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At the beginning of this article, I made several comments
suggesting that books aren't a very good tool for learning to
dance. But there is one thing I like using books for:
they provide written explanations for moves that many teachers
don't describe very well. For example, when I was a belly dancing
student, my teachers did a terrible job of teaching stomach rolls.
They demonstrated it, then asked us to copy it. That was not
helpful. So I turned to books for alternate explanations, and
that's where I found the help I needed to learn the move. Now,
as a teacher myself, I still go back to my book collection for
ideas on what words to use in describing the moves I want to
teach.
Try looking in your local library for books on how to belly
dance. They might have acquired some of the original books from
the 1970's and 1980's. If you're a teen-ager, you may be more
successful finding these books in your city's public library
rather than your school's library.
"How to Belly Dance" Books Still in Print
I'm aware of only two books available on the market today
that use text and pictures to describe how to do belly dance
moves. These include:
- Belly
Dancing for Health and Relaxation. ISBN number 0-7156-1605-6.
Written by Tina Hobin. Originally published in 1982, the most
recent printing done in 1998. Published by Gerald Duckworth &
Co, Ltd. in the United Kingdom.
- Quality of Belly Dancing. No ISBN number. Written
by Véda Sereem. Originally published in 1977. Self-published.
To order it, write to her at Véda Sereem, 48042 Mary Lynn
Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653-2525, United States, or telephone
her at (+1) (301) 737-2845.
- Intermediate
Bellydancing. ISBN 1-58513-024-9. Written by Vicki
Corona. Published by Earth Dance International Publishing Company.
"How to Belly Dance" Books No Longer in
Print
Additional books written by other dancers were also published
in the 1970's and 1980's. Once video became available as a belly
dance learning tool, most of these "how to belly dance"
books were discontinued because most students prefer video over
books.
Here are a couple that you might look for through used-book
sources and libraries:
- The Art of Belly Dancing. By Dahlena and Dona
Z. Meilach. This is my favorite of the old out-of-print books
because the text explains things quite well. Published by Bantam
Books in 1975.
- The Belly Dance Book. By Serena and Alan Wilson.
Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company in 1983. ISBN 0-07-070811-8.
Other Instructional Books
In addition to looking for books that teach dance moves, you
may want to look for other books about belly dancing that provide
costuming instructions, finger cymbal instruction, dance history,
and information about Middle Eastern culture. Here are some suggestions:
Finger Cymbal Instruction
- Mastering
Finger Cymbals. By Mary Ellen Donald. Detailed information
about Middle Eastern rhythms and instructions on playing finger
cymbals. Published by Mary Ellen Books. To order it, contact
Mary Ellen Books, P.O. Box 411562, San Francisco, CA 94141-1562,
U.S.A. Telephone (+1) (510) 654-DRUM (654-3786).
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Costuming Instruction
- Costuming
from the Hip. By Dawn Devine Brown. Introduction
to belly dance costuming. Published by Ibexa Press. To order
it, contact Dawn Devine Brown, P.O. Box 221, Roseville, CA 95678-1312,
U.S.A. E-mail davina@davina.org. Web site http://www.davina.org. ISBN 0967817005.
- From
Turban to Toe Ring. By Dawn Devine Brown. Belly dance
costuming in the American tribal style that mixes ethnic garments
and jewelry from the Middle East, India, and North Africa. Published
by Ibexa Press. To order it, contact Dawn Devine Brown, P.O.
Box 221, Roseville, CA 95678-1312, U.S.A. E-mail davina@davina.org.
Web site http://www.davina.org.
ISBN 0967817013.
- Bedlah, Baubles, and Beads.
By Dawn Devine Brown. How to make the nightclub-style beaded
bra and belt belly dancing costume. Published by Ibexa Press.
To order it, contact Dawn Devine Brown, P.O. Box 221, Roseville,
CA 95678-1312, U.S.A. E-mail davina@davina.org. Web site http://www.davina.org.
ISBN
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- Flattering
Costume for Bellydancers. By Dina Lydia. Recommendations
on how to select a flattering belly dance costume design for
different figure types. Published by Dina Lydia and Blair Johnson.
To order it, contact Dina Lydia, P.O. Box 30878, Seattle,WA 98103-0878,
U.S.A. E-mail dina@costumegoddess.com. Web site http://www.costumegoddess.com. No ISBN number.
- Easy Costume for Bellydancers.
Instructions on how to make easy costume pieces. Published by
Dina Lydia and Blair Johnson. To order it, contact Dina Lydia,
P.O. Box 30878, Seattle,WA 98103-0878, U.S.A. E-mail dina@costumegoddess.com.
Web site http://www.costumegoddess.com.
- Cabaret
Belt and Bra for Bellydancers. Instructions on how
to make the costume bras and belts typical of nightclub dancing.
Published by Dina Lydia and Blair Johnson. To order it, contact
Dina Lydia, P.O. Box 30878, Seattle,WA 98103-0878, U.S.A. E-mail
dina@costumegoddess.com. Web site http://www.costumegoddess.com. No ISBN number.
- Arm Costume for Bellydancers.
Instructions on how to make sleeves, armbands, and gauntlets.
Published by Dina Lydia and Blair Johnson. To order it, contact
Dina Lydia, P.O. Box 30878, Seattle,WA 98103-0878, U.S.A. E-mail
dina@costumegoddess.com. Web site http://www.costumegoddess.com.
- Tribal Toppings for
Bellydancers. Instructions on how to make costume
items for tribal style. Published by Dina Lydia and Blair Johnson.
To order it, contact Dina Lydia, P.O. Box 30878, Seattle,WA 98103-0878,
U.S.A. E-mail dina@costumegoddess.com. Web site http://www.costumegoddess.com.
- Thrifty Chic for
Bellydancers. Instructions on how to transform second-hand
clothing and jewelry into belly dance costumes. Published by
Dina Lydia and Blair Johnson. To order it, contact Dina Lydia,
P.O. Box 30878, Seattle,WA 98103-0878, U.S.A. E-mail dina@costumegoddess.com.
Web site http://www.costumegoddess.com.
- Headpieces for
Bellydancers. Instructions for hair styles, head
jewelry, face decoration, and costume pieces for the head. Don't
let your costume stop at the neck! Published by Dina Lydia and
Blair Johnson. To order it, contact Dina Lydia, P.O. Box 30878,
Seattle,WA 98103-0878, U.S.A. E-mail dina@costumegoddess.com.
Web site http://www.costumegoddess.com.
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- The Belly Dance Book. Compiled by
Tazz Richards. A series of essays about belly dancing, including
a costuming section written by Dina Lydia (author of several
of the books listed above), advice on using props, instructions
on how to become a professional, historical information, and
other topics. To order it, contact Backbeat Press, PMB 253, 1647
Willow Pass Road, Concord, CA 94520, U.S.A. Telephone (+1) (925)381-4695.
E-mail tazz@backbeatpress.com. Web site http://www.backbeatpress.com/. ISBN 0970024703.
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