Dressage to Music

Halfpass

Halfpass

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Not getting any response in Comp Riders so thought i'd try here too!!!

I have my eye on a local dressage comp that is holding a Novice dressage to music class. Its not till Oct so I have plenty of time to prepare.

Trouble is I just don't know where to start on finding my music. I plan of working out his bpm for walk trot and canter next time I ride but other than that I am stumped. I find myself listening to music and thinking it would be great and trying to imagine myself riding to it.

I plan on taking my phone with me next time I ride and just having a play around with some random songs on it!!!

Although I am loving the thought of riding to Lady Gaga - Papparazzi and Lilly Allen - Not fair at the moment .

Are you allowed words or is it just an insturmental version I need to get hold of, and where do I get it from?

Also how do I stand with copright etc?

Any help very much appreciated
 
Contact the BD office as you do require a Music Licence (whether affiliated or unaffiliated) they also have a lists of music that can be used.

024 7669 8842
 
sorry LCM I disagree I think words are good and well liked if you get them right. All of my music has words for BRC and the judges seem to like it, particularly robbie'you just met the worlds most handsome man' we always get a giggle (though swearing is removed!).

you will prob have to be a BD music member (£15 is for RC members) and they will have to check your music is on the PPL list, if you click on how to go freestyle from the BD websit that tells you all.

What I do.

video test
use a metronome to get beats
take metronome round with me listening to stuff I like, though often stuff is too fast though you wouldn't think so.
If I have a theme in mind I play the intros on itunes to find stuff that fits.

Then I watch the vid with the music
then I ride to the music, and get someone to video, I often feel that I am not going fast enough with the music but on watching the video back it looks really good!

I use audacity which is a music program free online download which makes it easy to mix the joins in tracks and make your CD. It also allows you to change the tempo of any songs you use so they don't have to be spot on to start but need to be about right as anymore than a 5% change I find the quality decreases

Hope that helps, if you need any more help part way through feel free to PM me.
 
I would work out the routine first, try and keep it varied and fun. Then record it and watch it with different types of music. Thats what i did anyway. Took forever, but it was worth it came about 7th out of 15 in the end. Judge liked my music but thought the test was boring.

Also once you have the bpm you can google it and normally comes up with other tracks. If there is a particular tune that goes well that has words on it have a look on Amazon downloadable music for instrumental versions. I had an instrumental version of eye of the tiger for instance.

Most importantly pick the music to go with the horse. If they are a bit cobby then go for something a bit stronger with more of a beat, if its TB ish then something more delicate.

This website is quite good with some nice examples- http://www.freestyledressage.co.uk/video_library.htm
 
It can be really simple, get a copy of the test requirements, find correct size arena, a stop watch and a video. Put you test together making sure it runs for the correct length of time and video it.

Send video to someone like GG Jingles and they will send you a CD with 3 walks 3 trots and 3 canters, you watch video and listen to tunes or ride to them decide which ones you like and tell them and they will put CD together and send to you and you just practise to it until you are happy.

I used to do all my own music and that of all my clients but now just use this method as so much easier and takes all the pressure out of it. Look in back of dressage mag and you will find some ads of people doing a similar thing to GG Jingles.
 
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