Never Been Done Music in Figure Skating

[Sam-Skwantch]

I'm interested in hearing and discussing music that hasn't been done before in figure skating. I'm hoping we can stear clear of just posting links to our favorite songs and instead discuss music and how it can be applied to a figure skating program. For example which parts would work best for creating an inspiring Step Sequence.

I am so disappointed in StSeq's in general these days and feel like they are predictable, repetitive, boring and uninspired. I've been on a mission for a few weeks searching for something new that could provide a perfect backdrop for an enjoyable StSeq. To me the key is to create an interesting and free feeling atmosphere for the skater to move like a ribbon through the breeze. Less is more with the music leading the way. Of course there are many types of styles of steps including vibrant and explosive steps like the straight line end to end steps of the past but under today's model I tend to prefer soft and understated especially when considering how busy competitive programs are jam packed with content these days.

I'm working on a project for someone and desperately want to use a specific part of a song (link below) as the Step Sequence.

https://youtu.be/_kQyhMfH0rM?t=1m48s
(Time stamped but if in case that doesn't work for you it's the section starting around 1:50)

Maybe it's just me but I think it would provide for a memorable moment with an extremely likable feel to it. It would be perfect for simple steps that flow but allow a skater to interpret the music and interact with the crowd by simply enjoying the music that people would likely clap along to.

I would welcome any ideas for other songs that might have a similar feel to it that I could splice together into one program. I've tried rearranging this song but it's very similar and I'm now searching for the perfect one to mix it with. Any discussion or help would be greatly appreciated. Hoping to hear other people's ideas for NBD music for this sport. I'm more interested in hearing thoughts on how or why the music should be applied but feel free to just paste a link if that's all you want to contribute. One song at a time would also be helpful I suspect.

-SS

 

[4everchan]

tricky..

1) it must be hard to know what has never been done unless it's a brand new song right?
2) the excerpt you are showing us is very "world music" sounding... so i am guessing that it could fit with a lot of different songs from all sorts of traditions... an example that comes to my mind is Gamelan (from Bali)... here's an example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9lNc4fu8Zc

it's traditionally all percussion instruments... there are slower and faster sections obviously... this is just an example of the style not a specific song suggestion... there are various other styles in traditional music (khmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUiztYyT1oE, persian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r4DdmxwBMo, south american https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaVZIyZ1xgo&index=7&list=PLd6h18WERVo_BAunV4DIvamf3eKvkHdzx) that I can see connecting with the excerpt you have shown us...

lots to think about.. a fun challenge for sure.


PS i am not thinking any of the links I have provided are solutions for your splicing efforts... but more a general idea for you in exploring world music...

 

[4everchan]

gosh.. i am sorry nobody has an answer for you... mine was already far fetched... i was hoping to read other people's ideas... hope you find something that helps you!

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I made my own remix of a song from Pan's Labyrinth tonight. It's under 2:50 to fit the format for any senior level SP. There are about nine different cuts and splices I did to shorten or lengthen certain parts. I also edited the volume levels and added a few FX during the mixes to hopefully smooth the transitions I've created. Any thoughts on this particular mix I did and are the mixes done clean enough to not stand out? Are there any skaters you can see skating to this particular mix? Are there parts that should be longer or shorter?

https://youtu.be/w6fgm6evpjw

Any input is greatly appreciated and if anyone has musical suggestions that we can edit I'm all ears. Just looking for a few fresh ideas.

 

[4everchan]

i like it a lot...

do i know who would skate well to this? for some reason I imagine Kevin Reynolds.... but i can see Javier too... i don't know... I see it more for men than ladies though... but in any case, I think you did a great job... I am very iffy about cuts but these ones work for me ... ( i was given @#@#*@(# for saying I do not like Yuzu's chopin ballade program because of the cuts

the only thing, i'd reconsider is the ending... it's a bit surprising since the music went tons of place before and now it just stalls... but it could work for a final pose... not so much the traditional ending spin....

