CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
For Beginners and Professionals
BROCK McELHERAN
NEW YORK
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
1966
1 . V:’.
1
!
Copyright © 1964, 1966 by Brock McElheran
Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 66-21847
10
Printed in the United States of America
FOREWORD
Should we teach conducting? Are there not far too many conduc¬
tors in the world of music today? The student bent on conducting
is often the least worthy and the least promising. He is the kind
who, instead of working on himself and improving his musician-
ship, dreams of working on others, dreams of baton glory, podium
glory, of elegantly illustrating the music with the drama of his
gestures. In short, should we encourage the conducting mania? In
answer to these misgivings there is this to say: True, there are
legions of conductors and conductorial aspirants, but there is a
distinct shortage of good conductors. The writer of this book is
one. He has impressed me more than once by the lucid and in¬
ventive approach to conducting problems, by the ease with which
he teaches performers some very complex and novel performing
tasks. He has never succumbed to the vainglorious attitude men¬
tioned above which has made the conducting profession intellec¬
tually suspect. He is dedicated and devoted to the music he is per¬
forming and the performing group he is conducting.
This double dedication lies at the root of the profession. Mr.
McElheran's book starts at the very beginning and ends with some
remarkably profound insights on conductorial subtleties. He in¬
cludes all music; even our so-called avant-garde is within his scope.
He realizes that we are heading toward a new type of conductor,
one who performs a difficult task indeed: the unraveling of new
music, of new notations, the teaching of new methods to helpless,
though often professional, performers. It is my feeling that a con¬
ductor is primarily a teacher; at least, teaching is his primary func¬
tion at rehearsals. He holds the score in his hands. The individual
performer has but his own part. Interpretation, yes, but essentially
r : :: 'T.G
VI
FOREWORD
conducting is teaching, making the notes work. Essential here is
the conductor's inner vision: what the sound at a given moment
should be. At this point the ears take over—detect the error, make
a quick diagnosis, find and propose a remedy. An experienced con¬
ductor is one in whom this threefold action—detection, diagnosis,
remedy—takes place simultaneously, almost in a flash: as he hears
the error, he realizes where the fault lies and what to do about it.
This book gives valuable hints about these three basic conductorial
functions, and it gives these from the viewpoint of chorus and
orchestra alike. The uniqueness of this book can be traced back to
the current instrumental point of departure. A well-rounded con¬
ductor is at home in all music, choral and orchestral, old and new.
Mr. McElheran's personal musicianship sets an example here; so
does the firmness combined with gentle humor with which he leads
the student toward mastery of the problems at hand. Conductors,
wise ones, use just these methods to obtain the best from their
musicians. Let no one forget that a conductor, just like a teacher, is
only as good as the result he obtains from the work of others.
Lukas Foss
PREFACE
Most books on conducting either slight conducting technique itself
or else delve deeply into every possible complexity which the hu¬
man brain can conceive. It is hoped that this small volume will
help train young conductors or improve experienced professionals
by concentrating primarily on conducting technique without being
unduly abstruse.
Several concepts are stated which have not appeared in print be¬
fore, as far as is known. While following internationally accepted
general principles of conducting, certain modifications in beat pat¬
terns and other technical matters are described which are felt to be
more scientific than those frequently encountered. These have
proven invaluable in performance. A few cows held sacred in some
quarters are examined and dealt with in what is hoped is a reason¬
ably humane manner.
The book is designed to be used by both choral and instrumental
conductors, and by beginners and professionals (that is, anyone
who is regularly employed in the conducting field, including school,
university, church, concert, and opera musicians.) It is felt that
the beginner, with some help from a friend or preferably a teacher,
can start his training with this as a textbook, while the advanced
musician will find much to cause him to re-examine his thinking
and possibly revise his conducting habits. At the end of each chap¬
ter are separate assignments for beginners and for professionals de¬
siring to strengthen any weaknesses.
With beginners, the suggested course of instruction should last
several months; they must not be rushed. It takes time to form a
secure, facile and almost instinctive technique. The professional
may read the entire book in an evening, picking up a few sugges¬
tions here and there, or devote several weeks to practising.
vii
PREFACE
viii
Certain 20th century techniques are introduced at an early stage.
It is found that this develops a more solid foundation for contem¬
porary music than when left until later, as is the case in most older
texts (if not ignored completely).
The musical illustrations are extremely simple, being mostly
pitchless rhythms. It is felt that the complicated motions of con¬
ducting are more easily understood if at first applied to such frag¬
ments, rather than to the highly complex examples sometimes
used. Similar passages are given as technical exercises. More can
be written by the student or teacher in a few minutes. While not
artistic, they bear the same relation to conducting that etudes or
vocalises do to solo performance.
In no cases is it necessary to tum to musical examples outside
this volume in order to understand the text. Authors who con¬
stantly urge readers to “look up the third movement of so-and-so's
such-and-such show a lack of understanding of the undergraduate
mind and also of library hours.
Many of the technical drills suggested can profitably be practised
alone, or with only one or two friends as guinea pigs. One reason
is to help a beginner gain security before being subjected to the
terrifying gaze of a group and the devastating comments of his
professor. Moreover, too many conducting teachers expect their
students to develop technique in the few minutes per month in
which they can conduct a large organization. One of the most im¬
portant principles of the writer's method is to practise conducting
much as one would an instrument. Many suggestions are given
along this line.
Descnbing^ motions in words is difficult. Hence it is hoped that
the reader will use. a large amount of common sense in applying
the principles herein stated, especially in unusual situations. The
atter ave usually been omitted, partly to save space and partly
because the directions for conducting a highly complicated passage
are usually harder to figure out than the problem itself. Attempting
to cross all the possible bridges in the world in advance is a tedious
waste of time.
. Ir ! arra ^g in § the order of chapters an attempt has been made to
insulate those on highly technical subjects by interspersing others
PREFACE
IX
of a more general nature. This provides more time for the assim¬
ilation of the intricate physical actions, as well as variety of reading.
An instructor may assign the chapters in a different order without
difficulty.
The first poor cow to be destroyed is the Italian plural of such
common words as “concerto.” This book will use * s, as in
“pianos.” Countless musicians say “concerti” and “celli” but
never “viole” and “sonate”!
May I express my deepest indebtedness to the four conducting
teachers with whom I studied formally—Ettore Mazzoleni, Nicho¬
las Goldschmidt, Stanley Chappie, and the late Pierre Monteux;
the many conducting greats and not-so-greats from whom I have
learned so many do's and don't's; the seven hundred students,
young and less young, who have patiently listened to these words
over the years and can now read them; the numerous orchestras
and choirs who have proved to me what works and what doesn t;
and finally my wife, for things too numerous to mention, including
many of the important points under the chapter on nerves!
Brock McElheran
Potsdam , N.Y.
February 1966
CONTENTS
Foreword v
Preface vii
I Inspiration 3
II Other Studies 7
III Conducting Technique—General 9
IV The Baton 13
V Odds and Ends 15
VI Beat Patterns—Theory 16
VII Beat Patterns—Specific 22
VIII The Left Hand 37
IX Dynamics, Accents, Phrasing, Tempo, Character 39
X Cues 46
XI Off-Beat Cues, Accents, and Syncopations 50
XII Conducting to Records 54
a
pit
CONTENTS
XIII More Odds and Ends 57
XIV Starts and Stops 64
XV Subdivision and “Merging” 76
XVI Moulding the Music 83
XVII Fermatas 85
XVIII Ears 91
XIX Nerves 93
XX Thoughts on Interpretation 95
XXI Some Rehearsal Suggestions 103
XXII Solos and Recitatives 109
XXIII Changing Beat Units 113
XXIV The Avant-Garde 120
XXV The Concert 122
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Chapter I
INSPIRATION
The most important requirement in a conductor is the ability to
inspire the performers. This might be given other names: leader¬
ship, hypnotic power, contagious enthusiasm, or just good teaching
ability (for a rehearsal is simply a class in which the conductor
teaches the performers how to play the music). Perhaps it is best
described in a simple phrase: making the performers want to
DO THEIR BEST.
The point seems so obvious as to be almost trite. Nevertheless,
when students are asked to state the most essential single attribute
in conducting, they usually list every other conceivable requirement
but forget the most important. Therefore a few comments on this
subject are warranted.
Leadership is both a long-range and a short-range matter. A con¬
ductor must develop in each of his performers:
1. A desire to belong to the group.
2. A pride of membership when accepted.
3. The willingness to practise the music on his own time and to
keep his technique and himself in top shape.
4. The willingness to attend all rehearsals regularly and punc¬
tually, despite conflicts and inconveniences.
5. The willingness to work hard at rehearsals, and not just have
a pleasant time running through the easy parts.
6. The desire to give the utmost, technically and emotionally,
when the concert takes place.
It is impossible to teach how to achieve these objectives. Each de-
3
4
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
pends on the circumstances, such as the age and technical level of
§™ U P- fferns one and two may be helped in the case of the
JNew York Philharmonic by increasing the season to fifty-two weeks;
wit a junior high school chorus free soft drinks and a membership
a ma y w r ork wonders. Everything must be done to increase the
prestige of the group and its members; they must feel they were
carefully selected and have a reputation to uphold. The group that
as to re y on members who think they are doing the conductor a
avor is incapable of a great performance. Conductors must spend
muc time pondering such problems. It is no use learning long lists
ot baroque ornaments if no one wants to play them under you.
f ■ earSa ^ S ’ * be conduc t° r ™ust show a judicious mixture of
triendly persuasion, sternness, humor, patience, sympathetic under-
s an ing, praise, correction, emotional fervor, and occasionally a lit-
e ouc of steel. An atmosphere that is continually namby-pamby
f” 1 , -r *°P° rific - Yet, on the other hand, few people will do their
best if they are constantly being tom apart.
Most of the qualities of good leadership are the same, whether
app ~ £ °. coac hmg a team, running an organization, or conduct-
ing. Be fair; don’t play favorites; give the newcomer a chance; be
consistent m discipline; make the punishment fit the crime each
t Tr C ** * S necessar y; know your field; prepare your ma-
enal; be willing to accept suggestions from the members; be will-
:i :: ha X your . ldeas when they do not work out; but, on the
rather Jw *■ PO f tlVe ' Y ° U are tbe toss; most musicians would
°5 t0 . P la Y something a certain way even if they do not
fne condnet lk w ** sub ) ected t0 a constantly vacillat-
t™ t W ° rkmg Wlth committees is helpful, but eventually
whTri 17 t0 rcmind them that the conductor is the
publ f ^ view and tak< ? blame for what goes wrong.
S ™ °Z Ti ave th . e final “y* Musical organizations are the
ta -its; d “;r benevolenl dicla,orships ' we hope -
^ ~
INSPIRATION
5
i Study problems of leadership. Think about every group you
have “ Y bL„ in, musical 0, othenvise. WU* ^ P"
like? Why? Which ones were unsuccessful? Why? Can you list a
few do’s and don’t’s yourself? Why did you like your scoutmaster
and hate your football coach? Attend every rehearsalyou ^and
talk to members of groups, musical and nonmusica . Certain
do they admire in their president? What is so good ubout ^ertai
conductor? How did they like it when he did such-and-such
^Then apply these points to your conducting. You cannot imitate
anyone else! you must be yourself. But you can apply basic rute
L Study as much as possible about music and related subjects
general and the score you are conducting m P arh 5 jl ar ;
increase the respect felt for you by the performers. Whdepedantry
and a showing-off of knowledge are of course undesirable co
mand of your subject is vital. A musician soon senses whether
not he knows more about what you are supposed to be domg t
you do, and reacts accordingly. Many a player has said about a con¬
ductor, “I don’t like him much, but he certainly knows lus stuffi
Choose music you love. If you have a passionate desire to hear
a certain piece performed a certain way, it somehow takes ^“
you and makes you a better leader than you really are. Colorless
and timid people often become incandescent when conducti g,
simply because P they are transformed by the music. Sometimes we
are required to conduct works we do not like; most of us are very
lukewarm and insipid on such occasions. ,
4 Choose youi proper work level. Some ronductors do well with
older people, while others are best with those their own age, som
shine with talented performers, while others are ill at ease bang
more effective with beginners. In the education field the conductor
who was a failure at handling high school students in a rough d
trict may be a success with junior high in a more intellectual neigh-
b °q h °Take a personal interest in your players. They are people, not
mobile instrument holders. Some need encouragement others cnt-
icism A little consideration at a time of trouble is deeply appre¬
ciated. Suggesting to the second oboe that he leave the rehearsal
6
^uinuuc jing TECHNIQUE
r 0 un S a °rp h n f he Can Visit hiS Sick child before the hospital’s visiting
IZl he Z1 n0t at the decent thin § to do > bu t P mav also ^
section 3nd hCnCe Ae P k - Vin g of *e entire woodwind
iov pkvTna^nL 01 ^ 1 COnductin § technique. Musicians usually en-
him 1 lor amuiSnrTT Wh ° * CaSy t0 folIow ’ and *4*®
they are constantlvtn^ ^° r , tC0 ™ n S s - 0n th e other hand, when
Wng £ t lcul iom ^ ^ C0D -
groujTmanagement T* F ^ 0n Pr0bIemS ° f leadershi P'
useless as i/usuallv ,^ Scip ^ ne ' etc - However, most of it would be
if °V be exact detaiIs of the situation -
portance of these mattere^foDo *5 naseIves of the enormous un¬
common sense it S5’ ? e SU ^ estl0ns above, and use
Auencing People P than lon § IlSts of Rub * for In-
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
;• i S" ,he y»» hove eve, k„„™.
Profeltl d S: rehearSalS *' 2Ver > P° Ssib le hpe of group.
1_ tence^f iSdenhip! 1 ^ ^ 316 coastaatl y aware °f the impor-
yourSf what iHs h lfke C ° ndUCt0rS 3$ mUCh 35 P ° SSlble ’ to remind
Comi°de?tS! ther y ° U l0V£ the ™ yon choose,
type of group. 1 >0U are SUre y0U are workin § with the right
2 .
3 -
4 -
Chapter II
OTHER STUDIES
One of the faults of many conductors, young and old, is lack of
background. They become preoccupied with the thnils and details
of their concerts and forget that a vast amount of knowledge is re¬
quired for good conducting. Their ignorance is often woefully ap¬
parent in their interpretations. Even many of our “name conduct¬
ing virtuosos show astonishing ignorance when per orming o er
music, especially baroque.
Musical Subjects
The beginner must devote much more time to other musical sub¬
jects than to conducting itself. Harmony, counterpoint, ear train¬
ing, score reading, analysis, music history and literature, orchestra¬
tion, instrumental and vocal techniques are more important than
baton technique. He should perfect his solo ability to a point where
he can gain experience in interpretation through playing or singing
solos and participating in chamber and larger groups.
The professional, in addition to reviewing and filling in gaps in
his knowledge of the above subjects, should concentrate on two
main fields:
1. Interpretation. This will be discussed in Chapter
2. Music history and literature. The madrigalist should know
not only his own area, for he will be a better conductor if he hears
more classical chamber music or Wagnerian opera; the band man s
ignorance of Bach’s organ music and Brahms’s piano works may
account for a poor choice of tempos in band music; the choral per¬
son too often ignores symphonic music, and the pianist could leam
much from opera.
This could be considered in great detail, but one illustration may
indicate what is meant. In a performance of the Crucrfixus from
Bach’s Mass in B minor, the conductor used a popular edition
7
8
C
PIT
TECHNIQUE
Wet AettolneT^ ° f CrcScendo » and dos. He fol-
historv he would hawk* e * te ?' If be bad any awareness of music
nor the Neul g Ve known that neith er the old Bachgesellschaft
changes andlf edltl ° nS indiCated any voIume
time If he had heard ° & VirtualIy ™known in Bach’s
strina and g 2 T ^ kte Beeth ° ven Wagner, Pale-
parison that the " an P la,nson g> he would have realized by com-
FOdUCing W3S sensual t0 the'point
sublimity ’of the Lh'er ch^^ ?tdeaed someth mg closer to the
movements rather thaifthi^Tr^temlilre^or^. 01 '
is C ° Uld 136 8^-Northern New York
the Hudson Valiev enm enatlve! j thmk it hilly, but visitors from
tourist °V he flatness ‘ A transcontinental
Valley’s, and low , Com P ared the Hudson
with . the Rockies ’ but that * e
has pe^spectSe and a basl fn S Mua ^- ^ ex P erienced traveler
velop this in music hv t i* 1 * conductor must de-
turies. ‘ raveling through many styles of many cen-
* mutual OUDjectS
Hon Of how . have debated for generations the ques-
gneges are viX„d SSL' ?",£ ^V" °* h “ “U-
countries is something to he qf • f be ' terature and art of many
ture and music^av hdn " **: Parallels between amhitec-
of structure. Most musicians ll!” understandin g of the aesthetics
sound, but few have studied the v ab ° Ut the physical as P ec ts of
acoustics would prevent manv old? ^ f , SCie f ntific bac kground in
Even such unlikely subjects as me^TY 365 bein g accepted,
found of help. (TechliTou^ “ d Sp ° rts have *«“
weather maps have been «,,> t 5 ve ^°P ln g speed in plotting
Jtoinadrilfrohea^ohed^^ ‘° aght,eadi„|
honowed from trad and h 5 k ”t IeadetsI "P techmques have
On the other hand, there is an obvious limit to the amount of
OTHER STUDIES
9
time a student can spend on non-musical subjects and still develop
proficiency in his chosen field. One questions the value of courses
in which the emphasis seems to be on memorizing insignificant
details.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
i. Study all your other subjects.
Professionals:
1. Review basic musical subjects if they are rusty.
2. Study interpretation.
3. Hear as much music as possible.
4. Study art, architecture, literature, acoustics, etc.
Chapter III
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE—GENERAL
Having touched on important fields of study outside the scope of
this small book, we come to its main subject: conducting tech¬
nique.
Many conductors fail to realize the importance of conducting
technique itself. They accept sloppy entrances or choppy legates,
blaming the poor quality of their musicians, whereas the trouble
probably is caused by their own right arms. They study scores be¬
fore a rehearsal but never practise conducting; this is like a pianist
analyzing a concerto and working out the fingerings but never play¬
ing it except with an orchestra. Conducting technique must be
studied and practised, during the entire career of the conductor.
Conducting is the most treacherous field in music. A soloist
knows that the mistakes in a passage are his own fault and does
something about it. Many conductors are totally oblivious of their
own shortcomings.
In the field of music education, school groups frequently leam
only four or five pieces a year. They polish them up to a high de¬
gree, and the performances may be quite satisfactory. However, the
10
Xl>Vjr i r^rliN u Xi.
a wider m'* S - *°i rC3bze tb at they cou ^ learn more works and have
Ms th^T 1 ?^ K XPC f nCC if the ' V did not waste ^urs drilling de-
ta^k that could be perfected in much less time with a clearer tech-
inmoiSe nf Penm ^ nt USUally convinces a skeptical group of the
Anthem man' 3 conduc | or - Ask them to sing or play the National
by conducting 8 ™ 0 ’i? 10 t0 legat0 ’ re S a rdless of what you do. Start
your arms von/ 8 T C , aS you can; t h en change, contradicting with
Jar accents nr instructl0ns - Indic ate forte, with harsh, angu-
find it aim net • ^ ^ ‘ acca t°> or a broad maestoso. The group will
are calling for lmpos ? lb e to sing pp and legato when your actions
ance milk? a ° me bln 2 else, and the deterioration in the perform-
leeato the ' S ° niS ^^h 611 y° u return to conducting pp and
that the Derhrrm 0 ^™^^ 5 iemarka b le - (Of course, this assumes
ing this sSsiH > W3tCh tHe conductor - Suggestions for develop-
g tins sensitivity are given m Chapter XXI.) F
Choral vs. Instrumental
intotwo 6 SI? 6 " 6 h f ^ Cn 3 lamentable ten dency to split music
Sua^ been The ’ ^ ^ ! nStrumental - The choral man has
music mostlv « musician. He specialized in a cappella
age His scone of f Conducted every note he could man-
and tSSlTJ? ff y ^ b3rber Sh ° P
orchestra and band m V th dash of commercial radio. The
tic sin either much n f owever ' were not exactly free from artis-
•nd too L 'Bach cal^s” P ” l °° “ ny nigi,t club i obs
dh^."1^5,w y thC y i! a Sto "8 against such
yond their canabilitv d j Ch ° f tbe worlds great music is be-
numberofdSS? 3nd “demanding. There is an increasing
instrumental lusic ^ 3re 3t h ° me in 1x5111 choral and
and orchestra. ’ d C ° nduct works for combined chorus
—^ ^ to * s„^“^„?"ris,£
11
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE—GENERAL
tions, such as range, volume, agility, etc., but they also do so with
each instrument. The Benedictus from Mozart's “Coronation"
Mass is really a string quartet for voices; the clarinet melody in the
trio of the E Flat Symphony is a song. The Gloria of Beethoven's
Missa Solemnis starts with the first five notes of the scale, played
in double notes in the violins, reinforced in single notes by the
wind; then it is stated by human instruments called altos and
tenors, only now it has words; next it is given to trumpets. It is the
same tune each time; voice and instruments are used idiomatically,
but in the same general manner.
In the second movement of Stravinsky*s Symphonie de psaumes,
the flutes and oboes have a fugal exposition, based on an intricate
subject which would be hard to sing; then the voices enter with an¬
other fugal exposition, only the new subject is more suited tech¬
nically to the voice (or to horns or trombones or pedal timpani or
any other less agile instrument); meanwhile, some instruments ac¬
company the new subject with the old. There is no sudden change
of style or of concept—merely of tone, the frequency of large leaps,
and the addition of words.
This does not mean that the composers were not influenced by
the text. The point is that the notes themselves were basically the
same whether written for voices or instruments. Bach illustrates the
crowing of the cock in the St. John Passion with a broken domi¬
nant 7th chord in the continuo; in the Missa Solemnis Beethoven
symbolizes the Ascension with rising C major scales in the chorus;
the music was influenced by the words, but the notes themselves
were interchangeably vocal or instrumental.
Stockhausen and others even use vocal sounds at times purely for
their color or rhythmical effect rather than the meaning—an avant-
garde descendant of the Elizabethan's “fa la la" refrain.
Of course, there are cases when the rhythms and sometimes the
pitches are determined solely by the sound of the words: recitativo
secco y Anglican chant, and such passages as the start of the Libera
Me in the Verdi Requiem. These are the exceptions rather than the
mle.
