THE MUSIC BETWEEN THE BEATS

FROM BEATING TO BEING

When we are talking about a “beat” in musical terms,  we are thinking of a steady rhythm, like a metronome. Sometimes you can hear this “metronome” clearly like steady quarter notes, and other times it is “baked” into the music. And the beat is also present in the music even if the ensemble is playing a long note!

What is a beat when we are talking about conducting? You cannot hear the beat through the conductor’s visual movements of course, at the same the conductor’s movements are closely connected to the beats.

The term “beat” is actually not so precise when it comes to conducting. If we exchange the word “beat” with “pulse station”, we can imagine that the conductor is filling the space between the stations by drawing a line with his or her movements.

In this masterclass we will work with some well-known pieces from the orchestra literature, and in addition to conducting technique and interpretation, we will have a focus on what we can find at these virtual pulse stations and especially what is between the stations. The masterclass will have a focus on the following aspects:

·       Musical lines and flow

The benefits of using sideways movements in our conducting.

·       Time and space

The connection between pulse and the relative speed of the conductor’s visual movement and gesture

·       Musical presence

Experiencing the journey between the pulse stations and often passing without stopping instead of preparing for the arrival at the station.

·       Musical communication, being the instrument

This involves elements like phrasing, articulation, dynamic, colour, and balance, and how we can communicate this nonverbally, without having to stop and use too many words (musicians become musicians because they like to play, NOT because they like listening to conductors talking too much! )

·       Musical trust

This involves the aspect of sharing the inner musical ideas and intensions and giving the musicians the responsibility to respond adequately to the conductor’s musical projection and expression.