When I choose music, I base my choice on whether the music evokes emotions in me within the first 10 seconds or so. Does it make me want to move or not? I know immediately whether it’s a song I want to use \u2014 it’s a pretty simple decision for me. <\/p>\n\n
That feeling of \u201cthis is the one\u201d always hits me right in the heart, like a wave of joy rushing through my body, and I can\u2019t sit still when it happens.<\/p>\n\n
I remember once sitting in the cinema when, right at the start of the movie, a song began playing that had me on the edge of my seat. I could feel that spark \u2014 the sense that I\u2019d just found the perfect song for my senior women\u2019s team. As the song continued, my excitement only grew, and in my mind, I could see the movements taking shape to the music. <\/p>\n\n
After the movie, I immediately found the song on my phone and saved it. While choreographing the routine to that piece, I realized it marked the beginning of my personal choreographic style (see blog post: The Personal Style). The song is called London Calling and is from the film Star Trek Into Darkness. It means so much to me that, for the first time ever, I\u2019m considering doing something I\u2019ve never done before \u2014 reusing a piece of music for a new floor routine. In 2025, it will be 10 years since my gymnasts first performed that series to this very song, and it would be such a meaningful way to honor both the routine and the gymnasts. That floor routine, that music, and those athletes played such an important role in my journey \u2014 because that\u2019s where the magic began.
Some songs go into the \u201cmaybe\u201d pile \u2014 perhaps I\u2019ll use a short section of them between two other pieces. But I\u2019m never in doubt about the main music tracks. If something from the maybe pile doesn\u2019t end up being used in a routine, I often use it for warm-ups, especially for movement patterns across the floor, since I usually choose music with a walking tempo. That makes it easier to incorporate into rhythmic sequences (RS), especially for exercises like chass\u00e9s across the floor. If a song\u2019s tempo is too slow, it becomes difficult for the gymnasts to fill the music with movement, especially during transitions. <\/p>\n\n
When I feel a song hit me in the heart, I know that the right movements can create visuals that are beautiful for the audience. If I can recreate the emotions I feel from the music through movement, it can give goosebumps. I do that by making sure the gymnasts perform movements that match the music. That means when there\u2019s a shift in tempo or drama in the song, there\u2019s also a shift in the movement \u2014 maybe a change of level or direction. Clear musical cues often inspire movements that land perfectly on the beat. The choreography ends up fitting only that one specific piece of music. If I played a different song and kept the same choreography, it simply wouldn\u2019t have the same effect. <\/p>\n\n
When I hear a piece of music, I visualize different kinds of movements. Fluid or sharp, with gymnasts lying down, sitting, or standing. I sense the mood in the music and the emotion it evokes in me \u2014 and that mood is what I try to translate into the choreography. <\/p>\n\n
When I begin choreographing a routine, I let my body move freely to the music without committing to anything right away. I just move however I feel. Only after dancing to the same piece many times do I decide on the specific movements that feel right \u2014 the ones that best fit the music. Before I even start choreographing, I\u2019ve already edited the music and mapped out where each required element will go. That allows me to dance freely during the parts of the music where no specific skills are required. What I love about this method is that every movement comes directly from the music. The music dictates the choreography. That\u2019s why the movements fit so well \u2014 because they were made specifically for thatpiece. You can\u2019t expect the same effect if you switch the music. <\/p>\n\n
Where Do I Find Music?<\/p>\n\n
I often use my walks as time to listen to music. It\u2019s wonderful to get fresh air with music in my ears. Spotify is my best friend \u2014 I just search for a genre and start listening to a playlist from the top. Sometimes I\u2019ll hear a song and get curious about the artist. The song itself might not be exactly what I\u2019m looking for, but the artist is interesting. Then I check out what else they\u2019ve made, and sometimes that\u2019s how I discover the next perfect track.
Piano music has become something I\u2019m known for. I love piano music and the emotions it brings out in me. Whether it\u2019s sad or happy, piano just speaks to something deep inside me. Sometimes I\u2019ll find a song that\u2019s close, but not quite right \u2014 and then I look to see if there\u2019s a piano version. It could be a pop song from the radio that I find as an instrumental \u2014 preferably a piano version \ud83d\ude09 I\u2019ve used The Piano Guys quite a few times \u2014 they do beautiful covers of popular songs. <\/p>\n\n
Music from movies are incredibly powerful because they\u2019re designed to evoke emotions. They\u2019re often dramatic and full of effects. I especially love music that has a touch of melancholy \u2014 it pairs well with soft movements and strong accents. That kind of music doesn\u2019t always suit every age group, though. For younger gymnasts, I usually go for happy music with a clear beat. <\/p>\n\n
I\u2019ve often used film scores by composers like Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, and Max Richter.
Music is the most important thing to me as a choreographer.
Have you ever thought about why you choose the music you usually go for?
When I choose music, I base my choice on whether the music evokes emotions in me within the first 10 seconds or so. Does it make me want to move or not? I know immediately whether it’s a song I want to use \u2014 it’s a pretty simple decision for me. That feeling of \u201cthis […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5751,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[147],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music-for-the-floor-routine"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n