Freestyle music... what have you heard a lot of?

[SarahandSam]

I’m working on my first freestyle, and figuring out music… one of my possibilities was Harry Potter, since there are a number of pieces from the movies that match my horse well and I’m Potter-obsessed, but I’m guessing HP has probably been done a lot, especially since a quick YouTube search pulled up Totilas doing one… have you seen a lot of HP freestyles in the past few years?

Other music you have seen used in the recent past? I know certain songs that work well will inevitably be used more often, but I’m trying to at least keep it as original as possible and not end up doing something the judge has seen ten freestyles to already this year…

[SerenaGinger]

At our regional Pony Club Rally, about half of the riders (over 20 rides) did Harry Potter music! I’m guessing you know Pirate of the Caribbean has been done lots. I think movie soundtracks are more likely to be used and repeated than other genres of music.

[SarahandSam]

I definitely knew about Pirates of the Caribbean… bummer about the Harry Potter!

[Wanderosa]

What about movie music from the 90’s? There’s some killer tunes between Dances with Wolves, Legends of the Fall, Last of the Mohicans, etc.

This brings me to something I’ve been wondering about. Is there such thing as a musical consultant for dressage?

[Silverbridge]

Game of Thrones also falls into the category of “done a lot.”

The Freestyle music editor and designer should also be a consultant on issues like popularity and overuse, and whether something older or obscure would work for the horses’ gaits, level, and presence. If you’re not using a pro to create a new piece but are instead buying one that’s already finished or doing it yourself, then, you could probably pay a designer just to listen and consult on what they think.

So in that sense, yes a consultant exists. But it would cost the rider a few bucks when they might be on a tight budget, likely the major reason they’d be buying a premade piece of music or editing it themselves. Maybe wiser and more cost effective in that case to ask a friend who’s ridden a few for some input and analysis, or a friend who’s more musically inclined, or an S judge if you know one. Or, all three.

[2tempe]

Though I’ve never done a freestyle, I’ve thought about it a lot. One thing to keep in mind is that most show sound systems leave something to be desired. So some types of music will not sound so great - ie too many instruments, etc… Was beginning one for my mare a few years back and found a selection of Beatles songs by an acoustic guitar player - They were easily recognizeable which I think is good for audience - and they were not something common. And the mare’s name was “Imagine” - so that would have been in there too somewhere.

I have a Lusitano now, and if I get around to a freestyle someday, I have a cd of acoustic latin music from a local band in Santa Fe. Vocals all in spanish, but its lively, fun music.

[MysticOakRanch]

I have to say - I just don’t see a LOT of freestyles. Period! I would agree, for the few that I see, they tend to lean heavily on current movie music. But even with our mid-sized shows (3 rings, 2 or 3 days), sometimes we only see 2 or 3 freestyles (or even NO freestyles).

[Wanderosa]

@Silverbridge

Game of Thrones also falls into the category of “done a lot.”

The Freestyle music editor and designer should also be a consultant on issues like popularity and overuse, and whether something older or obscure would work for the horses’ gaits, level, and presence. If you’re not using a pro to create a new piece but are instead buying one that’s already finished or doing it yourself, then, you could probably pay a designer just to listen and consult on what they think.

So in that sense, yes a consultant exists. But it would cost the rider a few bucks when they might be on a tight budget, likely the major reason they’d be buying a premade piece of music or editing it themselves. Maybe wiser and more cost effective in that case to ask a friend who’s ridden a few for some input and analysis, or a friend who’s more musically inclined, or an S judge if you know one. Or, all three.

I’m a professional musician and my significant other who is a professional composer/arranger. We have the necessary skill set between us to have someone give us their callsheet and desired theme and produce a customized soundtrack. Have no clue if it’s an actual service that people seek out.

I’d personally like to see more (or any?) rap and hip hop, for example. Precise and percussive. The meter may change but the beat always stays consistant in good rap. Ironically, it lends itself well to higher-level maneuvers like piaffes that require incredible rhythmic precision.

[Silverbridge]

@Wanderosa

…We have the necessary skill set between us to have someone give us their callsheet and desired theme and produce a customized soundtrack. Have no clue if it’s an actual service that people seek out.

It is.

[dotneko]

Well, anything Queen is popular. I have seen three different ones in the past month. I love Queen, but enough already. It is very hard to find the correct tempo.

[JenEM]

@dotneko

Well, anything Queen is popular. I have seen three different ones in the past month. I love Queen, but enough already. It is very hard to find the correct tempo.

Saw Queen here in MD the other weekend, too.

[KyrieNZ]

Pirates of the Caribbean
James Bond theme
Queen
Beatles
Michael Jackson

[crthunder]

@Wanderosa

I’d personally like to see more (or any?) rap and hip hop, for example. Precise and percussive. The meter may change but the beat always stays consistant in good rap. Ironically, it lends itself well to higher-level maneuvers like piaffes that require incredible rhythmic precision.

