Tips for Choosing Gymnastics Floor Music
Hi,
If you are involved with gymnastics and preparing a routine for possible competition, or even if you just want to create an artistic composition to suit yourself, you will need to give some thought to gymnastics floor music. This means that you will want to select background music to accompany your routine on the floor rather than on a set of rings or another piece of gymnastic equipment.
Floor music is an important part of a gymnast’s routine. Without it, your performance can look stark. With the wrong type, you can look out of sync. The right style can bring a smile to the judges’ faces and high points to your scorecard. So how do you go about choosing the best background song for your routine? Here are a few points to keep in mind. I'm by no means a qualified coach, but I still have suggestions to offer..
1. Choose a song that you know or get to know it well before adding a routine. This should be a music type that you are familiar with and have heard many times. You should understand the nuances and cadence of the rhythm as well as any pauses, inflections, or abrupt changes in tone. Your body should move naturally to the beat of the song, requiring little coaxing from you or the instructor. This could be a song from long ago or one that you grew to love a year or two back. It is helpful to consider several before picking the one you want to use for your routine. That way you can make an informed rather than an emotional choice.
2. Your gymnastics floor routine music should flow with your routine. Actually, the two should work together in complementary fashion. Create moves that follow the song; add jumps to high notes and dips for low ones. Arch when the music does, sprint with eighth or quarter notes. You can thoroughly enjoy this exercise in composition when you take time to savor the instrumental sounds that will add richness to your movements.
3. Practice often. After choosing your song, work on developing your routine and then do it over and over until you have it down perfectly, or as close as you can get. Play the music in your car (or mom and dad's car) and at home so you can hear it even when you’re not practicing, as you listen, visualize the routine in your imagination. You may get new ideas for correcting or improving a step or two or improving your use of the rhythmic gymnastics equipment you plan to use..
4. Use a quality recording. An older tape may be less clear than a recent DVD or download that you can use during practice. Make sure it comes through effectively, or you may have to provide another copy for a competition, and it might sound different enough to throw you off kilter. Your coach can help you select the best copy of the song you want to use for your composition. A low quality recording will reflect badly on your scores.
5. Enjoy it. Learning how to move in time with your gymnastics floor exercise music is a very satisfying form of athletic performance. That’s why so many sports use background music even when it can’t be played during the actual competition. Music combines the aesthetic with the athletic in a montage of gymnastic performance, so take time to relish this golden opportunity for physical and mental harmony.
With a little forethought and effort, you can make the most of this exciting opportunity to create an artistic performance with the addition of meaningful music.
Until next time, remember, be the best gymnastics parent you can be, your child deserves nothing less.
Thanks,
Murray
