Bellydance by Anthea: How To Create Dance Combinations

Dance Combinations
Section D: Structured Group Improvisation

SECTION A: Medium tempo (Masmoudi, Beledi)
SECTION B: Slow tempo (Chifti-telli)
SECTION C: Taqasim, & Creating Your Own Combinations
SECTION D: (this page)

-For info on rhythms, see the links on my
homepage under "Music & Rhythm"

GLOSSARY of abbreviations

B=Back
Ct(s).=Count(s)
CCW=CounterClockWise
CW=ClockWise
F=Forward or Front
fl=Flat foot

L=Left
LOD=Line of Dance
o=Ball of the foot
o/h=OverHead
(p)=Pause
P=palm(s)

pl=PLace
R=Right
S=Step
t=Touch (not a 'weighted' step)
X=Cross

Section D: Structured Group Improvisation This version of Improvisational Tribal Style (group improv) is called "Tribal Odyssey". See Advanced level Tribal Odyssey on my Youtube channel.
Keep in mind these are for group staging, and face the LF corner, where the leader is.

To medium-tempo 4/4

Sequence 1 (a repeating step w/turn optional. It takes 16 cts.)
*Cue: R arm up, L to F
Cts. 1,2: RS, L hip-lift (R arm up; L arm F at sh. level)
Cts. 3,4: LS, R hip-lift (opp. arms)
Cts. 5,6,7,8: RS, L hip drop,drop,drop.
Cts. 9-16: This sequence ALWAYS repeats to the opposite so you end up on the correct foot
for the next sequence (whatever that may be): all of the following "tribal style" sequences will
start to the Right on ct. 1.

(*"Cues" are neccessary in this style as the group follows a designated leader through a stylized repertoire of
specific steps. If you want to learn more about "American Tribal Style" see Kajira Djoumahna's site in my Links.
She's written a book about it called "The Tribal Bible." Lots of pictures and info - check it out!)

For the optional turn, pivot 1/4-turn CCW during the 'L hip drop,drop,drop' (on cts. 6,7,8)
so everyone is now facing the LB corner; the dancer in that spot is now the leader!
The "turning cue" is for the lead dancer to turn her head to her left as she starts the drop,drop,drop.

Sequence 2 (a repeating step w/turn optional. It takes 8 cts.)
*Cue: Wrist flip out at sides, sh. level (palms end facing down)
Cts. 1,2: rolling fig. 8 to R
Cts. 3,4: continue rolling fig. 8 to L
Cts. 5,6,7,8: repeat above to R, L.

For the optional turn, "T" your Right foot (nestle the heel against the inside of your Left foot)
on ct. 5 so you end facing the RF corner as you finish the sequence.
The dancer in that spot is now the leader.

Sequence 3 (a travel step, for when the dancers are facing into a circle*. It takes 8 cts.)
*Cue: torso turns to face L arm at chest, R out to side
Cts. 1,2: RXF, LS to L (turn upper body to L on RXF, L arm is in at chest level;
face straight ahead on LS to side.)
Cts. 3,4: RXB, LS to L (L arm goes out to side, R curves o/h on RXB)
Cts. 5-8: Repeat above; all dancers are traveling in a CW circle facing each other.
The leader can start another step in this new stage position, but sooner or later, she or
one of the other dancers will have to stop and take over the leader position at LF.

*Details: The lead dancer forms the circle by quickly spinning to face the other dancers.

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