Introduction to Conducting Ready, Begin

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Introduction to Conducting Ready, Begin"

Harriet Boyd
6 years ago
Views:

Introduction to Ready, Begin Lesson 1 Introduction: The well-rounded musician should be familiar with and be able to demonstrate the basics of traditional conducting technique.

2 Introduction to Ready, Begin Lesson 1 Introduction: The well-rounded musician should be familiar with and be able to demonstrate the basics of traditional conducting technique. Directors should be able to clearly indicate, volume levels, phrasing, accents, etc. by their gestures. Performers who understand conducting patterns will be able to better understand and follow the gestures of a competent music director. Notes: 1. of conducting a. Provide musical direction and leadership b. the musical presentation c. Interpret inherent musical d. Ensure musical variety and vitality e. Encourage musical 2. and stance stand like a singer; lead the group in standing well 3. Conduct the pulse or takt with the hand, even if you are left-handed a. Palm downward b. Fingers curved and relaxed c. Flexible wrist d. Connect thumb and index finger to create a point 4. Basics of the conducting pattern a. beat direct one beat before the performers begin; communicates the tempo, dynamic level and style of the music, and causes the performers to breathe together b. the first beat of each measure, indicated by a vertical, downward motion directly in front of the director c. precise instant of the rhythmic pulse or beatpoint; indicated by a bounce or flick of the wrist d. the upward bounce following the ictus; should never be more than half the height of a downbeat (unless directing in 1) e. a looping or pinching motion made at the end of a section or piece to indicate the precise moment performers are to cut off the sound 1. Preparatory beat 2. Downbeat 3. Flick of the wrist 4. Ictus of beat one 5. Rebound 6. Cut-off End with thumb and index finger together, palm down Start here with open hand, palm up Leadership Beautiful, unified music only comes through excellent organization, management and leadership. Study the following Bible passages carefully to see the incredible organization of the temple music program. (2 Chronicles 5:13) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD. (1 Chronicles 25:6) All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. Everything rises and falls on leadership. Dr. Lee Roberson pattern basics, from the conductor s viewpoint

3 Introduction to Lesson Notes Notes 1

4 Introduction to Homework Assignments Homework 1 1. Practice standing like a singer. On at least 5 different occasions, practice using a singer's stance. 1. Feet about a foot apart, one slightly ahead of the other 2. Knees relaxed and slightly bent 3. Pelvis tucked under slightly 4. Back tall and straight 5. Shoulders held firmly back and down 6. Arms relaxed and slightly bent at elbows 7. Back of neck tall, chin parallel with floor 2. Practice holding the right hand correctly On at least 5 different occasions, practice holding your main conducting hand correctly. 1. Hold your hand out, palm downward 2. Bring the thumb and end of index finger together 3. Allow middle, ring and little fingers to remain curved and relaxed 4. Allow the wrist to remain relaxed and flexible 3. Memorize the parts of the conducting pattern Memorize all six parts of the conducting pattern and be able to identify their names, descriptions and parts of the diagram. 4. Study for quiz Review the outline and notes taken during the video lesson. The quiz will consist of 10 multiple choice questions taken mainly from the lesson outline.

5 Finding the Pulse And-a 1, 2, 3, 4 Lesson 2 Introduction: The first step to conducting the pulse of the music is to determine how many are in each measure by taking a close look at the time signature. In this lesson, we will learn how to decipher the time signature so we can choose the correct conducting pattern to use. Notes: 1. The time signature is a set of two, one on top of the other, located to the right of the clef sign and key signature. It indicates the number of notes per measure in the music. a. Bottom number put a 1 over it to determine the type of note used as the basis of rhythm in each measure: i. A 2 indicates a 1/2 (half) note time signature ii. A 4 indicates a 1/4 (quarter) note iii. An 8 indicates a 1/8 (eighth) note b. Top number indicates the number of these notes (or their equivalent) found in each measure. For example: i. 3/4 indicates three quarter (1/4) notes per measure ii. 6/8 indicates six eighth (1/8) notes per measure. 2. Time signatures found in common practice a. meter the main beat is subdivided into 2 equal parts. Simple time signatures are conducted using the number as the number of beats per measure. Simple Meters Example Pattern #316 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus* 2 (4 if slow) #150 My Faith Has Found a Resting Place 3 #399 Shall I Empty-Handed Be? 4 #439 Count Your Blessings 2 #244 Amazing Grace 3 #121 Like a River Glorious 4 b. meter the main beat is subdivided into 3 equal parts. If the song is performed very slowly, the conductor can direct in 3 (easy) or can use the top number (advanced). Normally, however, you will divide the top number by. Compound Meters Example Slow (Easy) Slow Fast #270 Just As I Am #306 Have Thine Own Way, Lord #427 We Three Kings #173 Love Lifted Me #264 Once for All #247 Saved, Saved * All page numbers taken from the Soul-Stirring Songs and Hymns book. Signature Stats The Soul-Stirring Songs and Hymns book contains the following number of time signatures: % % % % % % 7 1.5% 5 1.0% 3 0.6% 2 0.4% 1 0.2% 1 0.2% Summary: 47% 4 beats 29% 2 beats 24% 3 beats Watch Out! Time Changes: Many songs have a chorus with a different time signature than the verse. For example, the song Saved, Saved (#247) starts off in 12/8 time, then changes to 6/8 time at the chorus. Mixed Signatures: Some songs alternate between different time signatures from measure to measure. For example, Christ Returneth (#74) has a time signature of 3/4 4/4.

6 Finding the Pulse Lesson Notes Notes 2

7 Finding the Pulse Homework Assignments Homework 2 1. Practice identifying simple and compound meter Find at least 10 different songs, identify the time signature in each one, and determine if it is in simple or compound meter. Check your attempts with the charts given on the lesson outline. 2. Determine beat patterns Choose at least 20 songs. On a piece of paper write down the song number and the title of each song. Next identify the song as either simple or compound. If the song is in simple meter, write down the top number of the time signature--this is beat pattern you would use. If the song is compound, write down "3," the top number of the time signature, and the top number of the time signature divided by 3. These are your choices when conducting songs in compound meter. Retain this paper for following lessons! Example: 244. Amazing Grace, simple meter, Love Lifted Me, compound meter, 3, 6, or 2 3. Study for quiz Review the outline and notes taken during the video lesson. The quiz will consist of 10 multiple choice questions taken mainly from the lesson outline.

Techniques for Improving and Expanding Gestural Vocabulary Common Problems and Solutions for Conductors

Preparatory Stance Techniques for Improving and Expanding Gestural Vocabulary Common Problems and Solutions for Conductors Balanced weight Feet shoulder width apart (pivot points) Body alignment Shoulders