To repeat: although there are many technical differences among
string, woodwind, keyboard, brass, percussion, and vocal instru-
12
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
merits, the Great Masters do not seem to have made a clear-cut
lfference between vocal and instrumental music.
dmittedly, the remarks above are arbitrary. But one concluding
point is not. If a conductor uses the so-called “choral style” (beat-
mg every note) , he and his choir have two grave limitations:
V . 5^ cannot perform with instrumentalists, whose whole
training has been to follow beat patterns.
2. They cannot perform music of a polyphonic nature. The con-
uctor simply does not have enough arms to give every part its
rhythm when each part is different.
„■ P* e § row 'i I }§ trend, therefore, is for all choral conductors to use
instrumental” technique: that is, to beat standard patterns, giving
the beats instead of the notes, as described in this book. The writer
is convinced that a good “orchestral technique” is superior to the
wa owings of the choral technique,” and all the best choirs he has
eard were conducted by directors using “orchestral technique.”
n arre chants, as mentioned above, are exceptions and need
special treatment.)
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1 ducting 3n ° rcheStral techni( l ue and apply it to choral con-
Professionals:
i- If you are a choral conductor, be sure you use orchestral tech¬
nique; work frequently with instrumentalists
2 ‘ LiT 3re a \r\ tmmenta l eductor, work with choirs as
me" C bU ! d0n,t Chan 2 e >’ our technique. (Just re¬
member that singers have to be given their starting pitches!)
Chapter IV
THE BATON
There are many myths about whether or not a conductor should
use a baton. Consider these in turn:
1. A baton should be used for an instrumental group and not for
a chorus.
Why? Choirs have to perform biting, incisive rhythms, the
same as a percussion section; violins have to sing smoothly,
like a chorus. What is good or bad for one is surely the same
for the other.
2. The baton gives a point to a beat.
Wrong. Many baton men have no point to their beat, whereas
it is possible to give a clear point without a baton.
3. A baton can be seen better than the hand.
It depends. From the left side of the conductor, against a dark
wall or suit, a white baton probably is seen better than the
hand; from in front against a white shirt, probably not. Re¬
cently a guest conductor directed 400 performers in the Verdi
Requiem, using a beige baton. After two or three rehearsals
some performers were discussing his technique. An instru¬
mentalist referred to the baton. Most of the chorus members
present were surprised to learn that one had been used. From
their places it was too far away to be seen.
4. A baton increases precision.
It may, but not if it cannot be seen, or if it is so long it whips
and bounces in a blur.
Leaving the realm of mythology, here are some further points
which stand up better to logical examination:
1. A baton adds a length of rigidity to a beat which detracts
from the flowing quality needed in a cantabile passage. Is it just
coincidence that one of the greatest cantabile conductors, Stokow¬
ski, never uses a baton?
2. A baton magnifies any hand quiver to a conspicuous degree.
x 3
14
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
!^fX 0pl f S hand$ trembIe Sli 8 htl y in a moment of tension, or
suSrf TC T US m ° VemenL A baton announces this to all and
Un A f 13 ^ Ing tbe con ductor seem very nervous.
rtip'mnnfr j 0 ]? S tbe band of an important function: indicating
maestoso 7 P ° Siti ° nS - F ° r Cxam P le ’ a inched te
outstretch r f e axed ’ fl ° Wmg movement for cantabile, one finger
But this rc - 0r preC1 1 S1 ° 1 n ’ tbe bttle fin § er raised f° r delicacy, etc.
be conrf>mf!f r ^ mUC ^ b ' 1 and P racti ce, and beginners should not
a 'lSTl Wltl l lt ‘ Therefore ' aI1 beginners should use a baton.
am tiwlc **?’ by £ enablmg its user to shorten the distance his
arm travels, reduces fatigue in a long or strenuous work.
holding the baton
to fl!e Itf' r "" er “ ,rif “ l »We with a baton until he changed
™ we,fLv V<X ? t ' d J by . K ' ne M° n teux—holding it as though
baton the hutt® h? 1 * Wllh soma,ne ' hands wrapped around the
Peculiar at W ?? v 6 ™* ae heel ° f the P 3 ^ Hus seemed
KTwhVtlih .? V ? much more contol “<• presides for
SattS " ett0ds d » erip is id on a Sy
Beginners:
1 Sn^soTonilh 1 ?-; W !! ite ’ With 3 Sma11 cork handle - If the
* Praaice swatting 'imaginary L", ^
p ,he *“ ^ ^
Professionals:
USe f bat ° n ; tn ’ the S ri P described above.
Also try getting along without.
If you never use a baton, buy one and try it
s the te ”- “rfhe’is^hS
1.
2 .
3 -
4 -
Chapter V
ODDS AND ENDS
THE PODIUM
There is no point in developing a refined conducting technique and
then not using a podium high enough for the performers to see you.
The bottom of the beat is what counts, not your eyes. Be sure that
when your arm is outstretched horizontal to the floor everyone can
see it without straining. But beware of being so high that nearby
instrumentalists are forced to look up at a sharp angle. If necessary,
move them farther from you. This will also help you hear the whole
group better. Keep your music stand almost horizontal and low
enough to conduct above it. Ask your men whether they can all see
you, and remind them to let you know any time your beat disap¬
pears.
POSTURE
As the performers cannot see what you do from the waist down
but the audience can, confine all movements to above the waist.
Keep your feet together and still. Every time you walk around you
are a distraction, and the players take a fraction of a second longer
to find you when they look up if you do not stay in the same place.
There is no excuse for bending, stooping, or knee bends. They
may make the conductor feel that he is doing a great job, but they
are merely distractions. Always maintain an attitude of alert watch¬
fulness. Never look casual or indifferent as it is highly contagious.
Make an exception if you want to relax the atmosphere in a tense
moment.
MANNERISMS
Everyone sooner or later develops irritating mannerisms without
realizing it. Once a young conductor marred an otherwise fine con¬
cert by constantly plunging his left hand into his pocket and rat¬
tling his keys. He asked for suggestions afterwards and was flabber-
*5
l6 CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
gasted when told that he had just performed a concerto grosso for
keys and orchestra.
Brushing hair off your forehead, scratching your ear—all these
little habits must be eradicated like weeds whenever they appear.
You cannot detect these peculiarities by yourself. You need a wife
or a critical friend ... or, at greater expense, a conducting teacher!
LEFT-HANDED PEOPLE
Most authorities agree that a left-handed person should conduct
as though he were right-handed, with the right hand giving the beat
and the left helping (as described in Chapter VIII). Otherwise it
is very confusing to performers accustomed to a right-handed tech¬
nique. Although a beginner may feel a trifle awkward at first, he
will soon develop facility, and will have a decided advantage later
when the left hand is added.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
i. Check this chapter frequently to make sure you are forming
correct habits from the very first.
Professionals:
1. Ask your performers if they can see the bottom of your beat.
2. Tie your feet loosely together at a rehearsal and see if it bothers
you. It it does, you are moving around too much.
3. Ask your wife or friend or son to check on other mannerisms.
Chapter VI
BEAT PATTERNS-THEORY
The next step in learning to conduct is to become thoroughly
fomihar with beat patterns. These are universally used by orchestral
ztzVe:? r d ; ctor i and have ^ . S?d
•Me £ ^ mUS ' ■* Ldr distinguish-
BEAT PATTERNS—THEORY
*7
The traditional strong beat is thus shown by the natural gesture
of emphasis—downward motion. When we pound a table or
stamp a foot to emphasize a point in an argument we strike down¬
wards. Thus muscles combine with gravity. A sideways motion is
muscles with no aid from gravity, and an upward motion is weaker,
being muscles minus gravity. (Hammering a nail into a ceiling with
a heavy hammer will prove this!) Of course, in many works it
would be most unmusical to accent the first beat. Nevertheless, it
is traditionally the point of harmonic emphasis and also the con¬
ductor's signpost. Showing it clearly is vital in helping the per¬
formers to count. Anyone can lose the bar line, but if the first beat,
or "downbeat," is clear the player finds his place in an instant. If
not, disaster may result. (In a well-known composition the per¬
former may not need this help, but our technique must be based
on the principle of making everything as easy as possible for the
performers at all times.)
Even someone who cannot read music can quickly be taught to
keep his place by watching the vertical beats and following the
vertical lines on the page (the bar lines). This is the first step in
teaching adults to read choral music.
This point is so important that an anecdote may be in order. In
a rehearsal of a large chorus we sight-read the fast % section of the
Confiteor of Bach's Mass in B minor. Afterwards the writer asked
one of the best sight singers in the group how he had done.
"Not very well. I didn't have my glasses."
"But I thought you only needed them for distant vision."
"That's right. I couldn't see you, and I constantly lost the
place because I didn't know where the downbeat was."
2. The theoretical secondary accents in a compound time signa¬
ture are shown by motions larger than unaccented beats, usually
made across the body.
Thus the accent on the fourth beat in % is shown by a large move¬
ment from left to right, with the other beats smaller. Obviously, as
with the first beat, it would often be unmusical to make such an
accent in the music, but these secondary accents are based on the
theoretical divisions in the bar and are a help in counting. The con-
i8
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
ductor must be sure that the larger beats do not produce an un¬
wanted effect in the performance; he can increase the size of the
smaller beats and decrease the large to compensate if this is hap¬
pening.
3. Give the beats, not the rhythms.
This is one of the hardest points of which to convince people.
They feel an instinctive desire to put in the little notes between
beats. Nevertheless, they must be told that extra, fussy motions on
such notes happen too late to do any good and merely give the
mind something extra to think about, thereby slowing down the
tempo. Monteux, Koussevitzky, and many others have spoken
strongly on this point. Experimentation shows that in most cases
it is confusing and leads to sloppy playing or singing.
Proponents of extra motions claim that a beginner follows the
hand, rather than calculates all the mathematical intricacies of the
subdivision of the beat. This is false; untutored listeners have al¬
ways kept time to music by beating the beats—that is, soldiers
march in time to beats, not notes; folk dancers or just simple foot
tappers follow the same principle. (Try marching to ''Colonel
Bogey by taking a step on each note instead of each beat!)
The conductor who gives beats instead of rhythms and lets the
performers put in the note between the beats is simply following
toe most basic principle of all music. There are a few cases when
t is rule should be broken, but most second-rate conductors break
it far too often.
The basic principles stated above and the general outlines of beat
patterns are widely accepted. However, the writer has a number of
more or less original ideas which are applied in working out the de¬
tails of the beat patterns given in the next chapter. These are:
.i. . t must be remembered that from the conducting viewpoint a
beat^is a moment of time , a split second infinitesimally small, like
a point m geometry. It is not a duration. It marks the beginning of
a period m time, 6 6
Thus “one” is like the starter's gun in a race; the next unit of
brae starts at the instant known as "two” and lasts until "three.”
haM note thus lasts from beat one until beat three. Therefore
the conductor must show each beat as an instant. This cannot be
BEAT PATTERNS—THEORY
*9
done by a vague, wandery motion; it must be a precise visual point.
The first beat is shown by a downward motion which is vertical
and which “bounces” at the bottom. The instant in which it stops
falling and starts to rise is the moment known as “one.”
Try a series of downbeats. Hold the baton out in front of you,
forearm and baton parallel to the floor, aiming directly in front of
your shoulder; raise your hand up about twelve inches and let it
fall to the same place, using some upper arm motion, some fore¬
arm, and a little wrist. When the arm is parallel to the floor let it
bounce up again, almost of its own will. This is hard to describe but
is a very easy natural act. The motion is like bouncing a golf ball
on pavement. Your performers must be trained to play exactly at
the bottom of the beat.
Try beating faster, with a vigorous hitting motion. Then try it
more slowly, gently, like a large beach ball. But still it must bounce
... a beat should never stick on the bottom or it cannot clearly
indicate a point in time.
2. All beats should bounce at the same level.
Try this experiment. Ask a group of people to say “too,” short
and staccato when you indicate it. Hold your hand (with baton)
out in front of you, forearm parallel to the floor. Raise your hand
about twelve inches and bring it down, bouncing exactly where
you started from. After a few tries they will all speak together at
the bottom of the beat. Then start the same, but this time bounce
close to the top of the beat; then go well below the starting place
and bounce down there; then at some other level. They will come
in raggedly, if at all. This illustrates two points:
a. Performers must know what you are going to do before you
do it—they cannot really “follow”; they anticipate and perform
with the conductor. The term “follow” is theoretically incorrect, as
it implies being late.
b. If you constantly change the level at which your beat bounces,
the performers cannot anticipate when you want them to play.
Imagine a flat surface like a table top in front of you, at a con¬
venient height (usually elbow high). Call this the “bounce level.”
Make all beats bounce at this level, whether vertical or curving side¬
ways.
20
v^uwu^jLHNU TECHNIQUE
of^r former cannot see motion toward him with an y de s ree
Simple '’ We £ folIow sid eways or up-and-down mo-
del«t S n m T,T? ° f ° Ur eyCS 3S the ob i ect moves many
or awav fmm °* V ? S1 ° n; motion which is directly toward
eves or bv cp US on ^J lslb i e trough crossing or uncrossing our
both these indirfb & dlfference in size of the object. At a distance
comine dllrrtv f° nS minUte ' At an air show > a fi gbter aircraft
appear to mo 7 t ^ ^ s . evera * hundred miles an hour does not
creasing and the ^ "^T 7 haDgS in Space ’ with its win § s P an in '
and .K Hee d * changin § as the amount of haze between it
seems tobe'movingmoTqukH/ ^ S ° ing ^ ° Ur Visi ° n
t>lH^ Xe nT’t™ Sh Z Uld UeVer be ind ^ted by motion toward a
Sctfng ^ <*> 0ften “
While fbece tb ^ ks ) that make bonzontal motions to the sides.
^ dirttiv 7 t X t0 Pe °? e “ fr ° nt ° f fte ^nctor, they
in a svmDbonv t ° n , either Slde ’ such as violins or cellos
risers ornraeK ” chestra ’ clarinets in a band, choristers on curved
eVer> ' b ° dy in an opera orchestra.
tar and no 60 anses j lf there is onl y one vertical beat in a
beats? tOWard 3ny P erfo ™ers, what about the other
leaSng^hatTliner ^ t0 hi§h SCh ° o1 Seometry. Remember
it aT”ne iin touchlI1 g a " are is called a tangent and touches
touching the bounce level at one^»oinfonlyT^ ^ ^
ine above is for a legato, cantabile beat- a fas
style would have more angular points, as follow^:
more marcato
BEAT PATTERNS—THEORY
21
In bars containing many beats (e.g. 6, 9, etc.) some of the motions
would be more like:
Thus performers everywhere will be able to see the exact moment
of time the beat indicates and yet it will not be confused with
"one,” which should always be completely vertical, bouncing
straight up a few inches before curving sideways. If it starts higher
than all other beats it can never be confused with the others.
The beat patterns described in the next chapter have been
evolved with all the above principles in mind. They are universally
recognizable, and yet manage to avoid the errors of many variants
frequently encountered.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
i. Be sure you understand and remember the principles stated
in this chapter when developing your technique.
Professionals:
l. If you agree with the reasoning in this chapter, conduct for a
few minutes and see if your normal technique violates any of
1
T 7 t C ?l £S \ U S0 ’ mark them in the book and in the weeb
ahead check back to see if you have cured the trouble.
a stnL d T?r e S ° me P ° ints ' reread them ’ and then make
i Yn° em i when next you are performing under someone
else, iou may change your mind.
Chapter VII
BEAT PATTERNS—SPECIFIC
PRELIMINARY WARNINGS
a “moderate” 316 ^ es ^ ned ^ or ca ntabile, legato, mezzoforte, in
been found a ^7^° /™ etronome about 8o to the beat). This has
mterT^n T S yI " Wlth which t0 b egm. Modifications to all
SLT wl f ° T different tem P° s and charac -
formamato 'et a °T 1°* faSter tem P°> more “P** turns
tor marcato, etc., as descnbed in Chapter IX.
bounce WFnrttT * ^ b °“° m of an >" ^ Bounce, bounce,
□ounce! ( t or the reason, see Chapter VI.)
Beat Patterns {cant, leg., mf, moderate)
The first beat is in each case about one foot in length.
1 IN A BAR
Used in fast %, %, e tc.
f
I
i
BEAT PATTERNS—S PECIFIC
This consists of a continuous series of downbeats, all the same size
unless the volume changes. It is used in a fast waltz, for example.
(The diagram is of little help; imagine a ball bouncing repeatedly
in the same place.)
2 IN A BAR
Used in moderate %, %, fast etc.
Note: As stated above, a fast, vigorous 2, as in a march, would be
different, like this:
A
1,2
This is also hard to show in a diagram. 1 and 2 are in virtually the
same place, but 1 bounces only two or three inches while 2 bounces
up to the top again.
2 4
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
3 IN A BAR
Used in slow %, moderate %, %, etc.
it topl“TS n T *°; h ? ri f ht 3 . tat this mate 3 so big
This also applies to the la^tbeatin an<^6. Un< ^ Ue em P tais '■
4 IN A BAR
%, %, slow %, etc.
I lie theoretical ^f^rmA™
2 and a Ko' 1 secon dary accent
and 4, being across the body.
3 is larger than beats
BEAT PATTERNS—SPECIFIC
25
5 IN A BAR
%,slow %, etc. (For fast %, see Chapter XXIII.)
Look at 6 first, below, then study 5. Most 5’s are split rhythmically
into 2 followed by 3 beats or vice versa (“pure* 5 s are astonish¬
ingly rare). This is indicated by the accentuation, chord changes,
or sometimes dotted lines. As 5*s are less common there is no stand¬
ard method of beating them. Some conductors use a 2 followed by
a 3 or vice versa, but this makes it impossible to distinguish the bar
line.
It has been found better to use a 5 based on a 6, with the second¬
ary accent across the body.
26
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
6 IN A BAR
slow %, some %’s, etc.
lows; Pattem USed German conductors and most others is as fol-
addition makes 5 S , tated earIier > and in
of crescendo in each bar.Itis not recommended * ^
BEAT PATTERNS—SPECIFIC
2 7
7 IN A BAR.
% y slow % (For fast %, see Chapter XXIIL)
There is no general tradition with 7. Most 7*s, like $’s, may be
divided two different ways, with the strong beat on 4 or on 5. The
above have been found successful. Like the 5’s described above,
they too are based on a 6.
Some passages in 7 are closely related to a divided 4 or an 8 (see
below) with one beat missing, usually the last. Conduct as if in 8,
but omit the appropriate beat.
28
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Divided Beats
iS USCd in a ver ? sIow tem P° thearm
ductor then <7- * ^ t0 be ° f n ° help t0 the performers. The con-
of music in h[ ,T f ice a 15 lan y ^ ,eats (or three times, in the case
principles to 1* P M„Tii ‘ 4 '* C ° meS "" 8 ” * * 2 ’ ^
a. Preserve the original basic pattern.
o SnT r d l tl0nal b ° UnCeS ° n the a PP ro priate beats.
’ musical im^ant.^ ^ “ accordance with their
This gives the following divided beats:
DIVIDED 1
Becomes a 2 ora 3
divided 2
Becomes a 4
% beating j* at !^ ere * s a ^^ erence between a slow
BEAT PATTERNS—SPECIFIC 29
at a time. It is an awkward beat and should receive a speedy burial,
being exhumed only for brief intervals.
divided 3
slow %, %? some %’$, etc.
Do not confuse this with a 6; this is like a slow % rather than a
% may be either a 6 or a divided %. Even modem composers use
it for both rhythms.
divided 4 (same as an 8)
slow %, %
3°
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
triply divided 3 (same as a g)
%, slow % v '
triply divided 4 (same as a 12)
1 %, slow 12 /g ;
Will not appl, Twin W J erc these divisions
the principles riven a hn __ or ^ e< i out when the need arises, using
as when going from V to*' a cIlan ging unit of beat,
* ta! , he ^ '„ p t
beat patterns—specific 3 1
appropriate beats. Thus a gradually slowing 5 of the first type would
be as follows:
Subdivision will be discussed more fully in Chapter XV.
All the patterns above should be figured out and practised, a few
minutes each. (Do not use the left hand at present.) If the profes¬
sional finds he has been using different patterns he should decide
whether his conform to the principles of optics and logic stated in
Chapter VI. If not, he should seriously consider revising his own
patterns. It is felt that clear patterns are among the most important
assets any conductor can possess. If he differs in only a few cases
and wants to change, he should spend more time on those until he
is at home in them. It may take several weeks.
The beginner, on the other hand, should move ahead rapidly
into the next paragraph, to be followed by the professional only
when he is completely happy with his new patterns.
Changing Time Signatures
The beginner is urged to practise changing time signatures within
a few minutes of learning the basic patterns. Most music of the
twentieth century requires great facility in this technique. In train¬
ing hundreds of young conductors it has been found that if they
start working on this problem at the beginning of their career they
never have trouble with it later, unlike those who spent the best
years of their lives on Beethoven.
3 2
iJto.mTmXto*)'' f ° II<m, ‘” 8 me ‘ er Cha " gK (Stffl canW *i
40,^ (3 + 2)
4 4 4 4 J § 12
4 T i ! 1 <f f
(2 + 3 ) ( 4 + 3 )
8 5 7
4 4 4
Beats keep the same tempo; this is a divided three.
Then do C t e h^ en d ° * backwards twfce ( for variety of order).
(3 + 4 ) (2 + 3 )
(3 + 2 )
5 4 ’I 3 j j j <
i f 3
8
4
i i 1
Then do it backwards.
wiHswfh^f mmo^rth^ 68 m ° ie than a few times ‘ You
automatically Th m v 3IK ^ con ^ uct changes almost
such “ *™>°P the technique of Wing
number, a „d „Xt them “ P yom °™ ™« °<
era music, but will also assist in L™ n0t , 0nIy heI P y° u with m od-
st m learning the patterns themselves.
strong recommendation
»lHhe d te^Sm “tf* Which 4 db< >» h &- Conduct
sure you tap th e tabi/on Lh tat m 0 t f m md **“«
sents the “bounce level” r«f j‘ surface > o{ course, repre-
awarenessofwh“ rau ha^ t0 bdbre -> ^ ^elopsan
*«» of all beats^t Se same w e ? 4 kee P S the bot '
s>-stem of conducting Moreover h * feature ° { the writer's
helps to test whethe § r vou are eon^T 8 y0Ur ^ ta P the teble
conductor who can play like a ^nn ^ “ StriCt time ' Man y a
time with his beat because he;« + °™ e CRnnot indicate strict
when his hand is bouncing It alf* COmp ! eteI y aware of where and
^'or S „ % *££ ££»- - each he*
tm. and aChmlX'v u ™?* 1 J" f “ to * Chap '
not be stressed too highly.' The ralue of this drill can-
BEAT PATTERNS—SPECIFIC
33
WARNINGS
Several common faults make a beat hard to follow precisely.
