Music Lesson with a Legend: Dr. George Sawa

Our resident raissa shares a great music resource with everyone today. It’s a music lesson from well respected Dr. George Sawa!

I met Dr. George Sawa at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada in 2008. I was immediately enraptured by his wonderful knowledge…particularly that of music. Thrilled that he was offering some online mini-courses and resources, I felt it crucial to share.

The first one covers sagats or zills (finger cymbals) which we trust you all know are used by dancers but also by musicians. For years, playing sagats for a dancer was a notable place in a band. However, over time, many dancers began playing them while they danced. Either is fine, there is no right or wrong but there is an art to playing them. See Dr. Sawa’s video

Another in the series is on playing the Qanun. This is a vital instrument in the world of Middle Eastern dance and is often accompanied by a list of other great items that together can make an orchestra. I saw Dr. Sawa play this LIVE on one of the many outstanding performance nights at the IBCC festival (which is sadly no longer running but there are many other great things happening at Arabesque/with Yazmina Ramzy). Enjoy this instructional, it’s very helpful for those who are interested in taqsims.

For more great music and authentic resources, visit http://www.georgedimitrisawa.com