Zills Liesa’s Overview January 1, 2008
As with most topics, there
are different opinions and viewpoints. I will give you mine. Even if you never play the zills, you will have some understanding
of them.
Disclaimer: I have no
affiliation or business connections of any kind with any vendors. All opinions are strictly my own opinionated personal opinions!
The two most
well-known good brands are Turquoise International and Saroyan. There are other brands, but they are either
too expensive for starting use, or, if cheap, too cheesy (bad sound, tinny). Cheap zills often have only 1 elastic hole instead
of 2, which makes them difficult to play as they jiggle around too much. [Some very expensive, excellent zills have one hole,
but they are specialty items for when you have some zill experience].
My favorite type is Turquoise
brand: it’s the 1st web site listed below. I have played dozens of different sizes, shapes, tones,
etc. of all different types of brands. Dancers develop their own preferences over time,
but when you buy your first pair…how do you know what to get?!
(*If you already
have zills, unless they are really flimsy & toy-like, use them for now unless you want to get another pair
anyway/ I'll let you know if they are really unsuitable)
That’s
why I suggest Turquoise 2 ¼” or 2 ½ “ diameter either plain or with a design; I like a design myself. They
are a bit heavier weight for the size than comparable Saroyans, so they are easier to get a good sound out of them.
How you strike the zills together is what produces the sound - that is one of the skills of learning zills [along with of
course the DANCING with the darn things on your hands J ] & I prefer the sound of Turquoise
basic zills. They only make one type, with different sizes and with or without design.
Saroyan
are a good choice as well, they have a zillion types and you can listen to sounds of zills online! Of course, there are so
many choices that it is very confusing!! I have purchased many Saroyan zills and enjoy them…but always return
to my 25 yr + Turquoise.
Saroyan
“Nefertiti” are a common beginner type often recommended and many students like them. I think they are too small
& light. I formerly recommended them as well, then one year I noticed all my students who used Turquoise did better
than with Nefertiti, now I keep it simple and just say order the Turquoise.
Zills are designated by diameter
(size), gauge (weight), design (curved, flatter, etc.) production (stamped, cast, cut, etc.) Designs are often added for aesthetics.
A different tone is produced by each type of zill: high or low pitch, sustained or short ring, soft or loud tone, etc. Some
students are bothered by a high pitch esp. combined with a sustained ring. Again, Turquoise zills have a pleasing tone without
an overly sustained ring.
I use 2 ½ “; 2 ¼ are
ok. 2 1/16 are too small unless you have small hands. Many recommendations suggest
using small zills to start, but I feel too small makes a puny sound & are harder to handle. Too large are also too hard
to handle and too loud unless you are a professional.
In class, I will show you
how to play. In the meantime there are many websites with information on how to hold, attach elastic, strike, etc.. Please
read up on this – see sites below. [Playing actual rhythms from the written word before practice is confusing.]
They do need to be tight enough so that they do not fly off your fingers, causing injury & mayhem! Your fingers
may turn blue and it seems initially uncomfortable to have them that tight. However, they do not need to be painful.
Many dancers
never learn to play the zills; it is certainly a challenge & many have no desire to do so. Many professional dancers do
not play the zills as you can perform many styles without.
I love zill playing and consider
it one of my best skills and I am happy to share this with you!
The Premier Fall 2009
class will learn a pretty dance in the folkloric vein. The beginners will not be expected to do the cymbal parts, but
if you are ready for the challenge – go ahead & order those zills! If you would rather not, that is fine too.
Zills: http://www.turquoiseintl.com/cymbals.html http://www.saroyanzils.com
Tutorials: http://www.jasminjahal.com/articles/art_practicing_with_finger.html
http://middleeasterndance.homestead.com/zills.html
and of course, the ever informative www.shira.net
Let me know if you have any
??
