What a conductor actually does on stage

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  • Опубліковано 22 гру 2024

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  • @laram4921
    @laram4921 4 роки тому +3527

    Things a conductor does (among others):
    - Keeps everyone in time, when the music slows or gets faster, he makes sure everyone does so at the same rate
    - Cues different sections to come in. Sometimes rhythms are very tricky and the conductor helps by indicating when to play and where. Also a lot of parts such as those for brass or percussion for example may have very long extended periods of rest where they are not playing, so the conductor confirms when to come in to those musicians who have been counting their rest bars.
    - Dynamics. They're written in the music but he indicates to the players to what extent and how soft or loud they should be. He keeps the balance between the different sections so all the key parts can be heard within the full sound of the orchestra. Sometimes sections get too loud, so he can decide to push them back and reminds them to keep quiet, etc.
    - Articulation + interpretation. His gestures tell the players how to play - sharply, strongly, smooth, etc. Also shows how to play the phrase, with motion towards a certain note etc.
    - Sometimes you get lost while performing and the conductor is useful to get back in time as he clearly indicates the first beat of each bar.
    Basically the conductor is like a director! He is the one with the artistic vision and helps the musicians to achieve it. The orchestra rehearses with the conductor many times before a performance - this is where he conveys to the musicians what he would like them to do etc. It is much like rehearsals of a play - the actors can learn their lines on their own but the director helps them come to life. The conductor is needed again during the performance to bring it all together and reminds each section of what to do like they have been practicing in rehearsal! Hope this helps :)

    • @richardross1754
      @richardross1754 4 роки тому +88

      Lara M that explains things much more clearly.
      Thank you!

    • @eugeneflynn7435
      @eugeneflynn7435 4 роки тому +10

      I agree. Truly helpful for a Rube like me. Thank you for taking time to share.

    • @theequalizer6784
      @theequalizer6784 4 роки тому +45

      You explained better

    • @grod3an
      @grod3an 4 роки тому +88

      This is better than the video

    • @Vivianeboavista
      @Vivianeboavista 4 роки тому +43

      This is much more informative than the video. Great stuff, thank you!

  • @Kevin-fj5oe
    @Kevin-fj5oe 5 років тому +3837

    "So, what instrument do you play ?"
    Conductor: " an orchestra "

    • @nnnnnn496
      @nnnnnn496 4 роки тому +92

      A stick.

    • @peach495
      @peach495 4 роки тому +136

      The answer is all of them. To be qualified as a conductor you need to be able to pick up any instrument within the orchestra & demonstrate what you want from them if they're not getting it from instruction.

    • @ouassimzayani8806
      @ouassimzayani8806 4 роки тому +65

      @@peach495 *sad Triangle noises*

    • @eddygci8
      @eddygci8 4 роки тому +7

      Freewheelin' Franklin so the orchestra lol

    • @jacobbass6437
      @jacobbass6437 4 роки тому +21

      @@peach495. This is only for middle school. When you work with some of the top musicians in the world, you don’t need to demonstrate with the instrument, just words should do the trick with maybe a hint of singing. But no, only amateurs need to shown by a conductor on an instrument.

  • @zandelscomicsandcards7543
    @zandelscomicsandcards7543 5 років тому +9285

    I would like to hear a song WITH a conductor. And then hear the same song WITHOUT a conductor.

    • @nkosinathimlenzane3044
      @nkosinathimlenzane3044 5 років тому +161

      Me too.

    • @Dylan-Juhan
      @Dylan-Juhan 4 роки тому +546

      I think it would make sense to have the orchestra prepare the music without a conductor, perform, then have the conductor step in and rehearse it to their interpretation for the second performance.

    • @squattinggopnik_4205
      @squattinggopnik_4205 4 роки тому +231

      It’s called chamber music

    • @KingRCT3
      @KingRCT3 4 роки тому +360

      I went to a choir conductor contest and with the same choir, they had like 9 conductors in a raw coming to interpret it. I didn't hear any differences between each haha, but musically-trained ears certainly did. They were all "oh this one was more like [...] and this one more like [...] and you felt the choir be more like [...] with this one".

    • @hannahherrmann4921
      @hannahherrmann4921 4 роки тому +19

      I do this in my band class

  • @secretafaf
    @secretafaf 6 років тому +8827

    im a conductor and youre watching disney channel

    • @jurgenkun7040
      @jurgenkun7040 5 років тому +39

      OI hated this show.

    • @locvu5492
      @locvu5492 5 років тому +12

      lol

    • @shir624
      @shir624 5 років тому +52

      You made me imagine it.

