Conducting (V1 S5) (V2 S5) Flashcards
Four parts of beat pattern
Preparatory gesture, ictus, rebound, travel
Preparatory gesture
Communicates tempo, Style, Dynamics, exact beginning of first note
Communicated with RH, or both hands where LH mirrors RH.
Preparatory ictus
where movement changes direction at the top gesture and begins downward motion to the starting point
first ictus
downbeat (after preparatory ictus)
Staccato Style
Rebound is angular, travel shorter, give a flick of the wrist as you rebound.
Legato Style
Smooth, rounded beat pattern and travel. Ictus points located at extremities in the pattern may be closer to the center as to not alter the tempo.
Situations that require cues
Solos and entrances, entrances that follow long rests, important musical event, difficult entrances where musicians need assistance
Guidance for cues
- use the hand that corresponds to the side of your body that the cue is going to (Body Mapping)
- avoid mirror conducting during LH cues
- instead of crossing hands, rotate body if you need RH cue for left side of ensemble (and vice versa)
Conducting Fermatas
- Continue to move hands if holding note or chord
- palms up if holding sound, palms down if silence
Unit Leader’s responsibilities
Understanding the score, understanding the genre, leading the ensemble
March Tempo
100-132 bpm
March introduction
4, 8, or 16 measueres in length. Short, attention grabbing. Usually built on V chord.
First Strain
Presents melody, establishes tonality. 4 or 8 measure phrases, 16 or 32 measures long. Usually repeated at a different dynamic.
Second Strain
16 or 32 measures long. Usually soft the first time through.
Third Strain (trio)
Considered main melody of the march. break strain between repeats.
