| Every dance has its own sets of accompanied | | | | different lengths and the one unique feature about |
| instruments that add to its charm and | | | | the Nay is that it is named after the note |
| performance. Belly dancing is performed to the | | | | produced with the 1st finger hole played by the |
| tune of Arabic music, which is produced on the | | | | player. Perhaps, the best musical instrument |
| Arabic music instruments traditionally used for this | | | | whose tunes are ideal for belly dancers to sway |
| type of music. All the three basic kinds of | | | | and create their magical spell. The Nay is played |
| instruments, stringed, percussion and reed, are | | | | by using a single lip technique known as the bilabial |
| used to provide music for a belly dance | | | | blowing. |
| performance. As there are different genres in the | | | | Buzuq: More or less similar to the Oud in style and |
| act of belly dancing as well as Arabic music, the | | | | manner of playing, it is primarily used for the |
| choice of primary instrument varies accordingly. | | | | exotic tunes and rhythms to which belly dancers |
| Still, there are a few instruments that are the | | | | perform Raks Al Balas and Raks Sharki. The |
| heart and soul of every belly dance performance. | | | | Turkish name Buzuq is derived from 'bashi-buzuq', |
| The first such instrument which is widely used is | | | | the popular name by which the Ottoman Troops |
| Oud or Lute. | | | | are known. Basically the Buzuq is a broader and a |
| Lute or Oud: It was discovered by the Americans | | | | deeper toned relative of the Turkish Saz. The |
| in the tomb of the well known Egyptian musician | | | | music produced by the Buzuq is used in many of |
| Harmosis who had lived around 1500 B.C. Made | | | | the popular Arabic pop songs. The original Arabic |
| entirely of one piece of wood, it closely resembles | | | | music and the pop music when mixed together |
| the Moroccan Guembri and its soundboard is | | | | with the music of the Buzuq, make the entire |
| roofed with animal skin. It is played with the help | | | | composition really remarkable and a treat for the |
| of the 'Risha' (plectrum). | | | | ears. |
| Nay: It is like a flute which is open ended, has six | | | | These are the basic instruments used widely for |
| holes in the front where the fingers of the player | | | | creating belly dancing music. Others include |
| create the desired melody and also has a hole on | | | | Dumbek, tar, Sagat, qanun, Zumara, Mizmar and |
| the rear side for placing the thumb. It comes in | | | | more. |