Freestyle - the music - a musings

vallin

vallin

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As title suggests, this is just a musings really, but I was thinking about my favourite tests and how they compare with the tests seen at the Euros. The things I noticed was that the music at the Euros, generally, seemed very 'safe' with Charlottes probably being one of the more exciting backing tracks. I guess my question is, why when there is the opportunity to get some really dramatic/different/*lively* tracks going are so many of them very classical and safe?

NB: My favourite tests ;)
FUEGO XII Kur Grand Prix Freestyle WEG Kentucky 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZGov3i70A

BLU HORS MATINE, ANDREAS HELGSTRAND - WEG 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw
 
You say safe, I say dull!

I find a lot of the specially composed classical-style ones dull. I do prefer to get snippets of familiar music, be it classical or popular, and love a moment of comedy or drama.
 
Cheaper and easier... I also wonder if your horse is a bit razzy having music which is a bit more in your face/ lively might send the whole situation over the top?

But I agree with Gamebird... Dull as ditchwater. Reckon dubstep could be amazing to do it to, there are some amazing pieces out there which would be perfect with some fiddling!
 
I was trying to be a little PC :p In reality I too find it highly dull! Am trying to find a cope of MEs test at Olympia as I'm sure that had good music (that fit with the test) and it made the the whole presentation so much better! I'm sure either Damon Hill or Parzival (sp?) used to have good music but they were both seemed rather flat at the Euros :(

NB: Opinions refer to the music not to the actual test movements before I get shot down!


ETS: I think an ace test could be done to this or the original (and I'm not a 1D fan, though I do love the piano guys :D )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VqTwnAuHws
 
But I don't think it is cheaper Lolo!

Some of the really dull ones are the ones where they've commissioned a composer and a symphony orchestra!
 
Gamebird said:
You say safe, I say dull!

I find a lot of the specially composed classical-style ones dull. I do prefer to get snippets of familiar music, be it classical or popular, and love a moment of comedy or drama.
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The music seems to be in the background rather than part of the performance, it may be designed to fit the horse and it's movement but most certainly fails to do any more than be something dreary going on while the horse goes through the routine.
 
I'm always surprised so little popular music is used. Take some of the Abba songs - they'd be cracking for expressive trot work!! Even Hans Zimmer stuff is overlooked oddly enough.
 
Yes absolutely agree, the majority are dull dull dull. It is a real opportunity to show the spectators some passion, excitement and enthusiasm and instead they get a patchwork quilt of music snippets that do almost nothing for the emotions. Clinical, that's the word I was looking for.
 
meardsall_millie said:
Could it be because they think the average age of the judges will be 93 so they won't have heard the popular music and will just think it's a 'modern racket'?! :O
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But even leaving out 'popular' music, there is plenty of inspiring, expressive and beautiful classical music that they could use, but for some reason they don't.
 
In total agreement re the d-u-l-l music! Dare I say it, think I could put together better myself!!! They all seem to be using what I call "lift music", very uninspiring!
 
Agree - B O R I N G. Charlotte's music was great for Greenwich - gave me goosebumps and still amazing today but defo needs noo toones for WEG!

Vallin - great taste. Those two tests still make me cry - especially the 2006 one by Andreas and Blue Hors Matine :redface4:
 
I watched a swedish rider briefly and was so bored by the music, what happened to all the big tunes there was at london 2012? :)


I ended up having to withdraw from d2m at pc champs due to starting new job and focusing on other things but I would have loved to do it to johnny cash and i will someday ;)
People here kept saying to not use music with vocals but tbh it is for my enjoyment I wasnt going to win and have a bit of fun - i want to use music i like! Within reason of course ;)

I think we should have a HHO competition and all make a dressage to music for the fun of it, we could share our vids and have fun watching each other! :) what do you think? Could have a deadline say half term to do one? :)
 
Patrik Kittels kur music is amazing! He uses Depeche Mode, with Scandic. Definately not dull!

But I also think the riders need to take more chance and have more exciting music, but thats my personal preferrance.
 
@ Four Seasons: Has his changed since Windsor 2009? In which case it's not bad, nice to hear something differ, plus that's a couple of bars that sound suspciously like Bloodhound Gang! :p

ETS: Have just watched it all the way through and it's OK, but somewhat samey!
 
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Patrik Kittel had Billy Idol music at the Olympics. I really liked his Depeche Mode kur.

Parzival's music at this championships wasn't as good as his Tristan and Isolde and Swan Lake musics, IMO, still a fabulous horse though.
 
I was lucky enough to spectate at some of the para dressage last year and saw some freestyle tests. There was one competitor who entered and had a massive grin on her face as she signaled for the music to start, and as the music started the whole crowd was instantly smiling with her. This was the only clip I could find of Geraldine's test, and it's only short, but this was one of my all time favourite freestyle tests, and the majority of it was done in walk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYe-f1PI-A8

Geraldine may not have won, but she sure did produce a crowd pleaser and absolutely made the most of her olympic experience. Truely brilliant :D
 
Gamebird said:
But I don't think it is cheaper Lolo!

Some of the really dull ones are the ones where they've commissioned a composer and a symphony orchestra!
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I was wondering if they were using the base music as already composed stuff, most classical music is out of copyright and therefore reduces cost/ hassle of getting permission?

Also, if you have slightly fluffier, softer music, if you get out of time it's less obvious than if you've got something with a good beat to it as most modern music has...
 
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Lolo said:
Also, if you have slightly fluffier, softer music, if you get out of time it's less obvious than if you've got something with a good beat to it as most modern music has...
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I have a feeling that's why most use the music that they do...
 
I love Fuego's music and test, for me this epitomizes what the freestyle should be, a real crowd pleaser. Also Edward Gal's/Tortillas music was amazing, even though it wasn't modern.
 
I think it is a bit like The Floor in gymnastics - super athletes but no musicality.

If a few people start being brave do you think it will drag the rest along?
 
dieseldog said:
I think it is a bit like The Floor in gymnastics - super athletes but no musicality.

If a few people start being brave do you think it will drag the rest along?
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Not sure, but I think it would boost the public interest in Dressage if they did start to try a little more artistry.
 
My Tb is not yet up to the standard I want him to be at to compete in dressage... however, I ride him to music often and have a few songs that are his. Here I Am by Bryan Adams is Bo through and through. As is Roar by Katy Perry. There are a couple of other that I can't think of at the moment.

My Andy X suits Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen, Crocodile Rock by Elton John, the Rockerfella Skank by Fatboy Slim, We Got the Beat by the Go-Go's... and that is just for some of my list for trot. :D

I find myself hearing music and then going home to check the bpm to see if it will work with either one's gaits and then adding it to a list for future reference. When they are finally doing frestyle, I will be using modern music. If I don't enjoy it, my horses won't and they won't perform as well as they would otherwise.
 
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