Tribe.net. Local Connections Dazzel http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#08a5fede-bab5-4c28-a684-6499c8e47304 2005-01-08T17:42:36Z 2005-01-08T17:42:36Z

as a bellydancer, if you perform with arab musicians, it's the standard to share your tips with them because it's true that they could be taking their break during what becomes additional performence time for them. The norm/tradition (in the arab world) is to share the tips divided by how many people are involved(you plus the number of musicians) or to give at least half of what you made and they divide it amongst themselves.... sometimes if you're extra good, you get to keep a slightly larger portion(60-40). I love to perform with live musicans too.... but I prefer to use my CD and keep all of my well earned tips when I have the choice.... but that's all in a restaurant setting. For a private party, the tips are usually yours.

Dazzel 2005-01-08T17:42:36Z ahmed http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#7678c8a1-361e-48ad-abd2-56274a735d4c 2005-01-07T17:17:00Z 2005-01-07T17:17:00Z

yea, we have feelings too. and egos...ahahhahaha

ahmed 2005-01-07T17:17:00Z ahmed http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#f3048aa6-847d-448f-8204-4762587d590f 2005-01-07T17:14:38Z 2005-01-07T17:14:38Z

I guess I just assumed it was arabic since I have heard it on what I thought were Lebonese and Egyptian songs. I know Doug Adams has several songs like this. And you are right, now that I count it; it is 8/4. But then again, it is way easy to play and it is slow. The only Turkish beat that I know of that is difficult and drummers are weary to play it at times is "kashlimar" (sic) in 9/8. If a drummer can't do a chftatelli, a beledi, a masnoudie, etc... then he/she should not be on stage for a belly dance group. I am sorry. Just M.O.

ahmed 2005-01-07T17:14:38Z Helenwheels http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#36bd6146-6536-479c-9fdc-b3ab7c2d0888 2005-01-05T21:49:00Z 2005-01-05T21:49:00Z

Hi, I'm fairly new so take my advice with a grain of salt. I would definitely talk to the owners about playing your own music but keep it positive by focusing the attention on you. You said your tips weren't that great so tell them that you think you could make more by doing an exciting drum solo or a dramatic sword piece to a slow chiftatelli. Bring in a CD and gush about how much you love dancing to it and how it allows you to better showcase your talents. Please try not to attack the band. They've probably been there much longer than you, and musicians have feelings, too (right, Ahmed?). If they say the band can play your drum solo or chiftatelli, explain to them that you've already asked and they couldn't. If they insist on using the band, perhaps you should only tip if you've surpassed a certain amount you decide on. I work at a club (not a dancer or bartender) and we get tipped if the bar makes a certain amount that night. Hope that helps. Good luck!

Helenwheels 2005-01-05T21:49:00Z Gia http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#edcd24e2-956f-439a-a525-8e0c1853d28c 2005-01-05T21:39:49Z 2005-01-05T21:39:49Z

A chiftatelli is Turkish or Greek and is commonly played in 8/4. ;) Gia

Gia 2005-01-05T21:39:49Z ahmed http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#fd90e1ab-d9be-4e0f-9e42-eace08f5a7c0 2005-01-05T15:47:44Z 2005-01-05T15:47:44Z

Julie: I think the turkish dance rhythm you are refereing to is called "Kashlimar". And you are right, some musician will not know how to do this one because it is in 9/8 count and can be hard to the untrained ear. "dom, tek, dom, tek, tek, tek, dom, tek, dom, tek, tek, tek...." A chiftatelli is a slow 4/4 count. Great for taksims. Not sure were chifty is from, but I do beleive it is arabic. You can do a sword or candle dance with a chiftatelli.

ahmed 2005-01-05T15:47:44Z $item.owner.firstName http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#e7556157-6923-4a35-9195-568822c7179c 2005-01-05T10:43:47Z 2005-01-05T10:43:47Z

I may be wrong about dis, and if so please let me know, but I think chiftatelli is a turkish dance/rhythm and SOME middle eastern musicians will not know what you are talking about.

