When it comes to choosing the perfect figure skating music for your program, there is more to it than just choosing your favorite tune. Not only must your figure skating match the music, but your music needs to match your figure skating. This article explores some of the most important aspects of choosing the perfect soundtrack for your show stopping performance.
In choosing figure skating music, you need the right style of music, the right mood, the right tempo, the right pace and to be appropriate for the situation. Read on to find out how to pick the perfect figure skating music for your next program.
Rules, rules, rules, there are lots of them when it comes to choosing figure skating music. Unless you are choosing figure skating music for a show or a gala (where pretty much anything goes), there are plenty of rules.
There are rules set out by national governing bodies, by international associations and by particular competition organizers when it comes to choosing figure skating music.
Pattern dance figure skating music for ice dance tests
You don’t really have any worries here about meeting regulations, because you are not going to have much choice. If you are doing a pattern dance test, the music will most likely be decided for you. It will most likely be instrumental with no vocals. It will either be a piece of music provided by your national ice skating association, a piece of music chosen by your coach that meets all of the relevant guidelines for length, tempo etc, or a piece of music provided by the International Skating Union (ISU). In most of these cases, the music will be inline with ISU guidelines. The bottom line…….. It’s out of your hands, so you don’t have to worry.
Choosing figure skating music for ice dance free dance tests
You have got to be a bit more careful here about regulations when choosing your music. The music is for a dance, so it’s going to have to have a recognisable beat and rhythm. The judge needs to see if you are in time to the music, for that, you have to be able to hear the timing of the music and that means a beat or rhythm of some kind.
You don’t need to have some tub-thumping dance beat, you can have a gentle piece of music, but there has to be a recognizable rhythm.
The best idea to get the up to date rules is to go to the national skating association for your country, for example, in the UK that’s British Ice skating, in the USA that would be US Figure Skating, you get the idea.
The most likely thing to happen, is that your couch will be able to tell you if your music is acceptable.
For a free dance test, you can have music with vocals, which gives you a lot more scope, be careful to choose music without any explicit lyrics though.
Music for single/solo skating tests
Similar to the above (ice dance free dance tests). There needs to be a recognizable rhythm, you are allowed music with vocals and there should not be any explicit lyrics.
Choosing music the correct length for figure skating tests
Either your coach or your national ice skating governing body will have information of how long your music should be for the single/solo or free ice dance test. There are not many songs that are are exactly 1 minute 40 seconds long! (or whatever length you need for your test) So you will almost certainly need to edit your music to the correct length for your test.
How to choose figure skating music that is right for you personally
Ever heard the phrase, ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’? That’s because it’s true. You have got to choose music that is right for you, not right for your friend, or cool to listen to for the crowd. It’s your moment, music can help or hinder you, Choose some music for your figure skating program that really works for you. Here’s how.
How dramatic is your music?
Imagine you are watching the movie ‘The Lord of the Rings’, thousands of elves and humans running into battle orcs that out number them 100 to one. The music is going to be pretty dramatic (in a fast paced way). Now imagine the same movie where a human or hobbit drop to their knees, all hope is lost, tired, desperate and too lost to go on. The music will be slower, but just as dramatic. Hopefully I have made clear what I mean by dramatic music.
Now if you choose music that is very dramatic, two things are probably going to happen.
- When it comes on people will think WOW! Get ready for something special.
- The audience/judges then expect something pretty special.
Now, you may be able to really lay down something really special, or……….. You may not. In either case, your coach/choreographer will do their best to choreograph a program that suits the music within your abilities.
Be careful, that if your abilities do not match the music, your music may ‘show you up’, in other words, your skills do not match the music.
Tempo – Consider when choosing your figure skating music
Needless to say, the faster the tempo of the music, the closer together the moves in the choreography is going to be. Sure you won’t be skating all of it full time, you might be skating some of it half time (ie every other beat), but on the whole, you are going to have more steps in the program in quicker succession. It may be something you want to consider (especially if you are choosing a chart dance pop song)
Age suitability
It is a good idea to choose music suitable for your age. So childrens music or music from children’s films can work well for children, as can music that is classical but light hearted, allowing for shorter steps (no need to have that power section where you bang out a 60 foot spiral). Similarly if you are older, more youthful pieces of music may not suit you.
Light hearted versus serious pieces of music
When choosing music for your figure skating program, it’s also a good idea to consider how light hearted or serious a piece of music is.
