Interperative skating comp? help!!!!!?

Question

I've never done an interperative competition before, and i'm doing my first one next weekend. I've made up my own skating programs before, but i've had more than a few minutes to make it up. Anyone have any good tips for me??

Intermediate Free, Junior Moves skater.

Answer 1

interp is hard because you just don't know what you are gonna get!  Really listen to the music while it is played on the warmup, and start to make a program.  Try to make moves that go with the music.  If it fast, maybe a quicker, choppier style.  If it is slow, smooth and graceful.  It helps to hit all of the musical crescendos too.  Watch Ashley Wagner on youtube..she is VERY good at hitting crescendos..one of the most musical skaters ever.  GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

well i always use my i-pod and choose a nice and soft song to practice and a fast and groovy dance it is fun to do but it is also hard to remember the song if u don't know the song but hope you get first  on the completion!

Answer 3

just listen to the music when u get ther and try your hardest and maybe ask your coach for pointers and also u could try making up programs with friends quickly and have one friend judge the rest

Answer 4

I LOVE that event!  I was always told to keep a "bag of tricks" . . . at least a formula/guideline in mind so you're not totally having to make up a program out of thin air!  

*Use up as much of the ice as possible for a good program "layout".  Think of skating all areas of the space you have . . . hit all the corners - don't just stay in the center. Vary your moves in different areas/directions - don't jump and spin in the same spot.  

*Listen to the music for specific places to jump and spin. Also listen for the cue for the ending on the song - so you end with the music.  Let that be the framework and then you will need to figure out all the inbetween skating.  On that note, remember it's not a jump and spin contest.  Limit the jumps/spins and concentrate on interpreting the music.

*This is the time to pull out your BEST moves!  If you have an awesome spiral or nice ina bauer/spread eagle, or split jump or whatever, find a way to fit it in (especially towards the end).    

*Think up some sequences ahead of time . . . like beginnings, footwork, endings . . . and different ones for different types of music.  That way you won't have to make up everything on the spot . . . you'll have different program parts to work with. Having these thought out moves will hopefully prevent you from doing too many crossovers (boring!) as you think of what to do next!!  

*Look like you're "into" the music - facially, and using body language. Use your arms.  Make shapes (open, closed, ups and downs).  I once saw "baseball" music being used . . . and some of the gals were keen to use baseball moves in it . . . bring out whatever is appropriate for the music!!  

*Always try to look like every move was intentional.  NEVER show it in your face that you're nervous or unsure of what to do next.  Show confidence all the way and your audience (and judges) will buy that! ENTERTAIN your audience!

*If you have time, either on the ice or off, play all kinds of music - even the types you're NOT into - and get a feel for different styles that are out there. You never know what music they'll give you!  Get someone else to choose pieces for you - or just use the radio on a station you're not familiar with.  You can even try skating to someone else's music while they're practicing on a fs session!  Try to interpret anything just for fun whenever you can . . . the more experience you have with on-the-spot choreography, the more you'll be relaxed for the actual event.    

*Just relax and have fun with it!  You are in full control of the whole program!  

Best of luck at your competition!!!!!