Tag Archives: mix

Curfew by Snowmine

Crank this song up if you have a good sound system connected to your computer:

This song comes from the Weathervane/Shaking Through project; independent musicians and bands are tracked, and then the stems are raw tracks are uploaded for anyone to download and mix. This band is called Snowmine; fronted by lead singer and keyboardist Grayson Sanders. Produced by Brian McTear and Tracked/Engineered by Jonathan Low. You can find more about this song, band and project here: http://www.shakingthrough.com/snowmine

This sound file above is my original mix of this excellent song. I’ve had a bit of fun changing a few of the elements up a bit, but I’ve also tried to stay true to what I imagine the band’s vision for the track is, and let their musicianship shine through.

Maximum length for dance competition songs and remixes

Occasionally someone arrives on this site by googling for something like “song length for dance competitions.”

While there is no definitive answer, I can give you some guidance. The most important thing you can do to determine the allowable length of your song is to check the competition rules for each competition you will be entering in for the season. Most competitions follow the same guidelines for maximum allowable length.

Many competitions state that solos can not be longer than 2:45 in length, while group numbers can be 3:00. Some competitions allow for even longer songs with larger groups. For example, Star Systems allows:

• 2:45 for a solo
• 3:00 for a duo or trio
• 3:30 for a small group (4-9 dancers)
• 4:00 for a large group (10-18 dancers)
• 4:30 for productions and lines (19 or more dancers)

However, not all competitions follow these guidelines. For some competitions, 3:00 may be the maximum, no matter what size the group, so be sure to check EACH of the competition rules that your studio is entering for the season.

For recitals, many times the maximum length is 2:00.

Bear in mind that these are maximums. It’s much better to make your routine shorter and tighter than to drag it on and on with no real purpose. Also, more important than the total length is the story arch that the dance and music follow.

Here are the things I keep in mind when trying to determine the right length for a music edit or remix:

For tap or acro, endurance can be a factor, especially for younger students. For younger tappers, 2:00-2:10 can be a good length. More experienced tappers who have built up endurance can be in the 2:20-2:45 range. And in general, younger dancers will want to be in 2:15-2:30 range, and older, more experienced dancers who have developed their style and moves, and want to tell a story with their dance should have music in the 2:45-3:00 range.

Music for gymnastics floor routines

Just got done mixing my first song for a gymnastics floor routine. While I have years of experience with editing music for dance, there are some unique challenges posed by the requirements of gymnastic floor routines. Music can be no longer than 1:30, and at some levels, 1:10 or 1:00 is required. The other major consideration is that the music must be an instrumental with no voice or vocals on the track.

My client requested a version of my Drive Remix specifically for her gymnastic student’s floor routine, and I was only too happy to deliver a final mix within hours of her order.

An introduction to Squirrel Trench Audio

An introduction to Squirrel Trench Audio. This video segment covers why it’s important for dance teachers and dance studio owners to edit your dance music correctly from the start!

If you are new to Squirrel Trench Audio, or music editing, here are some links to what you can find here on the web site:

How to Avoid Awkward Fade Outs

Song Ideas for: JazzLyricalTapContemporaryMusical Theater

Services offered: Song editsCustom Remixes

Let me know if you found this video worthwhile, and what music editing tips you’d like to learn about in future video segments. Your feedback is appreciated!

 

 

 

Ready to step up your dance?

As has been pointed out previously, music is the foundation of dance. You can easily verify this for yourself by realizing what happens when the emcee plays the wrong music at a competition….. the dancer freezes because it’s not the right music.

If you are a high-level dance studio owner or teacher, and you regularly bring your students to regional and/or national competitions, and you want to step up your routines, where should you start? Answer: The music. If you are working with exciting music, music that gets your kids pumped up, they will naturally perform better. If you, as choreographer are excited about the music, you will bring your enthusiasm to the choreography you create. On the flip side, if you are using stale, flat, worn-out music, it’s hard to generate enthusiasm, either in yourself or your students.

What’s the answer? Try an original Squirrel Trench Mix. I’ve created many original mixes based on modern interpretations of classic songs, including train medleys, a Beatles remix, a slumber party theme, a Mary Poppins remix, a Pixie Hollow remix, and more. I also have a slate of original remixes and medleys scheduled to create for a studio in Canada that I am eager to begin work on shortly.

If you have a theme idea and you want the music to provide the foundation to help you create original, exciting choreography to break through the multitude of routines that judges will view, then contact me to find out about our editing and remixing services. I’m excited about the remixes I’ve already done for the upcoming season, and I can’t wait to create yours!

Break a leg in the upcoming 2011-2012 dance season!

Incubus – Drive Remix

Here’s our latest remix, designed specifically for you to choreograph your next contemporary dance routine bound for competition. It combines three different versions of Incubus’ song Drive, including one by Vitamin String Quartet. Check it out! The only thing that’s missing is your choreography! If you like what you hear, email me.

For another sample of my remix work, check out Pixie Hollow, a remix for a character dance.