How can you tell someone is a good bellydancer?

Question

I've been in bellydancing lessons for almost four years, and I love it. However, lately there has been a lot of criticism between the different troupes (such and such doesn't have technique, such and such doesn't create any choreography from scratch, etc.). I've tried to ignore this "war of the dancers", but I wonder what does make a good bellydancer?

Answer 1

Bellydance can be difficult to rate and these "wars" between troupes or individuals often start over people who have wronged another in some way and start to split off and do their own thing however there are several things to watch for to determine if the dancer you are watching is good or not. Since bellydance and it's various styles are highly varied not all dancers who are good exhibit all of these signs and some may only show one. Since bellydancers generally get better with time and practice the first thing to look for is how long they have been performing bellydance (not just how long they have been dancing). Dancers who have only been dancing 1-2 years are often questionable although some with natural talent are good in a shorter time. Secondly I like to watch for spinning. A dancer who can keep her balance stay in relatively one place and simultaneously perform graceful and often flawless moves has had a lot of practice under her belt. Spinning is often very difficult for inexperienced dancers and requires a great deal of practice and conditioning to do well. If you can look at how well they can play zills. Many of the more accomplished dancers can play zills quite masterfully even if they don't do it every performance they have a great deal of skill in it (generally from years of practice). Next look for audience reaction. Try to look at how well the dancer communicates with her audience throughout the performance. Look for the reactions of those not involved with the "war" since they are too biased already. An experienced and professional dancer will know how to communicate her movements and emotions to an audience. She will get (and keep) them clapping during upbeat portions and mesmerized during her more serious portions. Another way to determine the quality of the dancer your watching is to watch for technique. Are there hip movement clean and crisp during staccato portions and smooth during the slow sinuous portions? Can they transition smoothly from one move to another to the point where you can hardly tell where one ends and the other begins? Are they always following the song either the beat, melody, rhythm, or tune? Or are they frequently offbeat? As far as choreography that does not determine a good dancer only whether someone is a good choreographer. It can indicate that while someone has learned to move well they still do not know how to interpret Arabic music. A dancer however can do an exceptional job with someone else's choreo while possibly changing parts to better suit them or their style. This would still make them good dancers assuming their technique is good. Please keep in mind that this is in no way a definitive list on what to look for but it's at least a start. Ultimately you should determine if you like what you are watching and can connect with it. Also try to find where the real cause of the "war" started. Often it's that a student of one teacher leaves the teacher to form their own school or troupe before the teacher really thinks their ready and/or without at least seeking advise on the matter from their teacher. However if the "war" has been going on for some time keep in mind that the old student has also had time since then to grow and develop her style beyond what her former teacher has given her. Finding the reason behind these wars often explains alot of the comments and snide remarks. And can help you in determining whether or not it's all hype or if theres any truth. If you have any questions about this feel free to contact me through my site
http://www.middleeasterndance.net

Answer 2

I'm doing different dance style very seriously too.

I think it all boils down to a few simple things: are you pleasant to watch; are you moving in such a way they cannot take their eyes off of you. Then it brakes down to smaller details like are you dacning on correct timing, do you dance musically, is your dancing unique in any way, does the audience see your technique or your dancing. (IMHO technique should be so good that it is not noticeable that you are working hard on it).

What helps me to develop my own idea what's good in dancing is watching videos of famous professionals over and over and over again. In my opinion, there is no "unified teory" about what's good in dancig and what's less good. Beyong mastering the technique - all it has to be is pleasing to the eye.

Answer 3

I'd say it's the one who does the best she/he can with what she/he has. I've seen a lot of bellydancers with a brilliant technique but no "feeling" at all.

A good bellydancer, for me, is the one who can express with her dance what she's feeling while she is performing. You can see it in her face! As my teacher says: 50% technique, 50% attitude (of course this % can change)

"While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance. "
~ Hans Bos

Answer 4

you may circulate to categories, first to look how your physique reacts to the pastime. It takes a minimum of a 300 and sixty 5 days on your physique to make it easier to unique pastimes and improve muscle tissues interior the places wherein you have not got them. I recommend you purchase various abdomen dance handbook video clips, to look the ameliorations in variety - like tribal, egyptian, turkish etc... so than you will have the skill to discover out which variety you %.. Remembering choreography might additionally be an further ingredient. some adult men and females are actual sensible for that, and a few have have been given to make extra attempt. Be delicate together with your self, and various all be continual. there are various properly opportunities to get extra education from international abdomen dance stars. you would be certain out video clips on you tube, comparable to Rachel Bryce or Sadie. there are various opportunities to take part in as a abdomen dancer. you will regularly pay attention it from the academics on your categories. suitable of fulfillment.

Answer 5

I have experienced this in the salsa dance scene. I'd say there is a very small percentage of good dancers. It's about technique and timing which is hard to know unless your a professional dancer.

Answer 6

Go and encourage traditional dances such as Karakattam,Mayilattam etc.,

Answer 7

go to Arabian countries ,like Egypt or Marrocco
ofr the middle east
and you will know what good belly dancers are
few women in the west can get near that

Answer 8

What makes you a good dancer is rhythm, movement and whether or not you love to do it. Ignore those who only want to criticize. Remember any idiot can criticize and idiots usually do.

Answer 9

i would have no idea seeing as i am just a sectator from afar and as long as u go at the same pace and so ur thing ther shoud be no problem although as in any sport they have this in any activity they have this. don't worry about it if u are doing it for show then u have ur style they have theirs but if u are doing it for a hobby then they are just being big bullys as i call them :)

Answer 10

Similarly to how do we consider someone beautiful?
It is a matter of each one and his/ her wills an preferences!
I can't judge if I do not see in the proper climate!