I need to preface this with; I'm not thinking Amy will be crazy about this new “discovery” of mine. I had Spotify playing through a recommended playlist Indie Electronica and this track got my attention > alt-J — Every Other Freckle. It's an awesome, powerful (and just a bit quirky) 72RPM climb with an interesting (some might say weird) break in the middle.
We're supposed to use music that motivates us, right? While not for everyone, I'm thinking this track could add some unique flavor to your typical playlist, when you need a powerful climbing song. Just be sure to TURN IT UP!
http://youtu.be/03Q_pNdMeGg
The band's name is based on the triangle you'll see when pressing the Alt and J keys on your mac computer. Sampling other tracks from alt-J also has me liking Breezeblockswhich is just a tic faster at 75RPM. You might like this remix better.
Judith Hill in 2013 at Target Center/ Star Tribune photo by Kyndell Harkness
Too much sun and spirits in Mexico and the next thing you know you've forgotten to post the Friday free track 🙁
Don't despair. We've got a very special treat for all of our ICI/PRO members!
I'm on a local band email list and was alerted to a special promotional distribution of the latest album from singer Judith Hill.
Our newspaper described the launch:
The host and a woman a head taller than he walked into a recording studio control room filled with a dozen or so invited guests.
“This is Judith Hill,” he announced just before midnight Sunday night at Paisley Park in Chanhassen. “And I’m Prince.”
Yes, Prince is working with Hill, 31, the Los Angeles singer who caused a sensation on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2013 and also was featured in the Oscar- and Grammy-winning documentary “20 Feet From Stardom” about backup singers.
As part of this promotion, you can download the entire album in high quality .wav format[wlm_private ‘PRO-Platinum|PRO-Monthly|PRO-Gratis|PRO-Seasonal|Platinum-trial|Monthly-trial|PRO-Military|30-Days-of-PRO|90 Day PRO|Stages-Instructor|Schwinn-Instructor|Instructor-Bonus|28 Day Challenge'] here > but you need to be quick as they're saying that the free downloads end March 25th.
A Note From Prince
Sorry 2 bother U.
Just wanted 2 send U this baby picture of Judith Hill with Her 1st piano.
Loox like her parents, who r also musicians- had a plan. Well, that plan succeeded.
This is Judith Hill's debut album BACK IN TIME.
Please spend some time with this music and then share it with someone U love.
Download your copy of Judith's album now until March 25th – Click here
Prince does say share it with someone you love 🙂 Here's the link to download if you missed it
[/wlm_private]NOTE: WAV files won't show up in Spotify. If you open the tracks in iTunes you can easily convert them to MP3s (PC) or AAC (Macs) that will > Highlight the track > Right Click > Create MP3/AAC version and then you'll see the songs as local files in Spotify.
This Where's the Drama app for Spotify gives you a visual representation of the changes in loudness of any track in Spotify's library = changes that many of us will use as cues.
NOTE: for an unknown reason there's no sound for the first 14 secs.
It's super easy to use and there's nothing to download or install.
[wlm_private ‘PRO-Platinum|PRO-Monthly|PRO-Gratis|PRO-Seasonal|Platinum-trial|Monthly-trial|PRO-Military|30-Days-of-PRO|90 Day PRO|Stages-Instructor|Schwinn-Instructor|Instructor-Bonus|28 Day Challenge']
Type in the name of your track > it helps to add additional words (artist) to narrow down the results.
Scroll down to find the correct song & click it
Your track is shown as a graphic > The highlighted area signifies the most dramatic point in the song 🙂
I've been playing with this today, trying to find ways that it could save me time. The first place I've found is to quickly find the GO! point in the songs opening. Here's an example for Rudimental — Right Here – feat. Foxes which I use for a Threshold interval @ 83RPM.
(#1) shows the start point @ 0:24 – between (#2) and (#3) is a 0:43 soft part. Notice how you can quickly see that the song dies with 20 seconds to go? (#4) Where's the Drama looks like a nice tool to ensure your intervals are as long as you intended.[/wlm_private]
Let me know if you find other uses for it + if this would display a complete playlist, in real time, would that help you cue and teach more effectively?
Do you find yourself using the same kind/ genre of music for specific work? For example, does most of your ‘climb' music sound much the same, and your ‘flat road' music has a tell tale sound as well?
Mine does! When my daughters hear my playlist they'll say, “Oh, this is a climb”, or “Is this a flat?”
But every once in awhile, it's fun to throw everyone for a loop and ask for high intensity work with a hypnotic sound. It encourages feeling and embracing the work on a different level.[wlm_private ‘PRO-Platinum|PRO-Monthly|PRO-Gratis|PRO-Seasonal|Platinum-trial|Monthly-trial|PRO-Military|30-Days-of-PRO|90 Day PRO|Stages-Instructor|Schwinn-Instructor|Instructor-Bonus|28 Day Challenge']
This song, from the 25 year old Canadian, Kiesza, is 4:27 long, with rpm's of 65. It's highly motivating for a top effort climb, but promotes a ‘look within' while doing it.
I love hearing comments like; “I'm giving it everything I've got!” when I'm off the bike, working the room. I asked for their Best Effort and they are delivering. The only thing left is handing out their ribbons 🙂
So what makes for a great Best Effort track? My personal belief is that it needs sound very powerful when played LOUD and has a building intro to give riders a chance to get set. That's pretty much it. Cadence RPM is open and of course you'd want it at the length you intend.
[wlm_private ‘PRO-Platinum|PRO-Monthly|PRO-Gratis|PRO-Seasonal|Platinum-trial|Monthly-trial|PRO-Military|30-Days-of-PRO|90 Day PRO|Stages-Instructor|Schwinn-Instructor|Instructor-Bonus|28 Day Challenge']
Samples — Malbec is perfect for that last three minute/Big Finish/Best Effort. Nice 20 second intro before a big hit @ 93RPM to send you on your way. Then there's a quiet section, a minute into the effort, where you can question everyone with:
Is this really your best effort? If not add it now and hit the Stage button again to re-commit.
Here's an interesting mashup your class might enjoy.
At this moment, I'm sitting with one of my dearest friends and fellow cycle instructor. We've been listening to music together and we found this great 7 minute flat. She will use it for an opener- I most likely will too. It's 102 rpm's- great for warming up our legs after coming in from the frigid temps in Minnesota and Michigan (she lives in Michigan).
Interestingly enough, the original “Limit to Your Love”, by James Blake is 73 rpm and I've used it for a climb in past profiles.
