Music editing by Richard Hollman
for: Figure skaters Artistic roller skaters
Gymnasts Dancers (and more)
A great program deserves a great music cut!
Selecting music: some general advice and my recommendations
General comments on music selection:
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Your favorite music to listen to may not work well for skating (or dancing, etc). Make sure to try it at the rink before committing yourself
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Rinks and gyms generally have poor acoustics, and this can make your music difficult to hear. Some types of sounds come through more effectively than others. Delicate sounds make disappear in the reverberation.
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Piano music works very well in these environments (which is why it is often used). Rock and roll is generally OK.
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Music with a big dynamic range (i.e. the difference between the louder sounds and the softer sounds) can be problematic. It can be improved using compression (see the video on the Examples & Tips page).
- It is especially important to be able to hear the beginning of your music. Try to select something with a crisp introduction.
A long list of my favorite skating songs is at the bottom of this page. But first: 3 special topics!
It's amazing how many of Stevie Wonder's songs have a perfect rhythm for skating. And the arrangements work really well with rink acoustics. For the rest of 2025 and all of 2026, I will cut any Stevie Wonder song at no charge!
I'm sure we can all think of plenty of classical pieces that have absolutely been done to death in competitive programs. If you are looking for something that has not been overused, or used at all, here are some suggestions. Some have a great rhythm, others have a beautiful atmosphere, and some have both!
I find that reggae and other Caribbean musical styles work extremely well for skating, and I don't understand why nobody uses them for competitive programs! Here are a few examples, including reggae, but also Ska (It Mek) and Zouk, a style from Martinique (Ou Le). Just like my Stevie Wonder offer, I will cut anything in these styles for free, through the end of 2026. I particularly like to use 54-46 (that's my number) at public skating: it really gets me moving!
All of the songs on this list are ones I have tried out, and found them to have a good skating rhythm and/or a good vibe. If you have other suggestions, just email me at the address below and I can add them to the list!