Finger cymbals - also called "zills" or "sagats" - may seem like an easy addition to your belly dance repertoire. After all, they're just two little domed discs of metal with a piece of elastic attached. You'd think that choosing and using them would be simple, too. You're about to be surprised!

Although most average belly dance shops stock similar no-name zills, that's far from all there is. Makers like Saroyan and Turquoise offer several models, with surprisingly large variations in volume and tone.

When you're a beginner, quality of sound doesn't matter so much - in fact you may be grateful your zills aren't too loud! - but as you progress, you'll find your attitude changes.

 If you're a beginner about to buy your first pair of zills, you have a choice:

• Buy a cheap pair of zills to learn on, and upgrade later, or
• Buy a really good pair of zills now, and keep them forever.

There are good arguments on both sides. 

If you're not sure whether belly dancing is for you, or whether you'll ever want to play finger cymbals again, then there's nothing wrong with buying the cheapest zills you can find. You won't be disadvantaged in any way - expensive zills aren't any easier to play than cheap ones. OK, cheap zills may not sound wonderful - but while you're learning, you're probably going to sound awful anyway, so maybe it's a good thing if they're not that loud!

The main argument for buying a cheap first set is to avoid making an expensive mistake. When you're starting out, you don't know what may be ahead in your belly dance career. Over time, you may find you like larger zills, or smaller ones, or develop a preference for a particular sound. You may switch to Tribal (in which case you'll need a larger sagat with a lower tone). If you start performing, you'll need a different tone and volume of zill for cabaret than you would for stage work. For all these reasons, some teachers recommend starting with an inexpensive, basic zill, to give yourself time to discover your own style.

If you decide to go for a cheaper pair, there is only one thing to look out for. A proper finger cymbal has two slits in the centre to thread the elastic through. Don't buy a set which has only a single hole for the elastic instead of two slits. They will still work, but they can slide around on your fingers, which makes it harder to line up the two playing surfaces precisely.

Having said that, I started learning on a pair of "tourist" sagats with a single hole, and did OK. And I know a couple of belly dance schools which keep a stock of "single hole" zills for use by students in class. So if you're really strapped for cash, they're still a workable option.

A good set of zills can be expensive, but they could last your whole career. They do tarnish, and the sound will eventually deaden - but that will take years, and you'll certainly have got your money's worth by then. So, the argument goes, why waste twenty bucks now on a cheap pair of zills - why not bite the bullet and buy a decent pair straight off the bat?

Let's face it, even professional-quality zills aren't that expensive - most cost less than $50 retail, and much less on sites like eBay. And I must say, there is nothing quite as lovely as the clear, bell-like "ting!" of a high quality finger cymbal. The best zills are a real pleasure to play - not because of how they feel, but because of that wonderful zinging sound. Many of them look pretty, too!

The two big names to look for in zills are Saroyan and Turquoise. Both are reputable, high quality makers and you really can't go wrong with any of their products. Both manufacture zills in a range of sizes and shapes, plain and engraved. They all sound different, too! Some are loud enough to be heard over an orchestra, while others are more delicate. Some resonate for a long time after striking, while others have a crisper finish. The pitch can range from high and clear to mellow mid-tones.

If you usually play in a troupe, it's a good idea to ask the troupe leader if she has a preference - you don't want your zills to sound out of place in the ensemble.

We generally associate zills with a bell-like ringing sound, and beginners may be corrected if they strike the zills face-on, which makes a "clack". In fact, that is also a perfectly legitimate way to play.

The clip on the right explains the various way to hold your zills and the different sounds they can make. In the video below, you can hear them in action. 

The video also demonstrates how to practise zills - sitting down!   Dancing with zills is a bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time:  it's unrealistic to expect to dance and play at the same time until you've mastered the zills on their own.  It does take patience, but taking the time to learn the zills like a musical instrument, without any dance steps, really will pay dividends in the end. 

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All text copyright Marisa Wright. Multicolor photo courtesy of Vmiramontes.  Tribal photo by Leslie Duss.