Conducting tips?

Question

I am going to conduct my high school band sometimes (more for fun and experience than anything) and I know the basics of conducting from watching band/choir directors, but I don't really feel capable myself. Any good ideas?

Answer 1

Find out ahead of time what song you will be conducting and check out the time signature so you know if your conducting pattern will be have 2, 3 or 4 beats. Also check for any CHANGES in the time signature in the piece! Hopefully you will have PLAYED this music so you know how it sounds. Imagine the music in your mind and practice conducting it. Be sure you know how to START the piece - are you going to count off or just give the upbeat? And know how to cut-off as well.

Also, just for experience, LISTEN to band or orchestra music and conduct it while watching yourself in a mirror.

Answer 2

well, if you are going to conduct a band, you should have some experience. you should first approach the ex-conducter, and ask for some tips. then, after you've learned some basic tips, take a score, and conduct it yourself, [no instruments] just keep practicing conducting the score, and when you actually havve to conduct the band you won't have much trouble

Answer 3

Big one - make sure each beat is a clear point in your conducting patttern and don't slide through it. Make sure each beat takes place at approximately the same place in each pattern as well. If the downbeat is just below chest height for the first measure, it should be there for every measure, not travel down to waist height, for one measure, back to your chest for the next, etc.

Make sure your conducting matches the music, meaning if it's a soft part of the peice, you don't want to be making big dramatic gestures and movements with your arms.

Without overwhelming you with details and things to think about, those are the main points that you should keep in mind if you want to keep it fun.

Answer 4

Show a strong downbeat.

Read a book on conducting technique.