|
About Finger cymbals (Sagat)
Firstly let us start of with the difference between Sagat and Zills.
When you have a look at your cymbals you will see that they either have one hole or two.
The ones with two holes are Sagat and they are Egyptian. The ones with one hole are Zills and these are Turkish. There is a difference in the sound that these two different types of finger cymbals produce.
As our studio mainly focus on Egyptian style of Middle Eastern dance (Belly Dance) I will be discussing Sagat.
Sagat are first and foremost a Middle Eastern musical instrument used in producing sound. Thus a good quality set of sagat are very important, as it will produce a beautiful crisp, clear sound, and not a clanking noise. A good set will enhance your performance, instead of making it sound off. It should be treated with respect and the cultural and historic influence known for you to fully understand its use in music as well as in Belly Dancing.
Sagat are never played during a Taxim or a drum solo – a solo instrument in a song playing – this is considered rude as the focus should be on the musician. 
Rather use isolated movements to enhance these parts in a song.
Sagat can be used to improve your dance routine by adding variety, and if done correctly can lend to a dramatic and breathtaking performance.
You can either play them throughout a song, during specific pieces, or as accents to certain beats of movements. You can also play with different rhythms during a performance.
A Normal stroke – Your middle finger and thumb hit the sagat together and then immediately release to create a sharp resonating sound.
Muted tone – Clap the sagat together without opening them again immediately like in the normal stroke.
Rim Tone – turn thumb so that the rim of the sagat hits the centre of the sagat on the middle finger and then open hand as with the normal stroke to release the sound so that it resonates.
Vibrating your Sagat – hold the sagat closely together and vibrate your fingers so that a constant trilling sound is produced.
Having a bag to put your sagat in is a good idea as this will protect them from scratches and damage. You should also try and make little covers for them, especially if you have pets, as this muffles the sound when you play so that your pet’s ears (and your own, depending on your skill) are not damaged.
Your Sagat will loose some of its sound quality over time, when this happens you can leave them in the sun for 2 or 3 days, or bake them in the oven on a very low heat – remember to remove the elastic!
Finally it is very important to know the following:
For right handed people – Sagat are always played - Right; Left; Right – R;L;R – R;L;R. NEVER R;L;R – L;R;L – R;L;R. The reason for this is quite simple. In middle eastern music the basic drum beat will be Dum (R); Tak (L); Dum (R), because your right hand is stronger than your left, you will produce a louder sound with your right hand than with your left – try it and see for your self – and this gives you your Dums and Taks. Changing from R;L;R to L;R;L will give you a Tak (L); Dum (R); Tak (L), which, if the music does not call for such a rhythm - which it usually doesn’t, would be considered incorrect.
For left handed people – sagat would be played L;R;L – L;R;L etc. because this is their dominant, stronger hand which will then produce the Dum; Tak; Dum. The same reasoning applies as above, in that you will then not under normal circumstances change your rhythm to R;L;R, but keep it going L;R;L – L;R;L and so forth.
For any questions on sagat please do not hesitate to contact us.
info@bellydancesa.co.za
|