1. Don't use a “hot stove beat." Many conductors give a slow
downbeat and then flick their hand up quickly, as though they had
accidently touched a hot stove. This leads to playing behind the
beat and lack of precision. Many second-rate conductors have this
fault, especially poorer band men, but the writer has never seen a
conductor of the first rank with this characteristic. Keep thinking
“hit ... hit ... hit even if it is a very gentle hit.
2. Let the hand fall downwards with a constant and even speed;
don't gradually “put the brakes on" toward the bottom of the beat.
Performers, seeing the rapid fall at the beginning, naturally expect
it to continue, and come in early; after a few times they are gun
shy and play late.
3. Don't hesitate at the bottom! This stops the sense of move¬
ment. Bounce, bounce, bounce!
4. Keep the hand constantly moving. It should only stop at the
very top of the beat, and then only for an instant, like a ball thrown
straight up. (This is discussed more fully in Chapter IX.)
5. In all your conducting, be aware of the fact that your arm has
weight. Beginners often move their arms gently through the air, as
though writing lightly on a blackboard. If they pretend that their
arm is very heavy, or else hold a stone or other weight in their
hand, their beat will have more of the substantial character or
“heft" it needs, and will also “bounce" better. This is hard to de¬
scribe, but a conducting teacher can demonstrate it. The shoulder
should always be relaxed, even with this weighty feeling.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Study and practise all the patterns in this chapter, (cant., leg.,
mf, moderato), spending only a few minutes on each.
2. Almost immediately make up some changing time signatures
and conduct them to develop this technique from the first.
Don't stay long on any one set of numbers.
3. Then go back and work on the patterns again, until they be-
34
on any one pattem 01
t S Si™ t0 $ee if >' 0U are doi °g them correctly.
songs (legato, mf, modemto^' *"“* **** “ ^ wdVknom
professionals:
i. See if you agree or differ with the above patterns
5 ; Tty SrSln 0 ^ 0118 ^ 6 ' concentrate on those you want to adopt
“ d ° lh “
o in a mirror. See if your patterns have the following faults:
^Unwanted
break where
hand stops
1 4 3
3 and^^BrfngThe hand^^ mark ,/ or “ comma ”) between beats
phrase. (See diagram for 4!" Sm00th y unless >' ou want to show a
(hi
Chapter VIII
THE LEFT HAND
There are many schools of thought concerning the proper functio
of the left hand. One is that “the right hand gives the tempo and
the left the expression.” If this is followed it means that all theper¬
formers on the right side of the conductor see an expressionles
™ Another is that it should be constantly extended dancing m time
to the music. This looks pretty but has no logical baais foi: itsi exist¬
ence. The right hand, when properly trained, gives both *etempo
and the character of the music, so why add something superfl .
Moreover, it often prevents those on the conductor s left from see¬
ing the more important hand. ., ,, i. ft
A third opinion was recently encountered: namely, that the let
hand should duplicate the right, so that in a long piece if*® ng
arm gets tired the left will be trained to carry on! This absurd idea
is currently being taught in a graduate course m a major umversi y.
The following practices are recommended.
1. Use the right hand for everything that it can conveniently
show: tempo, volume, character, phrasing, and cues when they fit
into the pattern (as discussed in Chapter X).
2. Use the left hand as follows: . , . . ,
a To take care of duties beyond the scope of the right han ,
such as cues that do not fit into the beat pattern, volume or bal¬
ance indications to certain sections of the group, exhortations t
supplement the right hand, such as an implonng gesture for a
richer sound in a cantabile, page turns, and many other .^^ .
b. To reinforce and emphasize what the right hand is indicati g.
For example, add left hand for a sudden accent, a subito pp, the
climax of a crescendo, an important cue, etc. .
c. Under no circumstances allow the left hand merely to mi
the right for more than a few beats at a time. This is a common
37
?8
- CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Ward, and in^^Tudicrom.^ 17 3 WaSte ° f 3 g °° d hand; in 3 4 ’ awk '
sidto^dos” ^^0^ “ n °f “ USC ’ either Iet k han § at the
do not let it ci.tittp y m 3 re l axe d position, bent at the elbow.
left hands in mid-air a d** THE VIEW ' Many conductors P ark their
more important right. " PreVent the P erformers from seeing the
ab^welfbvlsel^tf' able to COnduct a concert reason-
pendence. 7 ’ * the Ieft hand Stains complete inde-
the lasUhapterand^ should §° back over the patterns in
ety of actions while the riSfco h t' kft ^ perform 3 wide Vari "
nome or play a record Jv> § f l tlnues on lts way. Set a metro-
with your left hand with if 16 - 3nd See bow much y° u 0311 do
lose the pattern Do Thina^ ^ the right vary the tem P° or
Pages and reinforcing Lvnt^teTnd 1 C ° nduCtmg ’ like turning
musical tasks like hi L,* n tS? and a so attem P t numerous un-
Piling boo b ™‘ ChB 2 ”»•
an independent left hand m t dev f°P an automatic beat and
time goes on the left hand n tblS baS been accomplished, as
duties pretty much by itself whh flL?' 6 ° f “ y - necessar y musical
’ httle supervision from its owner.
assignments
Beginners:
’’ SuragShfoflJmk If ^ dnl1 each da y- Don’t be dis-
pendent left hand now UP ^ fifSt Start develo P in g an inde-
Frofessionals:
i. Play a record, conduct f™™
mirror. Does vour left hind ■ memor y and wat ch yourself in a
ducting? J d lrn P rove or detract from your con-
'' dli " ***** f “ <**■»». If you have touble.
Chapter IX
DYNAMICS, ACCENTS, PHRASING,
TEMPO, CHARACTER
When the student has spent several hours developing a clear, flow¬
ing beat in all patterns, practising mixed time signatures and gain-
ing some independence of the left hand, he should proceed further.
A beginner should not wait until he is absolutely perfect, but
merely until his actions are semi-automatic. It takes years to be-
come completely secure.
The beat thus far has always been cantabile, legato, mezzoiorte,
and moderato. Now other musical qualities will be discussed.
DYNAMICS
In general, dynamics are shown by the size of the beat. (See the
previous chapter for the contribution of the left hand.) Try
a moderato 4 as large as possible; make it quite absurd. TTien shrink
it down until it is controlled and not unseemly but still large. (It
possible ask a friend to stand at a distance and give his opinion.)
This is the largest you should ever beat, and you should only use
this big a beat at the top of an intense crescendo. (With a baton,
the hand will travel a shorter route than without.) Look in a mir¬
ror. Then look at your arm. Remember the approximate dimen¬
sions of this beat. It will differ from person to person. Someone
with very long arms must use less relative motion than would a
very tiny person or his beat will be ungainly and hard to follow.
Then beat time with as small a beat as possible. Gradually en¬
large it until your friend says it can easily be seen by someone
whose eyes are focused for short range and is taking a quick glance
up from the music. (Here again, the conductor will move his hand
less with a baton than without.) This is your pianissimo. Remem¬
ber its size. , _ . j
Now practise going suddenly from two bars of ff to two of pp and
back (right hand only, for now). Then gradually increase from pp
39
T CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
to ff and back. Estimate where between these extremes you would
beat for f, mf, mp, p.
Remember that you must show the performers what to do be¬
fore they do it. Indicate the sudden f just before it takes place
. . that is, give a large upbeat before the f, as though you were
going to hit a fly you dislike intensely.
On the other hand, for a subito pp, do not let your beat bounce
ig just before the pp, or it implies a loud downbeat. A much
w ipp dog will shy if you suddenly raise a stick; likewise, good
players will have trouble making a subito pp if your arm shoots up
just beforehand. F
Go through all beat patterns deciding the size limits in each case
(stall cantabile, legato, moderate).
Conduct the following:
Moderate
*■ 3 kj h l - - I 'Jjijjjijjjij .
Moderato
b p?J* J j|j. j
! 2)P legato = =- pp ff
If the last note worries you, read stops, page 72.
Jot down a few similar exercises and try them.
Test yourself as follows. Ask your friend to count out loud con¬
tinuous beats m any time signature. Conduct him. See if you can
make him follow your volume changes. Tell him not to be too co-
operative; he must not read your mind but have you draw the
CC . ° hhn. If one person can easily follow you without
music at a distance of fifteen yards you can rest assured that your
ynamics will be clear to 400 singers and instrumentalists when
they have the pnnted indications in front of them. If you cannot
make yourself clear to him, work on it until you can. Go no further
at presentl
When you are certain that your right hand is capable of showing
aU dynamics, add left hand, here and there. Reinforce a crescendo
emphasize a continuous pp by making a “shhhh” sign in front of
4 1
DYNAMICS, ACCENTS, PHRASING, TEMPO, CHARACTER
your lips, give a policeman's “stop sign” just before a subito pp, etc.
Two important rules about dynamics:
1. For continuous pp, keep the beat small. (Performers let a pp
creep up if they see a beat expand.)
2 . For continuous ff, on the other hand, do not keep the beat
large. It flails and loses its effectiveness if used for more than a few
beats. Ormandy whips the Philadelphia Orchestra through a tre¬
mendous crescendo to a furious ff and then reduces the size of his
beat to about an inch, but it retains a hypnotic intensity while the
ff continues.
ACCENTS
Accents are simply short volume changes, and should be con¬
ducted accordingly. (Off-beat accents will be discussed in Chap¬
ter XL)
Conduct the following, being careful to show where the loud
places are before you come to them (by making the previous beat
bounce high). Don't bounce too high afterwards, to avoid implying
a continuation of the loud notes (use right hand only).
Allegro
i j j j j j j u J J J J J u J J J J J1J J J •! J
/ P f p f p f p
p f p f P f P f P f P f P
Make up similar exercises.
Use left hand to reinforce the accents only when you are certain
your right hand is showing them clearly.
Hunt up your long suffering friend (or wife or child or mother or
conducting teacher) and ask him to count numbers. See if you can
make him put in accents wherever you wish. Tell him he must
shout out the accented counts only if you have virtually forced
than from him.
42
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
PHRASING
It was mentioned in Chapter VII that stopping the hand in the
middle of a flowing motion implies a breath or phrase mark. Up to
this point the emphasis has been on developing a legato free from
such breaks. Now practise stopping a beat slightly at the top to
show the end of a phrase (without deviating from strict time).
Conduct the following (right hand only):
Moderate, cantabile
Write similar exercises.
Get your friend out again. Have him monotone “la la la” legato,
with a slight break at the phrase ends.
Have him tell you whether:
1. Your phrasing is clear.
2. It is so overdone that it destroys the flow. This is hard—to
show the phrasing clearly but subtly, without creating an uproar.
Check in the mirror to be sure that he is sufficiently critical.
TEMPO
For the most part this is simple and obvious. If the piece ac¬
celerates, beat time faster, and the converse. But all conductors
should be reminded of a few treacherous points. A fast, large beat
is unclear and frenetic; a small, slow beat moves too few inches per
second to be of use. Therefore, the size of the beat should be in¬
fluenced not only by the volume, but also to a certain extent by the
tempo. BE SURE NOT TO USE TOO LARGE A BEAT IN A FAST TEMPO.
43
DYNAMICS, ACCENTS, PHRASING, TEMPO, CHARACTER
In an acceleration, or in a steady tempo when the performers are
lagging, our normal instinct is to use larger motions; this merely
adds to the weightiness of the beat and slows the tempo even more.
Enlarging the beat is the way to hold back racing players or to in¬
dicate a slowing down, not a speeding up. Very few conductors
realize this.
Remember:
1. When increasing the tempo or to make the performers catch
up, make the beat smaller.
2. When slowing down or to hold people back, make the beat
larger.
CHARACTER
So far, all beats have been legato, except where phrased. For dif¬
ferent styles these are modified as follows:
Marcato. For a more energetic, marcato quality, hit harder, with
more angular turns.
Staccato, Hit crisply, bounce the beat at sharp angles, but do not
let the hand stand still. When it stops for an appreciable time
and then suddenly flicks to the next beat, the performers have lost
the sense of time, and they cannot react quickly enough. If some¬
one lobs a ball gently against a wall from a distance an observer
can follow its path and anticipate exactly when it will strike; if the
person stands motionless aiming a gun and suddenly pulls the trig¬
ger, the observer cannot possibly foretell the moment of the bullet’s
impact.
Many conductors do not know this, and in staccato music they
stop their hands for most of the time between beats, with an un¬
tidy performance the result. The beat looks and feels staccato but
is actually detrimental to precision.
A staccato 4 looks something like this:
2
1
4
3
44 CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Maestoso. Heavy, ponderous movements are required. The down-
ward motions should be slightly slower and weightier. For a legato -
maestoso, pretend you are pulling something very stiff but smooth,
like pull taffy.
Slow , serene. This is the hardest of all. The mood of serenity
must be projected, but the exact moment of beat must still be clear.
It requires tremendous control of muscles and nerve. All motions
must be slow and floating, almost hypnotic or trance-like, as in
slow-motion films, but still retaining a faint trace of bounce at the
exact moment of impact with the “bounce levd.”
Beginners should try this but not be discouraged if they lack the
muscular control to do it properly. It will probably take several
years to develop.
Advanced students should put a great deal of time on it to be
sure they are clear and at the same time do not break the mood.
All music cannot possibly be categorized and described in such
phrases as those used in this section. These are extreme examples.
The cardinal rules are:
1. MAKE THE BEAT PROJECT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MUSIC.
2. PRESERVE THE CLARITY.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
i. Conduct the following (right hand only):
Moderate
3 J- J IJ JJ J J f J J IJ JIJ j IJ
Adagio
I J J J |j jjjj J Jjj j J |J J J |J J
P - — -ff TP
Allegro
* J - J J Ij J J Jjj J J J |J J J J |J J J J
fmarc. p f marc. & ' '
JIJ JIJ II
J IJ J J I J. II
DYNAMICS, ACCENTS, PHRASING, TEMPO, CHARACTER
45
2. Review all the points in this chapter, wnting or improvising
new exercises, conducting a friend where possible.
3. Conduct one person (or several singing in unison) in well-
known simple songs—community songs, hymns, etc. After some
straightforward runs, change the dynamics, accents, phrasing,
tempo, and character as much as possible throughout each
song (without regard to artistry-this is a technical drill). See
if two or more people can follow you, keeping together and
correctly interpreting your indications. Ask them for sug¬
gestions.
Don't worry yet about starting or stopping. Give one pre¬
liminary beat, or several, or say “ready-sing.” You have
enough to worry about without considering the intricacies of
4 6
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
starts and stops. Use right hand only, except occasionally to
test the independence of the left. Do not do fermatas yet.
4 * pl *y recordings of works in strict time with which you are
quite familiar (e.g. Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik ). Con¬
duct from memory while watching yourself in a large mirror.
Make sure that your beat is correct and that you show the
changes in volume, etc. Never mind if you occasionally forget
the music and make a mistake. The important thing at the
moment is to do a lot of beating in different patterns, tempos,
volumes, etc., while watching your reflection. Accurate score
study will come later. But remember to show when changes
are about to take place, rather than change just as the
music changes.
Do several hours of this type of work before going ahead.
Professionals:
1. Try the exercises assigned to beginners.
2. Polish up any rusty spots they expose in your technique.
j. Test your ability to lead a friend through many changes, using
right hand only. As an experienced conductor you are probably
good at this, but you may find certain shortcomings, especially
when time signatures are changing.
Chapter X
CUES
All the techniques up to now can be practised with only one person
singing or playing. Now it is time to move into parts.
When one or more players have had rests while the music con¬
tinues, it is frequently helpful to cue them when they start to play
once more.
WHY CUE?
Cues accomplish the following:
1. Increase slightly the precision of the entrance.
2. Remind the performer of the character of the entrance.
3. Raise the performer’s morale and thereby improve many
other musical qualities (tone, balance, etc.).
cues 47
CUES SHOULD NEVER BE USED TO SHOW A PERFORMER WHEN TO
COME IN.
This point raises eyebrows whenever it is stated. Apparently
many conductors allow their players to wait for cues. This courts
disaster. Every musician, instrumental or vocal, should count every
rest in his entire life.
Reasons for this are:
1. Cues often come too close together for the conductor to indi¬
cate.
2. Cues often apply to several widely separated players at the
same moment: for example, the ist flute, ist bassoon, 3rd horn,
and 1st violins. The second-rate conductor thinks he is doing a
good job when he cues the top part, but this ignores the others.
3. Cues are hard to “aim” directionally. If the second sopranos
and first basses sit next to each other and have adjacent entrances
it is hard to give a cue to one section which may not be picked up
by their neighbors.
4. The conductor often has more important duties than giving
routine cues. Even if he cued a certain entrance in rehearsal, at the
concert he may suddenly have to adjust the balance somewhere
else, or hold back a section which has taken the bit in its teeth.
5. Cueing a player who does not know the place usually produces
a late and poor entrance. The player should be secure and ready to
come in with or without a cue.
At times a conductor should go through a rehearsal without giv¬
ing any cues. This proves whether or not the performers are count¬
ing.
Why, then, give cues? As stated above, they help make a per¬
former who is coming in anyway feel the moment of entrance a
shade more precisely; it helps get him into the mood of the en¬
trance (delicate, vigorous, smooth, etc.), and most important of
all, it gives him increased confidence, shows that his part is im¬
portant and that you are aware of it. But he must be ready to come
in anyway.
Try this experiment. Ask a group of people to count 10 silently
and on 11 to shout “Bang!” Give three or four beats to help them
get started, then stand motionless. The shout will be ragged and
4 ^ CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
feeble. Then repeat the process, only on 10 look up at them, giving
an upbeat and a vigorous downbeat on 11. The difference will be
spectacular. This is not a problem of counting, but one of timidity.
The same situation occurs when a nervous cymbal player has to
hit a mighty crash after a quiet passage, and having counted 87
bars rest, thinks he is in the right place. The choristers who sud¬
denly shout “Barabbas” in the St. Matthew Passion also quail.
They know when to come in, but a vigorous cue is a most welcome
sight to one and all.
HOW TO CUE
Basically, a cue is like a start or an accent. One beat before, make
an anticipatory gesture, and at the moment of entrance a decisive
motion in a generally downwards direction, like “ready-go!” or “up-
down!”
As with interpretative qualities, try to show as much as you can
with your right hand (without distorting the beat pattern). Cues
on the first beat to people in front of you are easy—look at them
and put a little more emphasis on the beat, accompanied by pos-
sibly a rise and fall of head (and even eyebrows, but they are not
really designed for cueing. Unless bushy, their range is small, and
in a long work they can get very tired). Left hand may reinforce.
Other cues may fit in nicely; for example, in 4, a cue to people on
your left on 2, or to your right on 3. In other cases the pattern
would be destroyed. In 4 you cannot easily cue to your right on 2,
^ ^° Ur on * n f^ese situations the right hand maintains
the beat and the left gives the cue, using an up-down motion as
t ough it were starting a piece. Be careful when cueing to the right
with your left hand not to collide with your right; sometimes a nod
or a glance is preferable, together with more emphasis on the ap¬
propriate beat.
always LOOK at the entering performers. Never cue with your
ead in the score. Look up, even if you never find the place again.
Keep looking at them until the entrance is completed. Some con¬
ductors look away at the last minute in a manner which gives per¬
formers a let-down feeling. r
CUES
49
WHEN TO CUE
All musically important entrances should be cued if at all pos¬
sible. It may be a crashing tutti, like the first two chords of the
Eroica”; in this case you are cueing the whole orchestra. Or it may
be a significant flute melody.
Also, you should cue entrances which are difEcult for some rea¬
son or other—high notes for singers, entrances where the play¬
ers have had innumerable rests, syncopated entrances (see next
chapter), etc.
As for less significant places, the best rule is to cue if you have
nothing more important to do. The second clarinet appreciates a
glance or a nod when he enters to hold some unimportant note;
he plays just a little better because of your attention; on the other
hand you must not ignore an important crescendo in a 300-voice
chorus simply to give an entrance to someone who was only out for
two beats of rest.
WHEN NOT TO CUE
When entrances come thick and fast in all directions it is best to
stop all cueing and simply give a good clear beat pattern. The per¬
formers can find the beats, whereas if you try to cue everything you
look like a juggler and confuse everybody, including yourself.
You should establish a personal relationship with your brass
players and be aware of whether they want a cue for important
solos or prefer to be ignored. Many a brass player is so nervous that
looking at him causes him to go to pieces completely. He wants
everyone to pretend he isn't there, and this gets him through his
solo. This is even the case with some first desk men in leading or¬
chestras, and may have contributed to the growth of electronic
music!
SCRAMBLED SEATING
This is the name given by the author to the choral seating plan
m which the singers are arranged more or less by quartets. It was
largely developed by Robert Shaw and has been adopted by some
other conductors. (Those of us who have used it find it infinitely
.51
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
50
superior for tone, ensemble, balance, clarity, and sensitivity. Antiph-
onal effects are less satisfactory.)
When conducting a choir using this seating arrangement, cue as
much as with a conventional plan, but make the motions in a gen¬
eral direction in front of you. The players watch for the cue at the
proper time and see it easily, the performance being improved as
described above.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Practise cueing imaginary sections or single players in various
locations in front of you on each beat of every time signature.
Use left hand where advisable.
2. Increase your circle of friends to four and start conducting
simple four-part choral music. Don't despise a lowly round to
begin with.
Professionals:
1. Do you make your players count their entrances or do they
depend on you? If the latter, you lead a dangerous life; resolve
to change this at your next rehearsal.
2. Practise giving a few cues in unusual time signatures with
various musical characteristics.
Chapter XI
OFF-BEAT CUES, ACCENTS, AND SYNCOPATIONS
When an entrance or accent occurs between beats it is often over¬
conducted. make absolutely no extra motion at the exact mo¬
ment of these notes; the worst thing you can do is subdivide (that
is, put in an extra fractional beat or “hitch”). This action takes
place too late to help and may slow the tempo. Conduct as though
such entrances or accents were on the beat before (perhaps with a
trifle more rebound than if on the beat).
Thus in a 4, a cue or accent on 3V2 would be preceded by an
anticipatory beat starting on 2 and a sharp stroke on 3, the same as
OFF-BEAT CUES, ACCENTS, AND SYNCOPATIONS 51
if there were an entrance or accent on 3, although with slightly
more rebound after 3:
Remember the forbidden "hot stove” beat, referred to in Chapter
VII, page 33? Here it may be used. Pretend that the "bounce level”
was red hot when you touched it on 3, and bounce high with a
snap.
