Thread: Looking for some simple music...

I've got sick and tired of using 'Baba Mama' from Saher El Accordeon as my super easy peasy piece of beginner music for teaching, and am looking for something to replace it.

I'm looking for something that is/has:
- clearly and Arabic or ME piece of music
- approx. 3 mins in length
- clear sections
- fun and upbeat
- not too complex as a piece of music
- maybe has one tempo change?
- on a widely available CD so I can easily point students to where to buy it

Not much to ask, eh?

All and any recommendations would be lovely and TIA..g.:

I've had great success with these 2 songs: Elfred by Hakim and Tigi ya Matigish from Soul of Cairo. They are both over 3 minutes but I have a 10 week class so there is time for them to learn it. Tigi is a little bit more difficult but my students love it.

I'm in a search for a new song myself. When I choreograph a song for beginners I have to listen to at least a hundred times, so it has to be something I like as well.

I'll be glad to hear suggestions.

I wonder if Raqs Araby, by George Abdo, is too complicated? It's a nice, easy pace, and I love it's retro sound.

Thanks for suggestions so far - could you tell me which CDs those tracks are from so I can search out samples to listen to?

Raks Araby (spelt with a 'k', not a 'q') is on 'The Best of George Abdo.'

Efred by Hakim is on Dr. Samy Farag's Midnight Magic CD. Tigi ya Matigish is on Soul of Cairo.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

I wonder if Raqs Araby, by George Abdo, is too complicated? It's a nice, easy pace, and I love it's retro sound.

I was going to say George Abdo, he is my favorite. R.I.P.

Thanks jewelbellydance and norma - will look those up.

Any more suggestions?

Bumping this thread for more suggestions!..g.:

What about Oojami Boom Shinga Ling, my instructor uses them frequently. The beats are easy to dance with. It is sort of poppy, but it works well for the beginners. They actually love it!

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Boom-Shinga-Ling-Oojami/dp/B000JBWW8S]Amazon.com: Boom Shinga Ling: Oojami: Music[/ame]

Here is a link so you can listen to samples on the left side.

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Raks Araby (spelt with a 'k', not a 'q') is on 'The Best of George Abdo.'

Based on your suggestion, I dragged out my George Abdo. It's so odd. As a beginner baby belly dancer I was raised on Abdo and Eddie Kochak for the first 3 years. After that I studied with an Arab. Now, I can't stand listening to George Abdo except for a few songs, like Raks Mustapha (my very first solo performance), Min Feegis, and Ta Mavra Matia Sou.

I listened to Raks Araby. It is way too simple for me. At most I would use it as a shimmy drill.

Wow. It's amazing to me how my taste in music has changed from being a beginner newbie to retired professional performer, now teacher. Truly, I can barely stand to listen to George Abdo even though I was raised on it. Ugggh!

I thought I would zombify this thread to say that I have ended up using Layla from Bellydancing for Fortune and Fame - it fits all the criteria in the OP, except for being easily available. I'm based in the UK, and the CD has to be ordered from Stella Gray via Amazon.com - there aren't any UK sellers (that I'm aware of) of the CD, nor are there any downloads. But still, problem solved

"Arabian Pleasure" by DJ Wassi has upbeat popular songs by Amr Diab, Latifa, Alabina, etc. I like to use fast Amr Diab songs for easy pieces, just used "Khad Alby Ma'ah", a bit over 3 min. but easy to cut.
Bellydancing for Fame & Fortune is also great for easy dances.

Originally Posted by norma

Based on your suggestion, I dragged out my George Abdo. It's so odd. As a beginner baby belly dancer I was raised on Abdo and Eddie Kochak for the first 3 years. After that I studied with an Arab. Now, I can't stand listening to George Abdo except for a few songs, like Raks Mustapha (my very first solo performance), Min Feegis, and Ta Mavra Matia Sou.

I listened to Raks Araby. It is way too simple for me. At most I would use it as a shimmy drill.

Wow. It's amazing to me how my taste in music has changed from being a beginner newbie to retired professional performer, now teacher. Truly, I can barely stand to listen to George Abdo even though I was raised on it. Ugggh!

I can so relate! I still like a few "George" songs like the ones you mentioned & I still like "Zanuba", one of my first solos as well! Raks Araby is good for teaching zills too.
I have maintained my fondness for "Eddie" tho, great for rhythms, rhumbas, folky easy pieces, great for teaching zills.
I do respect them as pioneers tho, there was so little available back then! We would scour around taking chances on records with Arabic writing...only to find monotonous droning music sometimes and def not for dancing lively!