Stage Fright

Can you remember the first time you ever saw belly dancing? Oh, I can and with my six year old eyes and mind I knew that this dance would definitely change my life forever. It took me awhile but by my early twenties I was starting on my path towards becoming a belly dancer. As a newcomer, belly dancing took over my days, nights and dreams. Than the day came when it was time to show my community what I had learned. That day was the first encounter I had with a very unusual and interesting foe. There are many of you reading this that will never forget your first performance. And I know there are many of you who can never forget your first encounter with "Stage Fright".

Stage Fright is very clever. It sneaks up on you just before you get on stage or you may wake up on the morning of your performance feeling like you shouldn't get out of bed. It is amazing how Stage Fright affects the body. My bladder turns into the size of a pea but only for that night. My heart is either trying to jump out of my throat or drop to my knees. Than my palms get sweaty and I feel like I need to take a nap all at the same time. And let's not forget the occasional break out. I can remember I was dancing for an anniversary party at a restaurant I use to perform at. I woke up the morning of the performance with this huge bump in the middle of my forehead. It wasn't there the day before and I took extra measures to make sure my skin was clear. You guessed it; Stage Fright had something to do with it. So what did I do? All I can say is thank God for bindis!

Stage Fright overloads the brain with images that really aren't there. The stage can either become larger or smaller depending on what false images Stage Fright creates in your brain. And the number one false image is the unfriendly audience. I have left the stage thinking the audience didn't like me only to find out afterwards that I was well received. I've experienced performances where I was ahead of my music. Did Stage Fright convince my music to slow down on me? Your guess is as good as mine. I know that Stage Fright has convinced my props to act up during past performances. And Stage Fright has convinced my memory to leave and not to come back until I finished my performance. Stage fright will whisper in your ear that the entire theater is watching you and that the audience knows you just messed up your choreography. And there have been a few times when I went deaf and didn't hear the audience applause at all. Actually I should say my hearing and memory went out the window together. And the one way to know if a dancer is experiencing Stage Fright is to see the look on her face that resembles a "deer caught in the headlights". If you see this look, do your best to support her and let her know she's doing a great.

So here are a few tips my friends and I came up with to help dancers overcome such a calculating adversary:

1. Laugh with friends and think of whatever makes you happy.
There is no failure in performing because if you don't go out on stage, you will never know what it feels like to be in front of an audience. People will always appreciate your efforts!
2. Have family and friends in the front row to cheer you on. My Dad makes funny faces and he always makes me laugh.
3. Know your music like the back of your hand. Even if you forget your choreography the music will be very familiar to you.
4. Go over your choreography the morning of your performance and try to keep it fresh in your mind. I will usually listen to my music on the drive to wherever I am performing. It helps jazz me up and sometimes I'll come up with some interesting moves in my head. (Be careful of the belly dancer pedal to the metal groove!)
5. Remember to practice your performance with your costume on. I have danced with a skirt that could fit a whole circus in it. 6. Remember to look in the mirror just before you go on stage and smile at the beautiful dancer looking back at you. (Plus it doesn't hurt to check to see if lipstick is on your teeth!)
7. The stage really is our friend. Know the length and width of any space you are performing at.
8. When we perform together we are part of an amazing team so know you have support and back up on the side lines. You are not alone!!
9. A good meditation or prayer will always put a heart or soul at ease. Group prayer can really give you the boost you need and send Stage Fright running!
10. Last but not least is Stage Frights final illusion which is the expectation of standing ovations and a movie deal your first time performing. Granted not all of you may have fallen for this but there was a part of me that saw stars, literally and figuratively.

If Stage Fright does creep in every once in awhile just remember to laugh. Some of the best memories I have with performing are my goofiest moments. And when I'm in my rocking chair remembering my dance career I want to be smiling from ear to ear (even if I have no teeth).

Blessings,

Leyla Naj

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How To Play The Keyboard - Start With C Major

Playing the keyboard is not as difficult as a lot of piano upstarts think. In fact, the piano is the perfect instrument for music beginners, as, unlike other instruments, its layout is straightforward and easy to understand. Plus, in contrast to instruments like the guitar, to play the keyboard doesn't require a lot of unnatural hand contortions -- at least until you get to more advanced pieces, but by then your fingers will be buff.