If such accents or entrances should be gentle, remember to
modify these actions so that they do not give an impression of
roughness.
Conduct the following:
Allegro vivace
ij j j j u jij j mj j ^1» 11
/ sf sf sf
Andante cantabile
-■ 3 j J J IJ J U I J- I
P (poco)
(Cues on the accented notes are conducted exactly the same as the
above, only they would be directed at the proper section.)
SYNCOPATIONS
These examples are partly to illustrate off-beat cues and accents
and partly an introduction to syncopation. It is universally agreed
that in a syncopated passage the conductor should preserve the
5 2 CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
BEAT AND LET THE PERFORMERS SYNCOPATE AROUND IT. They appre¬
ciate seeing clearly where the beat is so that they can play against
However, the conductor can help by giving crisp “hot stove”
beats before each syncopated note. That is, the beat before the
syncopated accent should rebound more than the others, as though
you had burned your hand.
As with off-beat entrances and accents, do not make an extra
MOTION BETWEEN BEATS.
Take example a. It will be conducted the same whether it is as
shown above or is in this form:
Allegro vivace
i.... \. n ,j j j n i o I
/ sf sf s f -'
On the other hand, for a long series of even syncopations, leave
well enough alone. Conduct
i J> J J J J>]> J j J J>|J> j J J |
as though it were
i J J J J I j J J J l j j j j i „ i
ote to professionals: There is one situation in which this rul<
may vioated. That is when everyone has a syncopation ver
close to the beat. It may prove better for the conductor in this cas<
to conduct the syncopated note, adjusting the timing of his beat:
accordingly. The Crucifixus from Beethoven's Missa Solemnis is ar
example:
Adagio espressivo
f f f s fP\
>
:
1
OFF-BEAT CUES, ACCENTS, AND SYNCOPATIONS 53
This is in a divided 3. It may be easier if the conductor gives the
downbeat one 32nd note early, at the exact moment of the sf, elon¬
gating the next interval by one 32nd note to compensate. This is
harder for him but easier for the players. Of course, they must have
this explained or they will try to come in ahead of the downbeat,
naturally assuming it to be the first beat of the next bar.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Ask your friend to repeat “ooM-pah” while you beat time in
various patterns, giving a beat at each oom. Occasionally try to
make him put a strong accent on pah, using your right hand
only, without subdividing or varying the tempo. This requires a
sharp rebound on the previous beat. Practise this with different
tempos and degrees of accent.
2. Conduct (right hand only, the first time):
Moderato
i j j u j u ny j \nj 1 j j 1 j 1
P marc. sf sf
Largo (in 8)
i j J j j ij rij j ijtjj j j i „ |
P (poco)
Presto (in i)
3 JJJIJJJIJJ jlJJJJ jJIJ J J|
rm ^—
J J J
Andante
3 j j;j j j
nf cantab.
J /IjJ J jJ.J J I j jIj
(poco)
J J JIJ j IJ # * II
• • • • >
j j \nj j u j.
= Sr-' > ~--'
Snare Drum
Maestoso
* *
f
J J J J J
J # lJ>J 1 J>J
J * * —
J j j J J J
J * * -
Bass Drum
54
Flute
Oboe
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Allegretto (in 2)
000000
P sost.
J F 1 ? P'
0 4 0 d 0 d
J". '0 J J J J
i
6 *
~f i i f
1 1 1 1 f
T
3 * Find some examples of syncopations and entrances and practise
them.
Professionals:
1. Try the assignments suggested above for beginners. You may
find you are not as clear as you think.
2. Ask yourself whether you perhaps cause raggedness in your
concerts by subdividing off-beat cues, entrances, or syncopa¬
tions. Can you show them cleanly without subdividing?
3 * Do syncopations bother you? If so, find a number of Brahms
records and w r ork on the syncopated passages. If you can keep
straight in the syncopations of Brahms, the twentieth century
can't fool vou.
Chapter XII
CONDUCTING TO RECORDS
Many battles have been fought over the advisability of having stu¬
dents conduct to records. Those opposed claim that the conductor
leams to follow rather than to lead. He feels he is doing a great job
when Toscanini is really doing it.
While this danger admittedly exists, there are simply not enough
opportunities for beginners to conduct. A great many hours must
be spent moving the arms properly in order to develop a skillful
technique. Beginners in tennis would never improve and champions
would soon lose their form if they confined all their playing to tour¬
naments. They must work against a wall or on a court with a
friend, constantly practising their weak shots, as well as putting
everything together in a game (tennis players need friends too).
CONDUCTING TO RECORDS
55
By conducting to records, the student is freed from problems of
rehearsal technique and nervousness, and is able to concentrate on
arm actions. In a class the instructor can watch twenty-five people
and give occasional individual suggestions adequately, with gen¬
eralizations to the whole class when necessary. Each student re¬
ceives twenty-five times more baton practice than if he were to
conduct his classmates in live performance.
Three qualifications must be made, however:
1. It is assumed that conducting to records will be supplemented
by live conducting as much as possible, especially as the student's
technique and confidence grow.
2. The instructor must be sure that the student is correctly “an¬
ticipating”—that is, at a crashing sf entrance in the trumpets he
must beat as though showing them in advance that they are
about to come in, rather than being allowed suddenly to bounce
high as the entrance is made.
3 * The records should be mostly in strict time, like Beethoven
symphonies. Obviously, the student can learn to set and change
tempos, to stop, start, and conduct fermatas only with live music.
As for “following” a record, this is not completely bad, provided
the conductor also learns to lead. In accompanying a soloist we
frequently adjust our beat, and sometimes in concerts things go
wrong and we must temporarily follow the group to avoid disaster.
A conductor who cannot follow is almost as weak as one who can¬
not lead.
As a final point in the debate, it may be said that it is agreed that
ability to conduct to records certainly does not indicate that the
student can lead a live group, but surely, if he cannot conduct well
to records he is not qualified to be in front of musicians or an audi-
ence. Too many experienced conductors cannot clearly perform the
actions covered in this book and need to work a great deal to
records.
56
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Select a symphony by Mozart, Haydn, or Beethoven (prefer¬
ably one with very few fermatas, as these have not yet been
studied; Mozart's G minor or Beethoven's Second are good
choices). Buy the score and a record. If you have never worked
on an orchestral score, you will have to read something about
score reading and orchestral transpositions. Conduct the sym¬
phony, taking only a few bars each day and perfecting them.
(Don't worry yet about fermatas and starts . . . let the record
start and catch up to it. The important thing is for you to put
in a lot of time developing correct arm action without the
worries of starts and fermatas.) This may take at least two
months, with occasional breaks to conduct some simple choral
music live. If you go any faster you are probably not sufficiently
self-critical.
Professionals:
1. Read the assignment for beginners, but choose a major work
for chorus and orchestra, such as Beethoven's Missel Solemnis.
Buy a full score using C clefs for sopranos, altos, and tenors
and study the work in detail. Conduct to records, covering only
a few bars at a time at first. Look in a mirror frequently. If
any gesture seems short of perfection, practise it without the
record fifteen or twenty times in succession, if necessary several
days in a row. Each cue, each accent, each left hand motion
must be dissected and reassembled. Only allow yourself the
pleasure of a straight run when you feel the details are close to
perfection.
2. When you have completed the above, try a modem score full
of time signature changes, such as Stravinsky's he Sacre du
printemps or Walton's Belshazzar's Feast (but skip ahead to
Chapter XXIII when you come to such problems as a % bar
between two of %).
Chapter XIII
MORE ODDS AND ENDS
At this point enough material has been covered to enable the be¬
ginner to conduct records of classical symphonies, or other works
m strict time. He must now put in many hours of practising so that
ms technique comes naturally rather than with a stilted artificiality.
1 he professional must also do a good deal of work to assimilate
completely any new ideas.
In addition to hints on practising, this chapter includes a few
points which should be considered from time to time. They were
omitted earlier to avoid giving too many instructions at once.
mirrors
Much practising should be done in front of a large mirror. If
none is available the reflection in a window at night is almost as
goo . violinist listens to his sound when working, and also to
tapes if possible. The conductor, who works in silence, can only
observe his technique in a mirror (or home movies or videotapes-
these are excellent but expensive). There is nothing vain in such a
procedure; you are actually benefiting your players and singers by
seeing yourself as they see you.
On the other hand, do not use a mirror constantly or you will
imd it hard to do without.
SLOW MOTION
. a diffi culty occurs in fast tempo, practise it in “slow mo-
tion. This is not the same as conducting a slow piece; you must do
the exact motions you will eventually use, only moving very slowly
as m a slow-motion movie. This gives you time to think. You may
even talk out loud to yourself to keep your thoughts straight:
( down . . . look left at the violins . . . raise the left hand . . .
on 2 I must bounce the left hand in their direction . . . there
now look ahead . . . 3 . . . now look at the timpanist, left rear
57
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
. . . remember to cue him with the fourth beat . . . there . .
etc., etc.).
You should use a beat only as large as it will eventually be in fast
tempo, unlike a bona fide slow piece, where it would of course be
larger. When you can conduct the passage very slowly then try it
slightly faster. It may take several days before you can manage it to
your satisfaction at the concert tempo.
REVIEW
Take a few minutes to review the recommendation and warnings
at the end of Chapter VII, pp. 32-3. Beginners should now also read
the assignment for professionals on pp. 3^-5 to make sure that they
are not developing those faults.
GIVE ALL THE BEATS
In certain places where the music stops moving, such as on a
held note or two or more consecutive rests, some conductors stop
beating entirely, on the ground that they should not make motions
when nothing is happening in the music. Many players find this
confusing; they lose the pulse, and the next note is ragged. In re¬
hearsals they often stop playing altogether, thinking that the con¬
ductor is about to say something. It is better to keep the pulse go-
ing, using a very small beat; this cures the trouble without being
conspicuous. (This does not apply to fermatas, where of course the
pulse stops.)
Some conductors stop conducting completely for several bars at
a time in a concert. This usually scares the wits out of everyone.
wrist
Be sure that you use a little wrist action but not too much. In a
fast staccato the beat might be only wrist; that is, the hand and
baton move and the forearm stays still. In a flowing beat made
by the whole arm a slight wrist action prevents having a rigid sec¬
tion all the way from the elbow to the tip of the baton.
Beware of using so much wrist that the effect is soft and floppy
MORE ODDS AND ENDS
59
FACE
Facial expression is usually considered a vitally important part of
leadership and musical interpretation. Some conducting teachers
make their students conduct the class using face only, to combat
the lifeless expressions often encountered.
It is felt that this is rather pointless. A student conductor is usu¬
ally self-conscious and nervous, and this is the prime cause of dead¬
pan conducting. To pick on him further and tell him to do some¬
thing with his face simply aggravates the situation. When he has
his own group, feels at home in front of them, and conducts music
he loves, his face will have adequate animation.
Perhaps the writer is less concerned about face because of his ad¬
miration for Stokowski, whom he has watched from the front dur¬
ing several concerts. The maestro's face never moved a muscle, his
expression never changed. The music was shaped just with his arms
and hands.
GRIMACING
In moments of intensity, some conductors make wild facial
grimaces. These are disturbing to the performers and actually make
it difficult for a singer or wind player to keep his own jaw and neck
properly relaxed. Beginners should guard against forming this habit.
Professionals may find on inquiry that they are frequent offenders,
or perhaps are only guilty during the intensity of a concert. The
cure requires awareness and concentration.
SHOULDERS
Keep your shoulders down in a relaxed and normal position.
When they creep up the effect is much the same as grimacing.
Singers in particular may tense their shoulders in subconscious imi¬
tation.
MOUTH
Many choral conductors constantly mouth the words. This ac¬
complishes little, and is ridiculous when the music is contrapuntal.
6o
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Such conductors usually mouth the top or entering voice, showing
that they are not thinking the other parts.
The mouth is ill equipped to indicate precise signs at a distance.
Why use lips for something which can be better done by the hand?
HAND POSITIONS
If you are conducting without a baton, ask yourself again whether
your hand contributes to or detracts from the over-all mood. Does
it show power in maestoso, grace in cantabile, precision, delicacy,
or elegance where required? Does it change with the mood of the
music? Or, on the other hand, is it clumsy, limp, or ugly? Does it
ever contradict the mood, such as by making a mighty fist in a deli¬
cate passage?
The writer once had a graduate student whose thumb was very
long and double-jointed. After a few seconds of conducting it would
creep up and slowly bend back and point at its owner. There it
would stay. The effect was mesmerizing. Nobody could pay any
attention to the music. It seemed incurable until the student was
persuaded to use a baton.
SINGING
Don't form the habit of singing when conducting; it is hard to
break. You might contribute to a chorus (if you do not have a typi¬
cal conductor s voice), but never to an orchestra or band, especially
if you are near a microphone. By all means feel as though you are
singing, but be silent. Beware even of grunts and gasps. They often
spoil a performance.
Monteux once said, “Do not sing when you conduct. You cannot
hear if you are singing;'
MARKING THE SCORE
Beginners sometimes feel that there is something amateurish
about putting marks in their scores. This is of course untrue. Even
o ois i eeps a large colored pencil handy and writes warnings
to himself m huge letters. 6
A score is a maze of hieroglyphics, and frequently the most sig¬
nificant are quite small (for example, one tiny quarter note repre-
6i
MORE ODDS AND ENDS
sen ting a monumental crash on the cymbals.) When the conduc¬
tor is looking up and down frequently, as he should, it is easy to
miss something important. Therefore he should mark such treach¬
erous spots clearly in colored pencil, so that they may be seen at a
glance.
In particular he should beware of passages where the same figure
is repeated for several consecutive measures. The eye may easily lose
the place, especially when the head is bobbing around, and there¬
fore such bars should be numbered. Rather than relying on eye¬
sight, the conductor then counts and is completely secure.
LOOKING UP
The importance of training the performers to look frequently at
the conductor has been mentioned before. The conductor, on his
part, must look at the performers almost constantly. Therefore,
from the earliest stages of using a score he must train himself to
look up at an imaginary orchestra, band, or chorus every few seconds.
This is a special technique which must be learned, the same as arm
motions, and it must be started early. It is much worse to lose your
rapport with the group than to lose your place.
A FREE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
In the days before air travel it was difficult for a concert pianist
to keep his fingers in shape when spending several days each week
on a train. Many bought practice keyboards. These were not as
good as concert grand pianos, but were better than not practising
at all.
A conductor needs a symphony orchestra on which to practise.
However, these are quite expensive, and therefore it is suggested
that the reader equip himself with a practice symphony orchestra,
band, and choms. These are very cheap. All that is needed is a little
imagination and a lack of self-consciousness. Go off by yourself
somewhere and pretend you have the group of your choice in front
of you. Visualize them in the set-up with which you are most
familiar. Hold up your hands for silence. Wait for the oboe player
to stop sucking his reed. Give an upbeat, and conduct. Go through
all the motions you would if you really had your own private en-
62
semble. In this way you can improve yourself enormously without
paying union rates. When you finally have a chance to'conduct
you are ready.
If you have your own group already you still need to practise away
from them, especially before a concert.
This can be done with or without a mirror, and/or when tapping
s£nce ° n Pa§e 32) ’ Y ° U C3n USC r6COrds 0r conduc *
CONDUCTING IN SILENCE
The more advanced students should practise an increasing
amount in silence This will develop the ability to keep the music
going m their heads, and of course it is the only way they can prac¬
tise setting or changing tempos, tempo rubato, fermatas, etc., with¬
out live performers.
It is surprising how few conductors practise in silence. When'
S I ' 6 gIVCn finaI examinations in this manner, it shows
thev foil e ^ Can SC (’ mamtain ’ and change a tempo, or whether
St 7 P re P“"e f ” rach teb forces
them to develop the habit of practising in silence.
THE METRONOME
Wfip;rl de :r Se ? e l 0wly metr °nome. Many musicians are hor-
Hon m V^t g ' ° ^ praCtiS1 ' ng t0 0ne for fear their interpreta-
w might ^ C r mechanical - In eases where strict time is desired,
Si P ^r ly V 'doping the abi % to maintain a
steady tempo, and it is a ruthless critic.
On the other hand, be cautious of metronome settings when
choosing the tempo of a piece. Many metronomes are inaccurate
metatag electee ntodels, which somitin.es have a chronic 3 ol
rLn? 3 r 3 ° 40 PCr Cent and ma - v ^ furt her affected by a
it mX! n ine V ° tage ' Set y ° UrS t0 60 and count how many ticks
^ makes m one minute. It should, of course, be 60. Even if the
markings are the composer’s own and not an editor’s wild guess
• ^^posers check theirs or know that errors may exist. (Brahms
is eported to have said in his later years that he strongly disajS
with many of the metronome markings that he had S put on his
MORE ODDS AND ENDS
63
earlier works.) Fortunately, most of them tick evenly. Pocket met¬
ronomes are the most convenient, although they too are sometimes
incorrect.
Once you find a metronome which is ticking evenly, set it to a
tempo that seems right for the piece you are working on, and con¬
duct. You may be appalled at how the ticks seem to run ahead or
drag.
At L’Ecole Monteux, one of the writer’s colleagues had occasion
to visit the great old man at his house. When the student went in,
“Maitre” was sitting with the score of a classical symphony in front
of him, conducting a ticking metronome. If this renowned artist
felt he needed such practice, let no lesser man scorn it.
PITCH
Pitch in choral singing can sometimes be altered somewhat by
conducting technique. Flatting may be reduced by beating with a
lifting action, or by gradually raising the left hand. Sharping as well
as flatting may be reduced by pointing downwards or upwards
respectively to warn the singers of the trend. These are last minute
devices, however, and if used too much will become ineffective.
Many factors are involved in choral intonation, a complicated sub¬
ject beyond the scope of this book.
FRILLS
Be sure that everything you do has a purpose, and that it has a
specific effect on the music. Otherwise eliminate it. The players see
your arms flapping around enough as it is, without having the scene
cluttered with meaningless frills. For example, one teacher used to
require his students to turn their hand to the right on the 3rd beat
of a 4 bar. He had no reason other than to “make it look nice/ 7 As
this has no musical effect, it is a frill and should be avoided. Like¬
wise, guard against extra loops and waggles which are not called
for in the music.
INDIVIDUAL STYLE
Does this mean that the conductor should not develop his own
personal style? In a sense, yes. A conscious effort to be distinctive
64
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
will look' artificial You will be distinctive naturally from the mo-
A- I y° u ^tart studying conducting even if you rigidly follow every-
th ng m this book. Your arms, hands, and face are your own a 7 d
twentyXe be^ ^ F ™ 0 ™ 1 quallties ' When a class of
to duplicate > S fh nerS arC 3 Sh ° Wn the Same beat and then a ttempt
duplicate ,t they remain twenty-five highly different individuals
• • ■ sometimes too much so!
. ? e best to become distinctive is to develop a conducting
musicT?^ 1 ”?? 11S t 3r 3nd t0talIy subservient to the needs of the
music. This will mark you as a rarity among conductors.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
7r17 Z yS re '[ ead 0ne of the eariier chapters. See if you
ud nn rSettm ff any . thln S- If so > mark it in the book and check
up on yourself again in a few weeks.
rroressionals:
i- A little review wouldn’t hurt you either.
Chapter XIV
STARTS AND STOPS
Si 0 ?! 6 " 1 ' !h0uI ? .>* S P“< on the previous chapters before
attempting the nerve-racking problems of stops and starts The in
ai nd 0Ver tl,e earl,er ™ l erial before being pUgued with
tn ah starts the conductor’s motions must indicate the following-
i.' ™ mmt WhiCh thC pieC£ “ t0
3. mood (volume, etc.).
fhr too many conductors and even boob only consider the first
beat'and Sitmti ° K: A: P»ces which ?tart ,m a
and B. those which start between beats.
STARTS AND STOPS
65
A. Pieces Which Start on a Beat
1. Stand still, baton out in front at the “bounce level” Make
sure all performers are ready and attentive. (With singers be sure
they have been given their note.)
2. Give the beat immediately ahead of the one on which the
piece commences. That is, if it is in Va time and starts on 3, give
2; if on 1, give 3, etc. This beat must be anticipatory in character,
and facial expression, shoulders, etc., must contribute to this feel¬
ing. Left hand may also be used.
3. The starting beat itself then is given, with as much emphasis
and confidence as the mood of the piece permits.
Note: a. The preliminary beat must start exactly one beat be¬
fore the piece is to commence; otherwise it will not indicate the
tempo. Those conductors who habitually give a quick preliminary
beat fail their performers in this important respect—especially
important when a new section commences in a different tempo
after only a brief pause.
b. The preliminary beat, while borrowed from the basic beat
pattern, is modified somewhat. If the piece starts on 1, raise the
baton directly from the “bounce level” ... do not go down
first. This habit can increase until half your performers mistake
the downwards motion for the downbeat itself, as has happened
with many guest conductors. An upbeat at the start goes up. That
way f !
Other preliminary beats will start up and come down, but in a
diagonal direction. Thus starting on 3 in a three pattern:
66
T 1ZUHNIQUE
dife^ou 1 Ttao wia ; rest ahead ° f *■ ^ &
hand S hdp^fhelTout fr ° m C ° ming “ CarIy ' The left
«nSde„tly“to 2 ^ ° ““T''' ^ vigoromly and
AlKsS? 5 --^
CHARACTER OF THE PRFT ta <rrvr *«
PRELIMINARY BEAT
-■^tesarsiir*-'*'
TOU MAKEIT A 2 UIET piece that
piece thIt B you ITt^vLot an D N ™ NING ™ E MOOD IN A 2UIET
Starts are among thTZT f Ir J DOESN T START at all.
they require a tremendous amoS^SfcT ^ and
STARTS AND STOPS
67
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Don't despair at all this. After a few tries it will come more
easily. Get two people and make them follow a number of
starts. Commence with simple songs starting on 1, then take
a few starting on the last beat of the bar. Try several tempos,
dynamic levels, and moods. Only when you feel quite confident
should you try pieces starting on other beats, especially on 2.
Professionals:
1. If you are convinced your starts are crystal clear, conforming
to all requirements, see if you can do the following:
Allegretto (in i)
P
Adagio
5 j J I j
/ maestoso
Allegro
f marc.
Largo (in 12)
/ legato
Presto (in i)
PP
. i- r
00 CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
If you have any hesitation whatsoever in starting these, you need
more work. The point is not that in a concert there are so many
starts, but in a rehearsal you are continually starting in the middle
of a piece, and rarely in places which can be practised in advance.
