Finger cymbals, also known as zils (Turkish), sagat (Egyptian) & zang (Persian) are an exciting element of Middle Eastern Dance, and used creatively can add interesting variety to your repertoire of skills. Zils are best used to enhance the music (not to overpower it), and to emphasise rhythm and accent to the dancers moves. It is very important to learn to play the zils well before attempting to perform with them in public, as it is very clear if you are missing the beat!

Zils are sometimes used by Ghawazee gypsies, when they are played continuously throughout their dancing. Western audiences, however, might not appreciate this, so you may decide to play your zils to create dramatic effects, using them sparingly during your routine.

Finger cymbals come in wide variety of shapes and sizes, with very different tones, depending on what they are made of- usually brass or cast metal. They are worn in pairs, fastened onto the middle finger and thumb between the nail and knuckle with narrow elastic. It is preferable that the elastic is sewn together as a pin or knot may interfere with the sound. They should be tight enough to stay on your fingers, without cutting off the blood supply, not slide around, and not go flying off into the audience!

It is a good idea to practise playing your zils every day. Practise holding your arms up and away from your body in a relaxed way, and graduate from sitting down to walking around, and building up to doing steps and moves. Dont get into the habit of always sitting down or you may never get used to dancing and playing at the same time!

Striking the zils in different ways produces different sounds, added to which you can use a wide variety of rhythms. The basic technique is to simply hit the cymbals together on the beat of the music. If you bring the cymbals together lightly you will produce a light ringing sound, but if you bring your fingers close together to rest on them as you make your hit, it can make a flat clashing sound. Another technique is to hit the middle finger cymbal at right angles to the thumb one, and this produces a bell like tone. Experiment, and see what sounds you can discover.

You can use the zils in a variety of ways: to emphasise a passage or part of your routine or music, to accent the beat (played continuously), or to add accent to certain moves.

Rhythms

The finger cymbals can be used with several rhythms, such as: Saidi, Fellahi, Chifftitelli & Beledi. There are lots of different patterns which fit with these rhythms, but the basic zils rhythm which you will hear a lot in Middle Eastern Music is the triplet.

Play right-left-right, then left-right-left (RLR LRL RLR LRL). It can also be played right-right-left (RRL RRL RRL), or left-left-right (LLR LLR LLR), or right-left-right (RLR RLR RLR).

Another simple way is to play them alternately without any pauses- right left right left right left (RLRLRLRLRL). Try combining the two and create your own rhythm!

To start with, try practising without music, then with. Try different speeds of the basic rhythms- try to add pauses and gaps. Then try it with some simple steps!! Most importantly- have fun!

Reccomended Music

Rhythms of the Nile: Hossam Ramzy

Rhythm of the Dance: Solace

Acknowledgements

Judi Linley (Sagat Workshop)

Miramar (Finger Cymbals for the Beginning Student)