Klarinet Archive - Posting 000460.txt from 2005/03

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] OT: conducting without a baton; was, excessive amplification
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 10:17:47 -0500

David McClune wrote:

>As to loud players (brass andpercussion), they need a condutor who can
>use "the hand." You know..the outsreatched arm with the hand up like a
>police officer signling STOP; "the hand."! Course the players hate it,
>but the condutors JOB is to help balance the ensemble.
>
>
This is something that I've thought about for a while, in a related
area: Are there others, ANYWHERE, who prefer to do instrumental
conducting WITHOUT a baton? I don't know about anyone else here, but
the only use I've ever found for one is throwing it at trumpet players
who think they're going to replace Maynard Ferguson some fine day.

I simply feel that, given my limited capacity as a conductor (I'm sure
there are plenty here on this list who would best me as a conductor),
and the fact that, as a teacher, I want to show the students not just
BEATS, but also musical expression, I simply feel that I can do WAY more
without that cumbersome THING.

I still reserve the right hand for the pattern, and the left for other
things. However, I find that not using the baton enables me to
integrate what I'm doing with the hands much better, and not be just a
"time beater". At the same time, I am not an "arm flapper"; I don't
like to do the bird deal, snf try to keep my patterns as precise as I can.

Any comments on this issue, music educators, and performers (hmm, I
think I've got everyone :)

(as an aside, I am hoping that soon, I will be employed by the local
school system - I just got finished with two job fairs, and am seeking a
position in general music, so I more than likely will not be doing much
conducting, though I may be doing some assistance with the local high
school bands, especially as my children get older)

Patricia Smith

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