Cane twirling...
- Thread starter Zorba
- Start date
Aniseteph
New member
I can confidently state that that is exactly how I was taught, because that's my teacher! :dance:
I think it might work with the cane one finger along, with a few tweaks to the hand movements and how far along the cane you held it, for a thin cane. I don't have space to try it properly just now.
I think it might work with the cane one finger along, with a few tweaks to the hand movements and how far along the cane you held it, for a thin cane. I don't have space to try it properly just now.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
Ok - now this makes a bit more sense!
Its pretty much the same as thumb/forefinger - hold the cane in between your forefinger/middle finger right up at the webbing. Now twirl it in a similar manner to your usual way - its really that simple. If you're used to "boosting" the cane on the upswing with your thumb, you do the same thing but with the middle finger - at least I do.
Does that make any sense?
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
How cool! Most on-line videos annoy me, but that particular one is an exception: Its well done, and she knows what she's talking about!
Farasha Hanem
New member
arrrrrgh, I goofed in this post, and can't delete it now! xP
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Farasha Hanem
New member
Jeanne
Member
OK, got it! I can see where there might be more potential of losing your grip if you're not careful, but I do kind of like it. The movement seems smoother with less "wobble."
On a side note, I twirl different weights of cane for different types of performances. My folkloric troupe uses those heavy plain wood ones for our Saidi piece, and I use the common variety gold-tape-wrapped bamboo ones for more theatrical styles. I also have one of those super-light ones (which I don't use much because it's too short for me) and would like to learn to do that insanely fast spinning that Lebanese dancers do -- this might be a good technique for that.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
That mirrors my finding as well. Just seems to give better results overall. At least thus far!
Yea, the folkloric troupe I'm in has the same situation. The sticks we were using were just to darn heavy - for *me* - being used to very light canes. The were also too large in diameter. So now I have a 4 foot balsa dowel in a 5/8" diameter and everybody's happy. It looks the same but I can handle it and keep pace with the rest of the troupe! With that said, I know several dancers who prefer a heavier cane/stick - its all in what works for the individual dancer.
It might indeed!
I see you're semi-local to me - the teacher who taught me this is Dunia, of Desert Dance Festival fame.
Jeanne
Member
Cool! I don't know Dunia well, but of course I'm acquainted with her through Desert Dance.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
She's come partially out of retirement to teach 2 nites a week. Thursdays in Santa Cruz, and Tuesdays (?) in San Jose.
Classic American Cabaret Belly Dance, in all its beauty, power, and glory. The way few remember it now.
Daimona
Moderator
One thing an alternative grip might be good for is when your standard gold taped one has raised blisters in the thumb and forefinger space.
Oh, yes.. blisters I had almost forgot about those. They are the reason why I always carry beige sport tape in my dancing bag, so I could tape the "saidi blister spot" before I get the blisters..
ETA: I usually don't get blister by a little bit of cane work (and never from the light golden taped ones), but if I've worked intensively with a heavy stick for several weeks I get a sore spot...
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Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
Kashmir
New member
With the loose hold and release grip you don't get blisters because you only are holding tight for a short time. You also don't get that awful feeling that you can't feel the cane because you've been gripping way too hard for too long. But it needs to be heavy enough to fall under its own weight. Personally I use a real walking stick - heavy, thick, and it doesn't break if you whack it very hard on the floor.
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
This make sense - if the dancer is gripping the cane too tightly, I could certainly see blisters (and a tired hand/arm) rather quickly. The Grip Of Death isn't a good thing - I feel that I'm barely even touching the cane, just let it roll around your hand.
But even light canes fall under their own weight!
Jeanne
Member
Same with me!
Daimona
Moderator
Once I started doing saidi I was dreaming about a bamboo stick, but all I had a very heavy stick made from thick pine from the local wood ware shop and that gave me blisters. I guess it also gave me the habit of gripping the stick too tight. *sigh*
Now I usually don't get it from my bamboo sticks unless I overdo the practice (BTDT) ...
Now I usually don't get it from my bamboo sticks unless I overdo the practice (BTDT) ...
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