The Art of the Drum Solo is an early instructional DVD produced
under the Bellydance Superstars banner featuring two of their most
popular stars, Sonia and Issam. Sonia was the first dancer signed up
for the Bellydance Superstars, having trained in classical ballet,
modern and jazz dance. Issam is a highly respected tabla player,
having performed with a number of major Middle Eastern stars
including Cheb Mami and Ragheb Alama.
On this DVD Issam takes you through seven of the most commonly
used Middle Eastern rhythms in a drum solo while Sonia breaks down
technique and combinations, leading to a full drum solo
choreography.
The DVD starts with a warm-up introducing the Wahda Kabira rhythm
while Sonia takes you through some initial stretching exercises,
leading into rib slides, chest locks and circles. Hip slides and
circles follow.
The next section covers technique. Issam starts by introducing
you to the various sounds the tabla drum makes: the dum, tek and ka
before playing a Saiidi rhythm. Sonia then shows how to perform a
basic hip drop, before adding variations. There is then a chance to
practice the hip drop moves as Issam plays the Saiidi rhythm on the
tabla. Sonia then teaches you the technique behind the Piston Hips
move (again to the Saiidi rhythm), adding some layers in the form of
a level change and shoulder shimmy, before showing you the 4 Point
Locks and the Egyptian Shimmy. Each move is practised along to the
tabla drum and the chapter marking makes it possible to go back and
practice each particular move again.
The rest of the technique section follows the same format and the
rest of the rhythms and accompanying moves are listed below.
Maksoum: Travelling step, the Choo Choo Shimmy with layers.
Kuwaiti rhythm: Head rolls.
Fellahi: Twisting step, Undulations with Pops.
Karatchi: Shimmy variations.
Malfouf: Figure Eights with accent.
The third section is the drum solo choreography. This uses all of
the rhythms and moves learnt in the Technique section and once again
starts with the Saiidi and Hip Drops. Sonia breaks down each of the
combinations before practising to live tabla drumming, courtesy of
Issam. There is some repetition of the combinations in order to
familiarise you with the choreography, but it's also possible to use
the chapter marking to go back and repeat a particular combination.
If you're a fan of the Bellydance Superstars you will recognise
the choreography from their stage show. Sonia and Issam have also
taught it at their Art of The Drum Solo workshops, although there is
now a new Art of the Drum Solo workshop teaching different rhythms
and combinations, which could now have replaced the original
completely.
Sonia and Issam's instructions are clear and easy to understand
and the camera work is excellent, making it easy to see the execution
of each of the moves. From personal experience I think this is one
of the best instructional DVDs on the market and is suitable for all
levels of dancer. It's also extremely good value for money. The
instructional portion of the DVD is approximately 1 hr 7 minutes long
and the DVD also features a costumed performance and a documentary
of Sonia and Issam's trip to Cairo (23 minutes). As an added bonus,
the DVD also comes with a CD of music by Issam.
Highly recommended.
Below: Sonia and Issam perform The Art of the Drum Solo live
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