B. Pieces Which Start Between Beats
Such a start as
i J> L j .1
is difficult, and authorities split three ways on how to do it.
One school of thought says to subdivide and beat the eighth
note. This is the refuge of the destitute; it produces a flustered mo¬
tion and occurs too late to help. If the first note were a sixteenth it
would be impossible.
The next group simply gives the upbeat and lets the performers
come in where they may, halfway through it. Although this prac¬
tice is widespread, it violates logic. The conductor is actually ask¬
ing the players to come in halfway tnrough a unit of time before
the unit has been defined. If they manage to guess right all is well;
otherwise the start is usually insecure.
Take a visual analogy. Suppose you are watching a man walking
beside a fence. Part way along he stops and marks it with a vertical
chalk line. Then he asks you to tell him when he is halfway to the
next line (which has not yet been marked), and he starts walking
again. You are puzzled, then you realize he has asked the impos-
sible. But suppose he puts two lines on the fence, a few feet apart.
After the second he asks you to stop him halfway to the next. You
look back and easily estimate the halfway point.
The significance is this: you were unable to help him the first
time because the unit had not been established, and therefore you
could not estimate the half unit; the second time it was easy.
Therefore, in the musical example above it is strongly recom-
rnended that you join the third school of thought: give 2 and then
3; this establishes the time interval between beats, and the musi¬
cians can estimate the fraction, as follows:
STARTS AND STOPS
69
( in 3)
SJHJ. J. J.
or
UIJ J j 1
In one case they estimate two-thirds, and the other three-quar¬
ters of a beat. Otherwise the tempo cannot be shown, merely the
moment of commencement.
To put this in a rule :—for starts between beats, give two
BEATS BEFORE THE FIRST NOTE.
The writer taught this method for several years and was encour¬
aged later to find that Pierre Monteux insisted on it.
However, there is one danger. Performers who are accustomed to
coming in after one beat may misinterpret the first motion and
come in too soon. Therefore, the first beat must be given very
casually, small, with left hand held out motionless. Then the next
beat will be larger, with more snap, and a real feeling of “this is
the one that counts”; then the left hand will make some decisive
motion too. never make an extra motion at the exact moment
when the first note should be played in type B starts. This slows
you down and makes good players nervous. It is quite unnecessary
if you have a clear technique, and never stop at the bottom. It
destroys the sense of flow. Bounce, bounce, bounce!
7 °
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE
Some pieces start with a very short note before a long first beat:
Beethoven Symphony No. 2
Adagio molto
Monteux advocated one upbeat, with the first note on the down-
beat, as though it were
\n j
This works wonders with such a start. (A few bars later, where the
same figure occurs in strict time, it must, of course, be played liter-
ally, as written.) r '
Further Points About Starts
EXTRA PRELIMINARY BEATS
In some cases it may be practical to give several preliminary
beats, if you have time. But you and your group must develop the
casesTher^^ 3 ^ X ° nIy ° ne ( ° r ’ in ^ B ’ ^0), for those
case* where the music does not allow time for extra beats.
sche J 3 of th W p °°F ^ h > d l le ^ gthy diSCUSSi ° n ° n h0w t0 start the
rnnXt I * Er01C f’ Which you wiI1 remember is in a fast %
onX? 1 "° ne ’ wlt V q uarter note anacrusis. Some said to give
e beat, others two. We decided to watch and see how Kous¬
siert He? thC B °f “Symphony Orchestra that night in a
count wS r XI U X 3rS ' 3nd at the 531116 time the
■ v *. j j S nrnntt*- The start was miraculous and to the un-
o°f the? sounded effortless. However, this would obviously be out
BeSovent '? 1 1 ?' Sl r 0f the a,le 8'° ° f ,bc “ of
after ffil 1 X Symph ° ny ’ where there cannot be a long gap
after the fermata which concludes the slow introduction.
STARTS AND STOPS
7 1
AFTER YOU, ALPHONSE
Timid conductors often hesitate just as the music should com¬
mence. They are afraid the performers will come in late. Seeing
this, the musicians wait for the conductor, who in turn hesitates
further. Soon it is a case of “after you, Alphonse/' never hesitate
when conducting a start. Act rhythmically and with confidence.
If the players are late, stop and make them start with you. Soon
they will form this good habit. But if they know you regularly hesi¬
tate, they will never come in on time.
MYSTIC SYMBOLS
For some mysterious reason, many students unknowingly make
a series of small movements in mid-air with their hand before start¬
ing a piece. These puzzle the performers and are sometimes mis¬
taken for preliminary beats. Avoid such mystic symbols. It is sur¬
prising how hard they are to suppress.
PRELIMINARY RESTS
A composition in % starting on 2 may be written
j j U J J I
or
U J J IJ J J I
If there are rests before the sound commences, the piece must be
considered to start with the rest , so the conductor must give a small
preliminary beat before the rest and another on the rest, with a large
rebound. Otherwise a player with only an instrumental part in front
of him may miscount. With a chorus this precaution may not be
necessary unless they are singing from parts.
“merging” after a start
Certain awkward beginnings are facilitated by starting with more
beats per bar than the piece requires, and then “merging” (the op¬
posite of subdividing), as described in Chapter XV.
7 2
For example:
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Allegretto J>=150
i J> I J> ’ j> \i i\
Beat ( «J j |/’J j J
(in 3)
Be sure the eighth note
flustered.
1 .".j | j.j J | etc.
•> * J | j. I j, I etc.
(in 1)
beats are not so large and fast as to be
When all is said and done, there are two cardinal rules about
starts which must dominate all others.
1. A START MUST LOOK LIKE A START.
This sounds ridiculous, but a student often goes through all
e correct motions and the piece does not begin. This is be-
cause he somehow failed to make the start look like a start.
is hard to teach or describe. Everything must contribute
• • . face, eyebrows, perhaps mouth, breathing action, shoul-
ers, and exact nature of the arm movements. This comes
with practice and perhaps a certain innate sense of
pantomime.
2. NOTHING BEFORE THE START MUST LOOK LIKE A START.
1 here must be no mystic symbols, twitches, or other confus-
mg motions; m particular, in Type B starts be sure not to
the first motion look like the more important second and
nnal preliminary.
cuiVofft d be t0 stop a piece ’ but man y p e °p le make a
for\he horns Th **7 “ Wh °^ n ° te f ° r the strin g s > f °ur quarters
tor the horns, a bass drum stroke on the third beat and a cymbal
crash on the fourth. Obviously each beat must be given 7 The
-trmgs have no way of knowing when this situation arises There-
STARTS AND STOPS
73
fore, on a final note, they are trained to watch for all the beats, to
avoid cutting off too soon. Hence it is best in a new piece to give
all the beats (small) in the last bar even where nothing new is
happening. However, once the players become familiar with a com¬
position this seems pedantic. Most conductors give 1, then hold it
as long as they wish and cut off.
But the problem is, how to cut off. Notes do not just end, they
must be stopped. The timpanist has to stop his stick on the way
down; singers usually have to add a final consonant. Where the
length of the final note is optional, as at a final retard or a fermata,
the conductor must show in advance that he is about to cut off. He
cannot simply drop his hand. Many complex and ineffective ways
to do this are being taught. Some people use a written “e” for no
apparent reason; others make wild swoops in several directions, and
nobody knows exactly when to stop. The simplest way is the best:
hold still, then give two short motions, one up, the other down,
returning to exactly where it started from ... up, down, like
“ready, go!” (For a more flamboyant occasion like the last note
of Die Meistersinger, a larger beat could be used!) But the prin¬
ciple is simple: prepare, cut.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Conduct:
Allegro
‘■a i i j
/
Andante
Presto (in 2)
5 J J IJ
Andante cantabile
IJiJlIJ J J
Adagio (in 4)
t jiu j j j
f marc .
Allegretto (in 2)
i j>im m
o
74
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Tempo di Valse (in I)
g ' i * l« » J IJ J J IJ. |
mp leg,
Moderato (in 6)
*■ e j> jtj i m m\j. i
f marc.
Lento
■■ 3 - j U J i I J. II
ff
Allegro non troppo
J- 3 J J IJ J J iJ J I j. j II
/> leg . ""
Allegro vivace (in 4)
k - WTjjTjHIU- 1 J. J. Io. II
/
Andante con moto
-■ j j u j j ju j j i^j. I
P poco marc.
Allegretto grazioso (in 3)
-- 8 J'lJTJ JTj j"TJ IJ. r r||
Largo (in 4)
■■ i j>j j j i. I
^ leg.
2 . Practise every possible start in every beat pattern, at widely
varied tempos and volumes, first tvpe B, then a mixture of A
and B.
3. Put your two friends far apart in a room with a blackboard.
Write a number of exercises similar to those shown in this
c apter on the board and see if you can make your friends
STARTS AND STOPS
75
start together without telling them the tempo or character in
advance. An hour or two of this will work wonders with a sub¬
ject which is difficult to read about.
4. From now on, at the conclusion of each exercise concentrate
on making a clear cut-off.
Professionals:
1. Conduct:
Allegro vivace (in 3)
a - § |J J J J J J J J J IJ- l>
PP
Moderato
-• 5 jij j j ij jij j j ii_> 1
P leg.
Andante
c - 5 J Jij J j J |j J Jij J
mf
Presto (in l)
*■ a i> j 1 j j j 1 j. 11
FP
Maestoso
i jni j Jjii.
/
Allegro molto
-■ ipn ij j j J 1.
P
Allegro molto
. i - ijinu ■ j j
/>
Andante
j- I J>j J i J J 1
P leg.
Andante espressivo
■■■in i j j j j 1 o ii
P leg.
Moderate
II 6- | J | 0 ||
/
76
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
2. Give yourself further practice as indicated for beginners, plac¬
ing more emphasis on unusual situations (such as % time).
3* With your two friends, concentrate especially on conveying the
mood without their knowing in advance what it will be. They
should know the tempo, volume, and mood before you have
reached the bottom of the starting beat. Most conductors
lack this capability because they never work on it as a separate
4. Think about your cut-offs and see if they need tidying up.
Chapter XV
SUBDIVISION AND “MERGING”
The term “subdivision” (or less frequently “division”) is com¬
monly used to indicate a conductor’s action when he changes the
beahng unit to a lower note value; for example, when he goes from
quarter notes to eighths, giving 8 beats in a bar where formerly
there were 4. Merging” is the author’s term for the opposite,
which seems to have no generally accepted name.
A: Subdivision and Merging Within a Piece
Subdivide or merge only if the tempo is changing. In other cir¬
cumstances this usually implies a tempo change and therefore in-
diMston 116 madvertentl y- Monte ^ was very strict in forbidding sub¬
division or merging m strict time. 6
notot wW°tb S ? dV :f le When the tem P° is slowin S down to the
Srd S 6 ^ beC ° meS unwield y- This is common at a final
retard. 'The conductor gradually slows his beat and at a certain
p m s s putting in the extra bounces described in Chapter VII
bemg careful to preserve the skeleton of the basic pattern f£ may
but -
Three bars of a final retard might be conducted as follows:
SUBDIVISION AND “MERGING”
77
78
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Sometimes it is helpful to subdivide just before the actual slow
Z Wi,h “ T 0rehesira Md t e
retard and “ more *■* «■«- *»-
offin^f ^ f remembered that although there are many degrees
pected whhlh T’ 03865 3 GRADUAL sIowin g down is ex-
S’, 11 the heats becoming progressively farther apart. There
££?£ \ZTf ! n Cha ; g V nt ° 3 8l ° W SCCtion which"then cot
stnct time, and of course no acceleration. One rarelv
ears an amateur do a well-proportioned final retard- there are
eSl PS bUmpS 3nd grCat hoIes where nothing happens espe
emlly at the exact moment of subdivision, where fhe tempo often
suddenly changes. Such retards sound like: ^
or
Try to moke final retards like
or
MS' l iS " SUddCn adagi0> that is a Afferent matter.)
i ^ f * s ^ ess common. Sometimes in an acceleration the
b«fcwo„ld be too fast to bo clear; the conductor then me™ Z
S' lher “I" r' taK Z^.
mergesthemanLS^Un”^" 6 " * to ° fct ^
and thetroSirStostotly’tS “’ii" 5 '' ““ aCCdmllon '
ducting urthe, than b>“3 ZZt* ^ °* M COn '
SUBDIVISION AND “MERGING”
79
MERGING AFTER A START
See the use of merging described earlier in Chapter XIV.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Conduct:
Moderate
• i. J J J ! J J
P
4
poco
rit. •
0 *
divide
here
Moderato
b - 1 J J J J
f
J . .
rit. - -
0 4
4 4 l o
divide
here
Moderato
rit. -
c - i J J J
TP
j
IJ J
1 !
m 0
1J J J
divide
here
molto
Andante
-IJ J J
vtf legato
J
IJ J
rit. -
J J
|J J J
divide
here
Andante accel.-- - .--- Allegro (in l) ^
e - I J J J IJ J J IJ J J U J J I- 1 * ^ 1 J J J ^
p grazioso
Allegretto (in 2) accel. - Allegro (in 1) ,
3 j J IJ J IJ J U J i- J If J IJ i
O
d
2. Have a friend count beats in various time signatures while you
conduct retards and accelerations extreme enough to warrant
subdividing or merging. Practise subdivision, starting cm each
beat of every pattern.
^6 D
8o
Professionals:
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Conduct the following exercises. Do each
mg the amount of retard progressively
earlier each time. *
several times, increas-
subdividing one beat
Moderato
i J JN
P leg.
poco
rit. - - ■
^ J IJ J:J J j _ J.
divide
here
Andante cantabile
7 j i i , i molto allayg, -__
p J j # |j J J J;J J J Jj j j j j j j j jo
divide
Allegretto (in 6) a cceZ.- -Allegro (in i}
1/77 /t? i/tj /771'i 1
2 ’ rtft r UrSe : f j° n ° ther uncommon time signatures. Be sure
that your retards are well proportioned.
B: Subdivision and Merging for an Entire Piece
In many preces there is no doubt how many beats to give in a
and ^rvr ? rdl C ^ d ^ nothin § bu t 2 ; 1 would be absurdly slow
be in 4 even if f V 6 HalleIu ) a}l Chorus ^om Messiah could only
L “ m,ly quicidy - *««" k
m fy compositions are performed at a tempo
SSle the I 0 ' ^ C ° ndUCt0r * b ? no clear cut. For
aample, the well-known tune m the last movement of the Brahms
2 the tS 7 might * ^ in 3 rather 4 or a rathe slow
° f ^ 0Zart ’ S G minor couI ^ be - a fast 3 0 T
DrM *° M *
S tzt CMdT ™ ”7- T ATua B
.to. in
SUBDIVISION AND “MERGING”
evidence implying that C means 4 to a bar and <£ means 2 (the et
resurrexit” section), but this is nineteenth-century habit.
Some modern composers use % when they want two ts oa
bar and % for four. But composers are not necessarily the best
judges of how to conduct their own music even if their musical
instincts are infallible.
How, then, does a conductor determine in such cases whether to
use more beats in a bar (by subdividing a % and conducting m ?
etc.) or fewer beats (such as a % in 2)?
He should first settle in his mind the tempo and character ot the
piece, or of its principal sections, whether it should be owing or
sturdy, four vigorous accents per bar or two gentle ones, etc. en
he makes his choice according to the following table.
Using more beats in a bar:
1. gives a sturdier motion
2. may facilitate certain ac¬
cents or entrances
3. tends to keep a tempo
slower
Using FEWER beats in a bar:
1. gives a more flowing motion
2. may make certain accents or
entrances harder
3. tends to let a tempo move
faster
Go back to the four examples mentioned earlier. Sing each one.
Conduct a group singing them if you can. Try each tune both ways
(e.g. the Brahms in 4 and in 2). Change every two or three phrases
from one to the other. You will soon feel the difference, is y
remarkable. The performers need know nothing of what you are
doing. It seems to be a universal and instinctive matter not related
to musical instruction.
If you want the Brahms and the Mozart to flow along, you must
conduct in 2 and 1 respectively; if you want a sturdier effect (as is
probably more desirable in these cases) you must use 4 and 3. My
Bonnie becomes jerky and choppy in 6; the ocean waves are really
convincing when it is in 2. This swinging motion seems out of
place in Drink to Me Only; 6 seems to make it more dignified an
eX These < examples do not illustrate points 2 above. Suppose a . %
piece contains many sforzandos or loud entrances on beats 2 and 4,
82
the conductor can help the performers more by beatin
can thus make sharp motions on beats 2 and 4- if he i<
m 2 it is much harder to help. In the last movement
skysSymphome de psaumes there is a lengthy secti
which chorus and horns have many such entrances. W<
these were hard to sing and play in 2, but immediate!
m 4. Subsequently a revised edition came out indicati
section m question should be conducted in 4! (See
about the infallibility of composers.)
As for points 3, if a certain piece tends to drag, use i
^ ahead ’ use more - The writer has
W °A C i . a n d Ch ° mS tend t0 slow down in the f,
V’ f * Requiem; althou g h the movement real
4 it has been necessary to do it in 2 to keep it fast '
sTw 1 “ th K ° th f hand ’ althou S h Really conducted
2 codd^r t0 cree P ^ especially
IdMi„ * he "° IinS - In ™ "■
A conductor must consider these points at great le
ESEftSS ? thinting ^2
minar. Much of the success or failure of at least half
^ dVS “
r beats. This point cannot be stressed too st:
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Lear n the basic principles stated in this chanter .
about them for the rest of your life ^ ‘
2 ' llTT related t0 this c hapter) look at
Arfvoul er t**” 0 ”* 4 for professionals in Cha
Are you developing any of these? If so, take ememen
Professional:” 3 C * ““ they become “grained hah
1 workin^n 1S . familiar t0 you. reconsider every piece
Chapter XVI
MOULDING THE MUSIC
It would be quite possible for someone to perform all the actions
described in this volume correctly and yet have a poor technique.
Mechanical clarity is not enough. The conductor must constantly
remember to “mould the music” with his actions, somewhat as
though he were shaping clay. Each motion should portray in visua
terms what he feels the music should sound like. If it dances, beat
patterns are not enough; his arms, his face, even his head an
shoulders must also dance. If it is somber and sustained, all his
motions must contribute to this mood. Even minor structural divi¬
sions should be shown by some almost indefinable half shrug or
breath. .
For example, take the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah
(this is chosen as everyone can think it from memory while rea
ing the following). The orchestral introduction should start with a
positive downbeat and three subsidiaries; then the music repeats it¬
self almost exactly, and so should the conductor; next there is a r
of only moderate intensity, preceded by an eighth note anacrusis.
In bar 4 the chorus enters. The conductor should make this en¬
trance even more intense than the opening, and much more so
than bar 3; bar 5 is the same as bar 4, only there must be a cnsp
“hot stove” bounce at the end to help the chorus with the six¬
teenths. The next bar (6) is more dance-like than anything so r,
in bar 7, we must sense a certain temporary finality at the cadence
on the third beat; beat four should be quite small, but it must
bounce high for the next “Hallelujah” entrance, which is like bar
4. The whole structure of bars 8, 9, 10, and 11 is the same as 4
through 7 and should be conducted the same, though possibly more
intensely. In bar 12 (“for the Lord God . . .”) a broader fading *
probably desirable, with a long line lasting until halfway throug
bar 14; the beats should bounce less high and have more sideways
83
8 4
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
-— —a
“Sis:Lr^rr ,cWns si ^ ° f «»«■* *>«», aan
notes. All ais "L ale t h ” ° f dance - Iile taer
«** ** * -
mould the music is not § 7 f conductin g as squired to
^Ts n ;* 1 ’Lt n 0 7r trt to ™ teh *■*"* *-
every subtlety is portrayed in hk ”*?• S'” 10 ' ’ Every "“nee.
melody or whin a^rrWn his mot . lons - He can caress a gentle
work unfamifc to the Xe l °”, m '° f " n0 “ action - Yet m a
How is a stadrat toft y i' “ kes technical PO^ clear.
i„g ? w s student to learn this alhrmportant aspect of conduct-
W whhS^™”® US teChniq “ £ S0 te if * subseraent to his mus-
the task 5 £*£££ SfS^f ^ ^
going through studfedrueehanical^ctrS 0 ””'" me ” ly
3- By loving the music he conducts, and losing himself in it.
assignments
Beginners and professionals-
'' £2> “l ^ “■
into conducting it with ^ rw?* 6 ! ecorc ^ an< * ^row yourself
Then co„“Sf S, We th °”8ltt about technique.
W with « 1^^.““^°”
ducting. Bound all over »4,* atever and no thought of con-
your whole body. Then graduX^od'f^ 1 ^ the music with
they eventually merae into 7™ 7 ^ f / y ° Ur actl0ns 50 that
still retain but
m your dancing. a qualities you showed
Chapter XVII
FERMATAS
The simple matter of a fermata at the end of a composition was
discussed in Chapter XIV. The troublesome kind are t ose o
lowed by more music. , ,
The problem is never the fermata itself. Simply hold the an
still when you come to the fermata, letting the note continue as
long as you wish. Like falling out of the Empire State Bui mg,
the trouble comes when you stop.
In general there are three types of fermatas. The writer c assi e$
them by what happens after the fermata itself. (The techniques or
conducting them are quite general although the classification is
original, as far as is known.) They are:
A. Fermatas with no period of silence or cut after them. e
sound continues uninterrupted.
B. Those followed by a short period of silence (usually about
one beat in length). M
C. Those followed by a long period of silence (considerably
longer than one beat). .,
Modem composers generally indicate which of these they wish;
with older masters the interpreter rarely has any help and muste
cide for himself. (Wide differences of opinion usually result I be
fermatas near the end of Beethoven s Second Symphony, or ex
ample, ware treated by Toscanini as type A by Bruno Walter as
type B, and by Weingartner as type C. Each was a noted authority
on Beethoven. This provides food for thought on the authonta-
tiveoess of Noted Authorities.)
Type A Fermatas: No Cut Afterwards-
i. Beat the fermata and hold it as long as you wish at the bot¬
tom of the beat on the “bounce level.”
85
86
CONDUCTING
2. Continue smoothly into the next beat. As your ha
ing at the bounce level” it will of course have to me
before coming down for the next beat.
r , 1 muiiunless
fermata, and nurror the right hand when it starts movin
Note; TTie problem in Type A is to prevent the perfc
cutting off before the next note.
