Thread: What's the best DVD for learning sword?

What's the best DVD for learning sword? I'm a professional belly dancer already but have never learned sword. I'm looking for a good DVD that someone like me could learn from. Thanks!

Princess Farhana has a nice one out. I've been doing sword for a while, but it seemed pretty informative for the beginner. She's always fun in person or even on a video, so check it out!

There really isn't much blade video work.
I heard that Princess Farhana's video was great too? Do you know who vends it? Just her?
-Shah

I haven't seen it, but Cory Zamora was describing some of the material on her sword video on the old forum that sounded fantastic!

Maybe someone has a review online?

Meleea from Texas has a sword video called "Sword Play", her website can be found at www.beledi.com

I've never seen this particular video, but I do have other videos by Meleea and although they are homemade, she does pack a lot of content into them, and they're very reasonably priced.

This is from Meleea's site :
"If you have a basic knowledge of Raks Sharki, but have never danced with a sword, I will show you various types of swords, how to find the sword's balance point, how to prepare a sword, give you safety tips, advice on headgear & hairstyles, show you several balance areas on your body. Then I will take you from basic isolations & steps with the sword to a standing taxim with the sword, then a slow beledi segment, then beginning floor work with the sword (the first segment demands a moderate level of ability, the second a higher level of flexibility & strength.) My goal is to show you the "tools",& teach you how to use them so that you can go beyond my instructions and create your own combinations & choreographies".

I also liked Princess Farhana's sword & Shamadan video - I did a review of this for my website... it's under "video reviews" then "prop techniques"

All disclaimers etc apply!

All the best,

Nikki
http://www.raqs-sharqi.com
"The Art of Oriental Dance!"

BTW, Princess Farhana's sword video (2 different ones actually) is on sale at Salome's new store (see thread below this one!).

Of the ones I've seen, I thought Mezdulene's Balancing Act was the most informative with respect to sword. She covers both single and double sword. However, the production quality is horrid. I don't agree with all her recommendations, but I wouldn't bash the video for that reason - buyers can make up their own minds which material to use and which not to.

Princess Farhana's first sword video, which covers sword and shamadan, gives a good introduction. She shares a lot of tips for each prop, and teaches a short choreography you can use as a framework for rehearsing the moves. It's reviewed on my web site at www.shira.net/videocenter-alpha.htm

Originally Posted by Mellilahbellydance

What's the best DVD for learning sword? I'm a professional belly dancer already but have never learned sword. I'm looking for a good DVD that someone like me could learn from. Thanks!

thank you for the mention of my sword dvd.
cz

Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful!

I've seen it, although I don't have a review online for it. Cory's web site claims it's an hour long, but it actually is only 48 minutes long. Here's how the 48 minutes are used: 19 are instruction, 14 are performances by Cory and the student who assists her in teaching, and 15 are a "gang solo" by her students at a Renaissance Faire in which most of what the camera shows is beginner-level dancing. So I'd say there's 33 minutes of value. The instructional part is good, but with only 19 minutes devoted to it, well, usually when an instructional video is advertised as being an hour long, you expect about 50-55 minutes of instruction and 5-10 minutes of performance.

Originally Posted by acmcgraw

I haven't seen it, but Cory Zamora was describing some of the material on her sword video on the old forum that sounded fantastic!

Maybe someone has a review online?

To add something different to your sword work-and if there is something in your area looking into Japanese samaurai lessons or Kung Fu lessons. Or any other traditional art that uses swords.

I'm skeptical of trying to put martial arts katas into belly dance sword work, especially if the dancer has little to no martial arts experience. It's like any other fusion - you need to know both movement disciplines before fusing them, or else you just look like someone who's trying to do something she doesn't understand.

I've seen performances where the dancer was trying to wave her sword around like a weapon, and let's just say it was an idea that didn't work.

Now, I HAVE seen someone who studied martial arts, AND took her studies in martial arts seriously, who incorporated some katas into her belly dance performance. She is the only one I've seen whose sword-waving was worth watching.

