Conducting Notes

Feedback Loop

A process consisting of Gesture, Listen, and Respond.

Gesture

Show your point of view in the feedback loop.

Listen

Evaluate the Ensemble’s interpretation of your gesture.

Respond

Give feedback and/or change your gesture to clarify meaning.

Laban Movement Efforts

Categories of movement including Float, Glide, Dab, Flick, Wring, Press, Punch, Slash.

Aspects of Gesture

Includes Speed, Size, Weight, Plane, and Height.

Speed

The aspect of gesture ranging from Slow to Fast.

Size

The aspect of gesture ranging from Small to Large.

Weight

The aspect of gesture ranging from Light to Heavy.

Plane

The aspect of gesture that can be Horizontal, Vertical, or Sagittal.

Height

The aspect of gesture that ranges from High to Low.

Parts of a Gesture

Includes Preparation, Ictus, and Rebound.

Preparation

Motion towards the beat, indicating style, tempo, and dynamic.

Ictus

The beat when sound begins, reinforcing the front of the note.

Rebound

Motion away from the beat showing the middle and end of the note.

Parts of the Body Used for Expression

Includes Face, Right Hand/Baton, and Left Hand.

Hinges Used when Creating Gesture

Wrist (most), Elbow, Shoulder (least).

Purpose of Score Study

To maximize helpfulness in sharing a meaningful performance.

What does Score Study involve?

Head, Heart, Hands, Ensemble, Audience, Analysis, Interpretation, Technique, Rehearsal, Performance.

Fred Allen’s RETAIN acronym

Read, Examine, Trace, Audiate & Analyze, Interpret & Internalize, Navigate.

Read in score study

Everything in, around, and about the score and composer.

Examine in score study

The KIT: Key signature(s), Instrumentation, Time signature(s).

Trace in score study

The melodic line and content.

Audiate & Analyze in score study

All parts separately and together.

Interpret and Internalize in score study

The piece in as much detail as possible.

Navigate in score study

The performance of the work via gestural practice.

Types of Gestural Practice

Video recording and Mirror.

Video Recording pros

Mimics real conducting performance and provides an honest display of technique.

Video Recording cons

Feedback is not in real-time and inefficient for refining specific nuances.

Mirroring pros

Immediate real-time feedback and efficient for refining specific technical nuances.

Mirroring cons

Doesn’t correlate strongly to real conducting performance.

Releases in gesture

Press or Circle.

Press Release

One gesture indicating how and when to release; best for shorter sounds.

Circle Release

Two gestures with a release indicated by its own separate gesture; best for longer sounds.