Fermata on 3 in a 3 pattern:
^ LvrwaTus
levei.’^ thC fCrmata 3nd h ° Id * at the bottol " of the
A, 2 vn Re ? ea V he beat on which *e fermata occurred and c
As your hand was resting on the “bounce level” its first me
the h ° W "T y ° U
K f t u r om ve,y z «
FERMATAS
87
This is by far the most common form of fermata:
Type C Fermatas: Long Cut Afterwards
1. Beat the fermata and hold it at the bottom of the beat on the
"bounce level/"
2. Give a cut-off as described in Chapter XIV.
3. Hold still as long as desired. .
4. Continue as though starting a new piece, with a preliminary,
or if the music starts between beats, two preliminaries.
This type is used for a long, dramatic pause:
88
CONDUCTII
Further Points About Fermatas
WARNING
Be sure not to interchange types B and C. If you it
and a preliminary beat during a short period of silen.
is hurried and confused; if you try to make the cut-o
die preliminary beat during a long silence, the motion
slow.
Note: Some conductors use a slow upward motion f<
on the grounds that this prevents the sound from dying
a well-trained group this produces an unwanted crescen
DRILL
Useful practice can be gained at this point by api
techniques to the last four bars of America (God Save t
(Never mind whether the fermata is artistically justifi
a technical drill.) y 1
From ev - 'ry moun - tain side
Long to reign o - ve r us;
let free-dom
God save the
-- « * UO
an^S * 1611 f y u the mUSiC aftCr a fermata is in a new temi
,, gr ° follow ing the slow introduction of a sympl
techniques tombed above should be exactly the same
preliminary beat (which is also the cut-off beat in tvDe B
indicating the new tempo. YP B
FERMATAS ON LONG NOTES
^ erma ^ a Is placed on a long note The i
should give all the necessary beats and actually put the f
£££££ ^ * orchestral^playerfma
FERMATAS
89
Thus in this case:
the conductor beats 1, 2, and 3, pausing on 3.
In this case:
IcLjJ I
he must beat the complete first bar and give both beats in the sec¬
ond, pausing on 2.
(In such cases the beats after the long note commences shoul
be quite small.)
FERMATAS BETWEEN BEATS
In cases like the following:
Allegro (in 2) ^
§ j j j m i j • * • i
give of the second bar and hold still while the music continues
to the fermata. Then proceed normally.
COMPLEX FERMATAS
Every so often one comes across a situation not covered ade¬
quately by the techniques above. Long lists and abstruse instruc¬
tions are of little help. It is felt that the reader will do best to solve
such problems as they arise, in the following manner (after he has
made sure that the above techniques cannot be applied).
1. Use your common sense to figure out something else.
2. Try it in rehearsal a few times.
3. If it doesn't work try something different.
This procedure will solve many complex problems. (See Preface tor
advice on bridge crossing.)
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
90
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Get together again with the blackboard, the chalk, and your
two faithful friends. Write a number of possibilities on the
board and see if you can make your friends sing them (mono¬
tone), without telling them in advance which type of fermata
to expect. A few possibilities are listed below; make up others
yourself.
Moderato
f7\
a.
i J J
j
J
IJ J
j II
/
Moderato
ns
Allegro
b.
I j j
j
J
IJ J
J 1
P
Moderato
n\
Adagio
c.
\ J J
j
•
IJ J
j II
TP
Allegretto
ns
J J
d.
2 J J
!
*
IJ
IJ •
1 j . 1
p
Professionals:
1. You are probably thoroughly experienced in conducting fer-
matas. Be critical of your cut-offs, however. Many fairly suc¬
cessful conductors are ambiguous on cut-offs, with either too
little preliminary indication, or a violent motion that breaks
the mood and looks like another downbeat.
2. Write a few exercises in unusual time signatures and test your¬
self. For example:
Moderato
i j
f
J JiJ J IJ 3 J ! J J |J. J
Andante
b - 1 J J
P esp.
ns Allegro
J J J J !J J iJ J J J |J.
Chapter XVIII
EARS
It has been said that a good conductor is merely a pair of . ea ^ s Y
arms attached. While this statement may slight the intellectual
quirements of the art, it contains a great deal of trut .
As the physical actions of conducting become niore m .
automatic the student must increase the amount o 1S a **
devoted to listening. When we conductors hear our own a P^
sometimes are dismayed at the errors that escape us. se ^
though our ears must retract into our heads the mmu e we i
our arms. _ „_j fr .
Professional conductors reading the above may encourag
find that others also have this depressing experience. It is easily -
plained. When we conduct we are attending to many u. 2 3 * * * 7
when we listen we have no other responsibilities or ^ is a
Nevertheless, we must do everything in our power to increase me
amount we hear while conducting. Suggestions. r
1. Improve your arm technique so that it almoS' '
itself, like working a car's controls in traffic. I yoo P "
conducting a piece sufficiently you can concentra e mo
2. You must constantly remind yourself to listen. A
corporation hangs a sign saying think in all its offices, ur g
must be LISTEN. . ■« t—g
3. Be sure that your hearing is physiologically m g F*
wL in ears can only be detected by a doctor and jy fflto out
certain overtones. A music lover whose hearing seemed normalw^s
found during a routine medical check-up o a\
When this was removed the whole world
tended a recital by a fine string quartet and could tadfy stand the
tone He was so unaccustomed to high frequencies th ,
noraial brilliance unbearably brittle Think
have sounded like had he been a conductor! Long, thick hair wo
9 1
9 2
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
over the ears has been shown to have a similar effect temporarily—
women conductors please note!
4. You must develop your ear as much as possible. Natural hear¬
ing ability is relatively unimportant, although of course there are
individual differences. (This is fortunate, or we all would reach our
professional peak in our early "teens and then decline.) Traditional
ear training courses are of little help. When in their careers are
conductors ever required to take down four-part harmony played
on a piano, other than to pass courses? The most useful type of
training is in wrong note detection, where the instructor plays or
conducts passages containing deliberate wrong notes and the class
members try to locate them while following their scores.
Even this is not much help, as there are not enough class hours
available for such a subject. The conductor must train himself.
Listening to a concert or records and following all parts, separately
and together, is useful. Attending someone else’s rehearsal and fol¬
lowing a score is better—trying to find errors before the conductor.
The student must of course also learn the timbres of different
instruments and voices, and must develop his aural imagination.
Conducting in silence will help, as suggested in Chapter XIII.
Erich Leinsdorf once suggested to the writer when he was a stu-
dent that he form and conduct a string quartet, primarily for prac¬
tice in detecting wrong notes. Coaching any small ensemble would
be equally beneficial.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Make every effort to get experience in detecting wrong notes.
Ask your friend to play simple pieces, like hymns, with occa-
sional deliberate errors-some conspicuous, some subtle.
2 ‘ Yake on pupils; coach any small vocal or instrumental group.
Professionals:
1 . Hang a large listen sign where you can see it during all your
rehearsals!
2. Have your ears examined occasionally.
1
Chapter XIX
NERVES
Excellent training and superb talent are useless if the performer is
too nervous to use them in public. The composer, the coach, and
the teacher may do their work in private, but the concert artist
must sooner or later walk out and face that sea of faces. To the
person who has taken part in few concerts, or the experienced
musician who still becomes nervous, here are a few ideas which
have helped many a young musician.
1. You must be thoroughly prepared. Start work early so that you
are completely secure in the music.
2. You should not plan to extend your technique to the utmost
in public; you may not quite make it. Keep something in reserve in
case you are below par. Do not play your hardest piece, your fastest
tempo, or your highest note. A composition you occasionally man¬
age to struggle through in a studio is not suitable for the pressures
of a concert.
In conducting, be sure you can do a Brahms symphony in pri¬
vate before you tackle Mozart in public; conquer the complexities
of Stravinsky or Britten in your own room before risking Brahms
at a concert. You need a reserve of technique.
Remember that you are not the first person to be scared stiff
before an event. Most people are, including some of the finest
athletes. Knowing that you are in good company may cheer you up.
4. Try not to let the concert alter your normal routine unduly.
Have adequate rest, but carry on with most of your regular tasks.
Taking two days off beforehand and sitting at home alone brood¬
ing about it may give you a bad case of the jitters.
5. Ask yourself what you really fear. Suppose it is a fiasco, and
you run off the stage with the audience throwing vegetables. You
could try again, or start a new life. Schumann developed as a com¬
poser only after he hurt his finger and abandoned a concert career.
93
94 CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
(Naturally, it is to be hoped such a thing won’t happen—but
thinking it through to the end seems to reduce the fear.)
6. Try to see life in proper perspective. Is a bad concert really a
terrible tragedy?
7. Don t worry about minor errors. Performances are never per¬
fect. A recently issued recording of a celebrated pianist contains
more than 100 splices to remove errors. The audience rarely notices
little mistakes and understands that they are bound to occur.
8. Say to yourself, “Well, I guess you really aren’t up to this
concert. Too bad. You’d better phone so-and-so and ask him to
take your place on the program . . . I’m sure he’d love to have the
chance. This is almost foolproof.
9. Act to one and all as though you are not nervous. The more
you tell everybody what a wreck you are the worse you’ll become.
down tCadier y ° U pretend t0 be the sooner you will calm yourself
10. When you walk out on the stage, you may still feel some¬
what wobbly. That is natural. Don’t worry about it. But then you
must FORGET THE AUDIENCE AND ENJOY MAKING MUSIC.' Music is for
enjoyment. If you worry about the audience during the perform¬
ance your tension will increase. On the other hand, by concentrat¬
ing exclusively on the music your nervousness will soon subside. If
you make a mistake, put it instantly out of your mind. Enjoy your¬
self and so will the audience.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Find a nervous recitalist and quote from memory the points
above. It will be good practice for working on yourself when
your turn comes.
Professionals:
1. Everyone expects you to be the tower of strength. These sug¬
gestions may help you keep yourself steady. Radiate confidence
even when there is no reason whatsoever for having any. And
remember, the success of the concert may depend on the
extent to which you have calmed down your performers, es-
pecially young soloists.
Chapter XX
THOUGHTS ON INTERPRETATION
Interpretation requires a lifetime of study, and many excellent
books are appearing on the subject. This chapter will merely pre¬
sent some general ideas and suggestions.
There are two opposing ideals in musical performance. On the
one hand, we can be purely subjective and personal in our inter¬
pretation of the printed page. On the other, we can conscien¬
tiously try to re-create the musical ideas of the composer, aided by
his markin gs on the composition itself and similar works, his ex¬
pressed views on performance, and our knowledge of the condi¬
tions and customs of his day.
We can say, “I am the co-artist. The composer is not responsible
for this concert. I know as much about music as he does and more
about my own group and hall. I shall play this piece any way I
want. My audience is accustomed to modem sound. I feel free to
change anything the composer indicated, including the notes
themselves.” Or we can say, “I am merely the builder who follow
the composer’s blueprints in re-creating this masterpiece.”
The first approach seems egotistical to most musicians today,
but was recently widespread. There are still musicians who modern¬
ize even Bach to suit themselves. The writer once heard a world-
famous actor say "the important thing isn t Shakespeare s Hamlet,
it’s olivier’s Hamlet, or gielgud’s Hamlet, or my Hamlet. Thus
each performance is new and vital.” This statement seemed shock¬
ing at the time, but on reconsideration must be conceded to be a
valid viewpoint.
This modernized-subjective approach is, however, usually the re¬
sult of ignorance, poor taste, or lack of musical insight rather than
a positive philosophy. Pianists follow a certain Italian editor’s fussy
romanticisms in Bach because they have never experienced the
awesome grandeur of a great baroque performance. A celebrated
English conductor adds copious brass throughout Handel s Israel
95
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
in Egypt. This is not only anachronistic and unfair to the com-
posers ideas; it becomes tedious and ineffective. For example, in
the final chorus (the rousing “horse and the riders”), Handel care-
fully leaves off his trumpets until about two-thirds of the way
through. When they finally come in the result is nothing short of
hair-raising. In the recording mentioned above this effect is totally
lost because of the Berliozian clatter which precedes it.
The second, or historical-ob jective approach, is the ideal to which
most sincere performers attain today. Musical scholarship is at a
high level, and ancient instruments are now readily available which
thirty years ago existed only in museums. Most musicians no longer
accept Bach on a concert grand piano with nineteenth-century
pedal effects but insist on a harpsichord or clavichord. Recorders,
harpsichords, and baroque organs are now as common as string
quartets.
Scholarship has been of great benefit in revealing the hidden
beauties of older music. Playing certain eighteenth-century grace
notes in a historically correct manner adds a discordant pungency
which spices the otherwise bland harmony. Improvising variations
in the da capo section of an aria is not only authentic but spares
us from tedious literal repetitions never intended by the composer.
Innumerable other illustrations could be given to show that his¬
torical accuracy also improves artistic quality. In Winton Dean's
book, Handel $ Dramatic Oratorios and Masques,* he convincingly
states the case for historically correct performances: . . many
modern performances of the oratorios are travesties. . . . There is
an enormous amount of spring-cleaning to be done before the filth
of ages is stripped from Handel's music. . . .
This is not a matter of pedantry; we need not plead piety to¬
wards Handel s memory; aesthetic pleasure alone provides sufficient
motive. Handel was a far greater composer ... than the English
public is allowed to know. . . . False traditions of performance
[have] reduced the music to a synthetic suet that revolts the stom¬
achs of sensitive listeners. It has lost its freshness, depth, and pro¬
portion, like a picture coated with layers of discoloured varnish.
There is no ground for supposing that a modem audience, how-
* Oxford University Press, 1959, pp. 102,114.
THOUGHTS ON INTERPRETATION ?/
ever untutored, appreciates Handel only when he is brought up
to date. Indeed the evidence is the other way: when the dirt is
removed, the public is often quicker than the professional musi¬
cian, for whom the varnish is as sacred as the old master, to appre¬
ciate the variety and colour that lie beneath.” .
He continues in an interesting footnote, “There is a parallel in
the cleaned pictures at the National Gallery, which delighted the
public but caused a bitter controversy among painters..
The historical approach has been discredited sometimes by the
sad fact that the fine musicologist is not always a great artist. Some
early recordings of historically accurate performances were often
dismally unmusical.
Another weakness in the historical movement has been the old
fault of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing. Ardent histori¬
ans sometimes seize on one fact and ignore others. Bach once wrote
a letter saying that he needed at least sixteen singers to perform
major works for double chorus. A New York conductor therefore
gave a performance of the St. Matthew Passion in Carnegie Hall
using exactly sixteen choristers. In his sincere effort to honor Bach s
intentions he ignored the following:
1. Bach wanted at least sixteen singers and might have been
thrilled to death to have had more.
2. Modem string players probably produce a larger tone than was
possible in Bach's day (due to the difference in bow and neck),
thereby destroying Bach's balance.
3. Bach's churches were smaller and much more resonant than
Carnegie Hall, with more stone surfaces and less carpet and
drapery.
4. Carnegie Hall in winter is very hot, the top gallery usually m
the high 8o's. The St. Matthew Passion was premiered in April. As
every North American knows who has ever shivered through a Eu¬
ropean winter, even today a church would rarely be above 55
(The standard temperature for mercury barometers is 50°, this fig¬
ure having been chosen by European meteorologists on the grounds
that that is the average temperature indoors in Europe throughout
the year!) This alone would mean that Bach's churches probably
were much more resonant than Carnegie Hall. Even a difference of
a few degrees alters the acoustics of a hall to the point where it may
98 CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
ruin the tone of a group. For these reasons Bach's congregation
doubtess felt far more emotional impact in the loud passages than
did the poor frustrated souls in Carnegie Hall.
This illustrates some of the difficulties and dangers of the his¬
torical approach. Numerous other barriers prevent our hearing mu¬
sic exactly as the older composers did.
We must also ask ourselves whether the Masters were really
happy with their performing conditions. Conductors usually reduce
the size of an orchestra when playing Mozart. A little-known state¬
ment by the composer himself provides considerable evidence to
doubt the wisdom of such a practice. In a letter to his father from
Vienna written on April 11,1781, he describes a recent performance
of one of his symphonies, possibly K.338 in C major: “I forgot to
tell you the other day that at the concert the symphony went mag -
nifique and had the greatest success. There were forty violins, the
wind-instruments were all doubled, there were ten violas, ten double
basses, eight violoncellos and six bassoons."* Perhaps conductors
should augment their orchestras if they want to play Mozart sym¬
phonies as the composer really would have liked!
First performances prepared under the direction of the composer
were not only frequently far from ideal; some of them must have
been living nightmares. One such concert took place in the winter
of 1808 (and, incidently, marked Beethoven's last public appear-
ance as a pianist). The gargantuan all-Beethoven program included
the world premieres of his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, four move-
men ts from his Mass in C, his aria, "Ah, Perfido," the G major
iano Concerto, and the Choral Fantasy, the words for which had
just been written. The performers never had a complete rehearsal,
an } e so P rano s °loist, after a fight with the composer, refused
to sing, and was replaced by a terrified and incompetent under-
s ^ u auc ^ ence was sparse, the hall in Vienna bitterly cold,
and the program lasted four hours. Beethoven caused chaos by
playmg a repeat that had been canceled, the clarinets came in early,
and the pianist-composer stood up and hurled several sentences
of invective at them before making them play it over.
* Letter 398, page 1076, Vol. Ill, The Letters of Mozart
trans. and ed. by Emily Anderson. Macmillan, 1938.
and His Family,
THOUGHTS ON INTERPRETATION 99
The frozen audience was apathetic. In the long and terrible his¬
tory of bizarre concerts, this was surely one of the most bizarre.
Another point against the historical approach is that composers
make mistakes. Bach’s E flat Magnificat is full of errors which he
corrected in the D major version of the same work, written a few
years later. If he had died before the revision was completed we
might still be playing all those wrong notes and even drowning
out the trebles with the trumpet in the Suscepit Israel, a balance
error remedied in the later version.
Vibrato is even a matter of controversy and confusion. Today it
is used by all orchestral players except horns and clarinets, and
Reginald Kell is introducing it to the latter instrument. The writer
can remember the excitement in Toronto in the 1930 s when a
bassoonist imported from Detroit played with vibrato. Today it
is expected everywhere. In older books a “flute-like tone meant
“steady, without vibrato.” Mozart describes in sneering terms a
singer whose voice wavered like a tremulant on an organ. English
choirboys sing a straight tone but their counterparts in the United
States mostly favor vibrato. To use a harpsichord, F trumpet, and
recorder in Bach’s Second Brandenburg Concerto and then have
the solo oboe play with vibrato is considered in some quarters to
be as anachronistic as to make a supercolossal motion picture of
the landing of William the Conqueror with lavish authentic cos¬
tumes and aircraft vapor trails across the sky.
An anecdote about Sibelius related by Harold Rogers in The
Christian Science Monitor shows that at least one great composer
could enjoy his music at more than one tempo. The violinist Paul
Cherkassky was rehearsing Sibelius’s Violin Concerto with the com¬
poser. When they came to the second movement, Cherkassky said.
“Maestro, some musicians prefer to take this Adagio at a faster
tempo, like this”—demonstrating—“and others prefer it slower, this
wa y”_ a g a in demonstrating. “How do you like It?”
Sibelius made the reply, “Both ways.”
What, then, are we to do? Try to be authentic, or forget about
the composer altogether? Purely subjective performances are ques¬
tionable; purely historical are virtually impossible. Each musician
must select for himself a position somewhere between the two
extremes. Although adhering to general principles, he will probably
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
find it necessary to move somewhat one way or the other as he
performs different works.
Because of the conflict of ideals in interpretation, we must not
give a simple “yes” or “no” when a student asks, “Is it correct to
slow down here?” We must reply somewhat as follows: “The com¬
poser didn’t indicate it. Most authorities think that such retards
were not done at that time. I don’t feel it’s artistic to do so, as it
loses the energetic drive you have built up. But I cannot say
whether it is correct or not/'
EDITIONS
One of the barriers to any kind of intelligent or artistic perform¬
ance is the frequently low caliber of editions readily available. For¬
tunately this situation is rapidly changing, but newer and more
° ar y publications are little known and are usually expensive,
ew s udents realize how many of the interpretation indications
on their music are the personal opinions of some publisher’s hack,
n many rases these represent late 19th-century styles of perform¬
ance which are rapidly becoming unacceptable. Even the original
Bachgesellschaft and particularly the Handelgesellschaft editions
are not as free from sin as one might think.
Some editors with a greater sense of humility try to indicate
which are their markings and which those of the composer. Fre¬
quently they use smaller type for their own. However, with even
the most eminent it is often difficult to tell which type is which
w en the two sizes are not close together for comparison. Some lead-
thlreJSt 1 661110115 ° f W ° rkS ty BaCh 3nd Brahms are at fault in
shSS a*® P fi f0rnier f0lWs the edit0I ’ s markings or not he
aZS T° r0Ug y aW3re ° f Which are the liter’s and which the
composer s. In many cases he will become convinced that the com¬
poser knew more about his own music than the editor.
Students ask how to tell a conscientious, scholarly edition from
piece"wriff^ 116 ^ 1 ] 115 1S I 1 ® 00 ® Be ske ptical of any heavily marked
E e W rr, ^ T l8o °- 1 Performance indications were sparse
before that date. Even m later works copiously marked by the
composers, some editors find it impossible to keep 7 their s^Me
THOUGHTS ON INTERPRETATION
lOl
fingers off. Read the small print in the front of the score, and
compare your copy whenever possible with one which claims to be
an authentic original edition, or “Urtext.”
RECORD WORSHIP
Often when a student is asked why he interprets a passage in a
certain way, he replies, “Because it's like that on the record.” Fur¬
ther questioning frequently reveals that he cannot even remember
the name of the performer. He simply assumes that because it is
on a record it is divinely inspired and should not be questioned by
a mere mortal.
One of the great advantages of studying music in this era is the
abundance of low cost records. A comparison of various recordings
of the same piece by eminent artists often reveals amazing differ¬
ences, especially in older music. The case of the fermatas in the
Beethoven Second Symphony was mentioned in Chapter XVII;
countless other cases could be listed. These show that the student,
while treating a recording with respect, should nevertheless use
his own knowledge and artistry to arrive at his own interpretation,
rather than blindly worshipping any one record. Better still, he
should compare in detail every available recording of a work before
making final decisions on its performance.
ASSIGNMENT
Beginners and Professionals:
i. To help orient yourself in this vague, personal, complex, and
contradictory matter of interpretation, the following chart may
be of assistance. See where your current thinking about a few
composers is located.
You may have difficulty placing yourself in general terms, as
your approach probably varies with specific elements of per¬
formance. Many conductors modernize Beethoven’s brass parts
but would never omit a movement. Others play the opening
bars of Messiah as though double dotted, in the style of a
French overture, but would faint if the tenor sang Handel's
own cadenza at the end of “Every valley”!*
* Published in the Coopersmith edition, Carl Fischer.
