I just finished working out to music this morning when I decided to write this article. What I wanted to talk about was using music to develop rhythm and timing. I love to watch the X-Treme Martial Arts athletes and how they have excellent perfoming music as they go through their routine of gymnastics mixed with martial arts.
When we work out at the Dojo we use music to stay in time (and go "off beat") to help with our rhythm. This is not such an easy task because we change up the music from African Drums, R&B, Hip Hop, Rock, Classical, Salsa, Merengue and World Music (music from other countries that is not in the "mainstream"). I have experienced music that just overwhelms me!! That's why we call it PRACTICE! But I am getting better at it over time!! LOL!
Let's say we are moving to System Of A Down's "Kill Rock 'n Roll". Now anyone familiar
with "Systems" music will know that this band loves to switch tempos in their music in a heartbeat!! The key is to pace yourself or you'll be off beat and you'll burn out!! We will start off by possibly working out with Deftones "Change (in the house of flies)". As we work the concepts of the "Rub A Dub" exercise we will then put one "Attacker" (a fellow classmate) to throw punches and kicks to the tempo of the music at another student who will be the "Defender". As the defending student gets a rhythm going another student will join in on the "attack". A track like "Change (in the house of flies)" keeps a mellow tempo that allows the student to get a good rhythm to block, redirect and deflect CONTINOUSLY on the move! As the student becomes rhythmically in tune with this beat it is encouraged to move to that "fly" baseline in "Change". Now remember the "defending" student can use any part of their body to defend themselves. The elbows and knees can be used for gentle blocking and redirecting (we don't ever want to have students hurt themselves or each other).
All students involved in this exercise MUST be relaxed. Nobody is trying to "finish" anyone off. It is a drill of deflection and subtle movement because you are being overwhelmed by two or several opponents! You can only "hit and run" with this type of attack. You cannot "Hold Your Ground" because you will be overwhelmed by your attackers onslaught.
There are other levels to this drill but this is where we start. This type of exercise will force the student to deal with attacks they cannot see but feel so they can roll off the attack and keep it moving.
I recommend moving to every type of music you can get your hands on. Fast tempo or slow tempo- move to them all! Below I have a list of music to move to to get you started:
Bass Swagger Chronicles- Sweet Talk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJpHOfd7fjI&feature=share
Mazze- Molten
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRdHDJ4SItk
Missy, Jay Z, Twista & Mephis Bleek- Is That Yo Chic
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRKkOFdyl_c
Deftones- Change (in the house of flies)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL4MGwlZuAc
Lakme'- Flower Duet (performed by Erika Milo'sa & Bernadett Wiedemann)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX-6Ej2lnwg
System Of A Down- Kill Rock 'n Roll
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwBAivs3x9A
This is a very SMALL sample of what we move to. But I believe you get the idea. Try it out by going slow and work with people who are into learning- not abusing or being an idiot!
Osu!
Train safe, train smart.
-Buddha
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