Bellydancing with Zils, by Elsa Leandros, featuring Raqui Danziger: Finger cymbals dance how-to, Belly dance rhythms instruction, Belly dance classes

People who want to workout and maybe learn how to play a little new music might want to invest in a copy of Bellydance with Zils. This dance, music, and performance viewing DVD is a great way to start getting in better shape while learning about culture and dance.Watching belly dance and musical performances is a great aspect of this DVD and even if you are not in the mood for dance lessons or fitness, taking a look at these might inspire you to get up and start moving. Drummers Raquy Danzinger and Brian Carter join star/instructor Elsa Leandros and play some traditional Middle Eastern beats on a drum called the doumbek, as Elsa demonstrates dancing and using the zils (finger cymbals) in both coordination and contrast of the drum beats.Elsa is a methodical yet fun instructor, and though she does speak with an accent it is not so heavy that it cannot be understood and tends to add to the special cultural tone of this how to belly dance video. Elsa covers basic belly dance steps that both beginners and advanced students of dance fitness can use, and goes into great detail on exactly how to place the zils properly on the fingers. She encourages people to dance simply while using the zils, which in my experience actually heightens the cardiovascular workout.Unlike some of her sister belly dance and music instructors, Elsa does not simply demonstrate a move and then go on to the next. She is great at repetition without making it boring, which is a treat when it comes to try to do three things at once: exercise, learn special dance moves, and get a little more musical at the same time.Other Sections Rating ExcellentA performance of just Elsa dancing with the zils is very moving and inspiring, and begs the question of how long it takes to dance and play the finger cymbals with such fluid precision.For those ready to try their own dance and finger cymbals combination without Elsa on the screen, there is a "music-only" section that allows the now-experienced dancer and zil artist to practice and see how much they really know.

Elsa is very friendly and positive. Sometimes I found her a bit clumsy, not as graceful as other dancers I have seen. But she has her own style and uses some new moves or combinations I didn't know.However, I think it would be easier for the viewers to practice, if the combinations were demonstrated in front of a mirror.I find her way to teach how to play the zills very interesting but I think that there is one problem: the zills I bought don't have the same sound. So the 'tek' sound of the right hand is a bit different from the 'tek' sound of the right hand. It is important to check that first, otherwise the rhythm won't sound as it should.

What I liked:Elsa encourages us to be ambidextrous by not using a leading hand.Elsa names and teaches 7 different patterns to the drum with various combinations.What I didn't like:Elsa is not facing the mirror with her back towards me (my pet peeve) which made it difficult to follow especially since she is not using a leading hand.The number patterns that she teaches stays on the screen for only a short period of time.I also have Michelle Joyce's Killer Ziller DVD and they both will enhance your dancing with the zills. Both have different things to offer.

I was hoping to find a DVD that provided good instruction on Zil work and have found it here. Elsa presents the Zils and accompanying examples of dance to help transition the beginner into the feel of the rhythms.More than a simple right-left-right, Elsa teaches you the advantage of listening and interpreting the beat so that you need not be tied to coordinating the hand and footwork. This system is simple and joyful. The doumbek of Raquy Danziger is amazing as well.

This dvd truly focuses on the musicality of finger cymbal playing. After all, it is an extension of the percussion section. I find it so much more helpful to address the finger cymbals in terms of how it actually relates to the music (ex. '1-2-3 1 1-2-3 1 1-2-3 repeat'- for baladi rhythm) instead of leading hands (right-left-right right right-left-right etc). I (and other members of the family picking up the finger cymbals after watching me learn so fast) am thrilled that Elsa decided to teach using the alternating hands method which is a much more natural way of corresponding to the music. There is also a breakdown of other different rhythms besides the very popular baladi rhythm.

This is an informative dvd on learning how to play the Zills. Since I am just learning how to play them it is rather confusing switching hands withZill patterns with no lead hand. Once I learn how to play them better it will be much easier to follow the drills.

This should be one of the first DVDs a beginner dancer gets because it provides insight into the rhythms of the music and how the drums and zills work together. I feel that the dancer needs to understand that even if she does not play zills yet. I love the "no lead hand" method, but that is probably because I could never play with a "lead hand"! This DVD also gets you DANCING with the zills and not just playing them. Everything else is covered in the other reviews!

I think this DVD is a great toolin learning zils to add to a bellydancer'sprofile.I liked the way Ms. Leandros broke down the differentrhythms-baledi, saidi, etc. and then accompanied itwith a short choreography.My favorite segement was the intro where she & Raquydemonstated zills vs. drum syncopations-very helpful!

This is the only finger cymbals DVD I have found so far that teaches the alternating hand technique (vs. the dominant hand technique), which some believe allows you to play faster. I like the teaching methods, it progresses from teaching the rhythms and describing what kind of music you will find them in and then playing the rhythms while moving arms, and then dancing simple movements while playing. You can advance at your own pace. Worth buying.

This is really good DVD with coherent drills for zilling. I highly reccomend it. Not a fitness DVD, but rather for those who are serious about progressing with thier zilling skills. Not for the generalist either. She uses alternate techniche (rather than choosing one leading hand), so if you are already attached to lead hand techniche stay away. If you are new to zilling or want to swich to alternate hand techniche I highly reccomend this DVD.