Pat,

iTunes files are proprietary and thus protected...however, there's a way around that. In iTunes, create and burn a CD with the .m4p file(s) you want to edit. Once the CD is done, you can then extract the track back using Itunes or another program as an .mp3 or .wav file that should then be editable. The loss of sound quality should be minimal.

Good luck!

Kelton

Kelton,
Thanks for the suggestion! I had thought of that, but hadn't had the chance to try it. Seems like an obvious way to get around it, so you'd think the programmers would have thought of that, but I'll give it a try.

Angelskates -- I cleaned out my PM's. Also, your email bounced because it exceeded my space quota. It actually looked around 9+Meg. Let me try Kelton's suggestion tonight, and then I'll get back to you. Thank you so much for trying!

Pat

It took 20 minutes to upload and then bounced



Kelton, since you seem to know stuff, how do I download protected files to my MP3? It downloads onto my computer fine and looks like it downloads to my MP3 but then it doesn't play. Completed unrelated, I know....sorry peoples!

Angelskates...do you mean protected WMA, AAC or M4P files? If so, I think you'll have to manually convert them with a method similar to above. If you are using an iPod, AAC and M4P files will transfer and play on them I think, but WMAs must be converted. The flip side if you are using a PC-based player (Rio, Nike, etc) they will not play AAC or M4P, but will play MP3 and some WMAs. It all gets very confusing.

Hope that helps!

Kelton

Kelton,
Thanks for your help! It worked fine. Now I just have to decide how to cut it. Well, that and discuss it with my coach. And BTW, now that I know who you are from skaternum's pictures, you did great at the New Year's competition!

Iceangel,
Thanks for trying to help! I appreciate it, and if I can ever return the favor, please let me know.

Pat

Pat - can you give me my lutz back?

Kay,

Soundtracks are the easiest place to start. There are a LOT of pieces that are around 2 minutes long (some exactly 1:40), and if it's not for competition, then...generic might be best (it's easiest to skate to). The only spins I ever hear in music are laybacks and scratch spins (I generally hear spirals, spread eagles/bauers, and footwork...the other spins and jumps are incidental).

Here are just a few that I have in my iTunes library...you can probably download these tracks somewhere (from file sharing or through purchase):

"Hope and Memory" from the Return of the King soundtrack. Running time is 1:45, but that includes the 6-second fade out. There are a few changes in tempo, but in general, it's not too fast, and doesn't need cutting...not too many highlights, though, unless you count the familiar "Gondor" theme as a highlight.

"The Red Violin" from the Red Violin soundtrack. 1:34, fades out around 1:30. Includes the main theme and a nice build up. This assumes that you don't mind skating to MK's music from a few years back.

There are about 8 pieces from the English Patient soundtrack that are under two minutes, and most of them are slow/flowy, but don't necessarily have highlights.

Now, for classical pieces, you can look through ballet music (lots of cuts of pieces under 2 minutes). Most likely, your local public library will have some CDs...

"Chinese Dance" from Gliere's Red Poppy suite is about 2 minutes even... this is more of a character piece, but it's a fully realized dance number...aching for a fast blur spin at the end. I think my recording is of Marcal conducting the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, but I am not sure).

Chopin's Etude Op 10 no1 is fast, but very sweeping in character. If you have good speed, fast spins, and a big spiral or spread eagle/bauer this might work. (1:56, approx 1:53 playing time)

Ditto Etude Op 10, no 9. This one has slightly more change of character within the piece than Op10 No1. (2:06, approx 2:02 playing time)

Etude Op.25, no.1 is gorgeous, very flowy, gentle. Ann-Patrice McDonough skated a short program to this a few years ago. It screams out "pretty layback spin right at the end." I was thinking about using this for a competitive silver free sometime. I would imagine light, quiet edges are necessary to pull this off well. (2:12, can easily be cut to around 2:06)
My recordings of the Chopin Etudes are by Maurizio Pollini. Other pianists (Kissin) play some of them faster. Or slower (Rubinstein).

I cut a piece of a Brahms Hungarian Dance (no 27, I think) for my test bronze. I used a tape recorder and a CD player. The piece had a slow section, a repeat of the slow section, and then a fast section. I cut out the first slow section by starting the recording on the repeat, and it was an even 1:40.

There are numerous new age pieces that are short (or very cuttable, even the old-fashioned way with the pause button on a tape recorder). My competitive bronze program was to some random piece by Secret Garden. I am not so knowledgeable about new age music, though, so no further comment.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your tests. You DO have to jump and do footwork for the test...even if the programs aren't for competition, it's a good idea to abide by the "well-balanced program" guidelines in the USFSA rulebook.

LOL! If only I had one to give!

pennybeagle:
Thanks for all of the ideas. I will save your message.

Kay

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Yes, of course. I can do all of the basic jumps and footwork. My idea is to include cool spins b/c that is my strength. I would also like to do a big loop or flip b/c those are my fav jumps.

Kay

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I was about to suggest that. We've been playing about with it at school in my GCSE ICT class, it's quite cool and easy to use! I might download it now actually...

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I thought you were going to get up early and skate? Downloading software in the wee small hours isn't going to help you do that!

(I downloaded it earlier in the week, and have had a play - it's good. But it led me to download Openoffice.org, too.... and so it goes!).

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Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Music Editing Programme!!!
I Use Gold Wave It Is Real Easy There Is A Free Demo You Can Download And Then Alter Music If You Need To Pm Me If You Have Any Difficulties

The time hasn't been right! I swear on my life I will go! I'm going to get my blades sharpened this week while I have no lesson, so won't go on patch, because there's a mile long queue of people waiting to go on public afterwards and I won't get served and miss my train and so forth...

Perhaps next week? OOH! SHIBBY! I have an interview for the job I applied for....

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Excellent! I hope you get it, so you can help to fund your skating. Just for goodness sake don't let your schoolwork slip, it's such a vital year for you!

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Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I won't, I PROMISE!
I'll work extra hard to make everyone, including you, Annabel, happy !

But waaa more skating... Waaaaaaaa!

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Do I take it you got the job, or don't you know yet?

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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I haven't had my interview yet, I'm just pondering about ifs and buts etc. My interview is on Monday so wish me luck!
I was just thinking about all the lessons I could have if this goes through!!!

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Best of luck Mel, Must go its 5.55am and I need to get ready to rock.

Cheers
Grace

Thanks Samba.

xx

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