Baton Basics: Communicating Music through Gestures

249 Pages·2014·2.498 MB·English

by  Diane Wittry

Baton Basics

Baton Basics
Communicating Music
through Gestures
DIANE WITTRY
1
1
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wittry, Diane, author.
Baton basics : communicating music through gestures / Diane Wittry.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978–0–19–935415–3 (hardcover : alk. paper) — ISBN 978–0–19–935416–0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Conducting—Instruction and study. I. Title.
MT85.W66 2014
781.45—dc23
2014003344
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America
on acid-free paper
CONTENTS
About the Companion Website xiii
Introduction 1
1. The Body 4
Getting Started 5
The Conducting Space 6
Body Posture 7
The Feet 8
Grounding the Lower Body 11
The Waist and the Back 13
Lifting the Rib Cage and Opening the Chest 18
The Head 22
The Shoulders 23
The Arms 26
The Wrist and Fingers 30
The Face and Eyes 33
Overall Presence 37
2. Motion and Gestures 39
Direction 40
Size 42
vi CONTENTS
Weight and Resistance 42
Speed 43
Energy 43
Impact and Release 46
Gestures You Already Know 48
The Downward Gesture 49
The Upward Gesture 50
Sideways Gestures 52
Motions Outward 55
Motions Inward 56
Circles, Arcs, and Free Motions 57
Preparatory Beats, Contact, and Release 60
Developing the Left Hand 63
3. Connecting to the Sound 64
The Conducting Strike Zone 64
The Table of Sound 67
Placement of the Arm and Hand 69
Conducting with the Hand 71
Conveying Pulse 72
The Baton 76
Basic Conducting Patterns 84
Baton Exercises 94
Right- and Left-Hand Independence 97
4. Applying and Combining Gestures 103
Starting the Ensemble 103
Controlling the Sound 113
Instrument Characteristics 113
The Left Hand 118
Accents and Syncopations 119
Cues and Cutoffs 124
Lifts, Holds, Rests, and Releases 135
CONTENTS vii
5. Controlling Tempo and Volume 144
Going Faster and Slower 144
Selecting the Tempo 144
Showing the Right Tempo 145
Changing Your Tempo 148
Shaping Dynamics 159
Showing Dynamics 160
Changing Dynamics 162
6. Becoming Centered 168
The Breath 169
Finding Stillness 174
Live in the Moment 177
Tuning into Universal Energy 181
7. Making Music 183
Communicating the Music 183
Conveying Emotions 183
Communicating Character 185
Guiding with a Light Touch 186
Conducting Considerations 187
Score Study 187
Rehearsal and Concert Preparation 190
Do’s and Don’ts 194
Inspired Leadership 198
Building Trust 198
Establishing the Right Environment 200
Flexibility—the Secret of Success 202
Career Development 203
Putting It All Together 205
Appendix 207
Conducting Relaxation Exercises 208
Conducting Diagram Charts 209
viii CONTENTS
Video List 212
Useful Links and Resources 214
Baton Makers 214
Book Recommendations 215
Music Organizations 218
Other Websites 220
Credits 221
Index 223
I would like to dedicate this book to all the students who have taken
my Beyond the Baton Conducting Workshops and Seminars.
I have learned so much from working with all of you!
Special thanks to Joseph Gifford for opening my eyes to a new way of
looking at body movement and the communication of energy,
and to Rick Peckham for creating all the illustrations,
conducting diagrams, and the companion videos for this book.