How to Choose Cheerleading Music

In cheerleading, there's nothing better than a great piece of music for your competition routine. A solid beat, driving sound and variation in music are integral components of an interesting squad routine. Finding the right music for your cheerleaders does not have to be a difficult task, and can mean the difference between a lifeless routine and one that inspires a crowd to jump up and dance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

The Best Music For Your Squad

1. Consider using pre-made cheer mix CDs for non-competitive routines. Cheer mix compilations can be found at specialty shops and online and offer Top 40, 80's music, and other crowd-pleasing, recognizable tunes to choose from, specially arranged for use by cheerleading squads. This option typically proves useful for squads on a budget and provides the right amount of music variation and punctuated sound effects to accompany a diverse and interesting routine.

2. Enlist the help of a musician. This may be a friend who is musically adept or one of several services online that specialize in custom cheerleading music. These sites will take information about your squad and routines and tailor music to fit a squad's original identity and strengths.

3. Choose songs with multiple tempo changes and break sections which complement strong and varied choreography. Also, be sure your selections include some featured sound effects. These serve to highlight key moments in the routine, but be advised that a string of endless sound effects can prove distracting and make your cheer too campy.

4. Rally around anything with a great beat. Energetic tunes prompt audience members to stomp their feet and clap their hands without thinking. Solid beats in a particular musical selection automatically engage a crowd.

5. Pick music that is appropriate for both your squad and your audience. Don't choose remixed hits of the 1940's for cheering at a middle school football game or risqué top 40 fare for the Senior Olympics.

Tips & Warnings

• If cheering competitively, avoid using premade cheer mixes and lean toward having custom routine music made. While it is more costly, it will save you the embarrassment of another squad showing up with the same song you are using. This scenario could lead to bored judges and much lower scores than you want.
• When developing a custom music mix, be careful not to mix musical themes. This can throw off the flow of a routine and may prove disastrous with judges in a competitive setting. Bluegrass, hip hop, and disco do not belong in the same song.

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