My horse loves being ridden to a mix of alternative/hip hop. Our third/fourth level music had Awolnation, I-1 had Macklemore and MGMT with entrance Fort Minor, Int A/B was Demi location, Macklemore and Ellie Goulding. So much fun and maybe if we can crack 63 at I2 we will do our A/B FS again…

[Wanderosa]

@crthunder

My horse loves being ridden to a mix of alternative/hip hop. Our third/fourth level music had Awolnation, I-1 had Macklemore and MGMT with entrance Fort Minor, Int A/B was Demi location, Macklemore and Ellie Goulding. So much fun and maybe if we can crack 63 at I2 we will do our A/B FS again…

That’s awesome!! I’ve always thought Gangsta’s Paradise could work nicely for an entrance at a passage, or piaffe work. It started out as a joke with my friend because my horse puts on a tough act but is slightly picky diva at the heart of it. The more I thought about though? It could work. Again, the rhythmic precision at play.

My daughter read a study that claims jazz is most horse’s favorite genre. Interesting!

[Aleuronx]

@KyrieNZ

Pirates of the Caribbean
James Bond theme
Queen
Beatles
Michael Jackson

In terms of avoidance I think this is a good place to start, adding in the Game of Thrones music.

I’ve put together the music for several of my own freestyles and it’s great fun. My recommendation would be to go on the USEF Network and watch the last year or two of freestyles at the Nationals in Kentucky. This is twofold. It will give you a good idea for composition and musical transitions, what works and what falls flat (pun intended).

Nationals should be the best of the best and where many are having musical compositions made for them so it’s a high quality place to look. The second part? Don’t use any of that music :lol:

[Tyrus_Mom]

Who else does this when they listen to the radio in their car - imagine a horse dancing to the music? I did that all the time with my first horse even though we never got far enough to consider legitimately doing it… just dreaming… I had a list of songs I loved with great beats in my head. No more… I will have to work on it now with the new one, with more daydreaming while I drive listening to music.

Musical freestyles can be so alive or so boring. My favorite one was that pinto mare Adiah HP. If you haven’t seen it, here it is:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1644849788906252

I like how the music celebrates her western look instead of ignoring it. She’s so cute. What a doll!

The Cars have a lot of bouncy fun songs.
I used to think songs by Renaissance would have made lovely freestyles. (Anyone still remember Rennaissance? - the group, not the era.)

[MissAriel]

Since we often describe dressage as dancing with horses, I’m surprised that more music written specifically for dancing isn’t used. Tango, salsa, swing, mambo, foxtrot, etc.

[the_sandiest_shoes]

I’m working on making a freestyle with Kanye West “Jesus Walks” (radio edits ) since it goes so well with my horse’s canter beat and “Power” for trot beat, though I’m hesitant on how my coach/judges will feel about a rap freestyle.

[Aeris]

I’ve watched a ton of freestyles and I can honestly say the following songs/artists have been played out:

1. Lindsey Stirling (Love her music, but it’s actually a little “note heavy”/busy for a musical freestyle)
2. Harry Potter (sorry!)
3. Game of Thrones
4. Wizard of Oz
5. Pirates of the Caribbean

I always suggest downloading a ton of soundtrack music (if you have Amazon Prime, most soundtracks are available for free with membership). Some soundtracks I’ve thought about using (and haven’t heard yet are) Wonder Woman, Black Panther (the original score, not the Kendrick Lamar inspiration album, though that’s a fun one to listen to), Moana (if I had a big happy warmblood with a loping stride, I’d use “Your Welcome” as a canter song). I also have to say that, if you have a good knowledge of video games, they come with great scores that are designed to stimulate the listener and made to be repeated. Final Fantasy, Halo and many others have also been covered by major orchestras, so there are plenty of professional versions.

But, most importantly, pick what you and your horse like! My horse gets so jazzy when she hears her music, it really makes it fun!

[Wanderosa]

I dare someone to incorporate “Old Town Road” into their freestyle. And Big and Rich’s “Save a Horse”. Double dog dare you. I will put the musical program together gratis for anyone who wants to do this because I feel so passionately about this. :lol:

Had lunch with the boyfriend. He played Shostakovich’s Waltz, which was used in Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Beautiful piece and it just squeaks into my 90’s movie theme idea! All of the 90’s movies I suggested except Eyes Wide Shut feature horseback riding and are scored with music that fits- even some for walking. (John Dunbar’s theme, the melody that underscores the wagon trains) The Man from Snowy River and Lawrence of Arabia also come to mind.

There’s just so much out there. Some Rammstein would be awesome but for the lyrics :eek: Actually, a majority of metal works; again for the same reasons rap works. (Enter Sandman, for example). I speak Russian and studied Russian music extensively. I’ve mentally reset Totilas and Edward Gal’s Olympia freestyle to Russian music. I would use Russian music on the tiny chance I ever ride a GP freestyle. Some is obscure in the West, some not. The Tetris theme is actually a Russian folk song!