Klassic Kur -- Freestyle forum

Ask Terry

Dear Klassic Kur:
I love playing with my computer and would like to use it to design my freestyle. Two questions: Where do I get editing software, and can I take music directly from a CD and use it in my editing program?

Terry answers:
There are a number of programs fulfilling a wide range of needs. For instance some offer audio only and have as little as two tracks, while others offer audio and MIDI, up to 99 tracks, and have many features such as the ability to change the tempo, pitch, or take music directly from the CD. The more features, the higher the cost. Another thing to consider is sound quality. Usually, the better the processing, the higher the cost.

Editing software itself is available in a number of places. Check out computer stores, computer magazines, online, and instrument music stores to find one suitable for you and your computer platform. The important thing is that you closely explore your needs then do your research, before you make any purchases.

There are two ways to get music into your program. One is real-time recording of the tune, in which case you will need a sound card. Another is to bring music directly from a CD into your program, called "ripping", in which case it must be one of your editing program's features or you will need an additional program. As opposed to real-time recording, this is much faster. Another advantage is being able to convert your final freestyle composition to an AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) file, so that you can burn your own CD.

Dear Klassic Kur:
I have heard the term musical phrasing used. Please explain.

Terry answers:
The concept is simple. It means that when you hear a change in the music, you make a change in the move you are doing. This gives a very dance-like quality to the kur, or good musical interpretation. Getting that effect will require time, patience, and good homework on the part of the rider.

Dear Klassic Kur:
How can I determine if a piece of music is "right" for my horse?

Terry answers:
I have noticed over the years that the type of music has little to do with what looks good with a horse's breed, size, etc. It really is more a matter of the underlying rhythm of a piece which can enhance or detract from the look of the gait. There is no sure way to tell how any one selection will be until it is tried. Even putting the music over a video of the horse can be misleading, and because of that, I recommend that you actually ride to the music. At the same time, have a reliable ground person observe and give you feedback.

Dear Klassic Kur:
I have seen the term MIDI used in some articles. What is it, and can I use it to arrange my freestyle?

Terry answers:
Let me preface this term paper by saying that there is a difference between audio and MIDI. MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Samples of actual musical instruments are recorded digitally which can, in turn, be played back in a number of ways. Most electronic keyboards now have on-board computers. Discs containing one or more digitally sampled instruments are inserted into the computer and loaded. Depending on which sample you have chosen, the keyboard will sound that instrument on whatever pitch (black or white key) you play.

More commonly, a keyboard with MIDI capability will be hooked up to a computer, like the one you are now using, through an interface (hardware). The interface is also connected to a sound module(s) whose function is solely to "play" sampled instruments. With the proper MIDI sequencing program (software on your computer), you can actually compose music playing a multitude of instruments. Pretty cool, huh? Your software controls the data and the module plays the sounds. Because all the information is digital, it is no problem to manipulate any facet of the music including cut, paste, copy, or you can alter volume, pitch, tempo, etc. as independent elements.

Music from CDs, albums, cassettes, DVDs, and so on is called audio. This is probably what you are using, so one or both of the following systems is what you should consider:

1) You will need your sound source, a sound card into your computer, software to record, software to edit, software to change the tempo (most editing software will have all the above in the same program, but check before buying), and lots of hard drive space, as it takes 10MB of hard drive space for each stereo minute you record. This is usually not a problem in the new, large capacity computers. If you are taking music from vinyl albums (remember them?) or cassettes, you will definitely need the above system.

2) For CDs, you can use the above or you can have an internal or external drive which reads CDs hooked to your computer. You will then need a software program which can "rip" the music from the CD and put it on your drive.

Once on your computer, the music can be subject to cut, paste, copy, fade, change tempo, pitch, add effects, and translated back to AIFF format so you can burn your own CD. All these functions are separate elements, so yes, you can change tempo without changing pitch, as well as being able to manipulate the music in many other ways.

Dear Klassic Kur:
I was at a show where there was a freestyle that had a "synthetic" sound. Is this MIDI? What do you think about this kind of music? Is it OK to use in my own freestyle?

Terry answers:
I'm not sure if this is MIDI, but it sounds as if it could be. Whether the music was made specifically for the rider or it came from a record, MIDI is a common means of producing music, and in fact, serves as the backdrop for much of the rock music you hear today.

There are several companies producing a variety of hardware and software, ranging from "eh" to excellent. Even an "eh" sound might be acceptable for a very brief period of time, because the untrained ear has not yet had enough information to figure out what's going on. When sampled music is used for an extended period, the ear may not be educated enough to pinpoint the precise reason, but it can hear that something is not right, or in other words, is "synthetic".

If you are thinking of using a MIDI format, ask yourself the following questions: Will I be using the best music samples available? What is the skill of the composer? Who is doing the final mix? While MIDI programs can be purchased for a reasonable cost, good samples of instruments are expensive. Next, the composer must have an excellent command of the elements of all the instruments (range, articulation, etc.) and of music composition; and the final mix must be correct or the result could be a flat, over-produced, or just odd sounding. High quality MIDI compositions are usually cost prohibitive for most freestyles, however for the highest levels where every point needs to be maximized, it is an investment worth making.

Dear Klassic Kur:
How do I know what BPM a piece of music has?

Terry answers:
You can get a rough estimate by counting the beats (tapping your foot or clapping your hands to the music) for 60 seconds. Now set your metronome at the number you found to check the tempo. If it is not directly on the beat, move the metronome up or down until the metronome and the music are in sync.

Dear Klassic Kur:
Someone told me that music with words is not allowed in freestyles? Is this true? What is your opinions about the use of music with words?

Terry answers:
There is a difference between lyrics (words) and vocals (the voice is used, but no lyric is sung). The use of vocals to highlight a phrase or two can be quite effective, and I personally feel that the voice acts as just another instrument in the orchestra when it is used in this way. It can still be chancy, though, so you have to let your taste and discretion guide you.

There is no specific deduction for music with lyrics, but it is often discouraged. In general, the use of lyrics is risky business, because the reaction depends on the openness of the judge. A more important consideration is that lyrics are difficult to edit. As for my preference, lyrics do not bother me. In fact according to the new FEI directive regarding lyric, it seems that things are loosening up a bit too, though lyric usage would still need to be judicious. That being said, it is notable that Ulla and Rusty made Carmina Burana a trademark, Anky van Grunsven used her own voice in the program of chansons she did with Salinero, and Debbie McDonald used both vocals and some well-placed lyric in her 2005 World Cup program with Brentina.

Music, Choreography, General

Home · Who is Klassic Kur?
Design . Clinics · Tips · Ask Terry
Photo Gallery · Archive