[PNCarl]

I know I do this, but I always wondered if others did. For some reason I connected a song off my iPod to my Kendo and if I listen to it before practice it's almost meditative. Does anyone else do something similar or have a song the connect to their experiences of practicing Kendo. the song for me is "Indestructible" by Disturbed. Let me hear what you guys think. I always get the most interesting responses to stuff like this here.

[Kubasarika]

The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack. Maybe a little stereotypical, but it's good stuff and it's relaxing. If I'm out doing my walks/runs, or at-home suburi, though, it's all about the Hip-Hop. Aesop Rock, Aceyalone, and Flobots.

[mussmicky]

It's not Kendo without this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w

[grinaJanoDant]

I don't listen to music before kendo and no songs run through my mind during kendo. I guess I don't think of any connection between kendo and music for me.

[TamreuddyRada]

It doesn't matter what I listen to, but I imagine that anyone else watching my kendo probably has this soundtrack playing in their heads.

[Z2sc8gEz]

Book 'em Dano

It's not Kendo without this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w

[Eugen80]

No music for me. You get accustomed to a certain routine when dealing with competitive events. When things remind you of that routine it puts you in that mental context, like getting pumped up or putting your game face on or whatever you call it. If I started trying the musical approach, then it would become habit and I like to be able to gear up for shiai and gradings in a serious fashion without the need for any outside motivation.

And I may sound like an old man, but when I see people warming up for shiai and stuff with ipods on, it just doesn't look right to me. Kendo is more than a sport or a game and the musical approach reminds me of that. Although yes, shiai is still just a sport and a game as well. Hopefully you know what I mean so let's not go there.

[Reatclaplen]

This begs the question: What would Musashi listen to?

[Fiesialenp]

For practices I usually run right after dinner so I don't have time to listen to music. Our practice space is also in a gym so we'll hear the aerobics music from next door (kendo + dance music = weird warmups), or random stuff from the basketball courts. For competition, I usually don't take my ipod with me unless I know it'll be secure. So I don't associate any one kind of music with kendo. Although, there is a song I listen to in order to ground myself (in general, not for kendo): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE6VplMujzQ ("Horror Head", by Curve).

[Plonnikas]

The purpose of music before a sporting event or competition(for me) is to control anxiety & get creative juices flowing. There is a lot of research out there about how music improves alot of things like memory, understanding, mood, etc...

[huedaanydrax]

Im a loser baby.......so why dont you kill me......... Beck Rocks. In all honesty I listen to jazz on the way to class. Relaxing.

[LymnInvinny]

I do listen to music before kendo, but by the time jigeiko (or even kihon) rolls around, I can't think of a time when any of the songs have ever remained in my mind.

[Ruidselisse]

For whatever reason, I had 'Do re mi' from the Sound of Music stuck in my head at the last shiai.
It must have had some influence, as I scored two gyaku-do's in the last fight to bring the match to the taisho.

[newpiknicker]

I listen to rap, US and French. It's nice a feeling to go from an amped up state to one of quiet by the time class is over.

[Khurlxgq]

This begs the question: What would Musashi listen to?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_IKcMl_a9A#t=1m47s

[u8MmZFmF]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5f_gbzo4Q0

[RG3rGWcA]

All Along the Watchtower - Bear McCreary.
Actually all of the drum-heavy pieces of the BSG soundtrack.
Or simply picturing Bill Adama.
Makes me such a badass.

[i6mbwwdh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHmskwqCCQ


this.

[shumozar]

And I may sound like an old man, but when I see people warming up for shiai and stuff with ipods on, it just doesn't look right to me. Kendo is more than a sport or a game and the musical approach reminds me of that. Although yes, shiai is still just a sport and a game as well. Hopefully you know what I mean so let's not go there.

I completely agree with that. To me, my worldly things such as music stop the second I enter a dojo or taikai ground. I do listen to my music on my way there, though, because I love music, it's a big part of my life. And I like to listen to battle music when I'm on my way to a shiai or other out of dojo events just to get into the right mindset. I'm not very competitive by nature so I need a bit of a push. ^_^

But yeah, when I see people warming up at shiai with their iPod on it makes me wonder a bit. It just seems so out of place.

[JosephNF]

Sankyu through Ikkyu tests remind me of this music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXFZckzjcKw

Especially the repeated ai-men. Begin at 1:20....