102
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Re-create conditions of first performance ;
curately as possible.
a 5 x
« O W
Re-create a performance the composer probably
would have considered ideal in his own day.
Follow composer's intentions where practical-
harpsichord if available, but modem bow, vi¬
brato, etc.
Give the type of performance you feel the com-
poser would have wanted if he had had your
group and your hall.
Give the type of performance you feel the com¬
poser would want if he were alive today.
Use your musicological knowledge to decide
what the composer probably wanted, and select
or reject his ideas at will in building your own
performance.
N >
S S B
« U <
WWW
Q »—v 05
O « H
5* £> X
< w a
Use the printed notes as a source of material
tor your own creative ability, using full modem
performance resources.
Chapter XXI
SOME REHEARSAL SUGGESTIONS
Rehearsal techniques are best learned by listening to or participat¬
ing in rehearsals. See if a specific device used by the conductor
actually works. If it does, try it yourself; if not, find a better way.
Techniques should be varied as the need demands. What works
with one orchestra, band, or choir may not with another. Interest
span, musical background, seriousness of purpose vary from group
to group and rehearsal to rehearsal, and techniques must vary also.
While conducting technique is more or less universal, rehearsal
techniques are personal and specialized.
A conductor should constantly try to think up new approaches.
No one is so successful that he cannot improve. The introduction
of a new device may add interest and variety to a rehearsal even
if it results in comparatively little improvement. On the other
hand, too many “gimmicks” will irritate everyone. Most rehearsal
time should be spent in improving performance through hard work
in the time-honored manner.
As the title of this chapter indicates, no attempt will be made
to cover all the knowledge needed to train and rehearse every possi¬
ble type of musical organization at all levels of ability. This would
obviously require a full-size encyclopedia. Instead, it includes a
few opinions and suggestions which have proved successful, some
of which are not widely known. Many important subjects are not
even mentioned, there being an abundance of good books in this
field.
EMOTION
The ability to feel the emotion in a musical passage depends
partly on musical background, but mostly on whether or not the
conductor can show the performers what the emotion should be.
In rehearsals, this may be done by:
1. Conducting technique, including facial expression, etc.
104
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUI
*• ? erms ( maes toso, cantabile, etc.)
3- Short English phrases (“gracefully,” “with fire,” etc.)
m -c A d f ptl0n 0f the dramatic situation as the composer sees it
s.r “ une oniy ^ in w «Si
rS n0t ( J 0n °f led ” th the tat evoking a simi-
nej^f ( Smg as though you have just received some wonderful
notion UKt^uIdU^areepS-'” hel P ful - a sweeping
° r the concnt wni ^
emotional ievddehSSS f Iast f «' reh “rs a l s are on a low
and starts. The’concert usLh/ylkaoF™ft^ to “f ^
trifle stS 1 ““ COn “ rt - which as a result may sound a
enSaTJS "n^cT' 116 *"* ^ - ** >« «
dynamics
make them sing fondly withoutT 3 '^ *“2?* *” P roI>I 'm is to
P.0S -riou. AetS^ttmen^ 4 * ^ ° f ««
is a or voice, but
much more quietly than piibg in a^to ‘S fte m m “1 P u 5 '
Stops for a second altogether ,> j n l ! “ the tone actually
the same note. Tell them “if m j, n ° matter ’ ^ others are on
and it works wonders This le/ ° ^ ^ ourse ^ y° u ’ re too loud,”
mmdedperio.^.X^rrifl” *" *> W * * ~
Do not waste the intensity of good pianissimos by drilling notes
SOME REHEARSAL SUGGESTIONS 1C>5
at this volume level Let them come up to “p” or “mi” for drill,
and the pianissimos will be satisfactory in run-throughs.
Sudden changes. These require constant work, plus good con¬
ducting. If necessary, take the loud place several times, pause, then
do the quiet one. Decrease the number of times and the length of
the pause until the change is as desired.
Cresc. and dim. These dynamic effects developed last in music,
and are the hardest to perform. If necessary, take the highest point,
then the lowest point, and then move from one to the other in
slow time. Each performer must gauge his own volume. The long
orchestral crescendos in Rossini overtures often need this drill.
RHYTHM
Assuming that the performers understand the arithmetic, rhyth¬
mical problems can usually be solved by insisting that everyone
think the smallest convenient time value. This also helps prevent
running ahead. For example, in a passage in slow pizzicato quarter
notes, the normal tendency to run can be helped if the players
think continuous sixteenths.
This should also help the numerous simple rhythms which are
often slightly inaccurate and which lead to sloppy performance or
even actual breakdown, such as
Slowing down. This usually results from insecurity of notes, trou¬
ble with words, or fingering or bowing problems. Locate and cure
the cause and the dragging ceases. (Or as stated in Chapter IX,
use smaller beats, or fewer beats in a bar, as discussed in Chapter
XV.)
Late entrances. These may be caused by timidity, lack of knowl¬
edge of the music, or failing to think the speed of the little notes
before the entrances. The performer must not rest during a rest!
He must work harder than when he is playing.
In vocal music, singers must remember to sing preliminary con¬
sonants as though they were grace notes before the beat, because
the vowel sets the tempo. The second movement of most masses
io6
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
starts late because the singers start the word “gloria” on the beat,
instead of saying the “g” and the “1” before and the “o” on the
beat. Have them sing “oria” a few times and then put the “gl” in
cany, like nineteenth-century grace notes.
Singers and wind players will also lose time if they try to breathe
m a short rest. They must either breathe faster, take in less air, or
stagger the breathing (that is, everyone breathes at different times).
this is essential if there are several consonants before and after a
”*7 sa ^ n ^ hosts have in a hurry, with a breath in the
middle!
Ne yer let down the good performers. If they come in ahead of
e others, correct the laggards to bring them up to the best. The
good ones must not feel conspicuous and wrong, or soon they’ll
stop coming in on time and then nobody will.
ACCENTS
Often accents are carefully observed by performers but the effect
is lost because they put on another accent nearby. This is particu-
arly prevalent when the accent is immediately before the bar line;
tire player wiff add another on the downbeat, obscuring the first.
Try making them count out loud . . . “one ... two .. three
thVJL * • \u‘ 0ne • • • two ■ • ”> etc. Until they can think
e accent m the proper place and avoid accents elsewhere they
cannot sing or play it. J
Dla^fKp 1S 3 star * a J° n § note , many people
LLe h fhJ h °i e n °l e 0Ud ~ this is sim P I y f > not sf. Be sure they
reduce the volume to its normal level after the accented beginning.
PHRASING
, ,ar S e, y a matter of having the parts marked properly and
£ 2 ^ 0 ^ d< ff bowing, and ohoiL of
thing places are involved. It is an interpretative problem rather
than a direct concern of rehearsal techniques. P
FOLLOWING THE CONDUCTOR
COnd £ UC 1 tin f techni( l ue is useless if nobody sees it.
Many performers feel they are watching when they seea blurry
motion out of the comer of their eye. Others think it is necessary to
SOME REHEARSAL SUGGESTIONS A /
look up only at tempo changes. None of these musicians ever has
a true rapport with the conductor, and through him the o er
players. ,
The best way to find out whether these people are really watch¬
ing is to change tempo drastically at some point where it is neither
expected nor musical. The inattentive musicians are soon playing
a canon with the others. It is sometimes the only way to convince
them that they cannot see through their eyelids.
On the other hand, some conductors stop unexpectedly to see
who is watching. Even the best player looks at the music for two
or three seconds at a time and may come blasting out by himself
and feel foolish. He soon loses his confident style of playing. The
first method shows faults without unduly embarrassing the poor
fellow, as there is still sound continuing.
The group should be trained to watch from the first rehearsal, or
sensitivity will not be developed. When sight-reading they must
have the point hammered home that “the time you need to watch
the conductor the most is the first time, because you know the
music the least.” Of course, a few minor mistakes will result, but
these are unimportant compared with the greater error of letting
them play with their eyes continually down.
GIVING THE PLACE
One minor matter should be mentioned which frequently loses
time and causes irritation at rehearsals. When some conductors
give the place in the score they locate it in the order in which it
occurs to them. They say, “There should be an accent on the F
sharp on the fourth beat of the fifth bar after letter B in the second
violin part.” The players cannot start hunting until the sentence
is finished, by which time they have forgotten the beginning.
Count out loud so the players can keep up with you, and word the
instructions in the order they need to find the place: for example,
“Second violins; after letter B, bar one, two, three, four, five;
fourth beat, there should be an accent on the F sharp. By the
time you finish the sentence they will have found the note.
This is like addressing an envelope; we write from top to bottom,
but the postal authorities obviously must read the address from
bottom to top.
io8
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
GENERAL
and J som^ bnd w 3 re J eaB ? 1 f 063 not rec i uire something borrowed
and something blue, but it does need something old and some-
andfherTfn 0 ^ I ^ eat5als . shouId have va riety of musical activity,
and therefore should contain the following:
i. something not seen before
2 result)”* 11 St ° PS 3nd repetition ( 0T no improvement will
3* sfraight run-throughs.
musTaml in aI f oaches - there =>" be Me or no new
stai^t ra„ s Y ‘ ™ l ^ ”"V “* >* abI « to *>
If all the music is introduced and read at the beainnine of the
lost”"' ' lnterest advanta 8' of investigating "something new" is
in am™?!’ ak °. n “ d f” 1 -'' °f emotion. Avoid staying too long
of the SieTral « ft 1 ? aI1 Ch^go the gieral ton!
CLts^T imnS“ U ; t,OT de ™ n<iS ' A * Conductor
om o7<SS Sft"” 5 ; If 1 ”"'' an W' intense ' Patient, humor-
*
edae°h,t l ^ n fh nCe “ " 0t °” lya of training and knowh
A Sd thS °d^ mg d™ rmed ” P a ” d in the ri S hl o' ”>«•
toons’ “ a °“” d h °'tole. Unde, such con-
as intonation rhvftm A try to improve separate details, such
each other a bart 5 J? stretch , tel1 a joke, have them give
(See also page 122 forpre-concert^ t^™) " y ° U ^
SOME REHEARSAL SUGGESTIONS IO9
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Join every performing group you possibly can.
2. Spend much time visiting other rehearsals. No matter how
good or bad the group or the conductor, you can always learn
(even if what not to do).
Professionals:
1. Try to find time to perform under someone else.
2. Same as point 2 for beginners.
Chapter XXII
SOLOS AND RECITATIVES
Solos
The relation between soloist and conductor is at best a total union
of souls and at worst a cold war. Before the first rehearsal they must
work on the music together and agree on interpretation. Also, at all
doubtful points it should be clearly decided who leads and who fol¬
lows.
With musicians of equal status it is customary for the soloist's
wishes to prevail. Wherever possible he plays according to his own
wishes and the orchestra or chorus follows, accompanying as would
a pianist. There are certain passages, however, where the conductor
must lead; for example, an opening chord, tutti with soloist. The
players cannot see the soloist well enough to come in together. In
such places the soloist follows the conductor as though he were an
orchestra member. Likewise, cut-offs on fermatas and certain sud¬
den tempo changes are best handled if the conductor temporarily
assumes the lead. Afterwards it reverts to the soloist.
If the soloist is considerably junior to the conductor, as when a
chorus member sings a short passage alone, he may prefer to follow
the conductor. Where several soloists sing a difficult ensemble to¬
gether with choms and orchestra, it is preferable for each to look
no
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
upon himself as another instrument and be completely subservient
to the conductor. This homogenizes the style and improves the bal¬
ance and precision, but it sometimes deflates the ego of the singer.
Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis benefits from both results.
When there is an important solo in a symphonic work the con-
uctor may ask the first desk man to lead as though it were a con-
cer o. ( or example, the horn melody at the start of the slow move-
ment m Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony.) This usually gratifies the
p ayer and results in a better and more soloistic performance.
technique
The best method of following a soloist is to anticipate rather
an wait until the last minute; sing or play the solo with him men-
3 -' far as technique is concerned, remember the following:
i • he moves ahead sooner than you anticipated, move the beat
pa ua Iy faster to catch up. Do not make sudden lightning-
tast motions or nobody will see them.
2. If he slows down, such as at an espressivo, take your time on
the way up, not the way down. Lift your arm higher and move
down at the usual rate, rather than “put the brakes” on a
brat just before it reaches the bottom. Otherwise everyone
is rooled and comes in early.
The interpretation of recitatives is outside the scope of this book.
They are probably harder to conduct than any other type of music.
Soloist and conductor must work in advance as much as possible,
ut they still cannot memorize every tempo change exactly, as the
pertormance may vary each time.
TECHNIQUE
Give all the beats, but when the accompaniment is held through
°r m <\ r e counts, make the later brats small, and use a large
brat preceded by a clear anticipatory motion each time the ac¬
companiment has a new chord. For example:
Give a clear up and downbeat to start, as in any piece; then make
very small beats for 2, 3, 4, and 1 of the next bar. They need not
coincide with the soloist (some conductors even give them as fast
as possible and then wait for the singer). As he starts the second bar
be very alert; bounce high after 2 so as to warn the orchestra that
the next chord is coming, and give a clear and large 3 as the singer
starts “-tive ” These diagrams may help to illustrate the above:
2 1 43
If the accompaniment is played on keyboard alone a conductor
probably does more harm than good and should stay out of it; with
112
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
the more historically correct method of using one or more lower in¬
struments as well as keyboard most people find it easier with a con¬
ductor, if he can conduct recitatives!
OPERATIC RECITATIVES
In opera the singer frequently has several bars of recitative with-
out any accompaniment. The tempo may be very free, governed
by considerable stage action. In such cases it is traditional to give
on y t e rst beat of each bar. Some conductors give all downbeats
in quick succession and then wait until the end of the passage be-
tore raising their arms to recommence. This is rather hard on the
player who wants to "service” his instrument, as he has no idea
ow much time is available. By giving each downbeat as it occurs
the conductor helps the player to judge how much time is left to
dram a horn, change reeds, fix a slipping peg, etc.
ASSIGNMENTS
Beginners:
1. Conduct to records frequently. In addition to other benefits,
this provides good training for following soloists.
2. Accompany soloists as much as possible on the piano, to de¬
velop your own flexibility and sensitivity.
3. Follow recordings and broadcasts of concertos and arias when¬
ever possible.
4. Leave recitatives alone for the present.
Professionals:
1. Practise conducting at sight recitatives in recordings of
Handel s oratorios and Mozart’s operas.
Chapter XXIII
CHANGING BEAT UNITS
Up to this point all rhythmical difficulties have been handled by
either preserving the beat pattern, as with syncopations, or chang¬
ing it, as when a time signature changes from % to %. This takes
care of most of the world’s music.
However, since Stravinsky’s Le Sacre du printemps (1913 b a
number of pieces have been written in which the entire unit ot
beat must be changed, as when going from % to %.
Consider the following illustration:
Allegro vivace ( J =140)
i j n j j it iTi \i j *
j j
The tempo is so fast that in the % bars it is only possible to bea
quarter notes; eighths would be confused and flustered. On the
other hand, quarter notes cannot be beaten m the % bar as they
would come out uneven, with half a beat left over at the start o
the next bar. (This should not be confused with a simple triplet,
where the three eighths occupy the space of one quarter note. The
eighths here are of the same length as those in the % bars but are
grouped in threes.) 1
One school of thought recommends elongating the beat to equal
a dotted quarter; thus one beat is given in the % bar.
The preferred method was taught at Tanglewood under Stanley
Chappie. He had discussed the problem at great length with Kous-
sevitzky, Bernstein, Copland (in whose music such rhythms
abound), and members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The
consensus was that it is clearer to beat the % in three. These three
fast beats seem easier to follow than one slow floating motion. The
writer has observed Stravinsky using the same technique m con¬
ducting his own music. The rule may be stated as follows: when
the beat unit must change, use faster beats.
11 ^ CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
JS n A^ rtant T ll | fication must be made: Keep the fast beats
sma 1 At high speeds they should be little more than flicks of the
wnst A large, unwieldy motion slows the tempo.)
If a series of fast % bars conducted one in a bar is followed by
duple quarters, such as %, change to 2 in a bar in the 24, beating
quarters rather than one slow beat equal to a half note. The nil!
^ 316 USCd ' in ftis case m °vmg from a dotted
quarter to a quarter. For example:
Allegro
i m\m 1 m\m\\nn\ i m i m u
Eeaij. J. J. j. J J J. j. J.
2 Ch ! nge ^° m <I uart ers to a faster unit, such as eighths
must be maintained for several bars, continuous fast threes may be
example^ ^ ** preferabIe to beat dotted quarters. For
Allegro
2 J j j j ii j j j ig fji \rn \m \m ii j j j j«
BeatJ J J j J j j J. J_ J_ J_ J J j J
J j l CaS£S ™ UC } de P ends on the context, tempo, charac-
rules eiten ahT’ w ? C ,?? P ’ A conduct0r should follow the
^ othlr me^S 0pen for P^ges where
thither method may be more successful (i.e. changing to longer
The same principle should be followed in such a passageas:
Allegro
i J j J
Beat J J J
J J
n munn m\sj j j j
J j ^ j j j j. j j j j
CHANGING BEAT UNITS ?
It is too fast to beat eighth notes throughout. It will be seen that
the % is really either a % with one eighth note added at the end,
or a % with one eighth removed from the end. Rather than beat
a quarter and a dotted quarter, follow the rule and use faster beats,
that is, use a 3 pattern, allowing two eighths on the downbeat, two
more on the 2 beat, and then a fast 3rd beat for the final eighth,
making sure to keep it small. Thus the hand will trace more or less
the pattern of a standard three with a small 3rd beat, but the time
elapsed between 3 and 1 of the next bar will be equal to one eighth
instead of a quarter:
The 7 likewise could be considered a % with an extra eighth
note on the end or a % with one missing; use a 4 pattern, beating
three quarters, and on the last beat move twice as fast going into
the next downbeat:
3
1 7
5
n6
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Similarly, the following should be observed:
Allegro
8 n ^ -n \i n n m\m n n i
Beat ' - ^ j j j j> j j)j j
this h 2/ ird -lTL h T 156611 discussed above. In the second,
second heat h\ ^ ^ ^ k° nt half e,on gated or a % with the
seamd beat shortened. For conducting purposes consider it the
¥ ^i f ° Urth J ar ' ouId 3 3/ 4 with the fot ^ stretched or a
%with the 2nd shortened. Make it the latter
Thus the whole passage would be:
Bar i.- a three with the last beat short, as before:
J -
Bar 2: a three with the second beat short:
- J>J
Bar 3 : a four with the last beat short, as before:
CHANGING BEAT UNITS
11 7
Bar 4: a four with the second beat short:
Other unequal divisions of complex time signatures can be dealt
with similarly; for example:
1 n m n
Beat J J J* J
Note that mnnm
Beat J j j J
would be a % with the last beat shortened.
n8
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Pf°Pj e have t«>uble with these rhythms when they meet
inl^i f- St 'T- ^ S ° Und ^ but are totall y Cerent
(traditional jazz the unit always remains the same and the syn-
copatmns vary around it). Take them slowly, conduct “slow mo-
PRESENT * e * 0n P age 5?> an d COUNT THE SHORTEST NOTES
m - . ' f ^ f’ m ] be exam P les ab °ve, on no account think a
handTw ' 3nd Clghth n0tCS ’ even thou gh tbat is what your
hand is beating, think eighths constantly.
this 6 occasions the wr ‘ ter has watched students doing
rh >, thl " wel1 and *en noticed that the beat got slightly
aT,L /k 10 pby l0i in p0st mortems «“ aim olt
s P otSS&sr n,ing note ai ihe vKy
Beginners:
X ' 3b0Ve , and similar exam ples slowly, tapping as described
on page 32, and counting eighth notes.
2 ' D r°ov?H« Urk hy Aar0n Co P land (SATB: E.C. Schirmer). It
provides an mexpenswe introduction to this problem.
he°rnn? ^ ’- t0p ? P ‘ 12 ’ the Cheats are so varied that
the conductor gives the most help by not conducting at all. On
3dd Ivin a rti IIX f t . otted hnes and add time signatures before
ProfessionSsf teChmqueS described in this chapter.)
1* Conduct:
Allegro
* rn II j j J J It J J
JII
J ^ 1 j J -'’is • >. J I j j j i>n j j
JI
* d d 14 d
^ - - J J \j J J J IS j) J J J
CHANGING BEAT UNITS
“9
inn\nn\u j j>ij jo ij jo ijo j u_2 i
j» ff
2. When yon are secure in the problems described in this chap¬
ter, try Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb (SATB and organ,
Boosey and Hawkes). This is very difficult.
(Note: In the opening section the % bars are best done in 2;
the % is usually a shortened %, and the 1 *4 a shortened %.)
Note: The writer had a moderate tempo in mind for such ex¬
amples as are given in this chapter—something in the general range
of 130 to the quarter note. If the tempo is considerably faster, the
alternative method should be used: beat quarters and dotted quar¬
ters, as the eighth note would be impossible to indicate. It may also
be preferable to use this method even at moderate tempos when the
rhythm is repeated at some length.
The first example on page 115 would be conducted as a 2 pattern,
with the 2nd beat elongated in time; the next example would be
a 3, with the 3rd beat elongated; the top of 117 would be a 3, with
the 1st beat stretched, etc.
Sorry; I hope nobody dislocated a shoulder.
Chapter XXIV
THE AVANT-GARDE
caiied > ** kck ° f a *** t he ^
posers and performers 7 RWh^^t ? the ima S ination of “m-
colois not previously PltCh combinations > and tone
music New nliilnc h’ m . concer ^ hall are now part of our
is in a'state SanS^ 316 musicians - MusicaI notation
mu m tin # thefr t0 find meam ° f c ° m '
T nHaTde SCOTe ’ 3 doctor is
their roots in trarfitf™ auu v i ae ? es ln tIie ne w music have
their spacing Is shown *** ***** in time and
given in seconds pr °P° rtl0naI1 y “> the score, with the timing
ard notatiraand^^n : ^ LU . kaS F ° SS ’ “ P artI y in stand-
connected sections and is np f ° m P°j er ^ own - consists of twelve
Although materiaTis *”* ^
composition the condign i 1 ^ P erformers throughout the
«vd“^™i^^Jt*. bef ? e, "” d °” ly » eompara.
one section. Thus there are tardredw 5w° *° phy dun ’"S
* Piece. n,e
120
THE AVANT-GARDE
121
way of knowing what else is to be played or sung at any one per¬
formance. At rehearsals for the premiere it proved extremely diffi¬
cult for the “tacet” singers and instrumentalists to know when a
new section started. The composer-conductor solved the problem
by giving a large downbeat with his left hand at the start of each
new section, as though slicing a huge cake.
