gkelly
11-17-2011, 01:40 AM
Let's focus on pairs and singles, where demanding tricks are a big part of the technical scoring.
Maybe singles freeskating programs don't need to have exactly 7-8 jumping passes, exactly 3 spins, and either exactly 2 step sequences or exactly 1 step sequence and 1 spiral sequence.
But they do need to have several jump passes including jumps that are risky, demanding of extreme concentration, and at the edge of the skater's skill level. They do need to have several different spins demonstrating advanced spinning skills. They do need to include steps and field moves such as spirals (in sequences and/or between elements). The skater who does the hardest stuff with the best execution is going to win the Technical Elements Scores.
Ice coverage, edge quality, multidirectional skating, balance, carriage and extension are all qualities that are fundamental to good skating technique and will always be rewarded in several areas of the scoring, especially the Skating Skills component.
Music choice and choreography to that music will play a much larger role in determining the Program Components Scores, specifically Choreography and Interpretation. But the music still has to help the skater execute the technical elements, not get in the way. It has to allow judges and tech panels to concentrate on the fine details of technical content and execution, not distract them.
It's also good if the music gets the audience excited, but that can't be the only thing it does. Exciting music doesn't do much if the skater is ignoring it or stumbling around the ice because the music gets in the way of the skating rhythms they need to execute their technical content.
So what are some qualities of music that help skaters to skate with good technique? That help them to execute difficult jumps? That help them show off power and glide in their basic skating?
For skaters who are secure in those basics and ready to start challenging themselves more artistically, what are some qualities of music that inspire interesting and innovative uses of the body and of the blades moving across the ice?
On the other hand, what kinds of music are great to listen to on your sound system at home or in the car or at a concert or dance club, but not so good for performing the kinds of moves that make up a singles or pairs competition program.
Don't worry about judges' or audiences' ages or prejudices. Assume for the sake of argument that they're all as broadminded as possible and want to see variety and skaters challenging themselves out there.
So what music works well for skating and what gets in the way of the skater executing or the audience or judges appreciating?
If you skate competitively at any level, or have in the past, or work with skaters who do, what considerations did you apply in choosing your program music? What would you like to skate to if you had elite-level skating skills?
Maybe singles freeskating programs don't need to have exactly 7-8 jumping passes, exactly 3 spins, and either exactly 2 step sequences or exactly 1 step sequence and 1 spiral sequence.
But they do need to have several jump passes including jumps that are risky, demanding of extreme concentration, and at the edge of the skater's skill level. They do need to have several different spins demonstrating advanced spinning skills. They do need to include steps and field moves such as spirals (in sequences and/or between elements). The skater who does the hardest stuff with the best execution is going to win the Technical Elements Scores.
Ice coverage, edge quality, multidirectional skating, balance, carriage and extension are all qualities that are fundamental to good skating technique and will always be rewarded in several areas of the scoring, especially the Skating Skills component.
Music choice and choreography to that music will play a much larger role in determining the Program Components Scores, specifically Choreography and Interpretation. But the music still has to help the skater execute the technical elements, not get in the way. It has to allow judges and tech panels to concentrate on the fine details of technical content and execution, not distract them.
It's also good if the music gets the audience excited, but that can't be the only thing it does. Exciting music doesn't do much if the skater is ignoring it or stumbling around the ice because the music gets in the way of the skating rhythms they need to execute their technical content.
So what are some qualities of music that help skaters to skate with good technique? That help them to execute difficult jumps? That help them show off power and glide in their basic skating?
For skaters who are secure in those basics and ready to start challenging themselves more artistically, what are some qualities of music that inspire interesting and innovative uses of the body and of the blades moving across the ice?
On the other hand, what kinds of music are great to listen to on your sound system at home or in the car or at a concert or dance club, but not so good for performing the kinds of moves that make up a singles or pairs competition program.
Don't worry about judges' or audiences' ages or prejudices. Assume for the sake of argument that they're all as broadminded as possible and want to see variety and skaters challenging themselves out there.
So what music works well for skating and what gets in the way of the skater executing or the audience or judges appreciating?
If you skate competitively at any level, or have in the past, or work with skaters who do, what considerations did you apply in choosing your program music? What would you like to skate to if you had elite-level skating skills?