I made my own remix of a song from Pan's Labyrinth tonight. It's under 2:50 to fit the format for any senior level SP. There are about nine different cuts and splices I did to shorten or lengthen certain parts. I also edited the volume levels and added a few FX during the mixes to hopefully smooth the transitions I've created. Any thoughts on this particular mix I did and are the mixes done clean enough to not stand out? Are there any skaters you can see skating to this particular mix? Are there parts that should be longer or shorter?

https://youtu.be/w6fgm6evpjw

Any input is greatly appreciated and if anyone has musical suggestions that we can edit I'm all ears. Just looking for a few fresh ideas.

 

[elbkup]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLGeIhRSdWO1DvPb07kYJdExowGqniH-ez&v=7g9dQ1EjuCs

Been thinking about your project. NBD music doesn't need to be totally new; many "old" music out there no one has used I'm sure suitable for original FS/SSs...
Been watching this PBS miniseries recently "Indian Summers" remembered thinking the soundtrack is beautiful, tho most selections are short, meant to capture key moments of the story. One or two might work well as a mix for your music - particularly "The End"... The shortest piece at 1:48... The word " ribbon" caught my eye in your description; to me, "The End" has that feel. Slower in tempo than your music they still might be compatible... You know best! I know you've gone with something else but "have a listen anyway...Good luck!

Also " Aafrin and Seeta" from the same st ... Tried to post the link but it didn't take FSR...

 

[cheerknithanson]

I could go on and make a list of songs that never been used in skating that I personally think would be good. None of these are my absolute fave songs. And yes some are by artists I'm fans of. But I'll admit that not all of their songs would work. In fact. The majority wouldn't work. Though some songs I can think of might be live performances.

 

[mrrice]

I could go on and make a list of songs that never been used in skating that I personally think would be good. None of these are my absolute fave songs. And yes some are by artists I'm fans of. But I'll admit that not all of their songs would work. In fact. The majority wouldn't work. Though some songs I can think of might be live performances.

I have to agree. I remember thinking that Ashley Wagner could skate to a great SP to "Venus" by Bananarama, I think that Leonova could also pull it off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAdlVRn1xYc

 

[cheerknithanson]

I have to agree. I remember thinking that Ashley Wagner could skate to a great SP to "Venus" by Bananarama, I think that Leonova could also pull it off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAdlVRn1xYc

Omg! We read that book and watched that movie in 8th grade! By we I mean me and the other kids who were in 8th grade when I was and at my middle school.

 

[cheerknithanson]

Oh and one of the live performances I'm talking about is the opening monologue from the 2015 Oscars. This year when Neil Patrick Harris hosted it. "Moving Pictures." Like I thought of where some parts could be cut out.....but yeah...

If I made a list of songs I think would work......It'll take me an hour probably to type them all.

 

[Culturevulture73]

I've always thought someone could do some nice footwork to the scat parts in George Benson's version of "On Broadway":

http://youtu.be/ok__l1Acuwg

 

[Violetti]

Jean Sibelius' Finlandia. I do not know if anyone ever skated to that but I would like to see it.

 

[draqq]

Video game music is disappointingly untapped in figure skating despite being very powerful:

Liberi Fatali - Final Fantasy VIII Opening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfd9krEsr-k
- Perfect for Ice Dance or an SP for a skater that has drama

Cohen's Masterpiece - Bioshock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlu2z2gkhhI
- Only Patrick Chan could pull this off, I think.

It's also blasphemous that The Legend of Zelda hasn't been used anywhere, though Kevin Reynolds planned on using an arrangement before he had injuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT1gxglJo2o

 

[cheerknithanson]

Video game music is disappointingly untapped in figure skating despite being very powerful:

Liberi Fatali - Final Fantasy VIII Opening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfd9krEsr-k
- Perfect for Ice Dance or an SP for a skater that has drama

Cohen's Masterpiece - Bioshock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlu2z2gkhhI
- Only Patrick Chan could pull this off, I think.

It's also blasphemous that The Legend of Zelda hasn't been used anywhere, though Kevin Reynolds planned on using an arrangement before he had injuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT1gxglJo2o

Actually, funny you mentioned video games, because a friend of mine (Who I met through a YouTube comment 2 months ago....weird story how that happened) is a musician and singer-songwriter and composer. And he wrote music for a small video game. And I asked him for permission to share it. And he said yes.