    • @imen7610
      @imen7610 5 років тому +12

      I’m not even musician and I thought this was a bit dorky. This is probably not what conductors are really like.

    • @fattit7598
      @fattit7598 5 років тому +15

      @@imen7610 r/woooosh

  • @britshell
    @britshell 6 років тому +3191

    This video has a lot less trains in it than I expected.

  • @gabrielgaaferreira
    @gabrielgaaferreira 4 роки тому +1600

    I've heard that metal is a good conductor.

  • @ShesAaRebel
    @ShesAaRebel 6 років тому +4093

    I used to play violin in school, and when my teacher would be the conductor during a performance, I would notice that my mind almost goes blank. I have the music in front of me, but I would know the songs so well that I would hardly glace at it most of the time. She was able to give me the cues so well and show me how I should be playing, it was like my fingers on the strings and my hand on the bow would play on their own. It was such a big difference to me when comparing her standing in front of us, versus during a lesson when she would sometimes be moving around the class (to better hear how individuals were doing), and letting us play while giving verbal cues.
    If someone were to ask me, "What does a conductor do?", I feel like my answer wouldn't do it justice. Even this video doesn't really do it justice. The only way for people to *really* get it, is to play in an orchestra.

    • @Mica_T
      @Mica_T 6 років тому +146

      Agreed. I've played with about 5 different conductors. Some of them don't express, and I always find myself playing blandly. But when they get lively, you can feel the energy and your playing sounds more heartfelt.

    • @HarekaTysiri
      @HarekaTysiri 6 років тому +26

      i dont play music, but your last sentece really upsets me. i think you shouldn't give up on music if you really love it. because art is a part of human life

    • @wb4882
      @wb4882 6 років тому +4

      magic wand put you under a trance. don't worry bout it.

    • @benmeitzen4184
      @benmeitzen4184 6 років тому +5

      This is SO true, they're essential.

    • @wolfgirllove6264
      @wolfgirllove6264 6 років тому +4

      I’m guessing you were never 1st chair 😂

  • @animec-dramaskpop6362
    @animec-dramaskpop6362 6 років тому +3945

    I love it when the conductor go crazy.

    • @lexc1560
      @lexc1560 6 років тому +79

      “Music make you lose control” - Missy Elliot

    • @animec-dramaskpop6362
      @animec-dramaskpop6362 6 років тому +1

      Joao Rocha 😉

    • @animec-dramaskpop6362
      @animec-dramaskpop6362 6 років тому

      Anna Heebsh I will, thanks.

    • @janniswildermuth1499
      @janniswildermuth1499 6 років тому +28

      Yesterday I was at a student's concert at the university of arts in Berlin, and the concertos were all conducted by students who had their conducting exams as part of this performance, so they were all a bit nervous. Now the first of the students to conduct did a great job. He was energetic, precise and yet very powerful during the climaxes of the pieces. However he was so energetic that he seemed to lose his breat quite a bit, because at one point, a section of fortissimo was followed directly by complete silence, a bar long pause for everyone. And after having gone absolutey wild during the crescendo, everyone could hear the conductor wheezing frantically during that pause. It cracked up a lot of people, but I think everyone forgave him. Funnily enough, the first violin also had to supress a huge grin for the next twenty seconds or so.
      Easily the most humurous part of the evening.

    • @georgehutson7950
      @georgehutson7950 6 років тому

      afro curly girl

  • @AlexRiversMusic
    @AlexRiversMusic 3 роки тому +52

    Conductors are really important, I feel like us orchestral musicians understand but no one else does.

    • @spinblackcircles
      @spinblackcircles 2 роки тому +1

      I don’t think most people think about it very much.

  • @jasercervantes
    @jasercervantes 6 років тому +126

    This is the video I didn't know I was waiting to see.

  • @dragoncurveenthusiast
    @dragoncurveenthusiast 6 років тому +2916

    I always saw it this way: The conductor plays the orchestra in the same way that each of the musicians plays their instrument.

    • @dragoncurveenthusiast
      @dragoncurveenthusiast 6 років тому +37

      And here was I thinking it was obvious that I simplified.

    • @dragoncurveenthusiast
      @dragoncurveenthusiast 6 років тому +2

      Hugo Lee fair enough

    • @phantasos12
      @phantasos12 6 років тому +16

      Ah, so THAT'S why my marimba keeps insisting upon union breaks once every hour. It makes sense now. ;)

    • @ThePeaterBeater
      @ThePeaterBeater 6 років тому +9

      my old director always said during rehearsals “just as you practice your instrument outside of rehearsal, I practice mine here”

    • @Pixeliarmus
      @Pixeliarmus 6 років тому

      @@dragoncurveenthusiast Never obvious enough for people

  • @Logrusmage
    @Logrusmage 5 років тому +1287

    This video doesn't actually explain anything beyond the very first bit when he tells us the right hand keeps the beat.

