Most programs are in the 1- to 3½-minute range, whereas most songs are longer. This means that the skater’s music will need to be cut to fit the time allowed for their program. Here are some tips to keep in mind when cutting music.

Include Tempo Changes

Include tempo changes in the sections of music that you skate to. You want to include both faster and slower parts which will enable you to display both power and artistry while keeping the audience (and judges) engaged.

Minimize Repetitive Parts

Choose music, or parts of music, that are distinct and recognizable. In other words, don’t have a lot of repetition in the part of the music you skate to. With as many times as you’ll be skating to your music, you will connect parts of your program to parts of the music, which is a good thing as it can help you stay on track. However, if your music has a section that repeats multiple times, you run the risk of getting lost in your music. Moreover, if you ever need to pick up your program in the middle (during practice or at competition), you may not immediately realize which part of your program goes with that section if it appears multiple times in your program.

Time It Right

The length of your program will depend on what level you are skating – Senior/Gold programs will be longer than Bronze/Juvenile programs. However, most programs give you a buffer – usually 10 seconds – allowing you to go a bit over or under your time. Alternatively, as is the case with adult track programs, you will have a maximum time that you cannot exceed without a penalty. In addition, make sure to cut your music so that you have a few seconds of silence both before and after your music so that it doesn’t accidentally get cut short.

Don’t Go Silent

Make sure that there are not any long stretches of silence – or even very quiet music that may not easily be heard. The referee may think something has gone wrong and have the music stopped in order to resolve the issue. While you will likely be allowed to restart your program, this kind of interruption is disruptive and does not lend itself to having a good skate.

Call In A Pro

Cutting music can be quite challenging. It’s not easy making clean edits that provide for smooth, seamless transitions without professional equipment. There’s a reason why people do this for a living! While it will certainly cost more to hire a professional than doing it yourself (or having your teammate/coach/friend do it), it’s not all that pricey in the bigger picture. Considering the cost of coaching, choreography, practice ice time and, most likely, a new dress, the cost of having a professional cut your music isn’t all that significant. Sk8mix is one company that many skaters have used and found affordable.

If you do want to give it a try, many skaters have had success with Audacity. It’s easy to use and free.