Practicing with the Finger Cymbals (also known as Sagat or Zills)

by Jasmin Jahal, March 2000 (back)

Wearing the finger cymbals

Each hand has one cymbal on the middle finger, one on the thumb, with the cymbals facing inward. For safety and security, please sew the elastic, rather than tie it or use a safety pin. For best sound, keep the elastic sewn on the outside or top of the cymbal rather than inside the hollow of the cymbal.

Making proper sound

Strike the cymbals together sharply. Bring the fingers to the thumbs, not the thumbs to the fingers, nor both together. Really try to open the hands as wide as possible all the time you play. It will force your hands to play the cymbals with more strength, more control and faster. Also, it will assist the cymbals to sound better.

Why and When to Use the Cymbals

The cymbals are a percussion instrument. They are not required of the dancer to play, particularly in Egyptian style oriental dance. However, it does bring greater attention to you as a dancer. Also, it clearly shows your understanding and interpretation of the music. It will accent movements you want to emphasize, especially because you are the only one who knows exactly what you feel and what you will do next. Play the cymbals to folkloric style music, to beledi, to saidi rhythms, anything more percussive and with a heavier beat. If ever you have the chance to practice with a drummer, you will learn a lot.

Patterns

Choose a dominant hand (if you’re right-handed, then choose your right hand).

DUM = dominant hand

TEK = other hand

The DUM is always the "1" or odd number when counting in the patterns below. The DUM hand always works harder than the TEK hand.

Warm up with:

Dum Dum Tek Tek Dum Dum Tek Tek Dum Dum Tek Tek Dum Tek Dum

Suggested patterns to practice:

• Dum Tek Dum or 1 2 3 Basic pattern
• Dum Tek or 1 2
• DTD DTD DTDTDTD or 123 123 1234567
• DTD D or 123 1
• DTD D DTDTD or 123 1 12345
• DTD D DTDTD DTD or 123 1 12345 123

When you play, be sure to repeat the pattern at least 2 times before you change it.

Possible Sounds

• Bell = the normal strike, which sounds like the ting of a bell
• Clap = fingers closed on cymbal for a flat sound
• Tick = thumb cymbal striking the edge of the finger cymbal
• Ring = shake 1 hand
• Double Ring = shake 1 hand within the other

Play a pattern completely with one type of sound or another, or mix sounds within patterns.

Association with the Musical Phrases

Use a saidi or beledi rhythm and the Basic pattern.

1. Play 1 pattern, Wait 3 measures
2. Play 2 patterns, Wait 2 measures
3. Play 3 patterns, Wait 1 measure
4. Play 4 patterns, continuously

Then add a body movement when you play a pattern. For example, using a Bump to the side:

• On (a) bump alternately
• On (b) bump the same hip 2 times, then switch to the other hip
• On (c) bump the same hip 3 times, then switch to the other hip
• On (d) alternate bumps on each side with each pattern

Then try other movements, like hip drops, slow figure 8’s, or hip shimmies.

Increasing Difficulty

• Choose a pattern and sound you want to work on.
• Add a walk across the floor (to the beat, of course!0
• Add a traveling movement across the floor
• Add arm movements (do not play with the arms always in one position!)
• Add a turn
• Add a simply combination
• Add a more complex combination
• Try to play with a choreography you already know and are comfortable doing

Practicing the cymbals, even if you do not especially like them, or if you do not wish to be an expert at them, will help you understand the music and rhythms better and will allow you to appreciate it more when you see a musician or dancer who play the cymbals well.

Remember, as with everything, be patient. You can’t be good at it in a day. It will take time and practice. Good luck!

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©2000 Jasmin Jahal