    • @josuepalomares6820
      @josuepalomares6820 4 роки тому +20

      Its also gives cues

    • @PatrickBateman191
      @PatrickBateman191 4 роки тому +51

      It is relative. To someone who knows nothing about conducting, it is interesting.

    • @bigman25plus25
      @bigman25plus25 4 роки тому +34

      It's a 5 min video bro chill

    • @bessie9330
      @bessie9330 4 роки тому +2

      talk about salty jeez

    • @earlybyrdy
      @earlybyrdy 4 роки тому +1

      @red_array to be fair, the video on Wired takes like 12 minutes.

  • @TheStockwell
    @TheStockwell 6 років тому +302

    Orchestras need conductors the same way sports teams need coaches and restaurants need a head chef. You need someone keeping perspective on the entire operation and able to say, "Not so much of that - and we need more of that."
    As to why some conductors get by with minimal gestures while other spin and jump up and down, it's a matter of style. I mean, if you give copies of "Hamlet" to twenty different actors, you're going to get that many different Hamlets. Someone watching a conductor leading the Berlin Philharmonic told his friend, "I can't follow or make any sense of what he's doing." The response from his friend, "Well, I guess as long as the Berlin Philharmonic knows what it all means, we'll be fine."

    • @strnvii
      @strnvii 4 роки тому +6

      This explains it so much faster thanks

    • @themoshpit8341
      @themoshpit8341 2 роки тому +3

      Excellent analysis!

    • @jonatanwestholm
      @jonatanwestholm Рік тому

      Interesting, now I see the connection between large musical bands and military units.

    • @cancunale1
      @cancunale1 11 місяців тому

      but isn't this what sheet music does ? just curious if a conductor is necessary in an orchestra when the orchestra has been studying the sheet music. Doesn't the sheet music indicate all of this? genuinely curious.

    • @NameNik223
      @NameNik223 6 місяців тому +1

      @@cancunale1 The comment from @ShesAaRebel explains it well, in my opinion:
      "I used to play violin in school, and when my teacher would be the conductor during a performance, I would notice that my mind almost goes blank. I have the music in front of me, but I would know the songs so well that I would hardly glace at it most of the time. She was able to give me the cues so well and show me how I should be playing, it was like my fingers on the strings and my hand on the bow would play on their own. It was such a big difference to me when comparing her standing in front of us, versus during a lesson when she would sometimes be moving around the class (to better hear how individuals were doing), and letting us play while giving verbal cues.
      If someone were to ask me, "What does a conductor do?", I feel like my answer wouldn't do it justice. Even this video doesn't really do it justice. The only way for people to really get it, is to play in an orchestra."

  • @michaelkyledomalaon3218
    @michaelkyledomalaon3218 6 років тому +40

    The conductor is sooo important. I can’t imagine singing in my choir without having one. They helped us by creating imagery to the music we were singing and it helped convey the emotion. Thank your conductors everyone haha

  • @anthonymcbride3723
    @anthonymcbride3723 3 роки тому +21

    I love conductors, I'm just totally enveloped and mesmerized in the way they control the flow of the music, it's direction, the impact of the beats and rhythms, as well as the force of being hit with the passion that everyone is putting into the music, and the vibrations that are sent throughout my soul!! I don't have much of a passion for music, but I do love, enjoy, and respect the art that it gives for all cultures!!

  • @maximus5060
    @maximus5060 6 років тому +426

    I thought that the job of a conductor is to throw a chair at the drummer.

    • @ritzbittz
      @ritzbittz 6 років тому +66

      Not quite my tempo.

    • @chishionotenshi
      @chishionotenshi 6 років тому +8

      One of mine once threw his pencil at the percussion and snapped, "Maybe you'll play better with THAT." In his defense they were, to a man, not paying any attention and late to enter for the third time. Good old high school "I'm just here for easy credit" band.

    • @hijack69
      @hijack69 6 років тому +1

      Nice nice nice

    • @t.veritas884
      @t.veritas884 6 років тому +3

      “Do you know why I threw that chair at you?”

    • @alx81
      @alx81 6 років тому +1

      Well, is the drummer asleep?

  • @Burnt_Gerbil
    @Burnt_Gerbil 6 років тому +488

    So the right hand is the metronome, and the left hand is the director. That makes sense to me.

