BD Dressage to Music song selection

[Spiderpig2009]

Hi there, I am thinking of having my first go at dressage to music.

I have read up on the BD website about the forms and the movements required for the level I am wanting to do.

I have a song that means a lot to me personally - and it’s on the PPL list. Nights in White Satin Moody Blues. Is it wrong to have just one song for the test? Do you have to do master mix? It’s such a beautiful song, and my horse is also so beautiful . He is a huge Belgian horse that moves slowly. I was wanting to play the full track and do the floor plan to match the change of beat/chorus etc.

I just wanted input from others who do it as it’s the first time I thought I would do it and see if I can get the scores for the areas before the end of the year

Thanks!

 

[quizzie]

A rather technical reply (apologies)

The problem is that ,in theory, you need to match your music to your horses footfall, and walk/trot/canter all have different beats per minute. So using one song will mean that the different paces do not all fit with your horses bpm in the different paces. Also KiWS is in 6/8 time, essentially 3/4, so waltz type music.... which seldom works as the canter has a moment of suspension and doesn't fit with 3/4 music despite being described as a 3 time pace,...plus the trot needs to have 2 or 4 time music.

Most people will use a minimum of 3 pieces of music up to Adv medium level, after which it gets a lot more complicated with pirouettes etc.

Try to work out your horses BPM for all three paces, and try playing video of him against the music to see if it matches the footfall and enhances the movement.

That said, it's a lovely piece of music, and give it a go if you love it.....you can ask the judge for their opinion after the class.. what level are you talking about?

 

[Spiderpig2009]

A rather technical reply (apologies)

The problem is that ,in theory, you need to match your music to your horses footfall, and walk/trot/canter all have different beats per minute. So using one song will mean that the different paces do not all fit with your horses bpm in the different paces. Also KiWS is in 6/8 time, essentially 3/4, so waltz type music.... which seldom works as the canter has a moment of suspension and doesn't fit with 3/4 music despite being described as a 3 time pace,...plus the trot needs to have 2 or 4 time music.

Most people will use a minimum of 3 pieces of music up to Adv medium level, after which it gets a lot more complicated with pirouettes etc.

Try to work out your horses BPM for all three paces, and try playing video of him against the music to see if it matches the footfall and enhances the movement.

That said, it's a lovely piece of music, and give it a go if you love it.....you can ask the judge for their opinion after the class.. what level are you talking about?

Thanks very much for your advice. I did just play it on Alexa and watched a video of me doing a test, and I think I could get the floor plan to go with the crescendo with medium canter bits, then when it slows can do the trot. I was going to use the vocal version with the orchestra - it’s so lovely.

Wow you are so knowledgeable about the beat bit- what is 6/8 for nights in white satin?

It’s a slow song, and it’s really funny I think I could probably rise to the beat in trot. It’s for Elementary so I reckon I could match my collected canter to the slower beat parts on the song

Another question - what I can’t see on the bd website is how do I give the music to the show to play it? Do I buy a cd or on a usb stick?

 

[daffy44]

It depends on the venues, most will use a cd, but some will only use a usb, so to cover all bases have your music on both.

 

[Spiderpig2009]

It depends on the venues, most will use a cd, but some will only use a usb, so to cover all bases have your music on both.

Great thanks! Will buy both

 

[quizzie]

It depends on the venues, most will use a cd, but some will only use a usb, so to cover all bases have your music on both.

Quite a few now seem to ask for it to be emailed in advance as an MP3 file.... its been a steep tech learning curve for me!

 

[daffy44]

Quite a few now seem to ask for it to be emailed in advance as an MP3 file.... its been a steep tech learning curve for me!

Really? I've not encountered that yet! Just cd for a few venues, and the usb stick for others, I don't want to have to think about emailing in advance as well.

 

[quizzie]

Wellington regionals last year wanted MP3!....cue rapid googling session to work out how!

Oh, and for the CD, make sure you record it it a .wav format as otherwise some systems won't be able to play the CD .....and make sure your track fits the required length for the level ( think it is 4mins 30 to 5 mins for Elem, but please check)

 

[daffy44]

Wellington regionals last year wanted MP3!....cue rapid googling session to work out how!

I think I'd have just gone to a different regional, my poor low tech brain couldnt cope!

 

[Spiderpig2009]

Wellington regionals last year wanted MP3!....cue rapid googling session to work out how!

