
Only a serious dancer will appreciate these lessons. Karim Nagi connects music and rhythm to the dancer's body, and her expression of motion. Dancers follow the scales and Maqam with the 8-string Arabic buzuq, first by singing, then with their bodies. They learn to follow the melodic Taqsim improvisation, illustrating pauses and climaxes with their own improvised movement. The students learn the major themes of the Arabic Drum Solo. They learn to accent each sound and percussive theme with their body isolations. They also learn how to lead the drummer by communicating non-verbally, using only their body dynamics. Karim teaches these classes using clear and articulate verbal guidance, live music and drum, and movement examples. These classes help the dancer understand, embody and express Arab music.
This DVD was produced by Suhaila International, LLC. Members of the Suhaila Salimpour School of Belly Dance Dance participated in the filmed workshop.