If you are good with short steps and toe pick moves, are good with your facial expressions and don’t mind using your hands, a light hearted piece of music (can still be instrumental like ‘The Entertainer’) could be a good choice.
If you are more of a serious straight faced power moves kind of skater, then a serious piece of music might be best.
Considering the choreography when choosing figure skating music
If you are anything like me, then when you hear a good song, you start imagining what it would look like if it were the soundtrack to a figure skating program. Also if you are anything like me, you are imagining a magnificent program that you couldn’t possibly do in real life. But its good to dream.
The point is here, that when you are choosing figure skating music, think what it might look like on ice. What elements would you do, what might the transitions be like, where would the jumps, spins and twizzles be.
Just keep the choreography in mind when you are choosing your music.
Is your music different from other pieces of music you are currently using or have used in the past?
If you know that there is one type of music that really suits your skating style, then fair enough, you might want to stick to the well beaten path. But there is a school of thought that says that a well beaten path can also become a rut. So maybe consider something that might push you out of your comfort zone. I am not saying it’s a good idea. I am just saying……. Think about it.
How to choose figure skating music that means something to you
The music you choose will be played out in actions by you on the ice. For the best performance, the emotion that you feel, that you portray, will have an affect on the overall performance. The points below will help you decide on this when choosing figure skating music.
What is the mood of the music you are choosing?
What kind of mood is the music. Is it joyous, sad, angry? Is it a celebration. Does it make you feel empowered? How can the mood of the music be interpreted in the choreography? You may not be making the choreography up, in fact you probably won’t. But you will have some say in it and your program choreography will reflect the mood. So take the mood of the music into account when choosing your figure skating music.
Choosing figure skating music that tells a story
Sometimes music tells a story. Maybe a love story, maybe the story of loss, or triumph. It could be the story of betrayal or a tale inspiration, of what you can become.
Sometimes the story behind the music isn’t as obvious. It is more the story you interpret from the music. You are using the music to tell your story. If you can put that story across when skating the program, you can turn a good program into an excellent one. The story that the music tells is worth considering when choosing figure skating music.
What does the music you are choosing mean to you?
Sometimes a piece of music means something to us personally. Consider what the music means to you. If it conjures emotion in you and you can channel that emotion through the choreography into your performance, then it will make a difference.
Choosing music that is good for others
Now, considering that this whole article is based around choosing music that works for you, there are a few exceptions. But then it’s the exception that proves the rule right?
O.K, so you should also consider what the music means to others. I.e, if you are traveling to a competition abroad, maybe the song that has pleasant meaning in your country, does not mean the same in another country. It could be saddening or even offensive. So be respectful of other cultures is what I am saying.
The judges
Also consider that when you are choosing your music, the end result (unless it’s a gala or show) will end up in a test or a competition. Although its the skating that the judges are looking at, try to choose music that helps you and the judges, rather than hinder.
Choosing figure skating music with depth (also using the nuances)
There are some elements of music that are discreet, almost hidden, but if you can harness them, through the choreography and through your performance, you will shine.
Considering depth when choosing music
There are areas of light and shade in some songs. Some parts of the music can be soft and gentle, where another part of the same song can be sharper, or more serious. Music can have depth, where grace can be shown, then grace turns to power. Reflecting the areas of light and shade can make you stand out as a figure skater. Consider the light and shade in a song when choosing figure skating music.
Nuances
There are parts in a song that are subtle parts of the rhythm. There may be a slight tap on a cymbal or a triplet played by the drummer, or a change of key by the pianist. They may not be on the main beat, they may be on the beat. Often part of the way through a phrase of the music, little nuances in the music can be translated to small hand movements or turns of the head in the choreography. These accents in the performance really stand out. If you can choose music for your figure skating program that you can use the rhythm and the accents of, you will be making the most of the piece of music. The nuance are definitely worth noting when thinking about your program music.
Other considerations when choosing figure skating music
There are more things to consider than just the music itself
What would you wear to compliment your figure skating music?
With every piece of music comes an outfit. Have you thought about what you would wear? Thinking of the story that your music and choreography will tell, what outfit would you wear to to continue the story?
If you are not telling a story but portraying an emotion, what outfit would you choose to suit the mood of the performance? It is worth thinking about when choosing your figure skating music.
How editable is your figure skating music?
When choosing your figure skating music, consider how easy or hard it will be to to edit to the correct length. The chances are that you are going to need to cut your music to length. You will want to be able to cut certain parts of the music out and leave other parts in, to make the best possible combination that fits the allotted time and intended choreography.
