Thread: What's your favorite warmup music?

Yes, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I would not know where to begin to search for threads, and besides, there may be some new favorites by now.

I love the warmup music I've been predominantly using in my classes for the past couple of years, but I feel like it's time for a change. I own at least a hundred cds, and I have gone through everything, and cannot find a new choice that excites me for warmup music. I like music that ideally does not have vocals, has a clear and steady beat, and is earthy, but pleasant. It needs to total about 15 minutes. A combination of different cuts is okay, as long as they don't each end after 3 or 4 minutes, which can make the warmup feel choppy.

I actually spent hours going through my music collection and made a new warmup cd, but using it last night, I didn't like it. So, I turn to you dear Bhuzzers - care to share your favorite warmup music? Any highly recommended CDs?

If there was a recent thread that went extensively into this, if someone would be so kind as to direct me to it, I'll happily shut up now.

Thanks!

I use a lot of Hossam Ramzy for warmups. When I want a more energetic warmup, I use Hakim and hmmm, I should bring in some Saad and let my students hear that, too (breaks your no-vocals guideline, though).

I also like to make pure rhythm CDs so we can warm up to whatever rhythm we'll be learning/dancing to that day. I have one of just beledi, one of chiftitelli, and one with Masmoudi. My favorite rhythm tracks have come from Solace - rhythm of the dance (they're nice and long, steady, not too fast but not utterly boring either)


I had a favorite warmup/drilling CD ages ago that's gotten lost, I was soooo happy with it. None of the ones I've made since makes me happy.

I use the drum rhythms CD's by Mary Ellen Donald. Just drumming, no melody. With a bit of magic on my computer, I can glue together 12-15 minutes of playing the same track over and over.

I like using the drumming because it gives me an opportunity to educate my students in the rhythms of Middle Eastern music at the same time they're warming up. It also seems to help students who are not accustomed to moving their bodies to music to find the beat.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I use a lot of Hossam Ramzy for warmups. When I want a more energetic warmup, I use Hakim and hmmm, I should bring in some Saad and let my students hear that, too (breaks your no-vocals guideline, though).

I also like to make pure rhythm CDs so we can warm up to whatever rhythm we'll be learning/dancing to that day. I have one of just beledi, one of chiftitelli, and one with Masmoudi. My favorite rhythm tracks have come from Solace - rhythm of the dance (they're nice and long, steady, not too fast but not utterly boring either)


I had a favorite warmup/drilling CD ages ago that's gotten lost, I was soooo happy with it. None of the ones I've made since makes me happy.

We must have similar tastes.... you just named all of the warmup music I've been using for the past 10 years - lots of Hossam Ramzy, Solace -Rhythm of the Dance, and Hakim for traveling! LOL ..g.:

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I use the drum rhythms CD's by Mary Ellen Donald. Just drumming, no melody. With a bit of magic on my computer, I can glue together 12-15 minutes of playing the same track over and over.

I like using the drumming because it gives me an opportunity to educate my students in the rhythms of Middle Eastern music at the same time they're warming up. It also seems to help students who are not accustomed to moving their bodies to music to find the beat.

Yes - raw drum rhythms are great - I'll check out Mary Ellen Donald's CDs - thanks : )

I like jolly old pop. Steady, upbeat, no fancy changes, usually saiidi. It's just so energising and fun.

Lilla - wouldn't it be weird to go to each others' class and find out we're teaching the same lesson plan.

I'd love to use more classics during the warmups, expose people to the 'you-should-know-these' songs of BD, but by nature those have so many changes they just don't work for warmups & drills.

I feel like a dork, but I liked some of the music from Dolphina's cds. They were nice and steady rhythms. I think I do need to make a warm up cd- otherwise I change my cds too much and waste time!

You're not a dork -- I've used those too. Amazon had them available as free downloads for a while -- maybe still do?

