Basic Techniques of Conducting [Spiral-bound]

Kenneth H. Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0195099370 | ISBN-13: 978-0195099379

Systematic, practical, and thorough, Basic Techniques of Conducting offers a clear instructional strategy and a basic methodology for teaching the physical gestures and concepts essential for the development of a convincing conducting technique. Taking a competency-based approach, this text provides a clear, step-by-step system for mastering the physical gestures required for good conducting. Paying special attention to the psychomotor skills needed for clear and expressive conducting, it establishes a solid foundation on which to build an advanced and personal conducting style.
Based on ten years of teaching and class-testing, the text is carefully organized to establish essential conducting skills over a one-semester period. Each of the thirty lessons introduces basic conducting techniques in a developmental sequence, and includes a review of previous techniques, "guided practice" segments for group practice of new techniques, and "assignment" sections for independent study and practice.
The text is fully illustrated with many conducting diagrams, photographs of hand and body movements, and numerous musical examples for directed conducting practice. Emphasizing complete musical examples rather than short excerpts, it features both choral and instrumental exercises for drill and practice. Engaging and accessible, Basic Techniques of Conducting offers all of the content necessary to build a solid foundation of conducting skills for all vocal and instrumental music education majors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 256 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195099370
• ISBN-13: 978-0195099379
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Learning to conduct., October 24, 2000

By 

Jonathan Brown (Warsaw, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Techniques of Conducting (Spiral-bound)

This book was an OK source for learning the basics of conducting. It was well illustrated with pictures of the beat patterns and proper body language, but it was at times a little to over bearing. Terminology was sometimes overused and over the readers head. I feel that it is still a good manual because it teaches you not only instrumental conducting, but choral as well. Including how to conduct a chorus and a orchestra simultaneously. If you are a beginner, this book is for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great text, July 16, 2009

By 

Kristen L. Galardi "GalardiStudios" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basic Techniques of Conducting (Spiral-bound)

This is a great book for beginner conductors. All areas of conducting are well explained and demonstrated through graphs and pictures of proper technique. Well worth the study.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars overej, September 6, 2005

By 

Derek W. Over - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basic Techniques of Conducting (Spiral-bound)

It's a good book. Great for anyone who is going to conduct a choral or instrumental group!