Thread: Shamada - Do you ALWAYS use a Zeffa?

If you're performing in a restaurant or for a non-wedding party, do you still use a zeffa? I get bored by the zeffa music if it's not a processional... so I tend to use other things, as well. I'd like to know what others use.

My fave Shemadan music is actually an old school piece (forgot the name of it, but you'd recognize it if you heard it) that ends with a drum solo!

No. A zeffa is for a wedding procession-nothing else. Thats the only time it is used and it is not compulsory to use a shamadan when you are doing one. The music the Egyptians usually use for it is a traditional medley of Raks Hawanem "ladies dance" and then going onto shurouk as in the CD Music for Egyptian Dance track Raks Shamadan or the CD Raks badia or ladies dance going into a baladi progression as in the Cairo delights CD with Nagwa Fouad track Badia Shamadan.
Here is Camellia dancing to the ladies dance/shurouk medley though I think I'd probably sack the singer if I was her!!!
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNjkEqcCurI"]YouTube - Camelia - Egyptian dancer[/ame]

I love love love the traditional Shamadan music -- not zeffa, but the piece that's traditional for the dance AFTER the zeffa.

It's just called Raks el Shamadan on one of Nesma's CDs (it's on emusic). It has a 'real' name, but I'm blanking.

ETA: D'oh, Candi beat me to it, but I don't recognize the music in that clip, can't hear anything but the singer...ouch!

Oh, okay! I think I already have that one. great! I have used zeffa music and then just other songs that I liked, but was looking for something "new to me" to use. Thanks!