Product Review

Don't be bullied by the beat! Learn to navigate popular belly dance rhythms without feeling overwhelmed. Gain an arsenal of new movement patterns--and harness the power of the pause. We'll strip the rhythms down to their basic beats, then build movement patterns to help you find the space between the beats. Drawing on Rosa's signature Delicious Pauses concepts and methodology, you'll learn to be guided by the rhythm and resist the temptation to hit every single beat. Rosa will teach you concepts and methodology, reinforced by combinations and improv drills, focusing on four rhythms: Malfouf, Masmoudi Saghir (aka Beledi), Saidi, Chiftetelli. The DVD is appropriate for intermediate students through professional dancers, and great for teachers. The accompanying CD by musician Jonatan Derbaq contains 12 rhythms in two different formats--one embellished as you would find in a drum solo, and one with simply the basic doums and teks. This instructional DVD is uniquely chaptered so users can choose to listen to the verbal instruction OR play the exercises only with music. The rhythms are divided into two families: the Masmoudi Family and the Wahida Family. This way many of the complex details is consolidated into two coherent groupings. Jonatan presents each new rhythm as simply a variation of the previous one by focusing on the the changes within the core patterns and time signatures. This is an excellent tool for students new to Middle Eastern music, for aspiring drummers, and for belly dance teachers! Enhance your listening comprehension and comfort with Middle Eastern music by learning the basics in this groundbreaking way. The CD also contains a full belly dance drum solo composed for Rosa!