What Conductors Are Really Doing | WIRED
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- Опубліковано 3 вер 2019
- Conductor and organist Kent Tritle explains all that goes into being a professional conductor. From the concepts of legato, marcato, fortissimo, and more, Kent breaks down what exactly his hand movements mean when leading a group of musicians.
Filmed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, featuring Kent Tritle, Director of Cathedral Music and Organist, Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Check out Kent's website: www.kenttritle.com
Music Director, Musica Sacra
Music Director, Oratorio Society of New York
Director of Choral Activities, Manhattan School of Music
Organist, New York Philharmonic
Faculty, The Juilliard School
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Music Director, Musica Sacra
Music Director, Oratorio Society of New York
Director of Choral Activities, Manhattan School of Music
Organist, New York Philharmonic
Faculty, The Juilliard School - Навчання та стиль
This man’s posture is impeccable
juju the 180 degrees must be assured
Fused spine gang. I had surgery to fix my Scoliosis so my back is permanently straight due to the metal rods drilled into it so i sit just like this guy. Either this guy had similar surgery or just trained himself to sit bolt upright all the time lol
@Nerdy Jeremy lol xD
I worked with him last year. He follows the Alexander technique. Super interesting. look it up
Probably has a messed up tailbone 😊😇
when i sung in a choir i always thought it was so fascinating how we all kind of just /understood/ exactly what the conductor meant without being taught... its almost a perfect musical language in that sense
It helped that your had studied the music and many of the gestures have rather common sense intentions if you know the piece.
Topher S of course! i still think it’s cool though :)
Same for band as well.
The first time I was in an honor choir, I really had never had a conductor, but I just *understood* and it was cool.
Music is the universal language for a reason.
Whoever was starting the metronome during the challenges kept starting it at the wrong time and it was driving me nuts.
Yes, was killing me...
Oh, good. I thought it was just me missing something!
Also if he can hear it, he can just change his tempo... so it’s really not a great test.
Yeah, that hand has no ears. 😂
Should have been edited in. Trying to align 2 patterns is next to impossible
Man the metronome joining in with the conductor but not being on the same beat messed with me.
Man I was so thrown off. It's on 3 and starts. Like ugh. Do I keep counting to 7 to bring it back into 1?
Hey jayne. I’m a huge fan of the channel and twitch stream. I’m so happy I finally switched to console to pc
Rando acts of jayne
Jayne watching conducting videos???? Classical music and Pro Overwatch are two worlds in my personal I never thought would combine. I took conducting in college and it’s harder than it looks.
What are you doing here you should be teaching me how not to be bad at ow lol love you jayne
I was in choir for 6 years, and I suddenly came to the realization at some point that as an attentive singer, you are essentially volunteering for a sort of hypnosis. Every gesture the director (conductor) make effects the volume, timbre, intensity, emotionality, and so many other factors of your singing. For example if the director was gesturing palm up versus palm down somehow changed the sound coming out of your mouth because you instinctively sort of know without knowing that's what is being called for.
Your body as a singer is your instrument, but the choir is the conductor's instrument.
Yes! Exactly! 7yrs of choir for me, and you explained it very well. I would even get an asmr/goosebumps/tingly feeling when everyone is properly flowing together with the director. I always thought of it as the same sort of deep concentration as when you're trying to see those 'magic eye' 3d images that were so popular in the mid 90s, but you're right it's more like hypnosis.
So beautifully said!
I would maybe just nuance it, and describe it more as a sense of being in a flow. The way I feel it, being hypnotized has a sense of being a puppet, completely controlled by the hypnotist.
Being in a flow doesn’t have that sense of control/no control.
Wow 7 years in choir and 6 years in choir. You all probably should have spent more time studying your classes and graduate instead of staying so long in school. Just joking
this guy was my conductor at my last school! really nice guy!
How old is that curmudgeon
do you study in a music school or it was a part time thing?
@@arpitsrivstva Mr. Kent Tritle is teaching at the Manhattan School of Music and he’s a brilliant choral conductor, I can tell cuz I studied at MSM for 4 years and I sang in all the choirs that he conducted, which was a fantastic experience!
@@Viktorvelat95 noice
I remember my class couldn’t sing without a conductor, all our pitches and timing was weird.
When our teacher then conducted for us, it was music. She showed how important they are.
relate 😅 we can't sing without a conductor
Always blows me away the detail coordination and intricacies that go into the orchestra, conductors have so much going on at once.