When learning how to play the keyboard, the basics are quite simple. Looking at the piano, there are two types of keys -- white keys and black keys. As you may already know, the musical scale consists of the letters A through G with some sharps/flats mixed in. The first important fact to learn is that the white keys represent the letters, while the black keys represent the sharps and flats.

Before going any further, you must find your piano's middle C. You will find it in the middle of the keyboard. Most pianos have the name of the company that made them printed above the keyboard. In many cases, the first letter of the name is directly above middle C. If you still can't find the middle C, consult a diagram.

When starting out, you might as well tell yourself that you're not going to touch the black keys for the first few lessons. For now, focus on the white keys, which make up the C major scale.

To play this scale, place your thumb on the middle C, with the rest of your fingers on the next four successive notes -- D, E, F, and G. Essentially, you're going to play eight notes, beginning with middle C, and ending with the C that is one octave higher.

When you play these eight notes in order, you'll notice that it sounds quite familiar. Even though you may not know it, the C major scale is something that you've probably heard hundreds of times in your life, from various sources. If you do it correctly, to play your first scale should feel pretty satisfying. This is partly because the major scale is designed to musically resolve itself in a nice way.

Piano teachers have specific ways that they recommend playing scales. My teacher, for instance, taught me the standard way of playing the C major scale upwards, which was to play the first three notes with my first three fingers, then cross my thumb under and play the rest of the scale with all five fingers. Whether or not you use this particular method is up to you; the important thing is that you find natural ways to play the scales. As your ways of playing will soon be internalized, you want to find the best ways to play the keyboard.

Once you become good at playing the C major scale with your right hand -- both up and down -- it's time to learn the same thing with your left hand. Essentially, the C major scale with your left hand is the mirror image of the one you've already learned; place your thumb on the middle C, and play all the white keys down to the next C, then go back up.

After you learn how to play the C major scale, it's time to learn chords. Soon after that, it will be time to learn some other scales. For now, though, practice the C major scale as many times as it takes to sound smooth and even. It may be boring, but once you get this down, everything else in the future will be a little easier.

Basically, when learning how to play the keyboard, mastering the piano's C major scale is the bridge toward bigger and more ambitious things. So, practice that scale until you can play it in your sleep.

Duane Shinn is the author of the popular DVD home study course on playing piano titled Crash Course In Exciting Piano Playing!

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Cuban Salsa

Dance has been an important part of rituals, celebrations and entertainment since before the birth of human civilisation. In the beginning, before we had written language to record things, the purpose of dance was often to tell stories and to pass them down to future generations.

The story of dancing in Cuba

In Cuba, as in ancient times, dance tells its own story. The passion and energy of Cuban dance reveals the strength and conviction of the Cuban people, determined to enjoy life despite 'la lucha' (the struggle) of living in a strictly regulated country where the average monthly wage comes in at around 400 pesos - less than 10.

The richness of Cuban music and dancing also tells the story of Cuba's melting pot of cultures. From the high-stepping flamenco brought by the Spanish settlers in the 15th century to the frenzied tribal dances of the West African slaves, dancing is in the blood of the Cuban people.

From the teenage girl in denim shorts to the cigar-seller on the street corner, Cubans are given to break into spontaneous dance steps. Furthermore, the people dancing on the streets of Havana are likely to be just as good as the professionals, because in Cuba dancing is simply a way of life.

The variety of Cuban dances

Cuba boasts a huge range of dances including classical ballet, contemporary, flamenco and folk dancing. But it is the partnered routines that appeared in Havana dancehalls between the 1920s and the 1950s - Salsa, rumba, mambo and cha-cha-cha - that can be seen in every Cuban bar, club and street. Of these, Salsa is the most popular dance internationally.

Since the name 'Salsa' (it's Spanish for 'sauce') was coined, Salsa dancing has exploded in popularity in Latin America and across the world. Salsa dancing classes are now hugely popular but to really get into the swing of it a Salsa holiday in Cuba itself is a must.

Tips for Cuban Salsa dancing

If you do take yourself on a Cuban holiday, you'll have the unique experience of watching Cubans Salsa dancing. It sometimes appears that by some genetic aberration they have been born with super flexible joints, defying physics to carry out all the complex manoeuvres they have integrated into the dancing. Their remarkable twisting body movements and natural sense of rhythm will dazzle you.

