Thread: Zills?

I took a very long performance hiatus, and in the meantime I misplaced my zills. What are some good reccomendations for a new pair? Medium to large, pretty tone but not loud hi-pitched bell-like; and not clacky. I don't want to deafen people and they will not be the centerpiece. Brass or silver is fine. Thanks!

we always say, "zildjian", the only ones we play, you can make any type tone from them.truelly an instrument.

Zamora - where are the zildjians available? I had a set of those back in the 70s and loved them but don't see them around anywhere.

crap, zorba knows....locally, 50 bucks, but zorba knows where on line, ..about $30.00
hey zorba!

I personally like Saroyan's.

Any preference for which saroyan model? I was thinking of the grecian.

Zildijan's online for $52.00 here:
http://www.bellydanceshoppe.com/prod...products_id=44

Bellydanceshoppe.com has 'em. Naj, the gal who runs it, is really
nice and even includes a pair of beads for the thumb zills.

from zorba

Zildijan's online for $52.00 here:
.....well, it's worth it........!

I like my Saroyan professionals, but they are too much indoors sometimes.

I SWEAR by my Saroyan SILVER Tutankhamun's!

I have pairs on either side of the spectrum and those are the ones I always go with indoor, outdoor, small venue, large venue. You can hear them over the band (unless the band is like, 20-piece), I've used them at the outdoor Lebanese Festival, and is not obnoxious with recorded music inside. They describe them as "intermediate" I think, but I think they're perfect.

Oh, also good weight, and fit comfortably, with good, 1/2" elastic (Saroyan's normally come with elastics which are very good quality).

I use my zildijians for live bands, too loud for the restaurant I dance in, it's small, so I use Turquoise pro's for small hands, they have to be tuned more often, but I really like them. I use 2 different sets, silver on my left, brass on my right to get a dum/tek variety!

I love Saroyans. The website has sound samples so that you know what the zills sound like before you order them.

Originally Posted by Aradia

I use my zildijians for live bands, too loud for the restaurant I dance in, it's small, so I use Turquoise pro's for small hands, they have to be tuned more often, but I really like them. I use 2 different sets, silver on my left, brass on my right to get a dum/tek variety!

Call me clueless, but how does one tune a zill?

I love my Saroyan Pros, which are more bell-like, and I enthusiastically second Azhia's recommendation on the silver Tutankhamuns. In fact....

I thought I had lost my silver Tuts recently and couldn't bear to be without them, so I replaced them. And then, of course, I promptly found my old ones. If anyone would like a brand-spankin'-new pair of beautiful silver Tuts, please PM me. Only $40 including US shipping!

I think I do! But I can't PM you since apparently that feature isn't working....

Hi, Summer. That was quick! E-mail me at mizmar at mindspring dot com, please. I won't be around for the next several hours but will check mail again later tonight. Thanks very much.
Suzana

Just did! I've been looking for a new pair of zills, but couldn't decide on which from the soundclips on the Saroyan site. These sound like they'll fit nicely in restaurant sets!

Originally Posted by SummerSahar

Call me clueless, but how does one tune a zill?

Bake them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes, place them right on the rack, then slide off onto a towel to cool. Works like a dream!!

Originally Posted by Aradia

Bake them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes, place them right on the rack, then slide off onto a towel to cool. Works like a dream!!

Seriously?! Are they good with milk, too??

Originally Posted by SummerSahar

Seriously?! Are they good with milk, too??

..l;, ..l;, ..l;, ..l;, ..l;, ..l;, ..l;,

Believe it or not, I found my old zills. Woo hoo. Unfortunately, wish all this new advice, now I want a new pair. ,r:;
Although maybe I'll try baking on set of mine for fun.

And I'm still looking for Grecians (or maybe Zildjans!). I just missed a pair of the swap meet forum.

it's a good idea to get another pair anyway

i have saroyan pros for stage and outdoor event (too loud for more intimate venues) and silver arabesques for restaurants, lounges, haflas.....gorgeous sound

Aunt Rocky gets her unique sound not only from technique, but from getting a second pair with a different tone (she has a set gold plated), so i'm gonna try that

as suggested with previous posters, that would work with 2 in silver, 2 in brass, and if you've ever heard Rocky's craaaaaazy castanet zilling, that's one of the reasons it sounds so cool and instrumental, part technique, part tone change

the technique? that's a toughy, but she taught me how to do it, it's just gonna take aloooooot o' practice and i'm going to really annoy my roomy:zillgallop: :zillevil: :zillgallop: :zillevil:

Originally Posted by ruta21030

it's a good idea to get another pair anyway

Aunt Rocky gets her unique sound not only from technique, but from getting a second pair with a different tone (she has a set gold plated), so i'm gonna try that

Aunt Rocky inspired me to work on a yet-another-variant: I use 3 hard bronze and one german silver. The silver is played on the right (DUM) hand. If you use your fingers to let the finger side ring or not ring, you can get some interesting control of consonances/dissonances.

If you use a technique where you change your finger positions to achieve ring variants within your patterns, you'll hear it.

It's important to use finger cymbals of the same size tho.

(The evils of a dance, music & physics background!)

right now i'm working on my stoopid side (left hand) to try and get her castanet thing.............

i would LOOOOOVE to be able to master that.........

oh, btw Mr. Boz..........i've seen your zilling on youtube, haven't yet gotten a chance to meet you or see you live yet

I use the Turquoise international zills also. They are great for restaurant work as they are not as loud as my Zildjans. I've had Saroyans, too, but really like the Turquoise ones better.

Originally Posted by JimBoz

Aunt Rocky inspired me to work on a yet-another-variant: I use 3 hard bronze and one german silver. The silver is played on the right (DUM) hand. If you use your fingers to let the finger side ring or not ring, you can get some interesting control of consonances/dissonances.

If you use a technique where you change your finger positions to achieve ring variants within your patterns, you'll hear it.

It's important to use finger cymbals of the same size tho.

(The evils of a dance, music & physics background!)

Wow, sounds crazy and wonderful at the same time! You Rak, Jim Boz!

Originally Posted by jetgirl

Any preference for which saroyan model? I was thinking of the grecian.

the grecians "clack" and you said you wanted bell-like. I'd recommend the saroyan pro's.

I would also describe Zildjians' sound as more "clack" than bell.

I personally prefer Saroyan Nefertiti for a close intimate setting because they are not as loud. But for stages and other areas where the music is real loud and you are not on top of people, I've heard that the Zildjians have the power to be heard. My experience is limited, however, to Saroyan Nefertiti, but someday I hope to be able to really experience the Zildjians as I hear they are much more adaptable and pliable for what you want to do, and not limited to just one kind of sound.

Originally Posted by EternalStudent

I personally prefer Saroyan Nefertiti for a close intimate setting because they are not as loud. But for stages and other areas where the music is real loud and you are not on top of people, I've heard that the Zildjians have the power to be heard.

..ah, i do not agree ! saroyans are pre tuned..the names are not just for the pretty pictures. ZILDJIANS are a true instrument and you learn to play them with modulation , just as you do with voice or other instruments. they can be played anywhere from a teepee to a stadium, it is just in how you play the instrument !