Come to think of it, there are many instructional videos in this sub genre. There’s The Heartbeat of Belly Dance from the same producers, World Dance New York, there’s Sonia and Issam’s Art of the Drum Solo, the rhythms video by Saida with Mario Kirlis, and probably a few more I haven’t encountered. Each one brings its own format and combinations, style, and instruction style.
In this video, Neon, Raquy and Liron Peled bring vivacity and verve to drum solo technique. The format, specially if you go by the menu, looks very simple. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t well-conceptualized. Neon explains the entire concept of this instructional program (choreographed by her) in her five-minute welcome. She views it as a fitness program as well as a belly dance one. As she introduces the video, she stands in what I call her Andy Troy (fitness expert) pose. You can see the intro in the preview clip, so I won’t get over-descriptive here. It’s not an aerobic program, but it is active and involves much muscle work. It is not about floating around leisurely – so you may well sweat.
It seems that there are many “multi-level” videos being turned out of late, and this is another in that category. There’s something in it for beginners, and something in it for intermediate dancers. I’m beginning to like this format a lot because as intermediate dancers, you like to also drill and refresh your moves while as beginners you want something to gradually work up to. This video also works on these lines.
First, drummers Raquy Danziger (dumbek) and Liron Peled (base drum) take you through the rhythms featured here – just the most popular ones – chiftitelli, beledi, saiidi, maksoum and masmoudi. The famous Raquy has a very nice way of explaining them here – she breaks them up into “low” and “high”. That also corresponds to the movements you can make, so it works very well. There are no backgrounders on the rhythms and their cultural significance, etc. Just brief, practical, effective primers.
And then come the 40 drum solo combinations in two dance flows, one for beginners and one for intermediates.
As has become almost standard with World Dance videos, there’s a separate tutorial section which you can choose to do or not do. I choose to do because although I “know” the moves, they need both smoothness and sharpness. And speed. For those familiar with Neon’s work, each combination is explained in total Neon style. For those who don’t know Neon… she explains fully and demonstrates clearly. Explaining basic moves is her thing.
The combinations are short and easy for the beginner flow, Flow 1. You hear the rhythm and vocal cues through many repetitions (12) and that helps get the rhythm, both main beat and riffs, into your head. If none of this is news to you, use the music-only option to go through the 20 combinations as a workout or drill. It makes a great drill, in fact! If you’re an advancing dancer, use the music-only part to start making variations as the drum pattern is repeated. I find this part very useful, in fact!
The intermediate combinations move faster and are obviously more complex. They’re still not long though. This iothncreases their drill-worthiness. If you’ve been dancing already, try both flows consecutively for a longer drill.
The obligatory performance on this DVD is missing!
Everyone on the DVD looks as if they’re having fun. I think learners will too!
whhhoooa Mala you have it already!!! thought it would be released later this month!
I ll get it early next year. *sharpen my nails* waiting
you seem a little less enthusiastic as usually with the new WDNY program? Or is it just the first glimpse at it? thanks for the review or rather preview
Dina, you are getting to read between the lines well, I think. It’s not “killer” material. So, if there was this and there was Luscious, I would say get Luscious. But it’s still very nice. It’s not MUST HAVE, but it’s useful. The moves in the beginner section are dead easy — but I do also notice that mine are nowhere near as sharp, so I guess they could do with this routine.
I think it could be a good dvd for me then. My shimmy still wont come on demand i think i m tightening up too much.
and the music sounds cool too!
it s frustrating, before at parties when i was happy i could shimmy well, now learning it academically it somehow put up a blockade in my head – and hips.
so maybe this is a dvd loosening me up! neon looks so full of joy in the trailer
Yes, I think it’s a better DVD for beginners than it is for intermediates. But it still does make a good drill and “sharpener” for intermediates. The movements are simple and very Neony but who said I could do them as well! I’ll be working on this one for a week or so. Then will add it to my warm up as a good hips workout.
I am considering this dvd and am curious about a couple of things. I am not a beginner and already have several rhythm tutorial type dvds. Are the combinations matched with specific rhythms? How well do they match? Also how good of a workout is the dvd? Thanks! I really like your reviews!
Dear Sam…
There are 40 8-count combinaitons on this video. They’re divided into two “flows”. The combos exactly match either the base rhythm or a riff/drum pattern. I hope I’m using the right terms.
Primarily, this video was designed as a way of practicing moves to drum patterns in a fun way and also doing a biggie of a workout. Yes, it really is quite a workout because of the repetitions, the way the moves have been combined and the unbroken way you’d do them. It’s like dancing a non-stop drum solo and you do get tired. I’ve also actually lost some weight. That’s when NOTHING else makes me lose weight.
The first flow will probably be very easy for you if you’ve danced a while. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a workout. The second flow is not particularly easy and the sheer variety of moves keeps you challenged. Let me give you an example.
pelvic drop-lift
chest lift-drop
Up to down undulation
Sit hip drop kick
Sit deeper undulation down to up
all in 8 counts. When you have to do a move like this repeatedly – you get a workout for sure. And when you do 20 of them…
Hi Sam!
I had the chance to get my first look at this over the weekend – it has NOTHING to do with the other drum solo tutorial/a little practice dvds out there.
It does have a tutorial section of about one and a half hours to make you learn the movements. Then it has two 45 min (I think) rhythm flows with NO interruption.
I ve never seen this before.
THAT must be intense as Mala said, once you know your movements, you can do a 45 min drum solo with Neon!!
And there s another one to keep you challenged once you know one by heart
it looks amazing, best dvd concept aside Luscious Bellydance Workout to me!!!
GET IT!