Full orchestra scores usually involve reading 10-20 (or more) lines of music that you’re taking in all at once. It’s exhilarating when you’ve studied the music and are prepared and whoever you’re conducting is responding to you, but utterly terrifying if you lose your place or the piece starts to come apart
It's difficult to effectively illustrate the skill this conductor has at being able to hit a certain tempo when the metronome is started at some RANDOM PLACE IN BETWEEN HIS CONDUCTED BEATS. How did that part not get re-shot correctly? "Whatever, just slap a *ding* sound in and we'll pretend we made our point, regardless of the fact that we 100% didn't show what we set out to."
Thought the same. Scrolled down to confirm
I feel like they should have done the metronome challenge bit with the actual metronome being in post :x
Lauren right?? or tap his tempo in a metronome app and see the numbers
Who says they didn't? Perception is first and foremost always deceiving.
@@ColeKreviazuk Then it's even worse.
@@ColeKreviazuk because it's entirely wrong.
Interesting that he was clearly thinking of specific pieces to attempt the specific tempo conducting.
A lot of music professionals have little tricks like this to intuitively remember concepts that are hard to conceptualize. Like the circle of fifths for example.
You can do something similar when learning pitch intervals. I.e. The first two notes of somewhere over the rainbow are an octave apart.
As a music student its easier to do this, I think of songs and lyrics in my head because theyre automatically wrong if theyre slower or faster so its easier to conduct or follow time to a song in my head than count exact time
It's strange, growing up a musician and having all of this magically make sense! Still really cool to see it broken down and see how incredibly universal this is.
It's amazing how when we talk about music we overvalue the influence of writers and undervalue the influence of directors (conductors) but conversely overvalue the influence of directors and undervalue that of writers when we talk about film.
Great video. I appreciate music content explained by the musicians themselves, not journalists explaining music *coughcoughVoxcoughcough*
One thing that should be noted- choral conductors for collegiate and professional ensembles may not conduct the beat at all. A lot of choral music is phrase-based and rubato so there's not a set tempo, which gives the conductor and the ensemble freedom to express how they see fit. It's also why instrumentalists hate us. :)
Very true
interesting. thanks for the perspective!
I personally like the vox series as well, its not the same but its still pretty good
I watched the Vox video. That guy wasn't a professional conductor? Fooled me, but I still have a nagging feeling an orchestra could do fine without a conductor, if the musicians are good enough.
mapezaid If you tell 100 musicians in an orchestra to do an accelerando, ritardando, or add rubato to/in a phrase, good luck having them all match without a conductor.
Tempo changes, and even dynamics can be hard to change in unison with many players. Some players like dramatic dynamics and tempo changes in romantic music while others prefer subtle changes.
You don’t need a conductor for a solo, solo + accompaniment, string quartet, etc, but you need one for stuff like large symphonies and concertos by late classical/romantic composers, and even smaller ones the slightest lagging of a musician can be heard.
On top of providing the pulse during temple changes, some people *cough* percussionists, might not count their 100 bars of rest, so they need to be given a cue by a conductor.
As someone whose got no training or knowledge of music I found his explanation very helpful. You can tell he is passionate about what he does though, because I’ve seen some who are just so robotic.
I am not kidding - I have wondered about this my whole life (i've listened to classical music since I was a kid) and now I
understand just how complicated it is.
The good ones always make their skill look easy.
Thank you ~
I am 63 an wish I'd known this at age 4, my first orchestra exposure, which took me to another planet. I watch every move of every musician I have seen, part of the experience.
I like how he hummed Stars and Stripes Forever to find 120 bpm
Everybody does that 😆
I just know how long a second is lol
60 is seconds, 70 is dubstep, 90-100 is moombah, 120 is a sousa march, 130 is house, 140 is trance, 150 is hardstyle, 180 is hardcore.
I joined a conducting class because I am such a kinesthetic person in terms of music and the instructor told me I'm a natural! I'm going to have my first concert in December depending on covid!
Stop reading my mind I was just thinking about this question yesterday
Beau Guthery same
LITERALLY SAME
Me too.
ME TOO
me too...creepy😬
I love how he sang Stars and Stripes forever for 120 bpm. My director always does this
I'm a cellist, and my understanding of what a good conductor does is shown in the rehearsals, where they mold the music to their conception, setting such important qualities as (changes in)tempi, dynamics, articulation, ways sections express melodies. etc.
I love that the first visual is a choral conductor! And yet, only orchestral music are we hearing...
