clevermanka (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clevermanka) wrote2021-01-14 09:35 am
clevermanka) wrote2021-01-14 09:35 am
Entry tags:
Zills
I contacted a friend this morning, asking if she knew anyone still in the local bellydance scene because I'm ready to ditch all but the very last of my dance stuff. I'm still pointlessly hanging onto my three favorite/most sentimental costumes but for the most part I need these things out of my life. Getting smacked in the face with a box or drawer full of scarves and jewelry is too painful. I don't know what to do with all the zills, though. When Saroyan (a famous manufacturer) decided to close years ago I bought several extra pairs. Turns out they re-opened (I think with different owners?) which is great, because their zills are The Best, imo. But I have many hundreds of dollars of zills now (some in unopened packages) that I have no idea what to do with.
Which brings me to today's question! I'm combining questions fromnnozomi and tinny, who both asked me to ramble about bellydance (and other things, which I might also run with at some point). Bellydance as a general topic is too big for one post. I spent nearly twenty-five years identifying as a bellydancer and the loss of that is still, ugh, tough. So let me focus on one tiny part of it for now.
The first time I tried to zill was a disaster, as it is for everyone and everything. My teacher was a difficult woman and abusive in many ways (stereotypical Stage Mom with two sons disinterested in performance so she took out all that energy on her troupe). But damn she could choreograph and she put together a routine that matched steps to zill patterns. I don't have a good brain for memorizing choreography, but my muscle memory is stellar and once those patterns were ingrained in my fingers I was golden. After years of performing with them, it got to where my dancing was better when I was zilling (with or without backup music). Pretty much any photo taken of me dancing after 2005 or so I've got zills on my fingers (unless I'm holding a veil). I have small hands, so I can't wear the giant cymbals (like my teacher did), but my tiny fingers are strong and fast and I can make a pretty impressive (and rhythmic) racket with the ones I do use. This is my favorite style and I have four pairs of them--two pairs each of German silver and brass.
I think I've mentioned how much I enjoyed playing music with my drummers, even when we weren't performing. Making group music on a regular basis was an incredible experience, and since I was the only person who zilled (we had about six regular drummers, and a guitarist), I had lots of opportunities to improvise and play with rhythm embellishment. My zills often took the role of a vocalist, and I learned to weave the melodies I made with them into what the guitarist was doing. Everyone scoffs at jam bands (especially drumming circle bands), but we were really, really good. I wish I had access to the recordings that our head drummer made of us.
When I was performing with my zills, I also used them to communicate with the band (slow down/speed up) as well as the other showrunners (attention/little help here) and occasionally patrons. Nothing like a rapidly-clacking pair of metal disks to stop wayward fingers from getting too friendly! I got to where I could take money from a hand and stick it in my bra while barely missing a beat.
The chances of me dancing again are slim to none, but maybe someday I can make music with people again. I like to hope my zills won't languish forever. But if anyone wants to buy any of the new-in-package ones, hit me up.
My collection of zills that I used. The ones in the bottom right were my standard pair, the Saroyan Professionals in brass.
Oh, and today's dump on cm.net.
Which brings me to today's question! I'm combining questions from
nnozomi and tinny, who both asked me to ramble about bellydance (and other things, which I might also run with at some point). Bellydance as a general topic is too big for one post. I spent nearly twenty-five years identifying as a bellydancer and the loss of that is still, ugh, tough. So let me focus on one tiny part of it for now. The first time I tried to zill was a disaster, as it is for everyone and everything. My teacher was a difficult woman and abusive in many ways (stereotypical Stage Mom with two sons disinterested in performance so she took out all that energy on her troupe). But damn she could choreograph and she put together a routine that matched steps to zill patterns. I don't have a good brain for memorizing choreography, but my muscle memory is stellar and once those patterns were ingrained in my fingers I was golden. After years of performing with them, it got to where my dancing was better when I was zilling (with or without backup music). Pretty much any photo taken of me dancing after 2005 or so I've got zills on my fingers (unless I'm holding a veil). I have small hands, so I can't wear the giant cymbals (like my teacher did), but my tiny fingers are strong and fast and I can make a pretty impressive (and rhythmic) racket with the ones I do use. This is my favorite style and I have four pairs of them--two pairs each of German silver and brass.
