Finger Cymbals for the Beginning Student
by
Copyright 1997 Miramar, Originally published in Jareeda, Revised 2001, 2003
Zils (finger cymbals) add a very exciting element to Middle Eastern Dance. Zil playing should enhance the music not overpower it. Zil playing can make the difference between a good dancer and a great one!
The Turkish word for finger cymbals is Zill, the Arabic Egyptian word is Sagat, also Sil Sil in Arabic and in Farsi (Persian) the term is Salasih. ¹
Zils are fastened to the middle finger and thumb between the knuckle and fingernail with ½" to 3/8" elastic. It is preferable that the elastic is sewn together instead of tied in a knot or pinned, as the knot or pin interferes with the quality of the sound. Zils should be tight enough so that they do not slide around your fingers or worse -- come flying off into your audience! The key to playing zils is knowing the music very well and to practice often. Keep the elbows away from your body and the hands and fingers relaxed. Try to practice playing zils for at least fifteen minutes each day. It is a good idea to try a simple walk while practicing and gradually add basic dance steps such as large hip circles, rib slides and shimmies. Do not get in the habit of simply sitting and playing, because you may never be able to dance and play zils at the same time.
Zils may be played continuously throughout the routine or used for build-up, accents and dramatic effect. You can play the actual rhythm with your zils such as a beledi or karsilama rhythm. This is what the percussion (drummer) is playing). You can also play zil patterns or counter rhythms that do not distract from the actual rhythm but complement it such as triplets. Putting zil patterns to music will help you to learn the basics of good zil playing.
It is not necessary to play the zils throughout your entire routine. It is probably best not to play zils during a taxim or drum solo. During the taxim, you should be concentrating on beautiful, lyrical isolations and arm and hand movements. The drum solo is the chance for the drummer to show off his musical skills, not you. Of course, during a veil number, you do not play your zils. It is okay to pause while playing zils -- you do not have to hit every beat! Egyptian dancers do not usually play zils. Often, they hire someone to play zils for them. It is not that they lack the ability, the hiring of musicians is a sign of affluence.
Zils come in various shapes and tones such as Turkish or Persian and range in size from 1 ½ to 4 inches. It is best for the beginning student to begin with the smaller size as the larger zils weight may prove tiring. It takes practice and time to build up the muscles to use the larger zils. Most manufactured zils are made from solid brass. Cast zils are generally handmade in third world countries, so the quality is not standardized. I have enjoyed playing cast zils in the past, but have noticed they tend to be more susceptible to cracking. (Do not leave them in your car overnight in the winter!)
REGULAR TONE or BASIC STROKE - Middle finger zil strikes thumb zil at slight angle (approx.30-45 degrees). The rim of the thumb zil is slightly higher than the middle zil. Ring finger is resting beside the middle finger to give needed control.
LIGHTER TONE - Remove ring finger from middle finger zil. You will have less control, but the sound will be slightly higher.
MUTED TONE - Place 4 fingers on top of zil. Clapping zils together with rims touching produces a muted tone.
RIM TONE – Keeping the zil attached to your thumb flat, turn the middle-finger zil sideways so that you are striking the zil on its rim, producing a very light tap.
CLAPPING - Clap the middle finger of each hand, or middle finger zils and thumb zils at the same time. Clap the middle finger of the right hand to the left hand thumb zil and vice versa. Clap a zil on the floor!
VIBRATING ZILS - Hold hands together to form a V shape, touching zils together. Keep one hand still while vibrating the other hand or vibrate both hands simultaneously. This looks especially nice while spinning.
VIBRATING ZILS INSIDE ZILS - Hold one set of zils a few inches a part. Place the other set of zils inside first set and vibrate zils against each other.
ZIL PATTERNS - To simplify zil playing, start with your strong hand. If you are right handed, begin playing with the right hand. If you are left handed, begin playing with the left hand. Let A signify your dominant hand and B your other hand. Play the Duns with your dominant hand.
Singles: Strike zils once on each beat of the music.
Doubles: Strike zils twice on each beat of the music. Play A and B and A and B and A and B. Or think 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5, etc.
