Thread: Please help-need exciting opening number

I've got an important performance coming up and I really wanted an exciting modern Egyptian style opening number-however it can not be longer than 6 minutes which rules out a lot. I want to be able to make an entrance with a veil. I'd like it to be exciting and up tempo, at least to begin with. I do have a large music collection but nothing seems to inspire me at the moment and I'm starting to feel a bit desperate. Any ideas?

Gizira band - modern bellydance...Khatwater Hilwa( 4.27 so perhaps too short?)
and I also like Ghaneyt Ashanak (only 4.12) from the same band but Ya Halawa album

I'm in love with most of Yamsina of Cairo's Aheb Masr - that has a couple of numbers of about the right length

Or how about salamat ya on hassan from Aziza raks - although that feels a bit more old style than modern to me...

Okay i need to go and so some work rather than trawl through my ipod - but I know whats more appealing!

Emma

A lot of entrances are too long if you're only doing a 20 minute show, and I'm sick of buying cd's that only have one usable song, so I edit every bit of music I can.

I just turned that second entrance on Suzy el Helwa (?) into something usable by taking out the corny-mystery-novel-made-into-a-movie bit in the beginning, and just starting it at the upbeat part. That got it down to 6 minutes.

Some songs obviously require more advanced editing, but sometimes it's just a matter of cutting stuff from the beginning. Don't let the songs control you; YOU control the SONGS!

Thanks a lot for those suggestions will check them out. I need something that will inspire me. i have got a lovely elegant costume so I need to give out elegant vibes-this is a bit difficult for me as I know I'm best at baladi or shaabi. I'm not known for my elegance but hey, time for a new direction.

I'm sensing an affinity with Nagua Fouad. Dramatic but not overserious. Dalah from Doky Ya Mazika? It's 6mins 10 which might be breaking the rules but not too badly. In fact lots from that CD would suit you- Losy (6mins 06) but the rest are longer.

How about the Bellydances from the Middle East CD(s) by Hassan Abou Seoud- they're mostly all nice & short too.

Lovely elegant costume = Set el Hosen, big dramatic opening off stage, then storm the stage with veil for a minute....then the rest is up to you! The version I like bet is on the Wings of Isis cd, by Setrak. You can also edit it down to about 5 minutes or so.

Thanks for those ideas. i've got both of those cds somewhere in my collection-its obviously time I rediscovered them.

Editing is your friend--listen to longer songs and routines, and then chop out the intros you like. Build a collection of them in your mp3 player or on a cd, so that you have a little library of interesting intros to draw from.

Originally Posted by beafarhana

I'm sensing an affinity with Nagua Fouad. Dramatic but not overserious. Dalah from Doky Ya Mazika? It's 6mins 10 which might be breaking the rules but not too badly. In fact lots from that CD would suit you- Losy (6mins 06) but the rest are longer.

How about the Bellydances from the Middle East CD(s) by Hassan Abou Seoud- they're mostly all nice & short too.

ok who has this cd for sale ? doky ya mazika nothing on google

Originally Posted by azahara

ok who has this cd for sale ? doky ya mazika nothing on google

This is the one you want, Z.

http://www.maqam.com/cgi-bin/cdtest....=21&Submit.y=3

Thanks TH

There's a song called Enter the Rakassah on the album called "very belly dance" that comes to mind...its a great album overall.

the first track on outi's cd is really cool - only 5 minutes.

adam basma's nagua and banat iskandaria are both under 5 and a half minutes.

"warda" from BDSS vol 1 and entrance of the stars from vol 2 are under 6 minutes.

amar 14 from jalilah's amar 14 is only 3 minutes and super cute.

a lot of longer pieces can be chopped at convenient places, or have the intros cut off to save up to a minute, sometimes.

Originally Posted by elisagamal

the first track on outi's cd is really cool - only 5 minutes.

Yes this is the one for now. I love it and it suits the costume and the event.So grateful for the suggestions though-I've discovered and rediscovered some great music for future shows.Thanks everyone

Oh, I was about to suggest my music...

You were faster elisagamal ..g.:

theres also Leila of Cairo first Cd the first song on the cd is 6 minutes and a few seconds. its got a great intro. it also has a little bit of debke, and khaliji rhythms on it. Very versitile. i love it.... dahlal carries the cd Dahlal Internationale : Welcome! click on music and search for Leila ... the item number is LeilaCD01

shes got a second cd out which i cannot wait to get cuz the first one was awesome!!!

Originally Posted by elisagamal

adam basma's nagua and banat iskandaria are both under 5 and a half minutes.

These 2 pieces can also be found on "Princess of Cairo", along with Set el Hosen. ..g.: