If your zills are made of real brass, they will tarnish quickly, just like silver. I use a brass cleaner called "Brasso" and a soft cloth (like the kind used to polish silver) when my zills get tarnished. Just be careful not to get cleaner on the elastic, because it will be hard to get out if it gets on them. Oh, if your zills didn't come in its own bag, it might be wise to buy a small jewelry pouch with a drawstring; it will protect your zills from nicks and scratches. Or make one yourself out of a soft, velvety material.
We haven't learned to play zills in our class yet, but there's a good mini-tutorial in the bonus material on the "American Bellydancer" DVD documentary. Laura A. Cooper's book, "Bellydance Basics," has some pointers on zill playing, and Keti Sharif's "Bellydance" devotes a chapter to it. There are also instructional DVD's on zill playing; unfortunately, the only one I own came in a box set. It's Dolphina's 3 DVD "Goddess Workout" box set, and I wouldn't recommend it to my
dead ferret. -_-;;; She's a so-so dancer in my opinion, but a
horrible instructor. She doesn't give enough explaination on the movements, and she goes
on and
on and
on about goddess stuff. Sorry for the rant, there; she just annoys me.
I know there are other members here who can recommend better DVD's. However, if you can find yourself an instructor who can teach you how to play your zills (teach you proper technique, the various rhythms in Middle Eastern music, etc.), that would be even better. Nothing like personal instruction. Good luck to you!
