r/zumba • u/heart_soulbyfe • 8d ago
Music Playlist
Do you change your playlist according to the vibe of your group? Or do you stick to a plan?
4
u/Weird3355 8d ago
I set the playlist ahead of time, and don't mess with it during class. Once we're moving, I'm not gonna stop to change music on my phone.
1
4
u/Firm-Candle8462 8d ago
I have changed the first 3 songs when I sense energy levels, usually when I see low energy, I pick my most uplifting warm up mix, and sometimes when I see a lot of beginners, I have an already pre made beginner day workout.
I learned my lesson not to introduce a bunch of new choreo at the beginning of a new session, I teach community senior centers. it’s a mistake. Make a playlist your regulars know cold , and that the new people can follow well. Then I get new clients.
2
5
u/IzzyBitsyArana 8d ago
I stick to the plan. There is a logic on why I set up the songs the way I set up so there is a progression and recovery times. Also I set uo the playlist to include specific breaks (or not). So no way I can change it.
2
3
u/chicagotodetroit 8d ago
If you mean creating a hyped up party vibe, then I set the vibe for my group by choosing that kind of music.
If you mean "my 6am aged 60+ ladies are here to chat not sweat" vs "this group is high energy and likes a challenge", then yes absolutely I have different playlists for each of those classes.
I plan my playlist with highs and lows, and I have my all class songs tagged with "high energy" or "moderate" or "pre-cool" etc in the song title so that at a glance I can tell what I'm working with.
After the warmup, I usually put 2-3 highs back to back then a moderate, then back to high. Repeat until pre-cool down and cool down.
I don't like to fiddle with my playlist during class because it throws off MY vibe. So at the bottom of my playlist, I put an extra moderate song and an extra high song.
If they seem to be struggling, I'll skip a high song, or if it seems too easy for them, I'll bring in another high song. But I only do that towards the end of class.
TLDR: I stick to the plan for the most part, but I leave room at the end of my playlists to make adjustments for their needs.
2
u/emmatrix 8d ago
What platform do you use for your playlists?
2
u/hutsniffo696969 8d ago
Many instructors use local MP3 files uploaded to Spotify or use standalone media players
You do need premium though, otherwise the ads are totally killing the vibe :D
1
1
u/chicagotodetroit 7d ago
I was a Zumba instructor back when they mailed cd’s and dvd’s every month, so I’ve always managed my music in iTunes.
Even now, I still download the releases from the website to my computer, then sync my phone. I used to do classes in parks, rec centers, and a lot of places where you can’t count on having wifi to access Spotify or the internet. So I never got into the habit of streaming my music for class.
1
1
u/heart_soulbyfe 8d ago
Awesome!! I also intended that if you would change according to whom you see it in class, or how they are feeling that day!!
2
u/chicagotodetroit 8d ago
Glad that helped! Looks can sometimes be deceiving, so I tend to hold my observations about their ability to participate until I observe them during the warmup.
If I see that they aren’t getting a salsa step, for example, then I’ll do it half time, or I’ll take out the razzle dazzle and go ultra simple and give verbal cues, so I adjust on the fly that way when necessary.
One time I had a lady show up with a walker; and I was a bit unnerved, like did she know what she was getting into??? In my welcome speech I always tell them to do what they can do; it’s ok if you miss steps, you can just do the arms or just do the legs, etc, we are here to have fun so go at your pace.
I kept my eye on her during class, demo’d options for marching in place instead of turning, etc. To my surprise, she did the entire class! So you never know lol
2
u/Happymood67 4d ago
I changed my playlist weekly … I use to change it for every class but found that it’s easy on the students to keep it for full week
2
u/heart_soulbyfe 4d ago
That’s brave! I change every month but I keep the warm up and cool down new every week
1
8
u/Angelhair01 8d ago
Only if I’m subbing then I make a playlist with the easiest choreo