Thread: started a beginners "class" any ideas or tips?

I just started a belly dance club at my college which I'm going to instruct. I'm wondering what I should start with and with what music. I find that a lot of traditional music can be hard to grasp and pop-types of ME music is more alluring for a begiiner. But should I compromise my artistic integrity to help the new dancers ease into it? I want to present BD as a high art form not a booty shaking party. But I don't want to scare them off either. Also, any thoughts on what moves to focus on first?

I like "Desert Wind" for warm-ups. Some of the pieces have a new-age feeling but with chifteteli and other ME rhythms ..... it's a nce way to introduce total beginners who have never heard ME rhythms before. I hesitate to recommend anything in particular, because of the laws protecting using music in classrooms ...... if you can get permission to use it, these 3 pieces are great for beginners:

Desert Wind with Alan Bachman
CD One, Track 2 "Celt-itelli"
Track 5 "Diaspora from Spain" and
Track 7 Byr Demet" are 3 of my favorites. GREAT for warm up, especially arm movemements.

Hi Adara,
I have found that, in order to get women to stick with it to the point of further exploration (ie: higher art form), I've had to employ the 'booty shaking party' tactic somewhat, at least at first. Women love the aspect of the dance that involves putting on blingy outfits and having a rowdy, fun and sexy time with other ladies. Booty shaking is part of that, but of course you'd want to teach the basics first (stance, warm-ups, attitude, carriage and at least 4/4 rhythms). I worry that you might put off students if you come across too art-heavy right away. I always give the 'belly dance is Not pole dance' lecture right away, and go over proper respectful attitude as well. Never had a problem with that, but have had problems trying to get people involved on heavier levels than they were comfortable with. 'Electric Oasis' has always been a fave with beginning students for the fast work.

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

I like "Desert Wind" for warm-ups. Some of the pieces have a new-age feeling but with chifteteli and other ME rhythms ..... it's a nce way to introduce total beginners who have never heard ME rhythms before. I hesitate to recommend anything in particular, because of the laws protecting using music in classrooms ...... if you can get permission to use it, these 3 pieces are great for beginners:

Desert Wind with Alan Bachman
CD One, Track 2 "Celt-itelli"
Track 5 "Diaspora from Spain" and
Track 7 Byr Demet" are 3 of my favorites. GREAT for warm up, especially arm movemements.

do you mean your uncertain of copyright issues for using the songs, or the school's policies? I'd assume that if I purchased the CD then that wouldn't be an issue than i could be wrong. That and i'm doing this all pro-bono to spread the love of belly dance..so as long as I'm not profiting than that should be ok. as far as the school's policies go it's an art school
(montserrat college of art) so they're quite liberal and would let me dance/teach to whatever I want.

Intergalactic Bellydance is a good CD if you are going to go a bit heavier. It still has a modern techno sort of feel, the tempo is medium by and large and easier to drill to once they get the initial booty shaking to pop Arabic out of the way. But dont fight that aspect of it too much. This is a social dance, after all.

so as long as I'm not profiting than that should be ok. I wish!

Originally Posted by KHari3

Hi Adara,
I have found that, in order to get women to stick with it to the point of further exploration (ie: higher art form), I've had to employ the 'booty shaking party' tactic somewhat, at least at first. Women love the aspect of the dance that involves putting on blingy outfits and having a rowdy, fun and sexy time with other ladies. Booty shaking is part of that, but of course you'd want to teach the basics first (stance, warm-ups, attitude, carriage and at least 4/4 rhythms). I worry that you might put off students if you come across too art-heavy right away. I always give the 'belly dance is Not pole dance' lecture right away, and go over proper respectful attitude as well. Never had a problem with that, but have had problems trying to get people involved on heavier levels than they were comfortable with. 'Electric Oasis' has always been a fave with beginning students for the fast work.

i think your probably right. if i give my own version of the "this is not stripping" lecture and then put on some fun ME music then I could find a nice balance. thanks alot for the advice!

Ultimately I believe this is the school's responsibility if you are meeting on their property. More music adventures here: http://www.bhuz.com/forum/business-b...room-what.html

Originally Posted by 0Adara0

do you mean your uncertain of copyright issues for using the songs, or the school's policies? I'd assume that if I purchased the CD then that wouldn't be an issue than i could be wrong. That and i'm doing this all pro-bono to spread the love of belly dance..so as long as I'm not profiting than that should be ok. as far as the school's policies go it's an art school
(montserrat college of art) so they're quite liberal and would let me dance/teach to whatever I want.

wow! thanks for letting me know! I had no idea! a lot of my music is Turkish or Egyptian so I'm pretty sure it's not covered under that since it's out of the country. but I'll talk to the student-groups guy and see what he says. thanks for the wake up call... I feel like dumb-ass for not knowing this already.

I use a mixture of traditional M.E. and M.E. pop from day one. I see no reason to exclude traditional music from a beginner class.

I recall my beginner classes using traditional music; lots of George Abdo and Omar Faruk Tekbilek. I accept it won't always be true but I should *hope* most who show an interest in taking a bellydance class would appreciate the ME music and the broadening of their cultural horizons.

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/product-ne...vol-1-2-a.html

these are excellent for teaching, there are 4 volumes now i think