practicing because:
- they're long (6-8 minutes)
- they have heavy moderate-tempo beats (so they are good for practicing sharp moves)
- they have a slinky feel (so they're good for practicing soft moves)

They're both available on Amazon MP3, and I think on iTunes and emusic as well. I'm pretty sure they're both featured on multiple albums and listed as "various artists".

You can find direct links here.

i make a cd for all new students..and teach from it, so they can remember at home. i use very old, traditional to some hakim, saad. it is interesting to me, who likes what . it does give them insight into what they might want to buy, what "speaks" to them.