Theme 1: Breaking a Sweat on a Run

Description

• Workouts and music go together like cake and ice cream!

• Research shows that listening to high-tempo music while exercising results in the higher heart rates and lower perceived exertion compared with not listening to music

  • In other words, people got a more efficient workout, while feeling that the workout was less strenuous.

Characteristics

• Tempo

  • Depends on the workout

    • For your warm-up, choose songs that have a lower BPM (80 BPM). Make sure they're songs that perk up your energy for the workout ahead. 

    • A song with faster beats per minute should accompany a higher-intensity portion of your workout. 

      • High-tempo music (approximately 170 heartbeats per minute) reduces perceived effort and boosts cardiovascular benefits more than lower tempos.

    • The music tempo used for weightlifting will be much slower than running (approximately 80 to 115 BPM).

    • A 2011 study revealed that in order to achieve the best performance for cycling (calculated by measuring exercise intensity through heart rate), and the preferred tempo is between 125 to 140 BPM.

    • A 2014 study revealed that the best music tempo for enhanced performance on the treadmill is between 123 and 131 BPM.

  • "Music tempo should be selected with the expected exercise intensity in mind, and be sequenced to contour in accordance with changes in heart rate" [2]. Gradually increasing the BPM as your heart rate increases will help you stay motivated, even if you're not using music synchronously.

• Instrumentation

  • A strong, steady beat

  • A strong, energizing rhythm, uplifting melodies, and inspirational lyrics

    • A strong, energizing rhythm

      • In order for a song to be properly motivated, it needs to be "up-tempo (>120 BPM) and possess prominent percussive and rhythmical features" [3].

    • Mood-boosting melody and lyrics

      • Making you feel good about yourself is one of the ways music is most helpful during a workout, which is why you should choose tunes that promote "motivational imagery and self-talk." Songs that feature "affirmations of exercise or inspirational references drawn from popular culture" are particularly effective. Think "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift or "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen.

Theme 2: Jamming out to a Summer Anthem

Description

• To have a hit song simply means to have a song that is "widely popular"

• Tough to pin down, there's an entire science dedicated to it!

  • "Hit Song Science" [4]

Characteristics

• Tempo

  • Not necessarily restrained to a tempo range. More about connecting with the widest range of people possible.

• Recommendations

  • Select a theme. Use universal themes and emotions so that anyone can connect with your song.

    • Happiness

    • Sadness

    • Love

    • Excitement

    • Memorable Events

  • Write timeless lyrics. Timeless lyrics will still be enjoyed even after a considerable time has passed. These lyrics are relatable to a wide audience, which improves overall popularity with many different age groups.

    • Often avoiding "fadish" themes

  • Look for lyrical inspiration in poetry, art, and the natural world.

  • The melody of your song should complement and synchronize with the beat of the metronome and bass-line.

    • Instruments frequently used for the melody include:

      • Piano

      • Guitar

      • Brass (like the trumpet or trombone)

      • Organ

      • Synth tones

      • etc.

    • Design your melody with a "rise" and "fall" of tone throughout the melody. Changes in volume and energy will make the song interesting to listeners.

• Dance-ability

  • People love to dance and have fun. Try incorporating instruments and rhythms that encourage listeners to get up and dance!