Oh, and for the CD, make sure you record it it a .wav format as otherwise some systems won't be able to play the CD .....and make sure your track fits the required length for the level ( think it is 4mins 30 to 5 mins for Elem, but please check)

Great thanks yes the song is available in 4mins 30 and 5 min versions according to PPL

 

[Spiderpig2009]

Wellington regionals last year wanted MP3!....cue rapid googling session to work out how!

Oh, and for the CD, make sure you record it it a .wav format as otherwise some systems won't be able to play the CD .....and make sure your track fits the required length for the level ( think it is 4mins 30 to 5 mins for Elem, but please check)

My regionals are there as well. I am just going to give areas a go at music if I can get the scores in time

 

[quizzie]

My regionals are there as well. I am just going to give areas a go at music if I can get the scores in time

If you are aiming for music at areas, you’ve got lots of time(until end of June) as they only run in the summer area festivals (silver and bronze)……the regionals (silver and gold) run via the winter regionals, so qualifying by the end of Dec.

 

[Spiderpig2009]

If you are aiming for music at areas, you’ve got lots of time(until end of June) as they only run in the summer area festivals (silver and bronze)……the regionals (silver and gold) run via the winter regionals, so qualifying by the end of Dec.

Oh that’s a pain! I assumed the winter areas did music as well. I won’t do it for regionals as only started elementary this summer. Have qualified for winter areas so I thought I would give this a go as an extra. How many scores do you need for regional music?

 

[quizzie]

Why not try for the novice music regionals…..then you can still do elementary straight class at the winter areas?

 

[Spiderpig2009]

Why not try for the novice music regionals…..then you can still do elementary straight class at the winter areas

I think I will do the elem areas for winter, then will try to do the elem areas summer for music. If I am completely honest I don’t want to go back to novice. That’s a real pain! Thanks for letting me know - I should have googled it

 

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

Really? I've not encountered that yet! Just cd for a few venues, and the usb stick for others, I don't want to have to think about emailing in advance as well.

Yes, Wellington require music to be sent to them in advance. And not just for championship classes. I wrote for some of the music classes there yesterday.

 

[daffy44]

Yes, Wellington require music to be sent to them in advance. And not just for championship classes. I wrote for some of the music classes there yesterday.

Thank you, I'll make sure I never do music there again, its too complicated for me. Fortunately its not that local to me, but I have done music there in the past, but it was a while ago, and it was just cd then, obviously they have updated since.

 

[RachelFerd]

Thank you, I'll make sure I never do music there again, its too complicated for me. Fortunately its not that local to me, but I have done music there in the past, but it was a while ago, and it was just cd then, obviously they have updated since.

Sending an MP3 is much lower risk - they don't fail like CDs and don't require anything to be burned. Very happy to demo to anyone how to do it - you can create them from any CDs you have and then you can email them as needed.

Myerscough now also just work off MP3s - I think we'll see all centres move that way because it's much safer (and easier than having to burn things onto disc, discs getting lost/scratched etc etc)

 

[daffy44]

Sending an MP3 is much lower risk - they don't fail like CDs and don't require anything to be burned. Very happy to demo to anyone how to do it - you can create them from any CDs you have and then you can email them as needed.

Myerscough now also just work off MP3s - I think we'll see all centres move that way because it's much safer (and easier than having to burn things onto disc, discs getting lost/scratched etc etc)

I do understand the disadvantages of using cds, but I thought thats why venues were moving to usb sticks instead, but if creating an MP3 is relatively straightforward, I may well contact you for a demo! But you're safe so far as no venues I use have asked for one yet.

 

[RachelFerd]

Much easier than carrying a usb around too I've got all my mp3s stored on my phone and on a Google drive, so I literally can't forget them - it there's WiFi I'll always be able to share them with whatever venue needs them.

I do understand the disadvantages of using cds, but I thought thats why venues were moving to usb sticks instead, but if creating an MP3 is relatively straightforward, I may well contact you for a demo! But you're safe so far as no venues I use have asked for one yet.

 

[rhino]

Where I work we prefer mp3s and will pull (with permission) files off usbs to keep in our system. We can also still use CDs but find them less reliable.

 

[Britestar]

Mp3 well the way!

You don't get any surprises. The other week I went to watch a young person I'd done music for. It was on a CD. Music starts and it's playing really fast!