    • @prototypeinheritance515
      @prototypeinheritance515 Рік тому +3

      That's just the textbook version, in practice there's an exception for every rule.

    • @Burnt_Gerbil
      @Burnt_Gerbil Рік тому +1

      @@prototypeinheritance515 - Care to elaborate then?

    • @kimchi2911
      @kimchi2911 Рік тому +1

      @@Burnt_Gerbil although the right hand is technically the metronome, the way the conductor moves around the right hand can also affect the music. Eg. Moving the right hand around in a smooth and big manner can mean to play more expressively. Hopefully you understand, and sorry if my phrasing isn’t good

  • @hoodiesticks
    @hoodiesticks Рік тому +47

    One thing that is worth pointing out is that the conductor is standing in front of the audience, so he hears the song the way the audience does. That's a much bigger deal than you might realize.
    I played percussion for years in school, and every time I heard a recording of the songs I played in, it felt like a completely different song. Certain parts were way louder or softer, the timbre of certain instruments was different, and parts that I thought sounded great from the back ended up sounding annoying and grating from the front. There were several occasions (especially with cymbals and timpani) where I had to make noises that to my ears sounded terrible, but I trusted that they would sound good by the time they reached the front of the room.
    That's why it's important to have someone at the front of the room giving feedback. If everyone just plays something that sounds good to their own ears, the mix will be a muddled mess.

    • @mmrbest123
      @mmrbest123 Рік тому +1

      ahhh this helps me understand about what a conductor does. wow thank you

  • @MichaelJayValueInvesting
    @MichaelJayValueInvesting 6 років тому +2944

    Everyone knows that the bigger baton you have the better conductor you are.

    • @rokadam7117
      @rokadam7117 6 років тому +257

      Michael Jay - Value Investing NO, bigger the baton, more resistance. More resistance, poor conductor. Ohm's law, V=IR.
      But yeah if they are cool they'll certainly be superconductors.

    • @get-the-joke
      @get-the-joke 6 років тому +66

      Valery Gergiev can beat you to a pulp with a toothpick.

    • @Aviationlord7742
      @Aviationlord7742 6 років тому +30

      The bigger the arm gestures the more dedicated the conductor

    • @roycemikhail5067
      @roycemikhail5067 6 років тому +53

      That's what she- oh.

    • @kurbaga6041
      @kurbaga6041 6 років тому +82

      It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it...

  • @blankbmusic
    @blankbmusic 6 років тому +1474

    If a conductor did the robot while conducting, would the symphony play dubstep?

    • @natashas.1566
      @natashas.1566 6 років тому +28

      OMG, your comment totally got me. Am ROFLing. Thank you :)

    • @ruthwikrao9603
      @ruthwikrao9603 6 років тому +1

      Brandon Garcia 😂😂

    • @reyariass
      @reyariass 6 років тому

      😂😂😂

    • @rajat0610
      @rajat0610 6 років тому

      Should be pinned to the top!

    • @joeplavin
      @joeplavin 6 років тому +1

      Natasha S. Rolling on the floor laughing-ing

  • @raffitchakmakjian
    @raffitchakmakjian 4 роки тому +237

    "I think people should focus on the music, and not the conductor." Well said.

    • @lipca
      @lipca 4 роки тому +3

      This was so emotional it made me tear up ngl .

    • @cg7240
      @cg7240 3 роки тому +4

      You have to focus on the conductor or else there won't be music, it will sound so messed up. I hate how non-musicians just don't understand how it works.

    • @raffitchakmakjian
      @raffitchakmakjian 3 роки тому +6

      @@cg7240 the audience should focus on the product of the symbiotic relationship between the conductor and the ensemble, which is also referred to as the music.

    • @nitijha1193
      @nitijha1193 Рік тому +2

      ​@@cg7240 no you don't understand this comment

    • @cg7240
      @cg7240 Рік тому +1

      @@nitijha1193 You brought back up something from a year ago. Totally unnecessary. Also, if I don't understand, why don't you clarify what is in my reply that makes you feel as so?

  • @hamzahalasadulloh7779
    @hamzahalasadulloh7779 6 років тому +18

    What most people don’t realize is the conductor’s biggest role in any performance happens during rehearsals. That’s where all the magical music-making happens. The conductor interprets the music by the composer through color choice, textural clarity, which melodic line to spotlight, which to subdue, how to phrase a melody in relation to other things in the music. Come performance, the conductor has done everything he needs to do and simply lead the orchestra as one coherent body of sound for the audience to appreciate.

    • @DK-mq9zf
      @DK-mq9zf Рік тому

      underrated comment.

