This student has been dancing for two years. I play all types of Middle Eastern music, including non-dance stuff also, just to listen to before and after class and during stretching, for familiarity sake. I carefully explain these basic concepts on a regular basis:
types/countries
layering of musical elements
instruments
maqam
time signatures
rhythms
quarter & microtones
melody
taxeem
call & response
lown
famous singers/songs/composers
The beat is the first thing I explain. "There is an underlying pulse to the music, even when not pronounced, that can change tempo during the song, this is the beat."
We clap together, then walk on the beat, then strike a zill on the dominant hand while walking to the beat, etc. I try to stress feeling the beat because I think this is the fist thing average people can find in a new music form. This student is still unable to do this alone after two years. When she dances alone she goes through the student chorography perfectly, but as if there is no music playing at all. I put out the blanket statement about "being an active listener" and "letting the music flow through your body and come out as dance", but it's not working for her.
I see her tonight in class, I'll try some of the suggestions and see if anything helps her. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