I think I've mentioned how much I enjoyed playing music with my drummers, even when we weren't performing. Making group music on a regular basis was an incredible experience, and since I was the only person who zilled (we had about six regular drummers, and a guitarist), I had lots of opportunities to improvise and play with rhythm embellishment. My zills often took the role of a vocalist, and I learned to weave the melodies I made with them into what the guitarist was doing. Everyone scoffs at jam bands (especially drumming circle bands), but we were really, really good. I wish I had access to the recordings that our head drummer made of us.
When I was performing with my zills, I also used them to communicate with the band (slow down/speed up) as well as the other showrunners (attention/little help here) and occasionally patrons. Nothing like a rapidly-clacking pair of metal disks to stop wayward fingers from getting too friendly! I got to where I could take money from a hand and stick it in my bra while barely missing a beat.
The chances of me dancing again are slim to none, but maybe someday I can make music with people again. I like to hope my zills won't languish forever. But if anyone wants to buy any of the new-in-package ones, hit me up.
My collection of zills that I used. The ones in the bottom right were my standard pair, the Saroyan Professionals in brass.
Oh, and today's dump on cm.net.
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I am tempted to buy a pair or two off of you just for general music, but otoh I don't want the teenagers running amok with them
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(BTW, I keep seeing references to you answering questions but I never saw the question-asking post. Strange that I missed that. I track your account and I don't know how I missed a post of yours.)
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I could list them on eBay for you, and announce it on a couple groups I still lurk around on.
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If I don't find anyone local to give me a decent price, I would LOVE for you to list them, thank you! I've got some old glass fringe to shed, too.
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They remind me of our traditional Manjeera, of which I own sevaral pairs. The only problem is this requires the use of two hands, and when I'm holding my song book open, it gets pretty tricky turning pages while playing. I wonder if your one-handed cymbal would produce a similar sound. Man, if you were anywhere near my area, I would totally purchase one of your less expensive ones to try out. :)
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eta: *smacks forehead* Here's some of the best zill-playing I have ever heard in my life.
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I looked through the website and the sound closest to the ones I used is I think this one: https://www.saroyancymbals.com/store/product/afghani-duotones-bronze-brass/
So yeah, it just might work! Hee. I will have to keep my eye out if I ever see them available for purchase round these parts. :)
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I've never been good with zills, but I at least had triples drilled in long enough that when I was in morocco I was able to keep up with the qraqebs they offered.
I could help with some of the scarves, though.
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(Also this made me laugh: I got to where I could take money from a hand and stick it in my bra while barely missing a beat. ;) )
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Thank you for the hope! Making music with people again sounds SO GOOD, and I'm sure you can sympathize. Did you see the video I linked for
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I still treasure your comment about how my renfest times looked baller. They really were!
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Making music together is just such a great thing!
I hadn't known those things are called zills, so another thing learned today! \o/
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It's such a WEIRD thing to grapple with! Ah, mortality. And yes, I'm so grateful I have those memories. They're a joy and comfort, even when the loss stings. Thank you for asking the question!
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I miss bellydance, too. And I am so damned mad I didn't get to see more of your performances! Stupid CFS. I'm also kinda sad that by the time I finally found some acceptance with my body and abilities, it's too late for performing ever again thanks to health issues. "If I knew then..." I sure as hell would've had more photos and videos taken! ;P
Speaking of, I also have costuming that needs to be passed on, lmk if you find a good market/outlet.
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I haven't had any luck with the KC dancers so I'm gonna (ooof) reach out to one of the dancers I think still works with Jo. I'll let you know if that pans out.
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Ugh. It's always hard accepting an entire chapter of your life is over. It sounds like you were a damn fine sight to behold!
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I found some videos last night, actually--didn't know I had them at all, much less on this computer. As soon as I find someone who can video edit them (my ex decided to switch from landscape to portrait mode during the performance so half of it's sideways sigh) I'll throw them onto YouTube.