The Best Instrumental Music for Figure Skating

The search for the best instrumental music for figure skating can be a long and difficult one. But we’ve compiled a list of our favorites to help you get started!

The Different Types of Instrumental Music

There are many different types of instrumental music that can be used as figure skating music. Some of the more popular genres include classical, pop, rock, and hip-hop. Each type of music has its own benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of instrumental music that can be used for figure skating.

Classical

Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western classical music, including both liturgical (religious) and secular music. While a more precise term is also used to refer to the period from 1750 to 1820 (the Classical period), this article is about the broad span of time from before the 6th century AD to the present day, which includes the Classical period and various other periods. The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common-practice period.

Western staff notation is used by composers to indicate to performers the pitch, tempo, meter and rhythms for a piece of music. This can leave less room for performers to make their own interpretations based on how they feel and what they think the music should sound like. The term “classical music” did not appear until the early 19th century, in an attempt to distinctly couple it from extra-musical influences such as literary or visual art.

Pop

Instrumental music in the pop genre is some of the most popular and widely known instrumental music being produced today. While it is not limited to any one style, it often features a catchy melody and simple chord progressions. It can be upbeat and positive or mellow and relaxing, making it the perfect choice for figure skating.

Some of the most popular pop instrumentalists include:

-Yiruma
-Sungha Jung
-2Cellos
-David Garrett
-Lindsey Stirling

Jazz

Jazz is a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, United States. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and developed from roots in blues and ragtime. Jazz is seen by many as “America’s classical music”. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a major form of musical expression. It then emerged in the form of independent traditional and popular musical styles, all linked by the common bonds of African-American and European-American musical parentage with a performance orientation. Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression,
and in African-American music traditions including blues and ragtime. As early as the 1920s, Jazz was already divided into subgenres, with authors often conflicting over which were truly “authentic” forms of jazz
Jazz is a difficult genre to define because it encompasses such a wide range of music from so many different cultures and eras. Ultimately, though, all jazz styles have one common element: Swing. Swing is the smooth, easy feel of jazz that makes it danceable
and makes listeners want to tap their feet or nod their heads along with the beat. It’s what distinguishes jazz from other genres like classical or rock

How to Choose the Right Instrumental Music

If you’re planning on figure skating to instrumental music, it’s important to choose the right song. The best instrumental music for figure skating should be expressive and emotional, and it should also fit the theme of your routine. In this article, we’ll give you a few tips on how to choose the best instrumental music for figure skating.

Consider the Type of Skating

When it comes to choosing the right instrumental music for figure skating, the first thing to consider is the type of skating you will be doing. If you are a competitive ice dancer, for example, you will need to choose music that meets the requirements of your particular skating category. The same is true for those who skate in shows or other recreational events.

There are four main types of instrumental music for figure skating:
-Waltzes
-Pas de deux
-Tango
-Free Skate/ ExhibitionSkate

Waltzes are characterized by their ¾ time signature and fairly light, elegant feel. They are often used in competitive ice dancing and pairs skating. Some examples of waltz music include:

• The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss II
• Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• The Gold Waltz by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Pas de deux are also in ¾ time, but have a slightly more dramatic feel than waltzes. They are frequently used in free skate programs and exhibition skates. Some popular pas de deux pieces include:

• Carmen Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet
• Swan Lake Suite by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Sylvia Pas de Deux by Léo Delibes

Tango is a bit faster paced than waltz or pas de deux, typicallyprogressing at around 50-60 beats per minute. It originates from Argentinaand Uruguay and offers a sultry, passionate feel. This style of music is often used in exhibition skates or programs with a Latin theme. A few well-known tangos include:

• La Cumparsita by Gerardo Hernán Matos Rodríguez
• El Choclo by Ángel Villoldo
• Jealousy Tango by Jacob Gade

Consider the Type of Program

The type of performance will help you choose the right instrumental music. If you are skating to a traditional program, such as waltz or fox-trot, you will want to find music that fits the time period and feel of those dances. For a free skate program, you can choose any type of instrumental music as long as it fits the required length and tempo.

Consider the Length of the Program

When you are choosing instrumental music for your figure skating program, one of the things you will want to take into consideration is the length of the program. Instrumental music is generally sold in increments of 30 seconds, so you will want to make sure that you have enough music to cover the entire length of your program. If your program is longer than two minutes, you may want to consider purchasing two pieces of instrumental music, or using a piece of instrumental music that has been edited down to fit your program length.

The Best Instrumental Music for Figure Skating

When it comes to finding the best instrumental music for figure skating, it can be tough. There are so many different pieces of music out there, and it can be hard to find the perfect one for your routine. However, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you narrow down your options and find the best piece of music for your routine.

“Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” is one of the most popular and well-known pieces of music for figure skating. The piece was composed in 1934, and is based on Niccolo Paganini’s 24th Caprice. It has been used by many figure skaters over the years, including Olympic champions Scott Hamilton, Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Tara Lipinski.

“Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor” by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor” is one of the most popular pieces of music for figure skating. It is a beautiful and passionate piece that has been used by many skaters over the years. The piece was composed in 1901, and it was given its premiere performance by the great Russian pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff himself.

“Swan Lake” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

“Swan Lake” is a ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. Despite its initial failure, it is now one of the most popular of all ballets. The scenario, originally in two acts, was fashioned from Russian folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a beautiful swan woman forced into an enchanted lake by an evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart. Odette spends her days as a swan swimming on the lake and her nights in human form. She can only be saved from Von Rothbart’s spell by the love of a prince.

The composer’s brother Modest Tchaikovsky wrote a libretto for Swan Lake, which Pyotr Tchaikovsky used for his composition. The work premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on 20 February 1877, with choreography by Julius Reisinger and designs by Ivan Vsevolozhsky. Although it is presented in many different versions, most ballet companies base their productions both choreographically and musically on the 1895 revival of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, first staged for the Imperial Ballet on 15 January 1895 at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg.

Tchaikovsky showed great interest in “oriental” music, incorporating Chinese elements into his work for “The Nutcracker” as well as Swan Lake. He journeyed to Kamenka near Kiev to gather material for his composition; while there he heard folk music played on Chinese instruments and was particularly struck by its pentatonic scale (a scale with five notes per octave). He later wrote to his friend Nikolai Rubinstein: ” what has come over me is something Oriental… melodies flow to me already harmonized… I am now devoting all my time to Swan Lake.”

“The Nutcracker” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

“The Nutcracker” is one of the most popular pieces of instrumental music for figure skating. The piece was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892 and has become a holiday classic. “The Nutcracker” is often used as background music for competitive figure skating routines.