🎶 Learning to Conduct with Laban 🎶

Why Conducting Matters

Conducting isn’t only for the person in front of the ensemble—it helps every musician develop a stronger sense of rhythm, listening, and leadership. By practicing conducting patterns, students learn how motion and music connect.

The Baton & the Ictus

Baton – a musical tool to make music visible. It is a music auxiliary instrument, not a stick.
Ictus – the exact point in each beat pattern where the pulse is felt. The Ictus is 1 millimeter in circumference.

Three Core Patterns

Duple (2/4) – down, up
Triple (3/4) – down, out, up
Quadruple (4/4) – down, in, out, up

Laban Movement Components
These words describe how conductors shape music through motion:

Weight – Strong (firm, accented) vs. Light (gentle, delicate)
Time – Sudden (quick, sharp) vs. Sustained (long, flowing)
Space – Direct (clear, focused) vs. Indirect (curved, flexible)
Flow – Bound (controlled, tight) vs. Free (expansive, expressive)

Musical Connections

Velocity – speed of the gesture = tempo & energy
Trajectory – path of the hand shows phrasing
Suspension – moment of energy before release (like a fermata)
Rebound – the bounce after the ictus = clarity of rhythm

For Parents
By supporting your child as they practice these simple patterns, you encourage:

Focus and concentration
Listening and ensemble awareness
Confidence in musical communication
A deeper connection between movement and sound

Encouragement at Home
Ask your child to:

Show you the 2, 3, and 4 beat patterns
Conduct along with a favorite song
Explain which Laban “effort words” (weight, time, space, flow) they’re using. See the image carousel.

Speaking the Language of Music in Our Classroom

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Music class is unique from other subjects your child may experience. Here, we learn to “speak the language of music” so that every student can gain the most from their time in rehearsal and help build a stronger ensemble.

One of the most important ways students do this is by learning how to ask questions in a musical way. While this may feel unfamiliar at first, practicing it at home will help your child grow in confidence and understanding.

When asking a question in music class, students are expected to follow this order:

Identify the measure number
Identify whether the question is about a note or a rhythm

This structured way of asking questions helps students:

Develop a deeper understanding of music theory
Build clarity and confidence in their musical vocabulary
Contribute to the success of the entire music ensemble

By practicing this method with your child, you can help reinforce classroom expectations and give them the tools to fully benefit from their music education.

Guide to Respectful School Concert Etiquette.mp4

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