The Big 5

When listening isn’t enough

In my last article, I mentioned that educated audiences will expect certain stylizations when they hear certain kinds of music.

In order to meet those expectations, you need to learn about the different song styles, their cultural contexts, aesthetics, and stylizations.
 

I received a follow-up question from Carlie Cubb, who asked if I could suggest any resources to help her do that research. I thought that was a great question (thanks, Carlie!), and too good not to share.

But what started as a quick reply turned into an unusually long article, even for me.

So instead of making you read 2,500 words in one sitting, I decided to turn it into a series.

So if you find this useful, thank Carlie for asking.
 

There are a lot of genres of belly dance music.

One of the great things about belly dance is how diverse our music is.

We dance to music from many different countries, in many different rhythms, styles, genres, and languages.
 

Sometimes we just need to listen

When you’re dancing to a drum solo, taqsim, or chiftetelli, just following the music is enough.

If you listen carefully and do what sounds right, it will look right to the audience.

You don’t need any special knowledge to meet their expectations.

If you’re a newbie, it make take a while to develop your listening and responding skills, but you’ll get there!
 

Sometimes it’s about stagecraft

In your introduction, the audience will feel unsatisfied if you don’t circle the stage to greet them.

Your finale may feel unresolved if you don’t circle the stage to say goodbye, and end with a bang.

In these cases, meeting their expectations requires good stagecraft, but not any special knowledge of dance stylizations.
 

Some genres are downright obscure

Very few audiences are familiar with Melaya, Muwashahat, Nubian, etc.

So most audiences don’t have any expectations for you to meet.

There are individual exceptions, of course, but even in an audience of Arabs, only the true connoisseurs will know enough to expect specific dance stylings.

These genres do have specific stylings associated with them, and are well-worth learning.

But they aren’t “must-knows”, unless you’re really drawn to them.
 

But then there’s the rest…

There are a few genres of belly dance music that an educated audience will be familiar with, and that do require special knowledge if you want to meet their expectations.

 

I call these “The Big 5”

 

They are:

1. Saidi
2. Beladi Progressions
3. Khaleegy
4. Lyrical Veil Music
5. 9/8s

So over the next few days, I’m going to take a closer look at these genres.

We’ll discuss what they are, what styles they apply to, and what the audience expects.

I’ll also list some songs you should know, and resources to get you started.
 

Let’s jump right in

 

This series has 7 parts:

Part 1: Introduction to the Big 5 (i.e., what you’re reading right now)
Part 2: Saidi
Part 3: Beladi Progression
Part 4: Khaleegy
Part 5: Lyrical Veil Music
Part 6: 9/8s
Part 7: Ifs, Ands, and Buts
 

We’ll begin with Saidi.
 

Your turn:

Are there any other must-know genres or styles you think belong on this list?

Which of these are you already familiar with?

Which of these do you want to work on?

Tribal dancers: do you have any must-know song genres or styles?
 

Share your thoughts in the comments.