Thread: Top ten songs

So I took a look and I didn't see this anywhere else. What do you all think are the most important 10 songs that all beginners should get to know? I know that it is hard to limit it to ten. Or perhaps the one (or two) CD's that all beginners should have in their collection.

Look at Dahlal.com. They have a list that every baby belly should know. Go to the music page.

Thanks so much! (for asking and for replying). I've just started taking lessons, and so far, everything has been American modern music. I have no idea how to navigate the world of Middle Eastern music!

I compiled a Music Resources page that may be of use: LARaqs Resources

There was a huge thread on Bhuz a while back about songs to add to your collection. I wrote the question up as an article and added input from dancers in my area. You could read it here: Articles-Madison Bellydance Alliance

Originally Posted by nasila

I compiled a Music Resources page that may be of use: LARaqs Resources

That's one spectacular web layout you've got there!

Wow! Thank you guys for giving this info. There is alot of overlap from each list. Would you all suggest fully orchastrated versions? Vocals? I saw the names of a few groups and that should help. Thanks again and keep em coming if you have others that you prefer!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Wow! Thank you guys for giving this info. There is alot of overlap from each list. Would you all suggest fully orchastrated versions? Vocals? I saw the names of a few groups and that should help. Thanks again and keep em coming if you have others that you prefer!

Okay. Probably lots of people will disagree with me but here's how I think beginners should approach listening to this music:

STEP 1: Buy short, orchestrated versions of classic songs with no vocals.
Why? Because beginners are intimidated by long tracks, and because dancing to classic songs with vocals is a little distracting for the beginner with no understanding of the lyrics.

STEP 2: Add in Arabic and Turkish pop.
Why? Because having gotten comfortable with the basic movements to the classic tunes, one can better see how they fit with the popular music beats. Beginners will feel comfortable with this music.

STEP 3: Branch out to all the "old guard" musicians with small ensembles: George Abdo, Eddie Kochak, John Bilezikjian... this gives you the "feel" of what the pro dancers of the last several decades have been dancing to in restaurants in clubs. Diversify: do you have some Lebanese music, some Tunisian music?

STEP 4: Start listening to the long versions of the old classics with the original vocalists... Umm Kalsoum for 40 minutes. Abdel Halim Hafiz for 45. Understand where those short orchestrated versions came from.

Listen, listen, listen. Question, question, question. Take tracks to your dance teacher... ask how she would dance to this song, that song. The intro to this piece is all qanoon, would she choo-choo shimmy on to the stage? The middle of this music is SO slow, how would she interpret it?

(gets off soapbox now)

I like having different opinions! This whole dance is so diverse that I expect to get a lot of different voices. I went onto itunes and I am having trouble finding the following songs: Leylet Hob, Gana el Hewa, Lessa Fakir, Zay el Hawa, Salam Allay and Touta. Does anyone have any suggestions as to different spellings or titles that these songs go by or perhaps more current CD's that I can look up that they would be on?

I'm working on a site with song info like you mentioned - different spelling variations, where to download, etc. It's "down" tonight because our server is being moved, but should be back up tomorrow. It's nowhere near finished, but it might help you with some of these songs. http://www.bellydancedownloads.com

Check it tomorrow for "Leylet Hob" and "Gana el Hewa". I'll be adding some of the others that you mentioned very soon.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

I like having different opinions! This whole dance is so diverse that I expect to get a lot of different voices. I went onto itunes and I am having trouble finding the following songs: Leylet Hob, Gana el Hewa, Lessa Fakir, Zay el Hawa, Salam Allay and Touta. Does anyone have any suggestions as to different spellings or titles that these songs go by or perhaps more current CD's that I can look up that they would be on?

Wow! That is really an awesome site! I was able to find all but one, Touta. Thank you soooo much. I will have to bookmark that for future use.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Wow! That is really an awesome site! I was able to find all but one, Touta. Thank you soooo much. I will have to bookmark that for future use.

that IS a great site! I'm glad you posted here...saves me a lot of work 'cuz I was going to do something similar. Kiyaana, mind if I link to your site from my Resource page?

