Conducting?

Does anyone happen to know were I could get basic skills about conducting, a book, a website or anything. I just wanted to know, If I ever happen to perform some of my peices. I'm not the artist conductor like some of them, not to mention any names (Simon Rattle):), just a basic runthrough, cues, timesignature, expression you know what I mean.

I have never dared to start a thread with that question, luckily someone did!

What I now so far about conducting is to give cues with one hand and show the tempo with the other, using the patterns that you use for sight reading (down-left-right-up for 4/4 , down-right-up for 3/4, etc). You probably have read Paul Hindemith, his book is great for that sort of training in order to give cues with different rhythms while you keep the tempo steady, and not only for piano playing as many people think.

I'm working with a very good conductor at the school where I teach, I will be probably learning a lot more from him. I'll ask if he knows about any book. I'm really not willing to start a degree on conducting, at least not right now.

Any other clue from someone else? I would like to get a good book on conducting, and/or some tips!

Cheers

From what I've seen there are 2 major styles of conducting. The first of which is as diegord put it: ie, you keep tempo with one hand (usually your dominant hand) while giving cues and dynamics with the other. The second is similar, but instead of marking strict tempo with your dominant hand you mark specific notes. Its much easier when changing tempo constantly, but not as clear when parts are rhythmically distinct.

You kind of have to find your own style. There are some common cues and signals you can use, but, so long as its clear to the performers what you are indicating, it couldn't matter less exactly what you do. I tend to stay pretty well half way between the above mentioned styles. I usually indicate tempo with my right hand, though not very strictly (if I need to indicate syncopated monophonic rhythms (or something of that nature) I'll indicate it note by note). I've found that simply reducing or increasing the movement in my right hand helps to indicate where to crescendo or diminuendo respectfully. My left hand, meanwhile, indicates cues, helps control dynamic levels and sometimes marks a separate rhythm in another part (only when necessary...it can be pretty tricky).

Mess around with some ideas, try conducting your stereo from time to time (to a song you know) and hammer out what signals you think you should use and when. Then try using the same techniques to conduct a real group (if you get the opportunity). Good luck!

Try going here:

The Concert Band

and click on the conducting link on the left side.

All the basics and (most) everything you need to know

Well, stuff like the hand patterns is easy to learn. The hard stuff if having your own style and working that into the basics. I'm still a beginner, but I think I know the basic steps.

First, you need to mastic the basics. Practice conducting with your main hand and staying on beat in 2, 3, and 4 patterns (and make sure the ictus is consistent). Then, practice cues on each beat while still staying in time. Once you've got that down, you can start working on dynamics, style, ect.

Thanks everyone for the responses and concerning Pianoman's comment, I do condct to a stereo sometimes and everybody thinks if really funny,but it's fun (and a workout)

Something that also works out with my young students that I forgot to mention is that, the measure before giving the cue, I show that group of performers the palm of my hand (sort of saying STOP!), to make sure they don't start playing before they are expected to. Then I indicate the previous beat with an upward motion and give the cue.

Thanks everyone! penguinsbyc's link is excellent, check it out. It's just what I had been looking for.

A book that is used in many undergraduate conducting courses, and the one I own, is "Conducting Technique: For Beginners And Professionals" by Brock McEhlran. There is too much to learn and too much to practice for you to learn all the skills needed by using an online site.

Sure, you can learn the basic 4/4 pattern. But are you practicing making sure your hand hits the same bounce point every time? Does your hand have a good, natural bounce? Or are you lagging behind? What about rits, accel., cresc. and decresc.? Fermatas?

Life will be much easier with a good book.

Well, stuff like the hand patterns is easy to learn. The hard stuff if having your own style and working that into the basics. I'm still a beginner, but I think I know the basic steps.

First, you need to mastic the basics. Practice conducting with your main hand and staying on beat in 2, 3, and 4 patterns (and make sure the ictus is consistent). Then, practice cues on each beat while still staying in time. Once you've got that down, you can start working on dynamics, style, ect.

Good advice. To add on, practicing changing time signatures is almost essential. And knowing when to use what beat patterns. The 3/4 pattern can be used for many different time signatures, depending on the tempo of the piece.