Klarinet Archive - Posting 000464.txt from 2005/03

From: George Kidder <gkidder@-----.org>
Subj: RE: [kl] OT: conducting without a baton
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 11:54:10 -0500

Right on! I was thinking the same thoughts at a chorus rehearsal two
nights ago, while the conductor was swinging both arms broadly in an
attempt to signal "legato". But if we aren't all in time, what's the use!

At 11:10 AM 3/17/2005, Ed Lacy wrote:
><snip>
>
>When you are conducting without a baton, which part of the hand do you
>want the orchestra to follow? Or, which finger should they follow? It
>seems to me that it is analogous to conductors who conduct with both
>hands - which one should the players watch?
>
>I have never met a performer who prefers that conductors not use a
>baton. I even prefer to see choral conductors use a baton. In my
>observation, they tend to be able to be more precise, and the ensembles
>they conduct tend to be more rhythmic.

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