Originally Posted by eshe

To add something different to your sword work-and if there is something in your area looking into Japanese samaurai lessons or Kung Fu lessons. Or any other traditional art that uses swords.

once again, how one learns, comes into play.
we go round and round with shira.in fresno, we learn from one on one, from others in class, and from viewing performance.just because that is how WE learn, does not mean it is of no value.
shira also refuses to convey, that my dvds were first only thought of for our own studio.that a world wide intetrest has come from it, was a not expected .
i also have a close e mail relationship with all owners of my dvds...i answer questions all day, on line.
perhaps bhuz is not turning out to be a wise place for me to be, with such closed minds.
we all have our way of doing things....our studio is full, 4 to 8 hours a day, monday through sat.
we must be doing something right!
in a few months, i will be working with new people, re doing..up dating all past lessons on dvd.my partner in production, has to screen plays being looked at, and now has limited time.
perhaps being here is black holeing my time.....why cant everyone just understand, that when you can learn from ones style of teaching, you usually stay with their line of dvds.if i am not "getting through", on the dvd, ill refund your money.
enough of the put downs, just because it isnt YOUR way of learning
i think i have had enough.

Originally Posted by zamora

once again, how one learns, comes into play.
we go round and round with shira.in fresno, we learn from one on one, from others in class, and from viewing performance.just because that is how WE learn, does not mean it is of no value.

Perhaps you missed the part of my message where I said the instruction was good. I think you're a great teacher who explains things well. I just would have expected that an instructional video being advertised as an hour in length on the page of your web site where you sell it would have more than 19 minutes of instruction.

I do agree with you that a person can learn by watching performance, and I included the 14 minutes of performances by you and Laura as part of the 33 minutes that I said were of value. I just thought that 15-minute Renaissance Faire segment was rather worthless as a learning tool, and I would have preferred to see it replaced by additional instruction.

shira also refuses to convey, that my dvds were first only thought of for our own studio.that a world wide intetrest has come from it, was a not expected .

On the web site where you sell this video, at http://www.bellydancingonvideo.com/old_index02.html , you yourself don't convey that your DVD was designed for your existing students and wasn't intended for the public. Your listings of your videos on amazon.com don't mention this either. So if you yourself don't feel it's necessary to mention it in your marketing materials, why are you attacking me for not mentioning it?

we all have our way of doing things....our studio is full, 4 to 8 hours a day, monday through sat.
we must be doing something right!

When a person buys an instructional video taught by someone she doesn't know, that person's only frame of reference to the teacher comes from what the video itself contains. The buyer doesn't know, and usually doesn't care, how many classes a week occur at the teacher's faraway studio, or how full they are. The buyer only cares whether the video offers sufficient value for the money.

I would agree that you're doing something right. As I said above, I like the way you explain things, and I enjoy watching you perform.

For those who would like to know more about Cory Zamora's sword/tray video, here's the page on amazon that has a review:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...ofmiddleeaste/

I don't know the reviewer. I simply provide the link since folks on this thread are interested in feedback on the assorted videos available out there.

Veda has two sword dvds, if you buy in bulk (I think 5) you get a discount.
I haven't got them yet so can't say anything about their content. I have other titles and are happy with them, they are homemade and she does chat a little.
http://www.vedasereem.net/video.html

i have NEVER sold anything on amazon in my life! weird.

Originally Posted by nikkiraqs

Meleea from Texas has a sword video called "Sword Play", her website can be found at www.beledi.com

I've never seen this particular video, but I do have other videos by Meleea and although they are homemade, she does pack a lot of content into them, and they're very reasonably priced.

I have the Sword Play video and I like it a lot! I definitely recommend it to any sword newbie. There is a lot of good instruction on there. She starts with the very basics, like the types of swords available and how to choose one, and she goes from there. It progresses nicely from easy stuff to more difficult stuff. She does some kind of "follow the leader" type stuff where she combines moves together, so that while you're following her, you can get an idea for how it feels to perform a dance with a sword on your head. It comes with a packet of information, too, which I found helpful. The video has a performance section that is very nice.

My only complaint is that AFAIK, it's not on DVD yet, so you have to get it on VHS. With as much content as it has (which is definitely a good thing), it takes a while to buzz through to specific parts you may want to watch.

Originally Posted by zamora

once again, how one learns, comes into play.
we go round and round with shira.in fresno, we learn from one on one, from others in class, and from viewing performance.just because that is how WE learn, does not mean it is of no value.
shira also refuses to convey, that my dvds were first only thought of for our own studio.that a world wide intetrest has come from it, was a not expected .
i also have a close e mail relationship with all owners of my dvds...i answer questions all day, on line.
perhaps bhuz is not turning out to be a wise place for me to be, with such closed minds.
we all have our way of doing things....our studio is full, 4 to 8 hours a day, monday through sat.
we must be doing something right!
in a few months, i will be working with new people, re doing..up dating all past lessons on dvd.my partner in production, has to screen plays being looked at, and now has limited time.
perhaps being here is black holeing my time.....why cant everyone just understand, that when you can learn from ones style of teaching, you usually stay with their line of dvds.if i am not "getting through", on the dvd, ill refund your money.
enough of the put downs, just because it isnt YOUR way of learning
i think i have had enough.