So here is the link to the soundtrack which was released today.

http://www.newgrounds.com/playlists/view/284a547ada15dd63ddca0121f38b6eb6

And I asked him questions on how he did the composition and answers were given. So in case you have questions, I have some of them. His name is Jackson Begley by the way.

 

[glorybox6]

This is great and I also really like the Yeasayer idea. That music is so fun!

I would love to see a team like Gilles/Poirier or Hubbell/Donohue do an exhibition to this piece, Coffee by Sylvan Esso -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr5AIKRPIHo

I love the richness of Sylvie Vartan's take on La Maritza, I think it'd make a nice short for Lipnitskaia, the changes in tempo would really showcase her spins and jumps well -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRhmii0XspQ

Hold Me by cln would be a nice, moody men's or especially a pairs short program for someone capable of mostly backloading a couple of big tricks to match the way the music slowly builds (at 2:18 in the video, where the song gets a lot louder).. I actually could see Sui/Han possibly pulling it off -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_TO-NlGyQw

 

[mrrice]

I've always thought someone could do some nice footwork to the scat parts in George Benson's version of "On Broadway":

http://youtu.be/ok__l1Acuwg

Oh........ "On Broadway" That is such a great song and George Benson is a great singer. Good choice. :2thumbs:


Ok...........Keegan, I used to think you couldn't dance very well. However, as much as I didn't like that Monty Python thing. It certainly showed you in a different light and I respect that.

Now.............Here's your new Music. "10K Hi" By Al Jareau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97-SoqK-zzs

Culturevulture, is one of the coolest names I've seen on this site. FYI, George Benson and Al Jarreau are very good friends and often sing together.

 

[mrrice]

Elena Leonova, This song makes me think of you. Seriously, You're such a wonderful performer and unfortunately. I'm not a fan of your new long program. IMO, you're too good for it. There are 2 versions of this and you can choose between as they are both great in different ways. Maybe Ashley now that she'll have to retire her current LP.

"I'm Every Woman" By Whitney Houston: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7_sqdkaAfo
The other version of this song is by Chaka Kahn

 

[Culturevulture73]

Thanks, mrrice! I used it for a college newspaper column - I was so happy to see it turn up in, of all things, Queer Eye! I don't remember where I heard it originally to use it.

And also I share your enthusiasm for "On Broadway," someone should do a short to the Drifters version - maybe Max, it would suit him better than Nessun Dorma IMO.

I want someone to use "Classical Gas," and I think there are short programs out there to the themes from "SWAT" (the 70s version) and "Inspector Morse."

Ashley could rock Chaka's version but first I want her to do "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt.

 

[Alex D]

Not sure if it fits 100% to the OP, but I posted something a while ago and I just repost it here.

I would like to see a skater perform to the OST of Mad Max (not the new, but the classic of 79 by Brian May).

As example, the main theme - it could make a very dramatic opener, or finisher, in combination with a very tough jump element. The music could work well as an introduction to the element, but also for a spin afterwards. There are several tracks from the soundtrack, that are unique and very strong - It would need a more skate friendly arrangement though and a strong skater, with good technique and strong expression.
It´s music that will get the attention from crowds and judges, it´s not the lalala stuff with happy vibes, it´s more depressing and very dark. If I would be the choreographer, then I would also add the soft middle part with the strings, from "We'll Give 'Em Back Their Heroes" - it´s always good to have variety in a program and it´s just lovely for a long gliding part, like Gracie does them or Sasha Cohen once.

Maybe Liza could skate. I think she has the right style and jump repertoire for such a program. I do not think it would fit to a pair, as it´s about a lone wolf, so two skater won´t make sense. Gracie as mentioned could work too, but I don´t think it works with blond hair. I would not see the program work with very young, but talented skaters, it needs to be a very mature person.

As for men, maybe Menshov or Plushenko.

 

[plushyfan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKkiJ5knF7k Robbie Benson- The Hourglass song- for Lambiel... :yes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8aICnWCyOo Dima Bilan- When the ice melts... for Radionova...I'm not sure this music is good for FS, but I ike this song. It seems I like the cheesy musics..