Mauricio Kagel’s Diaphonie is written entirely on slides. Two
projectors are used, aimed at opposite sides of the stage, one for
the orchestra, the other for the chorus. (At the premiere in Buffalo,
Kagel operated the former and the writer the latter under the su¬
pervision of the composer.) The notation is original. When a slide
is shown the respective performers begin to play or sing at their
own time. They stop when the screen goes blank or if their part is
obliterated. The density of performance is altered at will, either by
holding pieces of cardboard in the projector’s beam to cut off
various sections of the group, or the conductor’s fingers are dangled
in front of the lens to reduce the density in a diffused manner. For
one slide a tempo has to be set. This is done by beating time in front
of the lens so as to cast a shadow on the screen at rhythmical in¬
tervals. It took considerable practice to move the arm at the proper
rate of speed or the shadow was not seen; thus, the basic principle
of beating time was followed, with a heavy shadow at the first
beat of each bar!
At the same festival John Cage conducted his Concert for Piano
and Orchestra . Instead of normal gestures, he moved his arms like
the hands of a clock, to show how much time had elapsed. With
avant-garde music it is frequently important to be able to sense
elapsed time in seconds, where in traditional music it is necessary to
think beats per minute.
Other works call for multiple conductors. Stockhausen’s Gruppen
fiir drei Orchester is for three conductors and three orchestras; his
Carree requires four choirs and orchestras, each with its own con¬
ductor, arranged at the four sides of a square auditorium, with the
audience in the middle.
When a conductor starts to prepare an avant-garde work he must
be sure to try traditional techniques thoroughly before abandoning
or modifying them. Then, if necessary, he must experiment imagi-
122
natively and boldly in order to achieve
of performance expected in the old.
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
in the new music the standard
ASSIGNMENT
Beginners and Professionals:
JouSlfor^ 3 ! 1 ? 16 experience with ™nt-garde music, avail
. . e rs * opportunity to hear or perform some repre-
^ firSt . y0U may 1)6 shocked or amuse d, as
P 6 P k>een a H innovations in music, from
organum to Webern. In due course you will be able to assess
tionaUtX 01 re ' eCt Van ° US W ° rkS 3S y ° U W ° uld th0Se in tradi '
Chapter XXV
the concert
jnLCVj.yj.-Uir
wlm l0 ° k * Up ° n if as his P^sonal responsibility to
Aoristefs bn aStmmen \ fin § ers > reed, and embouchme. Amateur
concert unle^^’ haVC 3n °PP ortunit y to sing before a
warmuD Tbic V, 6 f° nductor or choir master directs a general
ward siL^ l J° m f ° f Simple vocalises and straightfor-
u S eombined with suggestions for improving the tone
not be i ,egteedi s °™“
sS un S ,b f',""* f nd 150113116(1 t0 a hi § h de §ree. This
” ^ nking and § eneral m ental tone, and
covered h. tbe t0 many °, ther technica l and artistic problems not
covered in the warm-up, as described on page mS
band shouM^lso 5 ^“? ^“P’ if P° ssible the orchestra or
concert- « d 1 n ^ 3 Sh ° rt reh earsal an hour or so before the
rehearse “ 3 hal1 ° r if they did not
ders1nL^rivmt!i f e 7 ‘ * With chorus > this works won-
“r ng S ’ reaction times> and generai artistry -
Pre-concert warm-ups also afford a chance to steady a nervous
group or arouse one that is tired or lethargic.
THE CONCERT
12 3
CONDUCTING FROM MEMORY
The conductor must be thoroughly familiar with every aspect of
the music if he is to give a fine performance, but whether he dis¬
penses with the score and music stand is another matter.
The ability to conduct from memory must be developed slowly.
Do not attempt complex works until you have proved that you can
memorize simple ones. Carols are easier than Beethoven sym¬
phonies, which in turn are easier than Handel oratorios or modem
works. Recitatives are particularly bothersome.
When you study a score with a view to memorizing it be sure to
analyze every detail, with special emphasis on sections which are
alike for a while and then take different turns. Recapitulations are
filled with death-traps.
When practising conducting from memory at home, provide
visual distractions for yourself- Too often a musician memorizes
in solitude and then may be thrown completely when something
unusual happens at the concert, such as a trumpeter dropping his
mute in the time-honored manner. See if you can conduct from
memory while watching a football game on television with the
sound turned off. While hard on the nerves and hardly conducive
to the highest artistry, this will make the concert comparatively
easy.
Do not conduct from memory in public unless you have done
reasonably well without a score in rehearsals. Actually, they are
harder than concerts, because the conductor constantly has in his
mind such problems as how much time is left, whether to stop or
keep going, how to improve the playing, etc. At a concert he is only
concerned with the performance—or should be. Don t allow your¬
self to think about anything other than the music at hand. If you
start planning how to acknowledge the soloists you may be in for a
terrible jolt, concentrate!
If one has a secure knowledge of the music and the confidence
to leave the score in the dressing room, there are great advantages
in conducting from memory. The whole work is pictured at once,
as well as any single page. While attending to details, it is still
possible to see the relation of the details to the whole and to pace
124
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
^mpfe1h^n!! Ce -r T^ 17 - In BaCh ’ S Mass in B minor 7 for ex-
main section orwhk-h^h' ements seem grouped together into the
more closeh rlln i ** 3 part; the Cum Sancto Spiritu «
dudes than whe ^ he ° pening of the Gloria which it con-
and eW to LTrtIT ” the ^ ™ s is a ™ious matter.
Modern workc j U ver ^ rea ^ when one has experienced it.
struggled with a sen a ? ger ° us ’ but bv the time a conductor has
enoSh lT, score by Copland, Stravinsky, or Britten long
have mastered^h^Wn 26 lt K1 SeCUrel - v ’ be is reasonably certain to
are so fast that tW ^ pr °^ ems * Man y passages in such works
cond " cli ”S ft™ memory is that a certain
exists when there is a cm° n 3nd P erformers which rarely
effect accumulates whid. rC e ^ Veen tbem - An almost hypnotic
such as the Brahm R £an ^ overw helming in a long work
Mat l Bmt ™ t,' ^ ” ***■
re-creating the music
ab^Uo^r^ mS ^ ‘ T** h ' must iaiIiz ' that *
painstaldnrretemlTasX” f S °“ nd ' No ”*«* much
formerc a d<SmT P ' a “ he m « intae in P“-
must be passages nf rei ver y moment great. To be sure, there
in their moderation ThT' 0 "/^ ”***’ bUt these should be great
out the besTa^ i" tatfaXhT' ? bfc '° ^
be clearly aware of all lednlLi * but must also
^nwT^ S3id ’
become so^xprJsive d *\ tempos are un playable; don't
are cantabr/Ee i!r t bt^"tafiT",” bring on,
horns can't play the syncomterl * d * WaIIow so that the
that the singers’ Jaws tighten- v °™P ani ment; don’t grimace so
keep the downbeat deaf so thaT the ^ int ° 3 frenzy ’ but
rests. 50 that the c > mbaI Player can count his
THE CONCERT
125
CONCERT CONDUCTING
No matter how many rehearsals are held, the concert is bound
to be different. The conductor must be on continuous alert for the
unexpected, and react immediately. (Even on tour, where the same
program is given night after night, the variations from one concert
to the next are multitudinous.)
Excitement may improve one piece and lassitude spoil another.
Balances are frequently altered. Listen constantly and adjust as
required. The hall sounds different with an audience. The horns may
have reverberated unduly in an empty hall and you suppressed them;
with a full house they may be too muffled. You must hear the dif¬
ference and bring them up a little. Some passages may be per¬
formed with greater or less confidence than before. You may have
had trouble earlier making the strings play an adequate crescendo-
diminuendo, and were forced to make your beat rather large; at
the concert the players may be exceptionally responsive and overdo
the effect. Tone down your gestures at such points.
Other unexpected problems may develop, some artistic, some
technical, whatever the level of proficiency. The flute may miss an
entrance; bring him in clearly at his next cue. The bassoon may
come in early. Wave him off and help him enter at the proper
place. The chorus may seem a little stale in an allegro; see if you
can recapture some of the excitement of a few days earlier by
moving the tempo a shade faster and at the same time exhorting
them to greater heights with your arms, face, and will power.
The violas may run ahead on a figure that they had always
played in strict time; turn away from what you usually conduct and
give heavy, ponderous motions to slow them before chaos results.
The contrabasses may lag; give them a scowl and some small, crisp
beats. The choir's pitch may sag or sharp a little; try to raise or
lower it with your left hand.
You may suddenly realize that a certain movement in rehearsal
has been monotonously close in tempo to its immediate predeces¬
sor; the scales fall from your eyes (and ears) and you take it more
slowly and expressively, thrilled with a new beauty you had not
anticipated.
126
blingu^rfpp 0 SOl01S \ a pillar of ic y P 0Ise all week, may be trem-
tenore mav sin? f ^ 3 Smile a " d SOme confident cues. The
tions in their dfriH ° d :J 00 ! erklly i make smooth, flowing mo-
ueT o i f 10n Wlth - VOUr left a ™ while your right contin-
blow a bloon? 1 3CCen n t0 th£ CeIl0S - ^ ** trombone may
all right fo/thp 3 1° H prokak ^’ set bim at ease and he’ll be
sire drum * haf ° f ' COnCert ‘ the last rehearsal the
ble and is now! as practlsed a tncky part, previously barely audi-
give him the “sh” cvT Wlth ear-splitting gusto; catch his eye and
Th^ iuL \- Slgn 1 bef0re the ceiIin § comes down.
a clductl’s InTd ° W ** ° f thou S hts that race trough
to know the sled of 1 § “ perfor f ance - » would be interesting
with other professions ItH' Unde , r such conditi o ns , compared
communicate H a h ab,hty to Ilsten > think ^st, and
cert f3CC that marks the g° od con '
performers. He comK' C .. ° ^ ooc * musicia n who can train
speed of thought andird’^f ^ know!ed S e > and sensitivity with
conducts. 8 °" 10 re - crea,e ,he ““sic every time he
^proShraSfnS “ ^ but d< >“ btI « s <*”
as desLS fa thifbS h \° l T S,y - “ c° nduc ting technique
that i, isX^tstSve’un^ ‘° f h « h **** *>
and knowledge of the smr* i * be conduci:or s musical ability
centage of Ilf attenlL 1 Z* ** 3t 3 ^ level > a P«ta Per-
handling emergencies Hn ° ^ °? re ' creafa ’ng the music and
conduct ZcTtTooZZZ ^ °H rCal W3y t0 learn how to
oncert, as opposed to a rehearsal, is-conduct concerts!
assignments
Beginners and Professionals-
■' yo™ T f ” ths sh “ d «*» this book and
mended practices. If so rem ■^ Vla , t ' n g ^rom any of its recom¬
are right and the book is wronl % h™ Perflaps y° ur instincts
warrant departing from rule O ^ *? S Certain circumstances
you've developed a fault! *' ° n the ° ther kand ’ P^aps
2. CONDUCT!
INDEX
Acceleration, 43, 78-80
Accents, 37, 41, 44-6, 48, 55,
81-2, 106;
off-beat, 50-54
Accompanying, 55, 109-12
Acoustics, 8, 9,125
Aesthetics of structure, 8
America , 88
Analysis, 7,123
Anderson, Emily, 98
Anglican chant, 11
Architecture, 8, 9
Arm has weight, 33
Art, 8, 9
Avant-garde, v, 11, 120-22
Bach, J. S., 8, 95, 96-8,100;
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2,
99 ^
Magnificat in D, 99;
Magnificat in E flat, 99;
Mass in B minor, 7-8, 17,124;
St. John Passion, 11;
St. Matthew Passion, 97-8
Bachgesellschaft, 8,100
Balance, 37, 46, 47, 50, 125
Band, 20, 122
Band conductors, see Conductors
Baroque, 7, 95-8
Baton, 13-14, 39
Beat,
changing units, 76,113-19;
described, 14,18-21;
following soloists, 110;
give all, 58;
give instead of rhythms, 12, 18;
“hot-stove," 33, 51, 52, 83;
how many in a bar, 80-82;
keep moving, 33, 43;
must “hit," 32, 33;
patterns, see Beat patterns;
preliminary, 65-6, 69, 70, 87-8;
project character of music, 44;
should bounce, 19, 22, 33, 41,
69;
size, 18, 19, 22, 39, 41-3, 58,
69, 73, 89,114,125
Beat patterns, 12, 40, 83,120;
modifications, 22;
specific and diagrams, 22-36,
113-19;
theory, 16-22
Beating time, see Beat patterns
Beethoven, Ludwig van, 55, 98-9,
101,123;
“Ah, Perfido," 98-9;
127
128
INDEX
Choral Fantasy, 98-9;
Mass in C, 98-9;
Missa Solemnis, 11, 32-2, 36
80-81; 5 5 ’
Piano Concerto in G major
98-9;
Symphony No. 1, 70;
Symphony No. 2, 56, 70, 85;
Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,”^
70;
Symphony No. 5, 98-9;
Symphony No. 6, 98-9
Bernstein, Leonard, 113
“Bounce level,” 19, 20 , 32, 34,44,
51, 65, 85
Brahms, Johannes, 54,62,100;
Ein Deutsches Requiem, 124;
Symphony No. 1, 80-81
Brass players, 49
Britten, Benjamin, 124;
Rejoice in the Lamb , 119
C & (t time signatures, 80-81
Cage, John, 121;
Concert for Piano and Orches¬
tra, 121
Cantabile, 13, 14, 2 o, 22, 37, 60
Carnegie Hall, 97-8
Carols, 123
Changing beat units, 76, 113-19
Changing time signatures, 31-4,
46,113-19
Chappie, Stanley, k, 113
Character, 37, 43-4
Cherkassky, Paul, 99
Choral music, 50, 56
“Choral style/ 7 10-12
“Choral technique/ 7 12
Choral vs. Instrumental, 10-12
Chorus or choir, vi, 12, 20, 49-50,
63, 105-6,122
Composers 7 mistakes, 99
Compound time, see Time signa¬
tures
Concert conducting, 47, 55, 104,
122-6
Concert nerves, 47-8, 93-4, 122,
126
Conducting in silence, 62
Conducting patterns, see Beat pat¬
terns
Conducting technique, 6, 7, 9-12,
1 7 > 54 > 57 > 64, 91, 93, 120,
126;
“choral/ 7 10,12;
“instrumental/ 7 12;
“orchestral, 77 12;
Conducting to records, 38, 46,
54-6
Conductors, band, 7,10, 33;
choral, 7, 10,12, 16, 59-60;
orchestral, 10, 16
Coopersmith, J. M., 101
Copland, Aaron, 113,124;
Lark, 118
Counterpoint, 7
Counting, 17, 47-8, 61, 88, 105,
106, 112, ll8, I24
Crescendo, 8, 24, 35, 37, 39, 40,
88,105,125
Cues, 37, 46-50,125,126;
off-beat, 50-54
Cut-off, see Stops
Dean, Winton, 96
Delicacy, 14, 60
Diminuendo, 8,105,125
Divided beats, 28-31; see also
Subdivision
INDEX
129
Drink to Me Only with Thine
Eyes, 80-81
Dynamics, 8, 24, 35, 37, 39-41,
44-6, 55, 88, 104-5, lo6 r lo8 >
125; see also Volume
Ears, vi, 91-2
Ear training, 7, 92
Editions, 100
Education, music, 5
Educators, 8
Elegance, 60
Emotion, 103-4
Entrances, late, 47, 105-6
Espressivo, 110
Examinations, final, 62
Facial expression, 59
Faults in conducting, 7, 9, 10, 15-
16, 20, 24, 25, 33-8, 47, 50,
58, 59, 60, 65, 88,110
Feet, 15,16
Fermatas, 55, 62, 73, 85-90,109
Following the conductor, 19,
106-7
Forte, 40
Fortissimo, 39-40, 41
Foss, Lukas, Foreword, 120-21;
The Fragments of Archilochos,
120-21
Frills, 63
Giving the place, 107
God Save the Queen, 88
Goldschmidt, Nicholas, ix
Grace notes, 96
Grimacing, 59
Hand, keep moving, 33, 43;
positions, 14, 60
Hand, left, see Left hand
Hand, right, see Right hand
Handel, G. F., 95-7,112,123;
Israel in Egypt, 95-6,124;
Messiah, 80, 83-4,101
HandeVs Dramatic Oratorios and
Masques , 96-7
Handelgesellschaft, 100
Harmony, 7
Haydn, Joseph, 56
Hearing, vi, 91-2
High school, 5
History, music, 7
“Hit” each beat, 32, 33
Holds, see Fermatas
“Hot stove beat,” see Beat
Improvising, 96
Inspiration, 3-6, 124
Instrumental techniques, 7
Interpretation, 7, 9, 95-102,124;
performance chart, 102
Intonation, 63, 104, 108, 125
Junior high school, 4, 5
Kagel, Mauricio, 121;
Diaphonie, 121
Kell, Reginald, 99
Koussevitzky, Serge, 18, 70,113
Languages, 8
Late entrances, 47,105-6
Leadership 3-6, 8, 47, 124
Left hand, 16, 37-8, 40, 41, 48,
63, 66, 69, 86
Left-handed people, 16
Legato, 20, 22,44
Leinsdorf, Erich, 92
INDEX
I 3 0
Letter^ of Mozart and His Family, Musical scholarship and Musicol-
T . . 9 . ogy, 95-102
Literature T T*’ “ 5 My Bon ™ ^ Over the Ocean,
Literature, 8, 9 80-81
Looking at conductor, 15,106-7 Mystic symbols, 71
Looking at performers, 48, 61 '
Maestoso, 14, 44, 60
Mannerisms, 15-16
Marcato, 20-21, 22, 43
March, 23, 80
Mazzoleni, Ettore, ix
Memory, conducting from, 122-4
“Merging,” 71-2,76 82 34
Metronome, 38, 62-3
Mezzoforte, 22, 40,105
Mezzopiano, 40
Mirror noun, 34, 38, 39, ^ ^
56 , 57 ;
ve rb , 37, 66, 86
Mistakes of composers, 99
Monteux, Pierre, ix, 14, 18, 60,
6 3> 6 9 > 7 °> 76
Moulding the music, 83-4
Mouthing the words, 59-60
Movies, home, 57
Mozart, Wolfgang, 98, 99, n 2;
‘Coronation” Mass, 11;
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, 46;
Requiem, 82;
Symphony in C major, K.338,
98;
Symphony in E flat, 11;
Symphony in G minor, 56, 80-
8l
Music
education, 9-10;
history, 7;
literature, 7
Nerves, 47-8, 93-4,122,126
Odds and ends, 15-16, 57-64
Opera, 7, 20, 112
Orchestra, vi, 20, 98, 122;
free symphony, 61-2
Orchestral transpositions, 56
Orchestration, 7
Ormandy, Eugene, 41
Patterns, beat, see Beat patterns
Pauses, see Fermatas
Performance chart, 102
Phrasing, 37, 42, 44-6, 106
Pianissimo, 39, 41,104-5
Piano (dynamic), 40,105
Pitch, see Intonation
Pizzicato, 105
Place, giving the, 107
Podium, 15
Polyphonic, 12
Posture, 15
Precision, 14, 33, 43, 60
Preliminary beat, see Beat
Preliminary rests, 71
Recapitulations, 123
Recitatives, 110-12, 123
Recitatiyo secco, 11, see also Reci¬
tatives
Record worship, 101
Records, conducting to, 38 46
54-6
INDEX
Re-creating the music, 95, 102,
124,126
Rehearsal, vi, 3, 6;
mood of, 4,108, 122;
techniques, 103-9
Rests, 105,106;
preliminary, 71
Retard, 30-31, 43, 73, 76-80, 100
Review, 45, 58, 64, 82,126
Rhythm, 105-6, 108
Right hand, 16, 37-8, 40, 48
Rogers, Harold, 99
Rossini, Gioacchino, 105
Schumann, Robert, 93
Score, marking, 60-61;
reading, 7, 56
Seating, scrambled, 49-50
Sforzando, 55, 81-2,106
Shaw, Robert, 49
Shoulders, 59
Sibelius, Jan, 99;
Violin Concerto, 99
Sight-reading, 8, 32, 107,108
Silence, conducting in, 62
Singing when conducting, 60
Slow motion, 57-8
Slow, serene, 44
Slowing down, 50, 105; see also
Retard
Solos, 109-12
Staccato, 43, 58
Standard patterns, see Beat pat¬
terns
Starts, 48, 55,64-76
Stockhausen, Karlheinz, 11;
Carree, 121;
Gruppen fur drei Orchester,
121;
Momente, 120
131
Stokowski, Leopold, 13, 59, 60, 84
Stops, 55, 64, 72-3
Stravinsky, Igor, 113,124;
Le Sacre du printemps t 56, 113;
Symphonie de psaumes 7 11, 82
Structure, aesthetics of, 8
Studies, other than conducting,
7-9
Style, 63-4, 84
Subdivision, 50, 68, 76-82, see
also Divided beats
Subito ff, 40;
pp, 37, 40-41
Symphony orchestra, free, 61-2
Syncopations, 49, 51-4
Tapping a table, 32
Tchaikovsky, P. L, Symphony No.
5, 110
Tempo, 37, 42-3, 50, 55, 62, 76,
81,105, 109, 113, 125;
change, to test players, 107;
fast, 22, 57-8, 113, 124;
rubato, 62, 110; see also Espres-
sivo
Thought, speed of, 126
Time beating, see Beat patterns
Time signatures,
changing, 31-4, 46, 113-19;
complex (5*5, 7’s, etc.), 25, 27,
113-19;
compound, 17, 21, 25-31, 80-
82,113-19;
simple, 22-4, 33-6
Tone, 46, 50, 104
Toscanini, Arturo, 85
Transpositions, orchestral, 56
Verdi, Giuseppe, Requiem, 11
132
Vibrato, 99
Videotapes, 57
Vocal techniques, 7
Volume, 37, 42; see also Dy¬
namics
Walter, Bruno, 85
INDEX
Walton, Sir William, Belshazzar’s
Feast, 56, 124
Waltz, 23, 78
Warm-up, 108,122
Webern, Anton von, 122
Weingartner, Felix, 85
Wrist, 14, 58
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