Now in its eighth edition, Basic Conducting Techniques provides a clear and intelligible introduction to the art of conducting an ensemble. It has been updated with a greater diversity of repertoire, including contemporary examples and more music by underrepresented composers.
Short, clear chapters each focus on a single topic, presenting necessary information thoroughly and clearly, in a manner that's easy for students to grasp
Large number of musical examples allows students to better understand techniques by seeing them in multiple contexts
Companion website provides video demonstrations that help students understand techniques in action
Joseph A. Labuta is Professor Emeritus of Music and former Director of Music Education at Wayne State University. He is the author of Teaching Musicianship in the High School Band.
Wendy K. Matthews is Associate Professor of Music Education and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Curriculum and Assessment at Kent State University. She has published in numerous journals and is the author of the chapter Music pedagogy for large group teaching in the Routledge International Handbook of Music Psychology in Education and the Community.
PART I: CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
Chapter 1: The Baton, Preparation, Downbeat, and Release
Chapter 2: Beat Patterns and Preparations in Tempo, Dynamic, and Basic Style
Chapter 3: Preparations and Releases for All Counts
Chapter 4: Fractional Beat Preparations
Chapter 5: Divided Meters
Chapter 6: Asymmetrical and Changing Meters
Chapter 7: The Fermata
Chapter 8: The Cue
Chapter 9: Conducting Musical Styles
Chapter 10: Expressive Conducting and the Left Hand
Chapter 11: Tempo Changes and Accompanying
PART II: SCORE PREPARATION AND REHEARSAL TECHNIQUE
Chapter 12: Analysis, Score Preparation, and Conductin the Full Score
Chapter 13: The Instrumental Rehearsal
Chapter 14: The Choral Rehearsal
PART III: MUSICAL EXCERPTS
Chapter 1: The Baton, Preparation, Downbeat, and Release
Chapter 2: Beat Patterns and Preparations in Tempo, Dynamic, and Basic Style
Chapter 3: Preparations and Releases for All Counts
Chapter 4: Fractional Beat Preparations
Chapter 5: Divided Meters
Chapter 6: Asymmetrical and Changing Meters
Chapter 7: The Fermata
Chapter 8: The Cue
Chapter 9: Conducting Musical Styles
Chapter 10: Expressive Conducting and the Left Hand
Chapter 11: Tempo Changes and Accompanying
Chapter 12: Analysis, Score Preperation, and Conducting the Full Score
TECHNICAL MASTERY
Appendix A: Competencies for the Beginning Conducting Class
Appendix B: Student Evaluation
Appendix C: Chart of Transpositions and Clefs
Appendix D: Full Score Instrumentation and Foreign Equivalents
Appendix E: Counting Drills for Uneven Meters
Appendix F: Musical Style Chart
Appendix G: Glossary
Appendix H: Model Video Excerpt Chart