Thread: Sword Dancing

Hiya!
Can anyone refer me to any instructional dvds that teach sword balancing, sword dancing? I would also like to buy a sword. Any suggestions? I held some pretty heavy ones so I prefer the lighter ones. If there's a such thing. Any tips you want to add about going about this style, feel free to do so.

i sell a sword /tray dvd.i also sell swords, not heavy semitars, i have tested for proper balance with out turning the handel.
www.bellydancingbyzamoras.com
this is to be helpful, not a blantent ad
z

I have Amira Mor's sword DVD and it is pretty good... she goes over how to do a lot of moves with the sword on the head and then teaches a choreography. I don't much care for the way she puts the sword on her head- she takes the time to ruffle her hair up before she puts the sword on, which I find distracting. Other than that, I likey!!

Cari

fluff her hair?
whatever.i teach sword work on head, sholder,hip,w/floor work.and the pop from head to belly,or bust, rolling sword on belly...there is a lot more than just ones head!

I've seen the Amira Mor sword, the Sword and Tray and one of the Princess Farhana ones...I think the partner sword one. Each of them had a little something I could use.

Amira Mor was a much longer practice than either of the other two, but if she said "easy" one more time, think I was going to scream. The sword and tray had a lot more info about the objects to be balanced. And lots of nice example performances, (appear to be mostly improve, correct me if I am wrong) now I want to join a drum circle. From the Princess I took away some different partner moves.

I prefer Princess Farhana's sword videos. There are 2 or 3 available. They are great for beginners and she does a great section on buying, caring for, and preparing swords for use.

A comment about choosing swords - lighter ones fall off your head more easily than heavier ones. For that reason, I personally like heavy ones.

Originally Posted by bethsoren

I prefer Princess Farhana's sword videos. There are 2 or 3 available. They are great for beginners and she does a great section on buying, caring for, and preparing swords for use.

I have Princess Farhana's Bellydance Balance, The art of sword DVD. She demonstrates sword, shamadan, and tray. It is very good for beginners. I would be willing to sell it for what I paid, which was $19 plus shipping.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

A comment about choosing swords - lighter ones fall off your head more easily than heavier ones. For that reason, I personally like heavy ones.

Yes! As you get used to dancing with them, they also don't feel quite as heavy.

Cool, I'll do some research on these. Who did u buy you sword from?
Thanxs a bunch.

Mine is a Saroyan, bought from saroyanzils.com... I prefer the heavy ones as well, so that is why I chose that particular sword- well, actually it is a scimitar!

Cari

Never mind, Shira. I found it.

Just a side note...the heavier the blade, the easier the balance tends to be.

I was actually just speaking with someone this morning about the purchase of a sword as I am thinking of taking it up. She actually recommended the Saroyan one so I am going to place the order once I find out about shipping to Canada.

We had a great thread about a month ago about different styles of swords:

Which Sword?

are not the saroyans "fake"?
z

not to get "yelled at" here,( very tired of it ) but where is the skill, when a "sword" has no blade and a "grated "section that tells you where to set it to balance???
sorry, i guess i am missing something, or just do not get it.
z

Thanks for the link Antimony.

agree and disagree here.

I know I am not big on anything (marked or otherwise) on the balance point, but I still think there is some skill in the actual balancing (really of any object). Right now I feel it is safer *for me* not to have a real blade. It was also much more cost effective, since I am just beginning. I also feel it is safer for my audience to not have a real blade.

That said, I would LOVE someday to have an authentic/vintage/antique REAL sword with a real blade. But I will never look down on those who do not dance with a sharpened blade. (stores this thought away to remind myself in a decade)

Originally Posted by zamora

not to get "yelled at" here,( very tired of it ) but where is the skill, when a "sword" has no blade and a "grated "section that tells you where to set it to balance???
sorry, i guess i am missing something, or just do not get it.
z

Originally Posted by dunyah

I have Princess Farhana's Bellydance Balance, The art of sword DVD. She demonstrates sword, shamadan, and tray. It is very good for beginners. I would be willing to sell it for what I paid, which was $19 plus shipping.

If this is still available, I'd like it. I PM'd you. If you didn't get it, you can email me at scrpnmama at yahoo dot com .

Thanks!

Originally Posted by zamora

not to get "yelled at" here,( very tired of it ) but where is the skill, when a "sword" has no blade and a "grated "section that tells you where to set it to balance???
sorry, i guess i am missing something, or just do not get it.

