Basic Techniques of Conducting

Kenneth H. Phillips is a professor of Music and Education at The University of Iowa. He is the author of Teaching Kids to Sing (1992), Teaching Kids to Sing Video Series and Teaching Kids to Sing Exercise and Vocalise Cards (1994). He conducts the Chamber Singers of Iowa City and the Cedar Rapids Symphony Children's Discovery Chorus.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsLesson 1The Study of ConductingClass OrganizationCourse RequirementsLesson 2Posture and PositionPreparatory GestureUsing the MetronomeLesson 3The Four PatternElements of the PatternInternal and Final ReleasesLesson 4The Four PatternVarying the ArticulationTempo TerminologyLesson 5Videotaping #1Lesson 6The Three PatternThe Two PatternThe Daily DozenTerminology for DynamicsLesson 7Selecting a BatonDynamic ChangesLesson 8Baton GripCharacter TerminologyLesson 9Videotaping #2Lesson 10The One PatternMidterm PreparationRelease on OneAccent, Articulation, and Connecting TermsLesson 11Release on Beat TwoEntrance on a Pickup NoteMidterm PreparationLesson 12Videotaping #3Lesson 13Videotaping #4Lesson 14Midterm Conducting Exam, Part 1Lesson 15Midterm Conducting Exam, Part 2Lesson 16Functions of the Left HandThe Circle DrillLesson 17Left Hand Sustaining GesturesCoordinating the Two HandsLesson 18Left Hand Strengthening TechniquesRepeat MarkingsLesson 19Videotaping #5Lesson 20SubdivisionCuesAlto and Tenor ClefsLesson 21Composer's IntentListener's ResponseLesson 22Entrances on Incomplete BeatsInstrumental Transpositions: C and B-flatLesson 23Videotaping #6Lesson 24FermatasCompound Meters: Six, Nine, TwelveInstrumental Transpositions: F, E-flat, ALesson 25Asymmetric Meters: Conducting in Five and SevenChanging MetersLesson 26Videotaping #7Lesson 27AccentsTempo AlterationsSection CuesLesson 28Conducting Synthesis 1Lesson 29Conducting Synthesis 2Lesson 30Videotaping #8CodaMusical Examples IndexTopical Index

"Finally--a reasonable beginning textbook. Logical progression of skills. Paced beautifully. Visually laid out well. Good choices for examples. Instrumental and vocal parts a real plus."--Carol Dunevant, Northern Kentucky University"Clear, precise, 'hands-on' approach; nice to have examples in both choral and instrumental format."--Cherilee Wadsworth Walker, East Central University, OK"Wonderful textbook for a first semester beginning conducting class. As with all of K. Phillip's work, every aspect of the book is meticulously well planned and organized and thoughtfully explained. Examples are thoroughly coordinated with the text and appropriately varied."--Vance D. Wolverton, California State University-Fullerton"Very basic, thorough, comprehensive, and well organized. An excellent introductory text."--Will Schwartz, Colorado State University"Organized in a step-by-step manner and easily understood. I appreciate the variety of musical examples, terms, and skills needed at each level of conducting. This is the first book I feel is practical to use."--Charles L. Yingling, Southwestern College, Kansas"Very thorough. The examples are clear and comprehensible at a glance. The evaluation forms are useful."--Robert W. Peck, Louisiana Tech University"Superb effort by Dr. Phillips. He is a consummate educator with practical approaches to the essential skills of conducting. His pedagogy is most sound and the pacing/sequencing of this method is right on target for undergraduate beginning conductors. I congratulate him on another successful publication."--Timothy J. Sharer, Wayne State College"Excellent sequence of lessons. Format is very useful for organization of semester."--John F. Warren, University of Miami"Excellent organization; love the instrumental parts (transposition) for examples; great evaluation sheets."--Jeff Bell, Indiana Wesleyan University"Very comprehensive, obviously written by someone with great experience and skill in teaching this subject."--James Beaumier, Coker College"Very detailed descriptions of conducting motions, easy to understand--nice visuals."--Myron S. Mikita, Jr., Don Bosco High School