I studied music for a dozen years and I find it incredible that so many years since I left the conservatory, this conductor can still immediately convey the heart of the music to me with a few hand gestures.
I’m so glad wired did this video!! I’ve studied conducting for years and I love seeing it explained for everyone’s enjoyment and appreciation
I love the joy with which he conducts. His passion is glorious to watch.
Conducting is a straight up art form that is easy to overlook, but it really is just as much a part of a performance as any of the musicians. I used to play bass in quite a large orchestra, and being in the back off to one side could get VERY disorienting if I started accidentally focusing too much on what the violins were doing up front; that tiny time delay can really mess with your head. But glancing up to the conductor is all it took to know I was still good, and that absolute confidence he provided made everything else so simple and enjoyable.
It's like sign language but with music.
That's a critical misunderstanding of both sign language and music
@@mattmorgan2525 No it isn't because bro wasn't literally saying it's sign language for music. They meant that similar to how sign language uses various hand signs to denote meaning and action, so does conducting. They both utilize humans understanding that certain gestures mean certain things to bring cohesive to a piece whether it's a sentence or a musical act.
Haha touche!
@@mattmorgan2525 stfu
So fascinating !! I’ve always wondered about the skill behind the podium. The drawings were so helpful to follow. Loved this!!
WOW! This was incredibly interesting. My appreciation for what a conductor does just vastly increased. Thank you WIRED!
twoset needs to review this video
Hahaha my thoughts exactly. I think they'd definitely find this interesting
8.47 What sacrilegious score am I looking at?
thanks for the likes, never gotten this many before
Ling ling doesn't need a conductor. He conducts and plays at the same time.
I agree, but usually, they don't spend that long on only one video.
Ahh Kent! I sang with him in the Oratorio Society of New York and he's just as in love with his job as he appears here. Amazing conductor!
I looked for this and I'm satisfied with all the knowledge received! So complete!
This is one of the most fascinating videos I've seen in awhile. I've watched them live so many times, but had no idea what was happening.
Conductors are invaluable to bringing the band/orchestra/choir together. We all know the song, but having one person who leads us through the flow of the music is what brings one sound out of all of us.
It's lovely how the camera crew applauded at the end, and even exclaiming some praises.
WIRED always covers interesting stuff we always thought about but never had time to investigate! Thank you!!
This was exactly what I searched for. Never has UA-cam nailed it so exactly. Quality stuff.
I’ve wondered for a long time what the purpose of a conductor is. He explained it well!
I love how excited he gets teaching this!
Yeah it shows and is carrying
Really enjoyed the video, very informative and the choir was amazing!
I always wondering what the gestures meaning, thanks! And the motion graphic for the video is the cherry on top.
Great video, you are very kind and wise to the topic. Many thanks!
This is a lesson! A great Lesson for all young conductors! Thank you for this.
BIG Thank for Leo Hassler's Cantate Domino!
4:55 he used the stars and stripes there, you can hear it. nice
More upvotes
Very good video, so much information, well done!
I’ve often wondered what is going on with the conductor and what all the gestures mean. Fascinating!
Tritle communicates his tempo so clearly. if I ever had a problem with a conductor, it was that their tempo was all over the place, or they didn't ever bother to place the downbeat. (counting, what's that?)
Well done Wired! Every film you've produced on music has been fun, informative, and spot on!
Great conductor and one of the nicest guys in the business!
Thank you Wired for answering a question that I asked myself for way too long and was way too lazy to actually read about.
UA-cam is great.
This is so much more complicated than it seems.... o.O WOW!
Doing all those hand movements just honestly makes you happy. I'm copying him and I'm all beaming with smiles so satisfying 😊
THANK YOU FOR THIS. THIS WAS AWESOME
My middle school orchestra teacher was the best conducter. She always used to say if we ever got lost in the music to just look at her and somehow it always worked. I played violin for 8 years. I mean she was always RIGHT on cue. Its definitely an art to master
This video is fantastic thank you so much, great resource!
This was a good watch. After watching this I feel like a conductor is....the collective voice of the ones playing the piece.
Wow, my appreciation for conductors has grew by 1000%
omg thank you so much this is gonna help me with the orchestra I'm having at school
I'm challlenefe 2 you can tell he was singing one of his favorite songs and just vibing that whole time effortlessly keeping tempo
Whoever was starting that metronome in those challenges needs to be replaced immediately. He or she *never* matched the beats with what the conductor was doing.
no one should be replaced for starting a metronome wrong lol you should be replaced
This is incredible, I’m learning this and it’s not as easy as it looks. But I’m excited as well
That was fascinating. Thank you. I'm inspired.
