How to Edit Music for a Gymnastics Floor Routine

Choosing the right music for your gymnastics floor routine can make a big difference in your final score. Judges look for music that complements your routine, with areas of increasing tempo during your tumbling runs and soft transitions during your dance and balance skills.

Instructions

    • 1

      Start with music that you enjoy. You will be performing your routine to the same music for the entire competitive season so make sure you really like the piece.

    • 2

      Look for an instrumental arrangement. Music that contains words, even one word, will give the judges a reason to deduct from your score. It's tough enough to perform a floor routine and be judged solely upon your skills; don't lose points over your music.

    • 3

      Choose a popular upbeat musical piece if your skills are simple and you want the judges to focus on your execution. Heavy classical music choices need aggressive, advanced skills to match their tempo. Judges consider how well your tumbling skills represent your music choice, so err on the side of caution.

    • 4

      Trim your floor routine music until it is between 70 and 90 seconds. Music that is shorter or longer, even by a few seconds, will earn you a deduction. A designated timer uses a stopwatch to time every routine.

    • 5

      Edit your music to reflect the compulsory tumbling passes in your floor routine. You have an initial introductory period of up to 10 seconds, a tumbling pass, a short transitional period, another tumbling pass, followed by a longer dance period and your final tumbling pass. Your music should increase and decrease in tempo accordingly.

    • 6

      Consider choosing a song you really like and paying a professional gymnastics music expert to adapt it for your floor routine. These professionals seek permission from the music's author to alter the piece. You will pay more for this option but your music will adhere to the required tempo.