Tabla Solo 3 - Issam Houshan
This is choreography is (c) Helena Bellydancer - please ask permission before you use it by emailing me at helena@helenabellydancer.com
Combination 1
On left hip - hip drop, hip drop release, hip drop, foot tap (i.e. bring L foot to L hand) Repeat
Combination 2
Grapevine walk to R stepping cross front, open cross back and touch R, step back on R foot shifting weight back then rock to front on to L leg and bring R foot into hip drop position as you reverse undulate up and into chest drop – let the head come up a little too!
Grapevine walk to L stepping cross front, open cross back and touch L, step back on R foot shifting weight back then rock to front on to R leg and bring L foot into hip drop position as you reverse undulate up and into chest drop – let the head come up a little too!
Repeat – or change directions if your audience is in a circle or to your sides also (e.g first two down R side then second two down L side or first two to front and second two to back etc)
Combination 3
Hip hit R,L,R pause and move a little lower by bending knees and again hip hit L,R,L, bend knees still further and hip hit R,L,R then bounce down onto heels and straight back up with shoulder accent R,L,R
(if you can’t go all the way down then an alternative would be to only move down a little and then do a heel tap to come back upright in place of bouncing down and back up)
Combination 4
“Sohair Zaki” hip drops on demi-pointe (ball of the foot) R,L,R,L,R turning R in a quarter turn so you are facing R then heel tap back to flat foot position and shimmy, pushing bottom out a little as you go (be careful to keep a nice straight back though!). Repeat a further 3 times, each time making a quarter turn so that after turning R you turn to the back and then to the left finishing once again facing the front.
Combination 5
Hip drop release on L x 2, step back on L transitioning weight, then forward on R again changing weight and change sides, shoulder shimmy.
Hip drop release on R x 2, step back on R transitioning weight, then forward onto L again changing weight and change sides, shoulder shimmy.
Hip drop release on L x 2, step turn step stepping L first and finishing facing backwards, pelvic tuck, arms up
Shoulder shimmy R, L, step turn step stepping R first and finish facing the front, shoulder shimmy.
Combination 6
Hip slide layering shimmy to R, L, R, reverse undulate up and into chest drop
Hip slide layering shimmy to L, R, L, reverse undulate up and into chest drop
Bridge
Pelvic roll slowly then quickly
Shimmy section
Big strong shimmy - bring arms out to the sides and up
Bring arms down shifting the shimmy to one leg with a slightly wider stance and frame the shimmy – I do this on the L but choose your strongest side!
Layer the shimmy over a hip slide and slide in time with the rolls
Layer the shimmy over an undulation and undulate in time with the rolls
Bring your feet in quite close together with a heel tap and do a really small shimmy as the roll gets quieter
As the heavy drum comes in over the top, fade the shimmy out and add a double knee fast bounce
Step out to the R with feet wide and shimmy R hip. Bring your hips round in a semi circle from R to L, then back round to R, and finally again to the L, keeping the shimmy going all the time. The aim is to look like the shimmy has taken on a life of its own and you can’t stop it!
Bridge
As the drum rhythm comes back in bring your feet together and do sharp hip hits followed by a strong Egyptian walk
Combination 7
Start with weight on R hip and shimmy strongly. Keep the shimmy going as you shift the weight to the L with two figure 8s, then sharp pelvic tuck on the accent
Shimmy strongly on the L then keep the shimmy going as you shift the weight to the R with two figure 8s, then sharp pelvic tuck on the accent
Repeat – if your audience is on several sides then you can do these moves facing different directions to vary it.
Combination 8
Shoulder hit R, L, R, slight pause then chest goes R, L, lift, drop
Chest circle R x 3, chest lifts slightly then undulate down into pelvic drop
Hip hit R,L,R, downwards maya on R, L
Reverse undulation x 3, reverse undulate up into chest drop
Repeat – again if your audience is on several sides then you can do these moves facing different directions to vary it.
Combination 9
Hip hit R and pause, then reverse undulate down and undulate back up
Hip hit L and pause, then reverse undulate down and undulate back up
Combination 10
Choo choo shimmy on demi-pointe turning in a circle clockwise. On the single accents, add a chest lift and on the double accents add a hip twist R,L.
End
Turn into a plain spin (can add barrel turns if you can do these)
Finish with a big shimmy and your choice of pose!