How to Choose a Belly Dance Balancing Sword
By Marisa Wright
A sword can be a dramatic addition to your belly dancing repertoire – it’s a great way to grab audience attention on your entrance, even if you don’t use it for your entire dance.
There’s really no shortcut to learning sword – canes have a completely different weight and balance, so learning the moves with a cane or stick is not much help. If you’re serious about learning sword, you need your own balancing sword from day one!
Swords are expensive, so it’s very important to choose the right one from the start. Unless you have some experience with sword and can try it out before you buy, never buy a sword that isn’t specifically designed for belly dancing.
The reason is the balance point. A sword that’s been designed for dancing will have its balance point towards the centre of the sword, so the hilt and the point hang fairly evenly on either side of your head That leaves as much clear space as possible under the sword for arm movements, without the risk of knocking the sword off your head!
Swords designed as collectables or for swordplay often have a balance point up near the hilt (the handle). That means the handle will sit very close to your head, while the blade will project a long way out to one side – if it’s a very curved blade like a scimitar, the sharp point can hang down past your shoulder, and will constantly get in the way of your arm on that side. So make sure the sword you’re about to buy is a “belly dance sword” or a “balancing sword” before you hand over your cash.
Some belly dance swords have the balance point conveniently marked – look for three or four small notches on the blade. That gives you reassurance the maker understands the importance of the balance point, plus it makes it easier for you to set it on your head in the right place!
Chrome swords look wonderful – but don’t buy them. One of the biggest problems for women is that all swords slip when balanced on clean hair. Men can leave their hair unwashed for two or three days before a performance but women don’t really have that luxury if they want to look their best. Chrome swords are the most slippery of all, so the combination of clean hair and chrome is a virtual guarantee of disaster!
Don’t be afraid of a heavy sword. They may make a groove in your head, and they’re certainly frightening when they fall – but on the other hand they’re easier to balance, because they’re less affected by draughts and tend to move more slowly, giving you more time to react.
If your sword arrives with a sharp blade, please blunt it before dancing with it. Even a blunt sword can be dangerous – let’s not even think about dropping a sharp one! Some decorative swords have never been sharp – they have a thicker rounded edge instead, which is safer. However if you’re going to be dancing close to your audience, bear in mind that these swords don’t look at all dangerous, which detracts from the “thrill factor” of your performance.
If you’re buying a sword that doesn’t have its own case or scabbard, make sure to buy or make one to keep your sword in the best possible condition. A good sword will serve you well for a long time – and if you need to upgrade, a well-cared-for blade will fetch a good resale price from some other up-and-coming belly dancer!
For all your belly dance costume needs, visit Belly Dance Oz – http://www.bellydanceoz.com
Our bellydance bazaar has everything from hip scarves to belt-and-bra sets to professional Egyptian costumes. You’ll find Isis Wings, swords, zills and more for sale from international suppliers who are able to ship all over the world
You’ll also find profiles of some wonderful belly dancers, complete with videos of their performances. I’m actively building this part of the site and would love to hear from Australian performers and teachers who’d like to be included. Inclusion is free – the site is financially supported by the Belly Dance Store.
Stop press! I am extending the directory to include New Zealand belly dancers – please, let’s hear from you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marisa_Wright
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Choose-a-Belly-Dance-Balancing-Sword&id=1577781
