Klarinet Archive - Posting 000639.txt from 2005/03

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] conducting
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 23:41:32 -0500

At 04:02 PM 3/28/2005 -0500, JDStackpole wrote:
>As someone who has never been conducted - but watched them from
>behind - a question..
>
>As Mr. Touchin notes "it is a sign-language which has to be self-
>explanatory, for no one ever gives the musicians the same
>vocabulary book the conductor learns when studying. "
>
>Is there at least a "standard" sign language for keeping the beat?
>
>Just curious.

Absolutely! Every student conducting learns the same basic beat
patterns. But it seems that as the level of the players rises, the less
the conductor is compelled to beat time. Thus, when you watch professional
orchestras you won't see much of it at all, whereas watching, say, a junior
high school band, you will likely not see the conductor's right hand do
anything ELSE.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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