Tips for Conducting an Orchestra : Common Time Signatures for Symphony Orchestras

[kenalebla]

4/4 is called "common time," however, the big "C" is NOT a letter. It's a half-circle, which is a symbol. It doesn't even refer to the fact that 4/4 is common, but that it is not perfect time - in fact it can also be correctly called "imperfect time."

This terminology has historical precedence and is derived from 14th century music. During this time; 3/4, represented by a circle, was referred to as "perfect time." Groups of threes perfect.... trinity... the church and music... You get the idea.

[Kliwadenko]

where can i find true conducting tutorials ?

[onfiremusicman]

This is a nice basic video for anyone starting off, but he fails to focus closely enough on the "ictus". Thankfully, he is employing it, but he needs to make it clear that conducting does not involve merely moving your hand "Down, right, left", etc. The purpose of the "ictus", i.e. bouncing back from the beat, is to make the beat very clear – it makes it clear where the bottom of the conducting frame is. I highly recommend a book which is now out of print called the Complete Conductor.

[karnak472]

@onfiremusicman I would recommend "Vertical Plane Focal Point Conducting" by Atherton, also out of print. This concept utilizes more of the wrist and enables you to give a clearer ictus on the up beat as well as the down beat.  Very economical approach.

[onfiremusicman]

@karnak472 Many thanks, I'll make sure to check it out.

[chackyjazz]

The "C" used for 4/4 is not for "common time"..... you need a little more of history, dont you think so??

[kranxta]

@chackyjazz yes it is

[kenalebla]

@chackyjazz You mean people should know what their talking about before posting a video series about conducting on YouTube! But history and theory are so boring, I don't want to study...

[atpal]

Thanks. I've always wanted to conduct an orchestra but never knew what the top number in a 4/4 time signature meant. Carnegie Hall, here I come!

[makthnife]

I dunno, I found it helpful...

[christophspengler]

I am sorry, but your ellbow is way to high ... Looks not too elegant ...

[toptierproduction]

Learning people? They teach, the don't "learn" people.

[khmerviolinist]

this helps alot!

[MilknCookies414]

i think he conducts his 6/8 like a 6/4....6/8 should be conducted like a 2/4, but subdivided into triplets.

[JohnThePetru]

Doesn't it depend on the tempo of the piece? If it's a fast tempo you use "2/4" thing, if it's a slow tempo you use the "1,2,3,4,5,6" to keep the tempo better, isn't it like this?

[MilknCookies414]

hmmm that may be true

[JohnThePetru]

I'm not a conductor or anything similar (even if i hope I'll be a conductor/composer myself) but subdividing tempo like that sounded to me pretty reasonable.

Anyway i don't like that much those videos, this guy isn't a great orator...

[LOTRzagorath]

@JohnThePetru Yes, it does depend on the tempo, but it is far more common for 6/8 to be played fairly fast, and therefore the most common way to conduct it is in two.

[sjoerdvdongen]

@MilknCookies414 There are different possibilities.

My conductor sometimes does your version you mention above but you can also do it like he does. There are even more possibilities...

[iohannesjavier]

@MilknCookies414 it depends on the tempo of the piece. .

if the tempo is fast, it is appropriate to use the 2/4 pattern but if the tempo is slow, better to use the original in 6 pattern.