Skating with a metronome

[black]

Obviously if you have music on with a constant tempo, no need.

If you skated with a precise beat you could refine the timings of each edge of each foot resulting in better, more symmetrical skating?

[Kim to the Max]

I have used a metronome CD (that slowly increased tempo) to work on the power circles in the Intermediate Moves test. I found that it helped me gradually increase my speed.

[Clarice]

I skate with a metronome when I'm working on compulsory dances. We don't have dance sessions at our rink, so I have to practice on freestyles. I'll use the music once on a session, but the rest of the time I just use the metronome. I have a little Boss "Dr. Beat" model that has a hole in it so you could stick a pencil in it to stand it up on a desk top. I put a cord through the hole so I can wear the thing around my neck. It's loud enough that I can hear it, even with other music playing in the arena, although I do feel a little bit like the crocodile in Peter Pan. I've never bothered for Moves or figures - I just count to myself for those. I think it would be a problem for me for freestyle, because I tend to rush jumps if I try to fit them to the music - I do better if I just feel the natural rhythm of the jump.

[RachelSk8er]

I have used a metronome CD (that slowly increased tempo) to work on the power circles in the Intermediate Moves test. I found that it helped me gradually increase my speed.

My coach had me do the same for jr MIF.

[quarkiki2]

I've never skated to a metronome, but I have BEEN a metronome, LOL!

We were on practice ice for a synchro competition and had a kerfluffle with our CD player, so while our darling coach was scrambling to find a new player, I counted our program through two run-throughs. Which apparently was helpful as we skated the competition well and placed a definitive second.

[Isk8NYC]

C'mon, have some fun...Beep Beep (Little Nash Rambler) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4W7oZBhAJg)

[black]

C'mon, have some fun...Beep Beep (Little Nash Rambler) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4W7oZBhAJg)

:lol: ...and now from across the pond, some decidedly British beeps :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoDVtdJwypA

[Isk8NYC]

:lol: ...and now from across the pond, some decidedly British beeps :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoDVtdJwypA
It's got a good beat and you can dance to it, I'll give it a 92, Dick. lol

The other one has a change in the cadence, though. Tough choice.

[aussieskater]

C'mon, have some fun...Beep Beep (Little Nash Rambler) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4W7oZBhAJg)

That was just great! Now if only someone could put together a fun artistic program with 2 good skaters (they'd need to be very fast with great footwork), one large, one small...what a hoot!

[miraclegro]

Where does one get a skating metronome CD? I am working on power circles, too! My big issue right now is getting the ripping sound. Aargh.

[Isk8NYC]

The USFSA used to sell something called a "Timing Tape."

Has anyone ever ordered it and can confirm that my guess is correct?

If you are a member of the USFSA, you can sign in as a member and order the Dance Music CD's from the members-only online store, which is completely different from the "ONLINE STORE" link on the main USFSA site. (That's a third-party merchant called "IceLight.")

The USFSA sign-in link for members is HERE (https://www.usfsaonline.org/Intralock/Login.asp).
Once you sign in, select "Online Store" from the menu on the left.
Select the tab on top labeled "Video Tape, Tape, CD"

These are the items they have available in that category:

ICE DANCE CD - COMPULSORY DANCE LOW LEVEL
Low level, compulsory dance music with 8-bar introductions. Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Rhythm Blues, Swing Dance, Cha Cha, Fiesta Tango, Hickory Hoedown, Willow Waltz, Ten-Fox $20.00
ICE DANCE MUSIC - TEST CD
Ice Dance Music - 31 Dances for testing sessions $20.00
ISU VIDEO - MIDNIGHT BLUES
ISU Dance Video - Midnight Blues $15.00
SUCESSFUL SPORTS PARENTING $35.00

TIMING TAPE $10.00

[Clarice]

I've ordered the timing tape, thinking it was the metronome recording, but it isn't. I don't have the silly thing here at home, so I can't check it out to be certain. I think that the timing tape was used to calibrate tape decks to make sure that the cassettes were running at the proper speed, but once I figured out it wasn't what I thought it was, I stopped listening to it. My coach has a copy of the metronome CD - I'll have to ask her where she got it.

[Isk8NYC]

Thank you - I wondered about that item.

[Kim to the Max]

Where does one get a skating metronome CD? I am working on power circles, too! My big issue right now is getting the ripping sound. Aargh.

Check your PM