Ever construct the perfect threshold interval? Where everyone appears to be controlled by the music, hammering away as if they've lost connection with everything and anything beyond the pursuit of Zone 4?
THRESHOLD! THRESHOLD! NEED MORE THRESHOLD!
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The only way to satiate their lust for Threshold based effort is a proper warm up, a few openers and then an awesome song that's the right combination of intensity and BPM. In my book, the music genre that will feed your Threshold Zombies best is Drum & Bass. Easy to follow, D&B music tends to communicate high 80's to 90's RPM. Here's a few for you to try.
Improvisation in theatre, comedy or Indoor Cycling is an art that can be improved through trial and practice. Learning to improvise is an important skill that will improve your class presentation and make you a more entertaining Instructor. Disappointedly, I'm just now realizing that we haven't spent much time educating our ICI/PRO members on this important skill.
One of my all-time favorite TV shows was Whose Line Is It Anyway? – In each unscripted episode a troupe of comedians improvise a skit, after being presented with unique/goofy props or are presented with an interesting storyline. The results were often hilarious:
https://youtu.be/mN4paCZXy7M
Why Whose Line Is It Anyway? was, IMO, so entertaining, was how confident the participants were. Theyjust-go-with-it > instantly responding to whatever situation they faced… no matter what it was. Part of this was natural ability, but I'll bet that each member has years of experience reacting to external forces, developing their instincts to the point where they're found to be funny/entertaining.
Instructors need to know how to improvise… to their class and playlist
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In the series Hey Team > How Would You Answer This Question?, we had a bunch of great suggestions on how to connect music to your ride. I didn't share my ideas in the first two parts. I will be tomorrow and it will be geared toward practicing to improvise: adapting your cues, activities and intensity in response to what you're hearing… what the music is prompting you to do.
Depending on your relationship with your riders, you might get away with a running a fully improvisational class. Announce at the beginning that you plan to just-go-with-it and have fun. NOTE: if you're ever surprised to have a DJ show up and plan to control the music in your class > you'll be thankful for this training.
A better option may be to cue up today's free track and ride it by yourself. 40 minutes of constantly changing songs and mashups that will keep you on your toes as you improvise with each change. Give this a try and see where the music takes you. You might discover you have an undiscovered talent đ
Greetings from Santa Monica CA (training here for a new job). I was out and about last night in the beautiful weather and heard this fantastic 66 rpm dance tune. I can't wait to get back to use it in my class tomorrow and thought you might like it too.
Written and produced by a Russian DJ and electronic music producer, this feels like a full on 4:08 climb push. A nice challenge for everyone đ
Have fun with Arty's ‘Up All Night':
The Spotify link:
And free download for our ICI/PRO members:[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']
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 â 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!Â
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 Breezeblocks which 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 đ
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.
âThis is Judith Hill,” he announced just before midnight Sunday night at Paisley Park in Chanhassen. “And IââŹâ˘m Prince.â
Yes, Prince is working with Hill, 31, the Los Angeles singer who caused a sensation on NBCââŹâ˘s âThe Voiceâ in 2013 and also was featured in the Oscar- and Grammy-winning documentary â20 Feet From Stardomâ 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']Â 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 đ 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.