I start with slow music to prepare muscle warmup, after usually Hossam Ramzy slow pieces for more flexibility and usually we end with something crazy beat for hip work warmup. Last winter my fav fast was Natasha Atlas "I put a spell on you"
For cooldown I use nature music that is mixed with arabic melodies and rythms.

Maria Aya

Maria, any suggestions for particular CDs with the nature music/Arabic rhythms and melodies? I like Omar Faruk Tekbilek "Mystical Garden", but again, time for a change. I just tried a new cut from one of his CDs on Monday, and didn't notice at home that the "nature music" on it includes horses winnying and dogs barking! LOL Wasn't as relaxing as I was hoping for...LOL

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Lilla - wouldn't it be weird to go to each others' class and find out we're teaching the same lesson plan.

I'd love to use more classics during the warmups, expose people to the 'you-should-know-these' songs of BD, but by nature those have so many changes they just don't work for warmups & drills.

Dopplegangers!

I am always interested to see how many similarities there are in how other teachers structure their classes - especially if they are similar to me in dance philosophy and stylistic preferences....g.:

Yes, I really wish I could incorporate more classics into the body of the class, but I tend to reserve them for choreographies, or when we are doing student/teacher "follow me" exercises. It's just difficult to keep practice going when the rhythm keeps changing...

The Hossam Ramzy does have a nice steady beat and works great for classes.. but it sure would be great to have a change of pace!

I love bouncy Nubian music for warmups, then slower stuff for some stretches. I usually just grab a pop compilation, though....

I am in LOVE with Suhaila's Remix cd for drills - track 3 is 20 minutes long!! The songs are upbeat and interesting, but the rythym never changes, so they are perfect for long intense drilling sessions.

I also love her Tranquil CD for warmup and cool down.

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

I am in LOVE with Suhaila's Remix cd for drills - track 3 is 20 minutes long!! The songs are upbeat and interesting, but the rythym never changes, so they are perfect for long intense drilling sessions.

I also love her Tranquil CD for warmup and cool down.

my favorite, great for drilling and for working on combinations that are evenly counted.

I love anything by Jai Uttal. He's more Indian sounding than Middle Eastern but it's GREAT warm-up/cool-down music. Of course my love for this music also has to do with the fact that my VERY first bellydance teacher (whom I still adore) used this music for her warm-ups and cool-downs :) Check it out...you might like it!

i like solace too. But also Arabian Travels by Six degrees has some great warm up tracks.

Ooh more good leads.... thanks all! Anyone else?

when I warm up for a practice session without videos..just like freestyle..I like to use anything that is fast and upbeat. It gets me up a moving! One of my favorites is called Whose the fairest on the Desert Roses and Arabian Rhythms Vol.3 Cd.

*bump* :D

I thought this was a really interesting thread and don't mind hearing what other people use as well.

That's interesting that people use fast tracks for warm-ups...or even drum rhythms...to me this never seemed suitable, but to each his own.

For me, I love very slow almost meditative music to start off the warm up with with deep breathing and lots of stretching. My warm up sessions I prefer to be NO LESS than 20 mins...I like to have music that builds almost to a crescendo - but after the energy rises, THEN I put on the more sweat-inducing music ( usually Lebanese pop ).

I made a playlist, that to me, transitioned a bit smoothly between different songs that I liked & their beats to help build up a natural crescendo in the energy:

1. A Call To Prayer [ Omar Faruk Tekbilek & Brian Keane; Fire Dance ]
2. Song of the Pharaohs [ Omar Faruk Tekbilek & Brian Keane; Fire Dance ]
3. Sins of Salome [ Angels of Venice; Strangeflesh ]
4. Love is all we have [ Blind Divine; Strangeflesh ]
5. Melts Me [ Jehan ]
6. Habibi [ Jehan ]

Sorry a double post.

I'm trying something new for my winter session which starts in 2 weeks. I'm restructuring my entire class. My plan is to get more cardio in the front end of the class. Alo Alo by Walid Tawfik. This song just makes me want to get up and dance.