Cory, I agree with you regarding the grated section that tells you where to set it to balance. Even when I was brand-new to sword balancing many years ago, I was able to figure out where the balancing point was. It's not that difficult if someone just makes half an effort.

I would not use a sharp sword!

Not that I'm too concerned about dropping my sword or anything, but backstage, and even on stage itself, can be chaotic places. Just imagine entering or exiting with a group of people on a raised stage with stairs - if somebody trips, a situation that would have resulted in some bruises and embarassment could turn into a serious emergency!

Or even less dramatically, people can be thoughtless when they're stressed or preoccupied, and if a dancer absentmindedly asked me, "Is that sharp" while reaching at the blade, I would feel responsible if she's trying to stop her finger from bleeding on her costume a song or two before she goes on (yes, in this situation it would be her own fault, but seriously, I wouldn't want to bring unneccessary risks into an environment where everyone is already stressed)

Originally Posted by zamora

not to get "yelled at" here,( very tired of it ) but where is the skill, when a "sword" has no blade and a "grated "section that tells you where to set it to balance???
sorry, i guess i am missing something, or just do not get it.
z

Not yelling..g.: But there is always skill in creating an illusion for your audience and in dancing well while balancing a heavy object on your head, isn't there? If you convince them that this is a dangerous object and that it is difficult to do (while making it look effortless at the same time), then hasn't the performer succeeded?

I used to take great pride in dancing on real goblets while balancing a real pot (that was breakable) filled with real liquid, on my head. It was nerve wracking but exhilarating when I pulled it off. Dancing on the edge of disaster was very energizing..l;, But now I wonder if the audience even knows or cares whether my pot is breakable and not papier mache, as long as they THINK what I'm doing is amazing. Just wondering out loud here...

Originally Posted by dunyah

But now I wonder if the audience even knows or cares whether my pot is breakable and not papier mache, as long as they THINK what I'm doing is amazing. Just wondering out loud here...

I danced recently on glasses, and I had put battery-operated tealight "candles" under the glasses to make them stand out more on a dark stage. It was obvious they were fake since real candles would go out as soon as you put the glass over them! And still, someone came up to me after the show and asked me if the candles made the glass hot against my feet, and if I was afraid of burning myself!

As to the authenticity of not using "dangerous" props. I think the balance point comes into play depending on a variety of factors, like the shape of your head, your hair, and the particular prop you're using. I bought a sword that was extremely cromed, I have a little bit of a point to my head, and perfectly straight fine hair...I don't care what your skill is, if you add all of those up, it won't stay on while dancing. Besides I thought the whole point was to dance in an aesthetically pleasing manner with the prop for added interest. What difference does it make if you make it difficult or easy as long as it's entertaining to the audience?

Originally Posted by zamora

not to get "yelled at" here,( very tired of it ) but where is the skill, when a "sword" has no blade and a "grated "section that tells you where to set it to balance???
sorry, i guess i am missing something, or just do not get it.
z

Well, I'll assume you aren't implying that I bought a Saroyan simply to be lazy at sword. That's how it comes across and maybe that's why you get yelled at. Just a thought. But I'm not yelling... I'm answering peacefully and calmly...
I bought it because several dancers recommended it, I liked the look, and I wanted something heavy. The fact that the balance point was grated was just an added bonus to me. I still have to work to find the balance point as I do not cheat and put my fingers on the grating and then set it on my head as some dancers do. I could really care less that it is a fake blade. A girl I dance with had to go the emergency room because her sword went through her foot- I'm not up for that type of injury and after I that I was sold on the "fake" sword.

wow, you are the 3rd dancer who has had a sword/foot story.i like hearing all points of view.thats why i ask questions.

please keep in mind, i was taught sword by ms.aram, in the very early 70's.at that time there were no "dancing/fake/no blade swords".
99% of the routenes included a "proof of sharp".i knew a couple of dancers who whould slics up something, in the beginning to show it was real.
so, not knowing , or understanding, I ASKED.
and i willl continue to ask if i do not know!
z

This is meant in a semi tongue-in-cheek/ semi serious manner.

Fair Warning: If you see me coming towards you with shiny pointy objects then you can bet your booty they are probably sharp.

My Advice: Get the heck out of my way.

Much Love,
~*Genisis*~

I'm not knowledgable about blades. I thought they all are real. I would rather have a "fake"blade. I and my faimly knows I would be better off. LOL Are Saroyans the only"fake" blades?