How to choose music for rhythmic gymnastics performance

Rhythmic gymnastics and ice-skating combine art and sport pretty well. Every gymnast’s routine is graceful and flowing gestures with dance elements, acrobatics and plastic arts. Gymnastics together with ice-skating masters the art of free expressive motion at the carpet. So these kinds of sport are characterized not only by agility, strength and stamina.

Gymnastics is inseparably connected with choreography, that’s why sportsmen should feel the rhythm, which helps to make their motion more expressive. Besides, music influences on the aesthetic education of every girl. If gymnast feels the rhythm, she can do any element accurate to the second – that is a half of success at any competition.

History of music for performance

Earlier all the performances were showed to a piano accompaniment. It could be either live sound or record. Classical rhythmical  compositions were basically used. Today there are no bounds for music at the performance. Sportsmen enter the carpet or ice to the music of different genres – from rock to classical music.

The audience can easily guess the music as soon as it sees the gymnast on the carpet. Usually leotard corresponds with the music and it is sewn after the music is chosen. The leotard is created by taking into account every movement in the routine. For example, if a gymnasts needs to do a vertical split or a “ring” jump, she shouldn’t wear a long skirt. Competition leotard can complement the performance making it more theatrical.

There’s the main rule at rhythmic gymnastics competitions – performance should last during 57-90 seconds. If a gymnast ends the routine even 1 second earlier or later, she gets penalty of 0.05. Ice skating allows to perform during 135 seconds. If the skater failed to do all the routine in time, she loses 0.1 for every 10 extra seconds.

That’s why music should be chosen accurately. It should be a movable, rhythmical composition with logical ending.

What music to choose?

Beautiful dramatics performance can be made by the correct music and technical skills of the gymnast. Classical music is still popular among sportsmen – Chopin, Tchaikovsky or Straus. Olympic champions like classical music particularly.

Junior gymnasts usually use music from the famous cartoons or films. Their compositions have more moderate rhythm and they’re less movable than the music of adult sportsmen.

If some problems with music occur during the performance, don’t stop. Gymnast should end her routine as sound as a bell! In this case technical skills and emotions will play their roles and the judges will see the true value of the performance.

Correctly chosen music influences on the entirety of the performance, which shows the whole sportsman’s creativity. Extraordinary music, fluency and clearness of movements, exclusive leotard and emotional disposition  - that’s the recipe for success and unforgettable performance! Such advantages will easily bring you golden medal!