Thread: Oh my...oh my...oh my

I signed up for Arabic music theory and drum and voice technique workshops with Naser Musa and Sohail Khaspar in early March. And was asked if I would like to dance to their live music at the show following the workshops.YES!!!!! Oh Yes!! But now I am jumping back and forth between excitement and oh my god what have I done!

I am thinking a baladi progression or maybe Tahtil Shibbak since Naser is a vocalist.

Have a couple of shows coming up before that so I guess I'll be working on baladi for all of them.

Anyone doing baladi progressions with live music? Tips for preparation?

Souzan

No tips, but you go, girl! Sounds fantastic. If you haven't worked with Sohail before, I think you will love him and the class. E-mailing you back...

Ask them which rhythms they'll be improvising around? That way at least you'll know what to listen out for

Find any/all recordings by Souhail and Naser and listen to them to get a feel for their playing styles.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Find any/all recordings by Souhail and Naser and listen to them to get a feel for their playing styles.

Good idea! I know that Naser has toured with Beyonce and has his own recordings as well as working as studio musician for a variety of artists, both western and middle eastern. The more familiar I am with their style the less intimidated I'll be. I play tabla, bendir and muzzhar in a local band so am already in awe of Souhail. Taking the workshops with them earleir in the day should help too.

Can't tell you guys how excited I am about this.

Souzan

Souhail is pretty good at drumming for dancers; if you're stuggling with something he'll quickly look for something that works for you. And he's a sweety and really fun on stage. Enjoy!!

Wow - Lucky you!! Naser sings like an angel and I really can't think of a better duo to learn from. Both gentlemen are true professionals and will definitely listen to your requests. Souhail was the first to ever teach me the value of talking with the musicians, and not just assuming that they will play what you like. Have a wonderful time!!

OT to Susabella (sorry, that's what my mamma would call you):

I think my e-mails to you are bouncing. If you did get something from me today, please disregard. If not, please let me know. I was really happy to hear what you thought about the dress! ..g.:

If you do a youtube search for Souhail you'll find clips of him working with dancers. He has a fun, teasing style - watching his videos may be helpful. :)

Souhail
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6cByvRheZw]YouTube - Souhail Kaspar doumbek solo[/ame]
and with dancer
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBblb1HpYQ4]YouTube - Souhail Kaspar drum solo with laila from Oregon[/ame]

oh, and BOTH of them together with a band at ME Camp.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIt4LBpE9OM]YouTube - Jane Archer[/ame]

:)

Originally Posted by Zana

OT to Susabella (sorry, that's what my mamma would call you):

I think my e-mails to you are bouncing. If you did get something from me today, please disregard. If not, please let me know. I was really happy to hear what you thought about the dress! ..g.:

No emails from you today. Why don't you copy to a pm. Maybe I will get that!

S

Nasila -

Thanks for those YouTube posts - luv the one with Laila!

Larry

Ooh that sounds VERY exciting and fun :-) Congratulations!!

Both Souhail and Naser are great musicians, good to dancers and a pleasure work with. You'll have a great time. Enjoy yourself!

As a PS....

Souhail & Rahim Al Haj, Oudist were nominated for a grammy for their musical collaboration for the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album "When The Soul is Settled". I think that's kind of nifty.

"When The Soul is Settled" album? ooooohhhhh, nice!

CD Baby: RAHIM ALHAJ: When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq

Originally Posted by nasila

"When The Soul is Settled" album? ooooohhhhh, nice!

CD Baby: RAHIM ALHAJ: When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq

Saw it at my local Borders. Just checked online and it is in stock, so I am going to go pick it up this afternoon.

The classes you signed up for sound fantastic!! Wish there were something like them near me! Luck you to dance with Naser and Souhail! I've worked with Naser, both as a dancer and a fellow band member (me on zills and duff). He's easy to work with and truly listens to you when you discuss your music with him. Haven't had the pleasure of working with Souhail but have heard good things about him. You'll have a great time working with them!

Originally Posted by leylalanty

The classes you signed up for sound fantastic!! Wish there were something like them near me! Luck you to dance with Naser and Souhail! I've worked with Naser, both as a dancer and a fellow band member (me on zills and duff). He's easy to work with and truly listens to you when you discuss your music with him. Haven't had the pleasure of working with Souhail but have heard good things about him. You'll have a great time working with them!

Hi Leyla,

I am so envious of all of you on the West Coast because of the many opportunities you all seem to have dancing with live music. Those chances are few and far between for us here in Florida. And few opportunities to learn from musicians of Naser and Souhail's calibre. Apparently they got some kind of grant to work in the Birmingham, Alabama schools for a week teaching about middle eastern culture and music. And since they are already going to be there, they are also doing these workshops and show for the dance community. Birmingham is a bit of a hike up the road for me (300 mi.) but it will be well worth it!!!

Don't know if I am more excited about taking the classes or dancing!

Souzan