Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music

Basic Music Theory

Decrescendos (gradually soften) are shown in the opposite way. The

left hand begins above the shoulder, palm down this time, and

gradually lowers down to the middle of your torso. While doing this,

make the right hand pattern become gradually smaller.

If the saxes or the sopranos are too loud, you can “give them the

hand”, which means holding your left hand out with the palm facing

the loud group. This works well accompanied by a stern look.

Body Position

If you step forward on the podium and lean towards the group or

even crouch down, this will cause them to become quieter,

especially if you combine these movements with the above-

mentioned technique of making the conducting pattern smaller.

Also effective is to show the group a quiet face, whatever you think

that is for you. Pursing your lips in a “shush” works pretty well.

Practice in a mirror.

In contrast, to get a group to play louder, stand tall as you step back

on the podium and lean away from the group. Combine this with

making all of your gestures bigger and a group should get louder if

they’re watching you.

For this technique, use a loud face, usually something that looks

stern or even angry. An upraised fist shaken in the air is also quite

effective.

Practicing Conducting

Perhaps the best way, when you’re just beginning to learn, is to get some
recordings of music you like which require a conductor and, in the
privacy of your own home, give it a try.
The next step, once you’ve got the patterns down, is to get the score for
that piece of music and try to follow along while you conduct.

The best advice I can give you for practicing anything is to be persistent.
Persistence is way more important than talent. Keep at it.

If you’re serious about becoming better, videotaping yourself is a
necessity.