5 Nuances of Dancing to Tarab Songs
Dancing to Tarab songs is an extremely responsible task. Such songs have a deep cultural meaning, and should be addressed thoughtfully and with respect.
I would highlight 5 things that are different from dancing to a mejance, or pop song.
1️⃣ DELICATE MOVEMENTS
Arm positions shouldn’t be super big and wide open, but rather feminine, and centered towards your body. The movement vocabulary will typically be softer, without any aggressive, pushy energy, but rather delicate and feminine.
2️⃣ IMPORTANCE OF LYRICS
Tarab songs have very rich multi-layered melodies, BUT STILL the center of attention is lyrics! 💃 Useful tip: don’t put too many traveling steps once the lyrics start. Instead, focus on one spot, and bring the audience's attention to the meaning of the words and mood.
3️⃣ ALWAYS REFLECT THE MEANING OF THE ORIGINAL SONG
These songs are so important that even if you chose an instrumental version (without voice), you still have to showcase the meaning and mood of the original song.
4️⃣ NO SUFFERING ON STAGE
This one is tricky… Most Tarab songs actually have very dramatic heartbreaking lyrics, and many dancers make the mistake of putting too much drama and suffering on stage in attempts to reflect the meaning of the song.
But I remember the words of the famous Raqia Hassan: “Why would I want to see a dancer crying on stage? I came to a show to feel joy, not to see someone’s suffering.”
So you have to find that fine balance between following the mood of the song, but without over-dramatizing your dance.
5️⃣LIPS SYNCING
If you are really (like REALLY) into the song, and can’t help but ‘sing’ it with your lips - it’s one situation. But remember that any relaxed lip syncing will look unnatural and often distracting to the audience, especially if it’s done by a foreign dancer without proper TRAINING in pronunciation of words.
What’s your favorite Tarab song to dance to?
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About Iana
Iana Komarnytska is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, and passionate content creator helping dancers navigate their dance lives.
She is a graduate from the professional dance program at York University (Canada), host of the Belly Dance Life podcast, creator of the Iana Dance Club, author of numerous articles, and winner of Star Bellydancer Canada 2014 among other international competitions.
Along with belly dance, Iana performs and teaches Persian Classical and Turkish Romani dancing. She is the first choreographer to start using Triple Isis wings, and since 2012 this is one of her style signatures.
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