Some music is easier to edit than others. If there are natural pauses and places where lyrics or phrases stop and there are natural places to cut in and out. There are some more complex musical pieces, that are much more difficult to cut. I would say that all music is editable, but the level of difficulty and therefore skill required to edit it does vary greatly. Keep this in mind when choosing your figure skating music.
Has the music been used before in famous figure skating programs?
I can think of no better example of this than Bolero by french composer Maurice Ravel. In the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Torvill and Dean won the gold medal with this now famous piece of music. There are few people who, when they hear the first few notes of Bolero, don’t think of Torvill and Dean.
The problem with this, is that if you use such iconic music, you immediately call the icons to mind. This can become a direct comparison between your skating ability and theirs. This can be dangerous ground for most of us, who do not skate as well.
There is also the argument that these moments are frozen in time and that the music belongs forever to that performance. This point of view is subjective and many may not agree with me. But many would agree, so consider how iconic your music is in terms of figure skating history.
Music with strong associations
Some music has a strong association with something else. For example the Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner. Now when most people hear this piece of music, most people do not think ‘oh, the composition by Wagner in 1851, the beginning of act three of the opera Die Walküre’. No, they think, oh it’s the music out of ‘Apocalypse Now’, where the helicopters are flying into battle.
That’s not to say that you can’t use the music. Just bear in mind that some pieces of music immediately conjure thoughts and emotions if they have a strong association with something else. You may be able to play this to your advantage, or it may work against you. So be aware when choosing your music.
How often to change the music and change your figure skating program?
A good question to ask is ‘should I change my program at all?’. You know if you want to, or have to change your program. Just know that if you want to, it’s fine to have the same program for a couple of years. I know many people who have used the same program with the same music a couple of years in a row. Of course, new programs push you forward, where as a familiar program allows for a polished performance. It’s up to you.
What does your coach think?
I have left this until last, though it is possibly the most important advice of all. What does your coach think of your choice of music for your figure skating program. At the end of the day, your coach will have more experience and will be the one most likely to be creating the choreography and possibly even editing the music. Coaches have a wealth of knowledge, so don’t be afraid to ask their advice.
So in summary
How to choose figure skating music
- Check out the regulations relating to your figure skating test or competition
Find out what the specific requirements are for your music. There may be guidelines set out by governing bodies, associations or competition organizers.
- Correct length for your figure skating music
Get your music edited to the correct length for the regulations for that particular test or competition. Incorrect length music may incur a penalty.
- Choose music that is right for you
Consider how dramatic the music is, does it match your skating ability. Choose music that has a tempo that you can skate at, that is suitable for your age. Consider the mood of the music and what choreography might go with it. Is the music different to what you have used in the past?
- Ask yourself what does the music mean to you.
The music doesn’t have to mean something to you, but if it does, what does it mean? How can that be demonstrated through the figure skating performance.
What kind of mood is the music, is it serious or happy. Your skating will most likely have to compliment the mood.
Does the music tell a story, or do you have a story you want to tell to the music? - Are there nuances in the music that you could use?
Are there parts of the music that have nuances, small accents that could be shown int the performance, perhaps with a move in the footwork or smaller, perhaps a move of the hand, a smile, or even a look. Making use of these small accents in the music make for a very polished looking performance.
Also consider the light and shade of the music, are there parts of it where the mood changes, places where your movement can convey the depth of the music in terms of its changes. - What would you wear?
Figure skating outfits can be beautiful. It is worth noting that you may have to wear an outfit that works with the music. So keep this in mind when choosing the music.
- Some music is easier to edit than others
It is worth thinking in terms of editing when listening to potential tracks. The music will most likely need to be cut in places and joined into other parts of the song.
- Does the music you intend to use have famous history
Famous history of a piece of music can work for or against you. If the music has been used by famous figure skaters before or in movies, this will alter peoples perception of the music.
- Choose music that is non offensive
If you are competing in other countries, try to put yourself in their position. What does the piece of music mean to them. It goes without saying that you should avoid any music with explicit lyrics.
- Ask your coach
Your professional figure skating coach is your best source of advice. Always run any ideas past your coach and see what they think. There is a good chance that they will also be the one who will be creating the choreography.
If you liked this article, then you might enjoy ‘What is GOE (Grade of execution)
Understanding how points are awarded for GOE (Grade of Execution) will greatly help your approach to competitions and your enjoyment of watching the sport. Knowing how points are awarded and reductions are given are just some of the factors of GEO covered. To read the full article click here.