If you have the right technique, Cuban Salsa is easier to learn than many other forms of dance. The basic footwork is a fairly simple walking motion, pausing every fourth beat, and there are some six basic steps you can follow to make sure you're on the right tracks.

1 Relax

To dance Cuban Salsa well it is important not to rush, but to relax into the steps. Movements should be precise and deliberate in addition to being flowing and smooth.

2 Walk with purpose

Salsa dancing involves a continual circular motion. Couples walk around each other with an imaginary axis between them. This makes turns look smooth and effortless. Walking gives time to untangle your arms after each turn.

3 Have confidence in your lead

The leader (usually the man) should have constant tension in his arms, while his hands guide his Salsa dancing partner around the floor. There is no need to clamp onto each other's hands, only to use the right amount of tension to provide a leading signal.

4 Be flexible when following

In order to follow well, ladies should try to match the tension of their partner. The exception to this is when arms need to be relaxed and flexible to complete arm-twisting Salsa moves without injury!

5 Keep balanced when you spin

The key to all the spectacular spins in Salsa is not to lose your balance. One way to do it is by spotting while you spin - focussing on one spot at each turn - an age-old dance technique.

6 Use your body

In Salsa dancing, ladies should make use of their body and be sensual, playful and creative. This can involve some creative arm movements, going with what feels right and basically showing off a bit. Enjoy!

Emma Lelliott is the general manager of Captivating Cuba, an independent Cuba holiday specialist. With offices in Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba can offer Cuban Salsa holidays to Havana as well as expert advice on holidays to Varadero and Cayo Coco and lesser known resorts such as Jibacoa and Trinidad.

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Radio Play - Will Topping The Charts Make You Bigger Than Elvis?

Every true life rock n roll television melodrama has the same scene: the unknown artist/band gives their freshly cut 45rpm single to the local disc jockey. He spins it on his top 40 radio showand a star is born. This legend has been passed down through the generations of wannabe popstars like an ancient family recipe. The ingredients may differ, but in the end you get the same glorious results: radio play equals fame and fortune.

But does this Top of the Charts fairytale still apply today in the sardonic post new millennium world we call today? Can a band in our current music scene walk into a radio station with a CD single in their hot little hands, impress and wow the DJ with their enthusiasm and chutzpa, obtain the magic and golden FM radio spins and then ride the wave of success all the way to Graceland? Well, then, I guess the real question would be, Do you believe in fairytales?

Unfortunately, the music industry, like the entire Earth, has become so overpopulated and so oversaturated with artists, music, CDs, and radio stations/shows of all kinds, that the chance of your own personal radio fairytale coming true is probably slim to none. But, dont give up on your favorite audio media outlet. Radio may not catapult you to instant superstardom but it certainly can help to push you down the path to success.

The following are a few tips that will help you to make your own music fairytale and get your music heard throughout the airwaves:

1.) Get Out Of Major Market The Top 40 Station Mentality---There was a day when getting played on a big city Top 40 radio station was like winning a gold medal at the Olympics. Bands that were chosen for play were handpicked by the voices of the airwaves whose ears were finely tuned to pick out the next new rising star. Today, things are a little different. Radio has become a huge corporation with three major conglomerates owning most of the stations in the United States. Sadly, Disc jockeys are no longer the innovators their predecessors were. Station management hands down a playlist (made exclusively of artists signed to mostly major labels) and the voices you hear on your radio are just thattalking heads animating a script. Its nearly impossible for an unknown band to break into mainstream large metropolis radio and a waste of your time and money to send packages blindly to a medium that will more than likely reject you again and again.

2.) The Specialty Show Is Your Ticket In---Still determined to get played on that hot radio station with 10 million listeners and a celebrity DJ? Well, there is a backdoor that you may be able to slip through. Its the specialty show. Many huge stations feature a weekly show structured just to highlight the little guyto showcase unsigned artists from that stations area and sometimes beyond. These shows are always worth sending your press package to, as they tend to base their playlist on your music and your credentials on not on the typical corporate artist roster. This is where you just might wow that innovative disc jockey and garner play on some of Americas biggest stations.