cory, try not to take these reviews personally. everyone has their opinion and you have to know that there will be people out there who don't like your performances, videos, teaching, costumes, etc. i'm sure there are dancers you have that opinion about as well. people are all so different, it has no reflection on who you are or on your integrity. i wouldn't let a video review disenchant you from the whole bhuz community, nor would i let it discourage you. i say keep on dancin, smiling, and posting, no matter what they say! i've had plenty of put downs in my life, but i take what i can constructively, discard the rest, and really sincerely appreciate the compliments. it should only make you stronger, and don't let it beat you down!

I use to have the advance sword dvd by Veda Sereem.
Wgeb i bought that video i already danced with the sword but was looking to learn something more so i didnt buy the begginer sword video.

But based on what i learned from the advanced sword and from other Veda sereem videos i have , I would recommend her begginers sword video.

In her dvds Veda gives lots of tricks and suggestions and she talks about safety too. Veda shows you the moves and the image quality is good. It feels like you are in a private class with her since it is filmed in her dance studio and she talks you through the whole sesson. her videos are around 1.5 hour or 2 hours if i remmber correctly.

Now she sells her instructional series on dvd they are about 35$ each.

Sorry, I bumped this, but I didn't want to have to start a whole new thread since there are a ton of options available out there.

I have been working on: Princess Farhana's Bellydance & Balance, The Art of the Sword and Shamadan. I was able to purchased this from a member, because woo the price is steep new.

It is good and doesn't go into too much floor work. Thankfully, because I can't handle much of it anyway. I am still hurting from a c-section I had 4 months ago. All in all I really like it. She talks about the history and about how to chose a sword. I skipped through the Shamadan, because well not ready for that yet.

I have a beginner sword, so it is supposedly light, but gosh darnit my head feels sore afterwards. I can do the arm and hip movements, but traveling to the floor is a little challenging for me. I can do all the other body parts with no issues. I am getting the hang of it. I can't wait until I have mastered this!

I still have one more to try that hasn't been mentioned here. =)

Saqra has a very good sword dvd. Her dvd's are all home made and remind me of being in a workshop. She packs a lot of information into her videos, and she is an excellent teacher. You may want to get her floor work dvd as well.

Saqra's Video (& DVD) Series - Choreographed Belly Dance Routines

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I'm skeptical of trying to put martial arts katas into belly dance sword work, especially if the dancer has little to no martial arts experience. It's like any other fusion - you need to know both movement disciplines before fusing them, or else you just look like someone who's trying to do something she doesn't understand.

I've seen performances where the dancer was trying to wave her sword around like a weapon, and let's just say it was an idea that didn't work.

Now, I HAVE seen someone who studied martial arts, AND took her studies in martial arts seriously, who incorporated some katas into her belly dance performance. She is the only one I've seen whose sword-waving was worth watching.

I agree with this, and keep in mind, most belly dance swords aren't really built to be swung around, Ninja-style, they might actually break.

I haven't seen it and it may have already been mentioned in the this thread, but there's this DVD by Belladonna:

Belladonna

I own Princess Farhana's, it looks very good, for all kind of balancing (she demonstrates it with a book too).
Princess Farhana of Hollywood belly dancing

She actually has 3 sword dvds out there, one for beginner, one more intermediate and "twin blade" (partner dance I guess).
The prices on her home page are pretty high, but some of her basic dvds are available in "mainstream editions" for much lower prices at amazon.
This is the basic one I own:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Belly-Dance-Balance-Sword-Shamadan/dp/B000RK2S7Q/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1251743718&sr=8-5]Amazon.com: Belly Dance & Balance the Art of Sword & Shamadan: Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

For more advanced students the 2 other volumes are only available through her homepage..
I have not learned sword up to now. I am not sure I like it so much, nor do I have a sword :) But I can say that dvd looks good in teaching you how to do it. Also here on bhuz there have been good reviews of Farhana's teaching of balancing in workshops. She really is somewhat an authority in the field it seems. Also her Shamadan dance is very beautiful:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DItyalhUMY4]YouTube - Egyptian Raks Al Shamadan (Princess Farhana)[/ame]

By the way one does not need to have purchased the product through amazon to review. That would not give the richness of reviews amazon has to offer, and we buyers are grateful for. One has to have purchased SOMETHING there before to be able to review.