The craft of conducting the basics

Video 5The baton, the grip and more patterns in simple time

Teacher music resource developed by The Arts Unit

photo of Stephen Williams conducting orchestra at In Concert

Video 5 and supplementary materials

Conductor using a baton with a wind band
The Arts Unit Instrumental Festival

Using the baton and more patterns

Watch video 5 as Stephen outlines the use of the baton and how to incorporate it into your conducting. In this video you will also continue to explore the 4 simple time conducting patterns revising all patterns using the 4 expressive gestures.

The baton, the grip and more patterns in simple time - video chapter markers

You may like to use the video chapter marker timings to review and revise areas of interest. Select the collapsible text arrow to view.

Please note: chapter markers are also provided on the video.

  • 01:46 - Baton or no baton?

  • 02:55 - Parts of the baton

  • 03:32 - The ‘screwdriver’ grip

  • 04:55 - The ideal all-round position for the right
    hand (RH) 'the angled grip'.

  • 06:26 - Simple time signatures

  • 07:00 - 2/4 with angled grip

  • 07:32 - 2/4 diagram

  • 08:30 - 2/4 legato style

  • 08:58 - 2/4 staccato – Turkish March and mf

  • 10:04 - 2/4 staccato – Turkish March and p

  • 10:52 - 2/4 legato – Die Moldau and p

  • 11:37 - 2/4 legato – Die Moldau and mf

  • 12:03 - Conducting in 1 diagram

  • 12:38 - Conducting in 1 with music (in a 3 feel)

  • 12:52 - Conducting in 1 with music (in a 2 feel)

  • 13:18 - One in a bar – a musical rationale
    (artistic license)

  • 14:47 - Blue Danube in 1

  • 15:38 - Blue Danube in 3

  • 16:28 - Eine Kleine Nachtmusic in 4 (in review)

  • 16:48 - Minuet in G in 3 (in review)

  • 17:22 - Turkish March in 2 (in review)

  • 17:36 - Blue Danube in 1 (in review)

Please note: chapter markers are also provided on the video.

Enjoy

Gustavo Dudamel is a Venezuelan conductor and violinist who is the music director of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Opéra national de Paris.

Enjoy watching the following 2 videos to experience his charismatic and engaging style as the music come alive under his inspiration and control.

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel with baton

Gustavo Dudamel at the Proms Arturo Márquez Danzón Nº 2

Duration: 09:52

West Side Story - Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra

Duration: 23:04

Third-party content attributions

  • The Arts Unit music festivals images, photographer: Anna Warr.