Basic Techniques of Conducting is a competency-basic introduction to conducting developed over ten years of teaching and class testing. Concentrating on the basics, this text provides all the essential concept necessary to build a solid foundation of conducting skills for choral and instrumental music. Paying special attention to the physical aspects of conducting, this practical guide emphasizes the development of the psychomotor skills needed for clear and expressive 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.

Preface Acknowledgments Lesson 1 The Study of Conducting Class Organization Course Requirements Lesson 2 Posture and Position Preparatory Gesture Using the Metronome Lesson 3 The Four Pattern Elements of the Pattern Internal and Final Releases Lesson 4 The Four Pattern Varying the Articulation Tempo Terminology Lesson 5 Videotaping #1 Lesson 6 The Three Pattern The Two Pattern The Daily Dozen Terminology for Dynamics Lesson 7 Selecting a Baton Dynamic Changes Lesson 8 Baton Grip Character Terminology Lesson 9 Videotaping #2 Lesson 10 The One Pattern Midterm Preparation Release on One Accent, Articulation, and Connecting Terms Lesson 11 Release on Beat Two Entrance on a Pickup Note Midterm Preparation Lesson 12 Videotaping #3 Lesson 13 Videotaping #4 Lesson 14 Midterm Conducting Exam, Part 1 Lesson 15 Midterm Conducting Exam, Part 2 Lesson 16 Functions of the Left Hand The Circle Drill Lesson 17 Left Hand Sustaining Gestures Coordinating the Two Hands Lesson 18 Left Hand Strengthening Techniques Repeat Markings Lesson 19 Videotaping #5 Lesson 20 Subdivision Cues Alto and Tenor Clefs Lesson 21 Composer's Intent Listener's Response Lesson 22 Entrances on Incomplete Beats Instrumental Transpositions: C and B-flat Lesson 23 Videotaping #6 Lesson 24 Fermatas Compound Meters: Six, Nine, Twelve Instrumental Transpositions: F, E-flat, A Lesson 25 Asymmetric Meters: Conducting in Five and Seven Changing Meters Lesson 26 Videotaping #7 Lesson 27 Accents Tempo Alterations Section Cues Lesson 28 Conducting Synthesis 1 Lesson 29 Conducting Synthesis 2 Lesson 30 Videotaping #8 Coda Musical Examples Index Topical Index