You can incorporate basic American step, step, reach, reach movements, or some more arabic movements. I just love this music to wake up an evening class.

alo alo walid toufic - Google Videos

I make my own mix that starts slow and then gets into pop and other ME-music. I try to keep it to 4/4 beat stuff unless its an advanced class of some sort. For a long time I mostly worked off the Six Degrees CD...that's good stuff.

I start upbeat; I do a walking warmup around the room to get the heart rate up, so I'll do a medium paced song, then we work on mobilizations and body articulations (isolations). I use both pop and lounge-style music for this section, as it's moderate in tempo, and doesn't have a lot of changes to distract us (okay me) while we're trying to work on movements with finger cymbal patterns (we do FC patterns over our isolations during warmup in my mixed-level class).

My current playlists include:

Walking warmup songs:
Aqaba (Natacha Atlas)
Bell Arabi (Saad)

Joint mobilization/isolation drills (with Finger Cymbals):
Der Bauch (Arabesque CD)
Cantamilla (Arabesque CD)
Maddah el Kammar (Said Mrad)
Kidda (Natacha Atlas - great for smooth moves)
Lebanese Blonde (Thievery Corporation) my new Favorite - so chill -

And my perennial favorite: Arabian Knights by Hossam Ramzy. I don't think I'll ever stop using it.

May seem strange but I love using non arabic music for my warm ups!

Warm Up -
Current fave is "Don't Feel Like Dancing" - Scissor Sisters
"There's Hope" & "Not Your Average Girl" - India Arie

Warm up add-on for loosening up and getting soul:
"Ocean Pearl" - Jacksoul
"W-O-M-A-N" - not sure who sings my version

I like to get my students into dancing for fun in the warm up. When they bellydance they get too serious sometimes.

I also use Western music primarily for warm ups. My classes are often first timers to this dance form. They've never probably heard Middle Eastern music. So I use anything I like from Michael Jacskson to Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Phoenix, Gwen Stefani, Ethiopian Music, Latin, whatever. Just as long as it's mid tempo. I do a regular aerobic type warm up with dynamic movements. then we switch to Middle Eastern stuff so that I can go thru basic technique with them. Then during drills I often do them to Western music first so that they feel more comfortable then we switch to Egyptian.

Originally Posted by SamarDahab

I also use Western music primarily for warm ups. My classes are often first timers to this dance form. They've never probably heard Middle Eastern music. So I use anything I like from Michael Jacskson to Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Phoenix, Gwen Stefani, Ethiopian Music, Latin, whatever. Just as long as it's mid tempo. I do a regular aerobic type warm up with dynamic movements. then we switch to Middle Eastern stuff so that I can go thru basic technique with them. Then during drills I often do them to Western music first so that they feel more comfortable then we switch to Egyptian.

See, I personally think this could be a dangerous road to start down, and can give people the impression that the music is not important to the dance.

I use non-traditional music for my warmups, but even the lounge stuff has some ME influence. My students don't seem to have any problems relating, as it's all 4/4 and even-tempo'ed.

saadoun el bayati, "gypsy sons of iraq"

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

See, I personally think this could be a dangerous road to start down, and can give people the impression that the music is not important to the dance.

I use non-traditional music for my warmups, but even the lounge stuff has some ME influence. My students don't seem to have any problems relating, as it's all 4/4 and even-tempo'ed.

I wouldn't think it would hurt to throw in a non ME song for technique once in a blue moon. I like the idea for upper level students who understand more about Middle Eastern music. For my beginner classes I keep it pretty strict to Egyptian music since this is the style I'm teaching them.

My non conventional warm ups are for my upper level students or beginners who have been with me for awhile. It's meant to break some bad habits students can develop learning bellydance. Most of the silly warm up moves I do are actually related to bellydance in some way. Great tricks I learned from my teacher Hadia.

Am I looking in the wrong place, or is this the ONLY Hossam Ramzy song not available for download? lol

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

And my perennial favorite: Arabian Knights by Hossam Ramzy. I don't think I'll ever stop using it.