Thread: shamadan help!

I'm new at the shamadan, and bought one from a friend. It's got a little padding inside, but it still feels like my head's in a vice. If I loosen it, it shifts around too much. Any tips for making it fit? I saw a photo of one dancer who had wrapped something around both the base of the shamadan and her head--I guess to keep it steady. Would that be acceptable for a first time performance with it to boost my confidence?

I'd love some advice on how to make it fit, keep it from wobbling a lot, and songs to perform with. And, should the zills be played?

My teacher's at a workshop in New York, so I'm counting on help from Ya'll!

If it's one that has that utterly cheap-@$$ white foam padding, the stuff is worthless, Strip it out and replace it with Dr. Scholl's "Mole Foam" (from the footcare isle of your local drug store). The stuff wears like iron, is cheap, sticks well, and is relatively thin but pads well.

If the crown won't fit correctly and none of the existing holes line up (which is most likely the case), either drill a new set of holes that work, or as I did, solder/braze the crown into the correct size. Make sure it matches the SHAPE of your head, you may need to squish it a bit to make it more (or less) oval.

By any means it should be tight, but it should be headache inducing tight.

Zills? Play 'em if you feel confident in doing so, don't if you don't - especially for a first time performance. I've always played zills with Shemadan, but that's just ME. A "first time" performance of any kind is mainly just to get you out on stage used to the new situation/prop/music/choreography - so don't push yourself over the edge!

what zorba said! especially about the shape.

another trick i have used, if the metal is to thin to solder/braze:
after shaping the crown by carefully pressing into a "head" shape, attach upholstery foam to the inside for padding, then cover the foam with fabric

re zills: if you can do it comfortably, go for it!

have a great show
...pics!

I take out the padding in the shamadan and replace it with a product called fun foam that you can buy from hobbycraft-but don't know if you can get that over there. I've got a page on shamadan and music to use and battery candle stuff on my website which might be helpful to you.
Rakscandi

Zorba, I love your shamadan. It's beautiful where did you get it?

Originally Posted by Candi

Zorba, I love your shamadan. It's beautiful where did you get it?

Thanx!

I built it out of a "real" candelabrum as I was tired of dealing with the Egyptian junk...

ETA: Candi - that is the best writeup I've seen yet on the practicalities of shemadan dancing - I'm going to add a link to it on my site. Saves me the trouble of writing my own, and I like those battery candles (at least from your description). Although I vastly prefer real candles, there are plenty of places that won't allow them, and I too have issues with fake looking candles that weigh too much - I'll be ordering a set...

Thanks Candi, I'll look at it!

Originally Posted by Candi

I take out the padding in the shamadan and replace it with a product called fun foam that you can buy from hobbycraft-but don't know if you can get that over there. I've got a page on shamadan and music to use and battery candle stuff on my website which might be helpful to you.
Rakscandi

I was at your website last week after buying my first shamadan and ordered some of those fake candles--thanks for posting so much wonderful information! I've got my own first shamadan performance at the beginning of August and it is a wonderful confidence boost to have so much information at my fingertips!

I live in an area where real fire, even from candles, is banned pretty much everywhere, so the candle suggestion was especially appreciated. I don't know if it would have occurred to me to look for candles that take the small batteries. ,r:;

Somehow, my shamadan fit exactly right the day I took it home. I've danced in it and everything. For once having a big thick skull is paying off

Wow fantastic-glad it was helpful-enjoy the shamadan-I find it is a real audience pleaser.The dear old GP may not get much about the dance but they always get somebody balencing something big and shiney on their head!!

Hey Candi,

Can I reprint your shamadan article in my online magazine (http://web.mac.com/knoxundulations)? I sent you an email through your website.

Thanks!
Sonja

Originally Posted by Candi

Wow fantastic-glad it was helpful-enjoy the shamadan-I find it is a real audience pleaser.The dear old GP may not get much about the dance but they always get somebody balencing something big and shiney on their head!!

Especially when its on fire!

Hi there! Here's a pic. Didn't set the building on fire! Yay!

Originally Posted by zorba

If it's one that has that utterly cheap-@$$ white foam padding, the stuff is worthless, Strip it out and replace it with Dr. Scholl's "Mole Foam" (from the footcare isle of your local drug store). The stuff wears like iron, is cheap, sticks well, and is relatively thin but pads well.

If the crown won't fit correctly and none of the existing holes line up (which is most likely the case), either drill a new set of holes that work, or as I did, solder/braze the crown into the correct size. Make sure it matches the SHAPE of your head, you may need to squish it a bit to make it more (or less) oval.

By any means it should be tight, but it should be headache inducing tight.

Zills? Play 'em if you feel confident in doing so, don't if you don't - especially for a first time performance. I've always played zills with Shemadan, but that's just ME. A "first time" performance of any kind is mainly just to get you out on stage used to the new situation/prop/music/choreography - so don't push yourself over the edge!

Zorba, I just love your Shamedan. Everytime I have seen it pictured, I want to stick mine in some dark corner of my closet. You should write up directions and diagrams as to how you created yours and sell the instructions! I have never seen one so elegant.

Lisa

Originally Posted by Lisa Michelle

Zorba, I just love your Shamedan. Everytime I have seen it pictured, I want to stick mine in some dark corner of my closet.

Lisa

Me too! Mine looks like ghetto shamadan in comparison.

I third that Zorba, or you should go into the business of making them and selling them!!

i squeezed mine into a football shape, and it fit!
i also was lucky enough to find a youtube clip of a dancer w/same model as mine....she had taken the 2 center arms off.....she must be 5' too, cause i followed suit, ...it balances like a dream

Originally Posted by Aradia

I third that Zorba, or you should go into the business of making them and selling them!!

Oh yes! I like Aradia's idea since I don't weld and would have to find someone to help me with that part. You could invent your own product line, "The Zorba Shamedan!" ..g.:

Lisa

Are tealights ok to use/ I want to learn shamadan eventually. I saw it at a restaurant before. I'm taking lessons, but not shamadan lessons. Guess i will buy good dvd or try to teach mykself this beautiful prop. by way, picture in previous post was beautiful of the shamdan!!!!

Tealights on a tray perhaps, but seeing as they melt entirely when they burn...

i used battery/flickering tea lighta at a windy venue....they worked!
used double sided stickey tape on two sides of cup to hold them in place