Structuring a full BellyDance routine in the traditional form
ByThe art of bellydance is comprised of what can actually be seen as being a collection of dances that are combined using a standard format to create full dance routines. Below is a guideline for creating dance routines in the traditional form of solo bellydance shows. This form is typically used to create solo dance shows that range from 25 to 40 minutes long. This form can also be used to create shorter shows (12-15 minutes) when the venue calls for shorter shows.
1. Opening number – this is your grand entrance & usually a medium-fast tempo song. You can enter with veil flourishes, discarding it early in the dance or stay covered with veil until the second song. Zills are often played to ad to the dynamic pizzazz of the entrance.
2. Slow, flowing rhythm accompanied by mesmerizing, fluid, sensual dancing. You can dance with your veil here if you did not dance with it in the opening song or perhaps a different kind of prop that you can dance slow to such as sword.
3. Fast/Medium tempo song- to pick up the pace again (use of zills may be incorporated). This is a good time to go around the audience, accepting tips
4. Slow instrumental taqsim (solo) leading into faster tempos combining 4 beat and two beat drum rhythms. This is the folkloric section of the routine and is called the “Baladi progression”. This portion of the show enables the musicians & dancers to show there skill in understanding the cultural significant of the dance and therefore is a crucial element to your routine – especially if you are performing for middle easterners. Props are typically not used during this segment. This segment always leads into the drum solo.
6. Drum solo – dancer dances with a drum solo accenting the accents in the music with her dancing
7. Finale- fairly short song- (faster tempo, typically a 2 beat drum rhythm). Dance with some extravagant gestures & spins creating the feeling of a grand finale. Gesture to acknowledge the band, gesture to thank your audience, end with a dramatic pose and then dance off stage with brisk traveling steps .