$item.owner.firstName 2005-01-05T10:43:47Z ahmed http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#f8717a48-d498-4ef4-bc42-7a94537641a5 2005-01-04T18:03:04Z 2005-01-04T18:03:04Z

sounds like a jam band of folks that kinda play, and one drum circle verteran. If you do not use to the band, do not tip them, if you do use the band, tip them. As a musician myself, that is acceptable. If I were to play for you my one song for 20 minutes then hell yea give me some $$$. If I am taking a break while you do your thing to your CD. I do not want your money. I wasn't playing, I was drinking beer.

ahmed 2005-01-04T18:03:04Z SummerSaharSupastar! http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#429c65af-99c4-4042-b6c3-6f636dfb23e9 2005-01-04T17:55:40Z 2005-01-04T17:55:40Z

The thing is, I wouldn't even classify them as a "real" middle eastern band. It consists of a keyboardist, a doumbek player (who has NEVER given me a drum solo and looked puzzled when I asked him to play a shiftatelli), and some other guy. They sing in arabic, which makes it sound a little more authentic, but still, it more electronic, because I think the melody of the song is carried by some pre-recorded stuff on the keyboard. Regardless, once I tip them out once, it would be rude to not tip them out the next time, right? I think I'll stick with minimal tipping, especially if the owner "frowns" upon my dancing to my own music and would rather I dance to the band...

SummerSaharSupastar! 2005-01-04T17:55:40Z ahmed http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#8710b304-b8ee-4ad4-a4bb-943c78176d9a 2005-01-04T16:44:23Z 2005-01-04T16:44:23Z

We do not have resturants or clubs that have a "real" middle eastern band beside like my gig, but we are an American Belly Dance Gypsy troupe. When we pass the "dancer/musician appreciation basket" we all share on the tips, but then again we are a troupe of dancers and musicians. The few gigs in town that DO have a "real" live middle eastern band that play "real" belly dance standards happen about 6 times a year. At those gigs I DO know that the band gets paid their own money for the event and the dancer gets paid HER own money, plus tips for the event. The band gets a grand plus. They do not need an extra $25.

ahmed 2005-01-04T16:44:23Z Gia http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#b6a4253b-8288-4061-8ba0-24206687a49f 2005-01-04T13:59:54Z 2005-01-04T13:59:54Z

I feel a bit differently about the issue of tipping the band...I say...don't. The band works all evening. You have one or two sets...yes? They can get their tips from the audience same as you do. They aren't playing "for you", but for the audience...they aren't providing a service for you, they're working with you... Keep your tips... Gia

Gia 2005-01-04T13:59:54Z "Mina" http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#97a41a10-3059-4fd1-8526-2032d29aa60f 2005-01-04T08:16:22Z 2005-01-04T08:16:22Z

my suggestion is to talk to the owner. The worst thing they can say is no. I wouldnt mention that you think they are bad at all though that could make them upset. though you might point out to them, "hey they have been playing the same music over and over again, I have some good stuff to dance to, your patrons might like it, can I" and see what she says. Also, tip them. I know they suck, but tip them anyway. because it will be you who looks bad not them if you dont. And, dont tip them alot if they suck, they dont know how much you made. And fuck um if they dont like the amount you give them. It ant like they are out there shaking their asses for the cash. Mina dalloua.com

"Mina" 2005-01-04T08:16:22Z SummerSaharSupastar! http://bellydancebiz.tribe.net/thread/5c3fe1ae-2c51-4dea-b014-118a507a4116#089bbf40-6840-4100-a9a1-76e59ad57fe2 2005-01-03T21:46:02Z 2005-01-03T21:46:02Z

Okay, I have an odd situation here. I dance regularly at this restaurant every other friday night, and they have this house Persian band that plays every thursday, friday, and saturday night. The owner, the first friday night I danced there, asked if I wanted to dance with the band instead of my own music that I brought. I said yes (I love live music!) and it was fun for that night, except for the fact that their whole set that I danced to was exactly the same, medium-paced song, only slightly different (even the slow songs ended in this same song!). It gets REALLY old and boring, and every friday night I have been dancing to them, only to hear the SAME song stretched into a half hour set over and over. I don't think they know many songs at all. My question is this: would it be considered rude to ask the owner if I can dance to my own music after dancing with the band for a few weeks now, and if she says she would prefer me to dance to the band, would it be rude if I pointed out they only know one song and that's why I wish to dance to my own cd? Also, if she prefers me to dance with this mediocre band (nice gentlemen, just not great musicians) am I required to tip them out, even if I don't want to dance with them??? I did the last time I danced with them, but it wasn't very much....but then again I didn't make all that much in tips.... HELP!! Am I stuck with them forever?!

SummerSaharSupastar! 2005-01-03T21:46:02Z