Great Video, thank you for this!
If you notice at 120bpm, he's using the classic trick of singing Stars and Stripes Forever to himself --
Just like "Stayin' Alive" can help you remember the rhythm for CPR, Stars and Stripes Forever can help you remember 120 bpm
Yeah I love the Stayin’ Alive Trick! Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive is also good for Chest compressions.
Kyle Silver Or “Another One Bites the Dust.” 😳😳😳
This was a very informative video, thanks ❤
Awesome, Wired! Thank you for sharing such a nice and provoking story!
1:50 just pure happiness on his face
thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Ahh... the ol' "Stars and Stripes forever" trick for 120 bpm.
came to this video because I'm hanging around in my friends stuido, allways when he's making a beat I'm bobbing my head to it and make hand gestures and he told me that I'm his conductor, didn't know what it was had to look it up. I just enjoy the music and it gets to me so I can't stop moving my head and hands
Excellent presentation.
I’m not a musical person but his passion and how he conveys his love for what he does makes me want to be a conductor?
thanx Kent! and WIRED for this amazing experience
...the most interesting video I've seen in MONTHS!!...amazing information...THANXOX...🤗🤗🤗
Fortissimo Bravissimo. Great job.I never knew the language before. Born in Italy and I thought it was normal hand talk.
Thank you for a great video
Not quite my tempo.
Were you rushing?
or were you dragging?
@@justinbl0nd *throws chair at head
1, 2, 3, slap 1, 2, 3 slap
I agree, I prefer 138 bpm.
Finally. I know. Thank you for another superb video
What a great explanation!
Speaking of timing and keeping time, I’m a doctor and been playing for over 10 years. When I’m taking a patient’s pulse I never use a clock. I can detect the beat accurately enough in a +-20 range.
always wondered how the reading of a conductor worked when you would be focused on sheets sometimes in front of you
i dont know if you found the answer in the video, but for me at least when i play, i always look up at the conductor for a quick second while playing and reading the sheets. It's also very easy to see the conductor in the corner of your eye even if you aren't looking, and you're able to count the hands.
@@deadringerrr It was very hard for me to follow the conductor. Can't imagine reading the sheets at the same time also.
Kristine RG I do the opposite. Quick glances at the music.
Tvol i can assume it's different with singing than it is with playing. I am in choir and when we hold our music or sight read we have to hold our music up in order to see the conductors hands while reading our music. But we also read a few notes ahead in order to be able to lift our eyes for a moment or two so that we can perfectly see their hands and direction.
These guys are professionals so it’s probably just second nature
I am very glad to see this video. Music is my passion and your video is helpful.
I remember when I was in grade 7 and we were learning what our music teacher was doing when it came to conducting. One...two...three...four. We mostly did 1/4
I THINK, I MIGHT, PURSUE THIS JOB! I SO LOVE MUSIC VERY MUCH AND THIS ONE AMAZED ME!
This is great, always wondered what was going on
Loved this video. Thanks.
"Os justi" what an awesome choral piece!
Wow 1st time watching this mindblowing didnt know all these hand gestures ment so much amazing
The conductor is communicating a lot of very nuanced and urgent information up-at-which the singers rarely glance.
as a musician I know you never realize how important you're conductor is until they're gone.
If my band makes a mistake we look to our conductor to hold us together which is something the met can't do
No one:
The conductor: *aggressively breathing in*
LMAO I see that John Philip Souza at 4:57 !! You can see him conducting the actual song, not just the bpm lol
Lol, I caught that too!! 😂 I knew there’d have to be at least one Souza reference, if not more, in this. 😅m
Also, off topic, but you absolutely rock that sick hair color! It’s so flattering for your skin tone. Rock it, girl!!
All I can think about is the movie Whiplash
“Not quite my tempo”
What I love the most about 4:58 is that he's thinking of Stars and Stripes Forever for 120 BPM. Me, my conductor buddies, and professors have all used this universal trick 😂
4:57 lol I love it; no matter what level of musician you are, we ALL use the opening of Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever as reference for a 120 bpm! (same goes for 60 bpm, just use that march and cut it in half haha!)
It really does trip me out when I think of allllll the different jobs in the world there are!
Thank you Honestly have wondered this since I was a kid
At 1:15, they're singing "Os Justi" by Anton Bruckner (thanks to Jeff, who's a singer).
gabrielsroka And at 7:05
Expressing the music beyond the paper and tablature