Basic Techniques of Conducting

by Kenneth H. Phillips

Overview

Systematic, practical, and thorough, Basic Techniques of Conducting offers a clear instructional strategy and a basic methodology for teaching the physical gestures and concepts essential for the development of a convincing conducting technique. Taking a competency-based approach, this text provides a clear, step-by-step system for mastering the physical gestures required for good conducting. Paying special attention to the psychomotor skills needed for clear and expressive conducting, it establishes a solid foundation on which to build an advanced and personal conducting style.
Based on ten years of teaching and class-testing, the text is carefully organized to establish essential conducting skills over a one-semester period. Each of the thirty lessons introduces basic conducting techniques in a developmental sequence, and includes a review of previous techniques, "guided practice" segments for group practice of new techniques, and "assignment" sections for independent study and practice.
The text is fully illustrated with many conducting diagrams, photographs of hand and body movements, and numerous musical examples for directed conducting practice. Emphasizing complete musical examples rather than short excerpts, it features both choral and instrumental exercises for drill and practice. Engaging and accessible, Basic Techniques of Conducting offers all of the content necessary to build a solid foundation of conducting skills for all vocal and instrumental music education majors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195099379
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/13/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	258
Product dimensions:	8.92(w) x 10.86(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Kenneth H. Phillips is a professor of Music and Education at The University of Iowa. He is the author of Teaching Kids to Sing (1992), Teaching Kids to Sing Video Series and Teaching Kids to Sing Exercise and Vocalise Cards (1994). He conducts the Chamber Singers of Iowa City and the Cedar Rapids Symphony Children's Discovery Chorus.

Table of Contents

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsLesson 1The Study of ConductingClass OrganizationCourse RequirementsLesson 2Posture and PositionPreparatory GestureUsing the MetronomeLesson 3The Four PatternElements of the PatternInternal and Final ReleasesLesson 4The Four PatternVarying the ArticulationTempo TerminologyLesson 5Videotaping #1Lesson 6The Three PatternThe Two PatternThe Daily DozenTerminology for DynamicsLesson 7Selecting a BatonDynamic ChangesLesson 8Baton GripCharacter TerminologyLesson 9Videotaping #2Lesson 10The One PatternMidterm PreparationRelease on OneAccent, Articulation, and Connecting TermsLesson 11Release on Beat TwoEntrance on a Pickup NoteMidterm PreparationLesson 12Videotaping #3Lesson 13Videotaping #4Lesson 14Midterm Conducting Exam, Part 1Lesson 15Midterm Conducting Exam, Part 2Lesson 16Functions of the Left HandThe Circle DrillLesson 17Left Hand Sustaining GesturesCoordinating the Two HandsLesson 18Left Hand Strengthening TechniquesRepeat MarkingsLesson 19Videotaping #5Lesson 20SubdivisionCuesAlto and Tenor ClefsLesson 21Composer's IntentListener's ResponseLesson 22Entrances on Incomplete BeatsInstrumental Transpositions: C and B-flatLesson 23Videotaping #6Lesson 24FermatasCompound Meters: Six, Nine, TwelveInstrumental Transpositions: F, E-flat, ALesson 25Asymmetric Meters: Conducting in Five and SevenChanging MetersLesson 26Videotaping #7Lesson 27AccentsTempo AlterationsSection CuesLesson 28Conducting Synthesis 1Lesson 29Conducting Synthesis 2Lesson 30Videotaping #8CodaMusical Examples IndexTopical Index