Triples: Tek-a-Tek - Play ABA BAB Repeat pattern continuously. Some teachers refer to this as a gallop or triplet. By switching back and forth between the left and right hand, you will be able to go much faster than if you were to play ABA ABA ABA or AAB AAB AAB. These are alternative ways to play the same pattern and you can try them to add variation to your playing. Each triple should fall on one beat of the rhythm.
Alternating zils: Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek - Simply and smoothly strike zils with one hand and then the other. There are no pauses. Play ABABABA. Repeat pattern continuously.
Beledi: Dun Dun Tek-a-Tek Dun Tek-a-Tek - Play AA BAB A BAB. Repeat pattern continuously.
You can have a lot of fun playing these patterns in different combinations: Try:
Playing 2 sets of Triplets and add 1 set of Alternating zils:
Tek-a-Tek Tek-a-Tek ---Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek or
Try playing Beledi rhythm and add Alternating zils:
Dun Dun Tek-a-Tek Dun Tek-a-Tek -- Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek-a-Tek
Try playing Triplets, Alternating and Beledi rhythm in any combination you like. Have fun. Now try putting it to music. Remember zil playing is not hard -- but it does take practice!
Footnotes
¹ Mourat, Elizabeth M., Finger cymbals: History and Context, On-line: Discover Belly Dance Journal, Vol. 24, #2, December, 2002. http://www.DiscoverBellyDance.com
References
Sereem, Veda, Quality of Belly Dancing,
Information gathered from personal notes: group
lessons with Uncle Mafufo, Delilah’s Visionary Dance
Retreat,
SUGGESTED RESOURCES FOR HOME STUDY
ONLINE INFORMATION
Mourat, Elizabeth M., Finger cymbals: History and Context, On-line: Discover Belly Dance Journal, Vol. 24, #2, December, 2002. http://www.DiscoverBellyDance.com
Mourat, Elizabeth M., Finger cymbals: Technique, On-line: Discover Belly Dance Journal, Vol. 24, #2, December, 2002. http://www.DiscoverBellyDance.com
On-Line Finger Cymbal Workshop: www.shira.net
Includes the following: Introduction to Finger Cymbals, Finger Cymbal Patterns for Arabic 4/4 Music, Finger Cymbal Rhythms for Karsilama (9/8) Music, Crocheted Zil Mufflers, Video Review: How to Play Finger Cymbals with Mesmera, Instructional Book Reviews Practicing with the Finger Cymbals (also known as Sagat or Zills) by Jasmin Jahal, March 2000,http://www.jasminjahal.com/articles/art_practicing_with_finger.html
Rhythms and Cymbal Patterns by Jasmin Jahal, February 2000, http://www.jasminjahal.com/articles/art_rhythm_cymbal_patterns.html
Rhythm Classes with Osama El-Gohary, http://www.zilltech.com/OsamaRhythm.html
VIDEOS
Beledi with Interpretive Zils: An
intuitive approach to playing finger cymbals, using rhythm, melody, and accent.
2 hrs. 50 min.
How to Play Finger Cymbals with Mesmera, produced by Harry Saroyan, available: www.saroyanzils.com
"Zills"
Tribal Basics Video Workshop, Volume Three, from FatChanceBellyDance,
learn to play zils in their ethnic style. Available from Artemis Imports or FatChanceBellyDance,
CASSETTE TAPES
Beginner Cymbal Tape for Belly Dancers by Mary Ellen Donald available from Artemis Imports.
BOOKS/INSTRUCTIONAL PHAMPLETS
Zils, The Art of Playing Finger Cymbals, by Mimi Spencer, 52 pages, cassette to accompany also available from Artemis Imports. See vendor list below
The Art of Playing Finger Cymbals, by Joynan, $8.95 (1997 price) available from Unicorn Belly Dance Supplies. See vendor list below.
VENDORS FOR ZILS/VIDEOS/BOOKS
Saroyan Mastercrafts,
Scheherezade
Imports, 2420 Hampden Row,
(804) 749-3059, (804) 749-3480 (FAX),
http://www.scheherezadeimports.com