How to Conduct Music : Conduct Music With Compound Patterns

[RollTheFemers]

"...should be called complex as well. HAHAHA."

[skrbeleven]

Bueller...

Bueller...

Bueller....

Bueller...

[2pac4e]

Wow, creeped out at 0:01. That's a new record..

[smrfox99]

Lil Wayne?

[DjAchillies]

This guys facial expression caught me off guard.

[link0zeldarulz89]

I can't stay awake!!

[JPSaxMan]

I would just like to comment on the pedagogy in this video. The instructor is right about compound/complex meters and how it divides the saggital plane (the sides of the body that are conducted on). However the conductor fails to conduct the patterns properly (and also leaves out 5/8, 7/8, 9/8). He conducts them in what is known as a focal plane fashion, where all the icti fall on one plane. While this isn't necessarily 'wrong', it isn't very effective either.

[JPSaxMan]

The more appropriate manner to conduct these patterns is more of a vertical fashion, dividing the 'pie' vertically/diagonally rather than horizontally (like demonstrated in the video). Think of it more like coming down a set of stairs rather than walking across the floor. If a video is needed to demonstrate I'd be more than happy to provide one.

[lastho]

@JPSaxMan Yeah to me he is just counting. Theres no actual time-feeling here, imo. When using other signatures than 4/4 or 3/4 it indicates that theres a odd beat or rhythm that you need to accentuate within the conducting. For instance in 5/4 you would highlight beats 1 and 3, in 7/8 beats 1, 3 and 5, in 9/8 beats 1, 3, 5 and 7.

if im wrong tell me know, my exams are coming up ^^

[JPSaxMan]

@lastho So obviously I'm late for your exams! Sorry, but I'm not sure exactly what your instructors want you to provide for information also. I know in my experience as an instrumental conductor we divide compound meters like 5/8 and 7/8 into eighth note groups of 3 or 2. For example, 7/8 could be divided three ways: 2+2+3, 2+3+2, 3+2+2. 9/8 could be divided up to four ways including: 3+3+3, or 2+3+2+2, 2+2+2+3, 3+2+2+2, etc. I definitely wouldn't say there is an 'odd' beat or rhythm.

[lastho]

@JPSaxMan Yeah to me he is just counting. Theres no actual time-feeling here, imo. When using other signatures than 4/4 or 3/4 it indicates that theres a odd beat or rhythm that you need to accentuate within the conducting. For instance in 5/4 you would highlight beats 1 and 3, in 7/8 beats 1, 3 and 5, in 9/8 beats 1, 3, 5 and 7.

if im wrong tell me now, my exams are coming up ^^

[HAMayoral]

Can one reverse the hands? Conduct with the baton using the left, and conduct the dynamic wit the right?

[jedimastert0810]

its traditional to conduct with your right hand. if conduct with your left, it will be very confusing to classical musicians.

[MillofPWN]

He is much better than the other 2 "experts". here you actually learn something !!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!

[djaynkay]

i watch this video every night before i go to bed... works nicely

[releasethefrogs]

I like it.. too much personality diminishes my focus away from learning in this vids

[desertmouse1]

please drop something in his drink. e maybe

[WickedFiyero]

Ladies and gentlemen... the most exciting human being in the world...

[ddduncan7]

@WickedFiyero true, he isnt excited. He is more calm and relaxed, which I really like.

[TheTIGER220]

@WickedFiyero Thank you captain obvios!

[darkmaides]

well...thats it..no point to life anymore..this video has officially makes me want to shoot my self.

[snotbog1]

Oh man, LOL. You must be a musician...........

[darkmaides]

lol

[Briznanoth]

I will point out that in a choral setting, we simplify the pattern to coincide with the text and note groupings, so often instead of 1234567 we'll beat "123 1234" or "12 12 123" With the largest set of beats falling on the note of greatest duration.

It's good to see instructional videos, but I wanted to chime in on the choral side of things :) I conduct several university choirs and teach private lessons.

[Briznanoth]

This gentleman is showing one way of subdividing "1234567" the pattern. While this is a legitimate method at delivering a clear beat pattern for an instrumental group, it is not advisable for prolonged use as it is physically taxing and severely limits the conductor's ability to deliver other information.

[scoggles]

His chart of "compound time signatures" left something to be desired, and then his explanation of what compound meant deviated from that traditional understanding even farther. I give this one star for perpetrating faulty information about the structure of western music.

[hunt8880]

WHY DONT he go get a life a decent girlfriend grow some haire and lern how to play somethink good like a eletric guiter.

[tomasouza]

why don't you go learn how to write?

[2pac4e]

@hunt8880 Why don't you stop skipping grammar lessons at school, and atleast try to spell "Guitar" right. It's not "Guiter"..

[steveborders]

ok after watching 10 mins of this crap i am now ready as a fully qualified conductor ready for the BBC's shymphony orchestra do u think i will pass? like to see him stand there and conduct it lol i am a pianist but never conducted would ya stand through a whole symphony waving your hands going 1234567 1234567 1234567 1234567 dont think so lol

[steveborders]

this guy looks like he has no idea what hes on about or doing lol probably reading it from an Auto que and watch his eyes u can see him looking at somthing prolly to make sure hes right lol

[JPSaxMan]

I've noticed a lot of the 'experts' on ExpertVillage talking about music topics are usually not knowledgeable at all in their area of 'expertise'. Many of them are weekend warriors who have never had any kind of formal training from any music school or conservatory. This guy isn't as bad as some I've seen, but he doesn't impress me either.

[ebbixx]

Well, hopefully anyone who actually learns to conduct well does have something like conservatory training and didn't learn music theory from YouTube. ;)

These videos may be fascinating to someone interested in ensemble conducting but not really planning to do it. But the details in comments coming from other musicians and conductors suggest they're over simplified for anyone actually trying to learn conducting.

[organscholar15]

dont mean to be rude but no orchestra could follow that as your beat has no point!!

and conducting should not be so regimented as you need to show expresion!

[JPSaxMan]

And he should definitely use his other hand instead of just letting it dangle there.

[ged424]

not a good idea.