Fortunately young rider is super switched on and adapted her for plan to accommodate.

Sheet said music too fast, have 6.5.

She then went back in HC, and the CD played at the correct speed . Judge wrote, music super really fitted the horse gave a 7.5.

Same CD same music system, just 15 mins later.

 

[lottiepony]

I think for organiser and riders it is all a bit stressful as it can go wrong whatever format! But really is so enjoyable!
Finding the right music and then getting it all come together is a great feeling.

I did a BRC qualifier last weekend, mp3 all sent and basically when they hit play it was so quiet I couldn't hear it so didn't start when I should of lol! Cue a rather hasty trot in and haul up into first halt in the wrong place lol. It was ok as I guess I'm pretty chilled so didn't panic, just moved on a bit quicker in the first trot section and managed to meet everything in the right place.

I use Reet Petite for one routine I ride on a friends horse and I was a bit sneaky as slowed it just a fraction so it fits perfect to his trot.

 

[j1ffy]

Joining in as I've just received my music - I've never done freestyle before so it's all quite exciting! OP - my brother (who helpfully is a musician and sound artist) has done mine, all based on one song but using different versions so there's some punk, dub reggae and a more jazzy version in there and he's adjusted tempos to match my horse. No idea what the judges will think but I love it

MP3 sounds sooo much easier to me. I've no idea how to record a CD these days! Does anyone know how these venues like their music?
- Onley (looks like it's MP3 but would be good to confirm)
- Prestige
- Sparsholt
- Solihull?

Hopefully I only need to go to two of them but I'm planning all in as I need to get two 65% scores by the end of the month. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute

 

[daffy44]

Joining in as I've just received my music - I've never done freestyle before so it's all quite exciting! OP - my brother (who helpfully is a musician and sound artist) has done mine, all based on one song but using different versions so there's some punk, dub reggae and a more jazzy version in there and he's adjusted tempos to match my horse. No idea what the judges will think but I love it

MP3 sounds sooo much easier to me. I've no idea how to record a CD these days! Does anyone know how these venues like their music?
- Onley (looks like it's MP3 but would be good to confirm)
- Prestige
- Sparsholt
- Solihull?

Hopefully I only need to go to two of them but I'm planning all in as I need to get two 65% scores by the end of the month. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute

Onley is a usb stick, and Solihull is cd. Have fun, I love doing music I hope you both really enjoy it!

 

[j1ffy]

Onley is a usb stick, and Solihull is cd. Have fun, I love doing music I hope you both really enjoy it!

Thank you! I suspect I'll have a lot of learnings from our first few outings - I'll only make it to a 20x60 once in advance so it may be more 'freestyle' than originally planned

Does anyone know about Prestige or Sparsholt?

 

[daffy44]

Thank you! I suspect I'll have a lot of learnings from our first few outings - I'll only make it to a 20x60 once in advance so it may be more 'freestyle' than originally planned

Does anyone know about Prestige or Sparsholt?

Thats the beauty of music! You can go wrong and noone knows, trust me, I've gone wrong a million times, just know your music really well and you can always fudge it. I dont have a 20 x 60 at home, so I only ever ride my floorplan the one time I hire an arena to film it, after that its only at shows, just have fun with it.

I've never done music at Sparsholt, and I have done music at Prestige, and it was cd, but it was so long ago that it may well have changed by now, which is why I didnt mention it.

 

[j1ffy]

Thats the beauty of music! You can go wrong and noone knows, trust me, I've gone wrong a million times, just know your music really well and you can always fudge it. I dont have a 20 x 60 at home, so I only ever ride my floorplan the one time I hire an arena to film it, after that its only at shows, just have fun with it.

I've never done music at Sparsholt, and I have done music at Prestige, and it was cd, but it was so long ago that it may well have changed by now, which is why I didnt mention it.

It does sound fun! I'm going to have to brave the rain shortly to play the music and see if my horse can dance to it

 

[humblepie]

Really enjoyed doing music classes so it was CDs when I was doing it. My music was elementary, but I used it for medium and novice. The novice, I didn’t even ride it I just worked out on paper and funnily enough my horse did an enormous spook in a canter circle when applause broke out from the adjacent arena and so I redid the circle and it actually made the music work out just right. The horse obviously had a master plan and he came 3rd a big class even with the spook. My music just made me smile, particularly the Canter music. Have good fun with yours.