3.) College Radio Still Rocks---One area of radio that has stayed unaffected by the huge corporate retooling is the college/university station. Unlike companies/labels deciding what the listening audience thinks is cool or hip, college radio DJs and program directors are still setting their own cutting edges, breaking new artists, and finding the hot fresh stars of tomorrow hiding in their local clubs, coffee houses and garages. Its always beneficial for unsigned artists to send as many CDs (or email as many MP3s, if the station will accept that medium) to as many college stations as you can find. You will find stations to play you and people will be listening. This could lead to new fans, tour possibilities, and will definitely look fantastic on the radio page of your website or EPK. Whether or not it will actually make you a rockstar, it will sure make you feel like one.

4.) The Unlimited World Of Independent Radio---Back in the early days of radio, indie stations were limited to audio pirates in their basements stealing airwaves from unsuspecting Top 40 giants. Now, thanks to the internet, satellites, cell phones, iPods and cable TV, independent stations outnumber their AM/FM constituents in the thousands and new ones are created every day. Since doing a search of indie radio stations online has been known to cause a brain embolism in some, know that you will probably never be able to solicit them all in one lifetime and just relax and enjoy sending music to whomever you can, as you will probably garner hoards of airplay. Furthermore, your wallet will grow to love you as most of these stations will allow you to submit MP3s online.

Its true that the legendary story of the unknown band that got one single played on the radio and became superstars within a month is probably as outdated as the 8-Track tape. But that doesnt mean that the process of artists soliciting music for radio play has become archaic. Radio remains, to this day, one of the best ways for musicians to promote their music and their projects in their area.and now, thanks to terrific technological advancements, nationally and worldwide. The repetition of your single in the ears of even the most jaded radio listener, may lead to: CD and merchandise sales, gigging opportunities in your city and others, visits to your website, posts to your fan club forums, potential press and even maybe industry attention. So, dont stop sending those CDs, and emailing those MP3s because the next person who hears your song on the radio might just be the one who leads, either directly or indirectly, to your much sought record deal. And who knows? You might just wind up becoming bigger than Elvis.

Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor, consultant, columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 2,400 affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area, where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com

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A Guide To Ballet

Ballet is a dance that beautifies our movements and builds gracefulness into our body and limbs. Transcending centuries, ballet has a long history. With roots in the Renaissance court spectacle in Italy, ballet has taken its form from the French ballet de cour.

Enchanting and graceful with unbelievable steps, ballet is an extremely difficult dance to be learnt perfectly. Great determination, undying spirit, hard work, unbounded practice, and pain are required to master the steps and make a graceful and superb dancer.

To enable dancers to perform perfectly, there are special shoes available - simply called ballet shoes or ballet slippers - made out of leather, satin, or canvas which makes ballet steps and movements possible without causing any injuries to the dancer.

Research shows that some brands are particularly known for making good ballet shoes of different types, materials, and designs. Angelo Luzio, Freed, Gamba, Grishko, Leo, Patterson, Sansha, Art Stone, Bloch, Capezio, and Danshuz are some brands among others which specialize in ballet shoes or slippers.

Ballet slippers are always preferred to be snug but not tight, and to have enough room for the toes to spread out comfortably. Good ballet shoes also have ribbons and elastics to allow for flexibility and feet comfort. Options exist as to the type of sole pattern desired - split or full sole.

Multitudes of ballet schools exist which have brilliant teachers imparting ballet lessons to people of all ages. Apart from the normal ballet lessons, there are even summer intensive courses and some special courses to children of aged 3 or 4 years. Such courses help to tune in their movements to music. However, most professional courses begin at the age of 9 years.

American Repertory Ballets Princeton Ballet School, School of American Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet School, and Canadas Royal Winnipeg Ballet are some schools which impart professional ballet dancing lessons.

Some talented and famous dancers include Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Alicia Alonso, Briely Movric, Paloma Herrera, and Mikhail Baryshnikov, besides many, many others.

An expressive dance form, ballet continues today in its ever-growing popularity, stealing hearts of millions of people all over the world.

Ballet provides detailed information on Ballet, Ballet Shoes, Ballet Classes, Ballet Dancers and more. Ballet is affiliated with Ballet Flat Shoes.

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