ETA, Baby Belly - try spelling it Tuta. :)

Please feel free to link. It's really still in "beta" version because I've changed my mind several times about how to set it up and gathering the info takes some time. But, I'm learning so much as I do it! When I saw this thread I thought it was time to share.

Much, much more to come!

Originally Posted by nasila

that IS a great site! I'm glad you posted here...saves me a lot of work 'cuz I was going to do something similar. Kiyaana, mind if I link to your site from my Resource page?

ETA, Baby Belly - try spelling it Tuta. :)

Originally Posted by nasila

ETA, Baby Belly - try spelling it Tuta. :)

No luck. Oh, well. Now I have to figure out how to get the music I downloaded off iTunes to my home computer where I have a burner. I didn't know that if I downloaded at work instead of at home (where I have dial-up) that I would be able to get the music to burn from home. My co-worker who is actually living in the 21st century corrected me after I had already downloaded and paid for the songs.,m:: I don't own an ipod so I have to figure out another way to move the music.

iTunes is funny like that. It's their whole "digital rights management" thing. I know there is a round-a-bout way to do it. I'll ask my husband.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

No luck. Oh, well. Now I have to figure out how to get the music I downloaded off iTunes to my home computer where I have a burner. I didn't know that if I downloaded at work instead of at home (where I have dial-up) that I would be able to get the music to burn from home. My co-worker who is actually living in the 21st century corrected me after I had already downloaded and paid for the songs.,m:: I don't own an ipod so I have to figure out another way to move the music.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

iTunes is funny like that. It's their whole "digital rights management" thing. I know there is a round-a-bout way to do it. I'll ask my husband.

Thank you. These things are still so new to me. I only got a DVD player about two years ago and that is because someone bought one for me. Sometimes I feel like my grandma when it comes to this stuff.

Can you burn it to a CD at work, and take it home and rip it to your home computer? Or email it to yourself?

I assume your work computer doesn't have a CD burner?

Does your "21st Century" friend have a thumb-drive that you can borrow? Then you can put the files on the thumb-drive, take it home, and put it in your computer. Log in to ITunes and you should be able to play the songs and burn them onto a CD.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Thank you. These things are still so new to me. I only got a DVD player about two years ago and that is because someone bought one for me. Sometimes I feel like my grandma when it comes to this stuff.

It won't let me e-mail them. Someone in my office is going to let me use their Ipod to move the music. Thank you everyone for your help!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

It won't let me e-mail them. Someone in my office is going to let me use their Ipod to move the music. Thank you everyone for your help!

Now how does that work? I didn't think you could upload music from an iPod onto another computer, only download from computer to iPod. Which I found extremely annoying when I bought a new computer and had to transfer my music over, burning onto umpteen CDs to accomplish it. (Actually, if there was an easier way, perhaps I don't want to know!)

You technically can, although it's not sanctioned by Apple. I haven't had an iPod break because of that

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Now how does that work? I didn't think you could upload music from an iPod onto another computer, only download from computer to iPod. Which I found extremely annoying when I bought a new computer and had to transfer my music over, burning onto umpteen CDs to accomplish it. (Actually, if there was an easier way, perhaps I don't want to know!)

There is an easier way - at least when moving stuff from an old computer to a new one. I got some software (Intellimover, I think). It's been awhile almost 2 years ago, but there was a cord (maybe a USB) and you had to have both computers on at the same time, then hook them together and it's all transferred. You can choose what you want to transfer and what you don't want to transfer, as well. It was an option of something to include with my new computer, and I went for it, since I have so much writing.

I think you're thinking of an ethernet cable. Both computers have to be set so that they "see" each other and are sharing. I did that when I did my initial PC to Mac move. Saved lots of CDs! I needed no extra software, just patience.

If you're on a Mac, there's some program (I forget what it's called) that allows your new Mac to have the exact same everything, more or less (some small kinks maybe with programs), as your old Mac. When I bought my second Mac, I used a firewire cable and in about an hour, my new Mac had the same settings as my old, down to the wallpaper.