How to Choose Music for Your Program
Find the perfect soundtrack for your skating journey
🎯 Why Music Matters
Music is the heart of your skating program! The right music inspires you, showcases your personality, and creates an emotional connection with the audience. Whether you're preparing for your first competition or just want to skate to something you love, this guide will help you choose music that brings out your best performance.
Music Selection Criteria
1. Choose Music You Love
This is the #1 rule! You'll listen to this music hundreds of times.
- Pick something that makes you happy
- Choose music that inspires you to move
- Don't pick music just because it's popular
- Your passion will show in your performance
2. Match Your Skill Level
Beginner Music:
- Clear, steady beat
- Simple structure
- Moderate tempo (not too fast)
- Recognizable melodies
Intermediate Music:
- More complex rhythms
- Tempo changes okay
- Emotional variety
- Room for interpretation
Advanced Music:
- Complex compositions
- Multiple movements
- Dramatic dynamics
- Showcases technical skills
3. Consider Program Length
Typical Program Lengths:
- Beginner: 1:00-1:30 minutes
- Intermediate: 1:30-2:00 minutes
- Advanced: 2:00-3:00 minutes
- Competition: Check specific requirements
Your music should match your required program length exactly (within 10 seconds).
Music Genres & Styles
Popular Choices for Figure Skating:
- Classical: Timeless, elegant, showcases musicality
- Movie soundtracks: Emotional, recognizable, tells a story
- Pop/Contemporary: Fun, energetic, relatable
- Jazz: Playful, rhythmic, great for footwork
- Broadway: Theatrical, character-driven, entertaining
- Instrumental versions: Popular songs without lyrics
💡 Lyrics or No Lyrics?
For competitions, check the rules—some levels don't allow vocals. For practice programs, anything goes! Instrumental versions of popular songs are a great compromise.
Tempo & Energy
Finding the Right Tempo
Tempo Guidelines:
- Too slow: Hard to maintain energy, looks sluggish
- Too fast: Can't keep up, looks rushed
- Just right: Matches your skating speed naturally
Test Your Music:
- Skate to it before committing
- Can you complete elements comfortably?
- Does it feel natural or forced?
- Do you have time to breathe between elements?
Energy Arc:
- Beginning: Establish mood and energy
- Middle: Build intensity, showcase skills
- End: Climax and finish strong
Editing Your Music
Why Edit Music:
- Match exact program length
- Remove slow or boring sections
- Create smooth transitions
- Build to a strong finish
- Highlight your best moments
Editing Options:
- Professional editor: $50-150, best quality
- Coach or rink contact: Often have editing resources
- DIY with software: Audacity (free), GarageBand, Adobe Audition
Editing Tips:
- Fade in at the beginning
- Fade out at the end
- Match beats when cutting sections
- Keep transitions smooth
- Test on the ice before finalizing
⚠️ Copyright Considerations
For competitions, you may need to use royalty-free music or pay licensing fees. Check with your competition organizer. For practice programs, any music is fine.
Creating a Theme
Program Themes to Consider:
- Emotional journey: Joy, sadness, triumph
- Character portrayal: Princess, warrior, dancer
- Story-telling: Beginning, middle, end
- Abstract/artistic: Pure movement and music
- Fun/playful: Showcase personality
Matching Music to Theme:
- Costume should reflect music mood
- Choreography should interpret music
- Facial expressions should match emotion
- Everything works together to tell your story
Music Selection Process
Step-by-Step Selection
Step 1: Brainstorm (1-2 weeks)
- Listen to lots of music
- Create a playlist of possibilities
- Consider different genres
- Think about what inspires you
Step 2: Narrow Down (1 week)
- Pick top 3-5 options
- Skate to each one
- Get coach feedback
- Consider program requirements
Step 3: Final Selection (1 week)
- Choose your favorite
- Confirm it meets all requirements
- Get it professionally edited
- Start choreography
Music Examples by Level
Beginner-Friendly Music:
- "A Thousand Years" - Christina Perri (instrumental)
- "Can't Help Falling in Love" - Elvis (instrumental)
- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
- Simple classical pieces (Pachelbel's Canon, Clair de Lune)
Intermediate Music:
- Movie soundtracks (Frozen, La La Land, The Greatest Showman)
- Upbeat classical (Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Carmen)
- Contemporary instrumental (Lindsey Stirling, 2Cellos)
Advanced Music:
- Complex classical (Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky ballets)
- Dramatic soundtracks (Schindler's List, Gladiator)
- Multi-movement pieces with tempo changes
Music Selection Tips
- Start early: Music selection takes time
- Skate to it first: Never commit without testing on ice
- Get feedback: Coach, friends, family opinions help
- Consider your strengths: Showcase what you do best
- Think about costume: Music should inspire costume ideas
- Be unique: Stand out with unexpected choices
- Trust your instincts: If you love it, it's right
- Have a backup: Keep second choice in case first doesn't work
Where to Find Music
Music Sources:
- Streaming services: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
- Royalty-free sites: Epidemic Sound, AudioJungle, PremiumBeat
- Classical libraries: IMSLP (free public domain)
- Skating music sites: Specialized figure skating music collections
- Movie soundtracks: iTunes, Amazon Music
Perform to Your Perfect Music
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