The
A-Z Concept
by
Anita
Shortland
Keti Sharif, International
Bellydance Artist, Teacher and Agent from Perth, Western Australia, developed the A-Z routines for the purposes of teaching and choreography. They
are grouped in the following way:
| A to E | Easy to learn for beginners. Movements mostly grouped
in fours. Suitable for Egyptian Baladi, but may be adapted for other
styles. Fit Masmoudi Saghir and other 4/4 rhythms. |
| F to J | Good for continuing dance students as these routines
incorporate travelling shimmies and start to introduce some movements
grouped in twos. Suitable for folkloric dance but again may be adapted for
more modern styles. Fit Maqsoum, Fellahi, Masmoudi Saghir, and other 4/4
or 2/4 rhythms |
| K to O | Suited to intermediate students. Most movements
grouped in twos. Movements are softer, rounder and more suited to
Orientale. Fit Wahde L’Kebira, Chiftetelli and other spacious rhythms. |
| P to T | Intermediate to Advanced routines for performance.
Incorporates a range of rhythms including Saaidi and Latin rhythms. The
‘three plus one’ style of choreographing is introduced. |
| U to Z | Advanced routines geared towards solo performance. They are suitable for modern dance-styles. Movements are grouped in twos and ones, and the ‘three plus one’ style. |
The A-Z routines all fit in to 4 bars of 4/4 rhythm. They are a useful standard for teachers and students when moving between schools or classes, as they are taught in Perth, Singapore, Malaysia and Cairo. They help students to master stepping and counting and, as every routine has a name with reference to its origin or inspiration, students also retain the cultural and historical information taught in class.
Once students have learnt the routines, they are able to use them in their own choreographies (in whole or part) and for practise at home. Please remember to give credit to Keti for her work in developing these routines and sharing them so generously. Only teachers assessed by Keti should teach the routines to their students, to ensure they are passed on as purely as possible.
Anita Shortland can be contacted through Oasis Dance Studio. She teaches classes in various locations, often teaching at Sheik to Sheik in Beaconsfield.