  • @donutello_
    @donutello_ 6 років тому +844

    The conductor is actually the one making the puppet orchestra move and play I played wii music trust me

    • @donutello_
      @donutello_ 6 років тому +21

      A person without a job they love doing

    • @Trekki200
      @Trekki200 6 років тому +13

      Have you ever seen the Mr.Bean movie in which he is at Harrows and accidentally conducts an orchestra?
      Rowan Atkinson said about the scene once, that he thought he would wave around a stick and the orchestra would play their own stuff. And the he realised that they were actually playing what he indicated them to play.
      (Which btw is insanely complicated)

    • @maxgainz1324
      @maxgainz1324 6 років тому

      Usless Usless Usless

    • @Jm-lr2fv
      @Jm-lr2fv 6 років тому +1

      DIOOOOOOO

    • @redrooster3420
      @redrooster3420 6 років тому +2

      "I played wii music trust me" GHDGHJDHGJ THAT PART GOT ME SCREAMING

  • @joshwilliams6517
    @joshwilliams6517 4 роки тому +301

    Pandemic got me falling into UA-cam holes I don’t even do music

  • @starchington
    @starchington 6 років тому +587

    This is one of the best vox videos I’ve seen. Just an expert discussing his discipline, instead of some journalism grad voxsplaining modernist design principles.

    • @starchington
      @starchington 6 років тому +31

      You're heavily oversimplifying things (much like vox does). First of all, its not that cringey. It makes a lot of sense that the content creators at vox, as well as their audience, would be interested in classical musical in addition to whats going in on in politics, especially when what is going on is one of the worst scandals by the largest moron in U.S. political history. Why not get your mind off that with some classical music? Second of all, classical music and leftism have gone hand in hand for at least a hundred years so its not that unheard of. Ever heard of Leonard Bernstein, Phillip Glass or Britten? Furthermore, I doubt they are proposing that "us SJW" are culturally superior. Culturally superior to whom? Trump supporters? That could entirely be possible. Although I would agree with the sentiment that vox often comes off as arrogant as if they are talking down to the viewer--way down. Third of all, saying classical music celebrates western culture is like saying the genre of history painting celebrates western culture. Sure, it is a genre in a medium both developed by artists of the western world and therefore depicted myths, stories, and history of cultures in the western canon but that doesn't mean those stories themselves didn't critique or warn against harmful trends in their own society's like many stories in the Bible, or Greek tragedies or epics, or even contemporary parables. Can we really say Goya's Third of May 1808, or Izaguirre's Torture of Cuauhtémoc, or Litz' Faust's Symphony, or the Rites of Spring are celebrating western culture? Yes, they are triumphs of western culture but they also reveal something brutal, animalistic, and sinful of western civilization. Do you think liberals would hate Goya, Izaguirre, Litz or Stravinsky? No. As the genres of classical music or history painting grew into the 19th and early 20th century they were adopted by artists who would use them to push their own modern world views, whether they were "non-westerners," modernists, cubists, liberals, fascists, or conservatives. Thats just how all art operates: the artist comes to the work which carries expected notions of the form but the artist ultimately subverts them through their own personal experiences and views of the world. This means there is a lot of artwork which would be in traditional western genres that would lean liberal in their message. To assume that someone who might lean liberal hates art it is to simplify them into a "baddie" like some sort of saturday morning cartoon. Fortunately, the world is more complex than that, which means we get the pleasure of listening and conversing who enjoy similar things but will have differing perception of it and can make us think of things we wouldn't see at first. Have a nice day.

    • @TheLazarus911
      @TheLazarus911 6 років тому +7

      yo dog you gotta simplify your message nobody wants to read this garbled up nonsense. Make it like 4-6 sentences max, get the main points out.

    • @starchington
      @starchington 6 років тому +5

      i mean that was part of the point but.... Ok ill try to be more concise but vox videos and tweets are never gonna convey enough

    • @gavinkemp7920
      @gavinkemp7920 6 років тому +3

      I'd disagree actually. I don't think it was a very good video. I didn't learn much from this video and i'm still confused in what their roles is exactly. the way he was explaining it make it sound like he's personalizing the music but he didn't clearly say that and it seem to contradict some of his other points.
      I don't understand why the conductor gets applauded personally, i don't understand why musicians can't simply memorize their whole piece with both the notes and the volume after all that what most musicians do. and finally i still don't know what make a good conductor.
      an expert discussing his discipline is rarely a good way to teach people because those experts don't realise the amount of knowledge they have that we don't. vulgarisation is importante when talking to a general audience.that where earworm is very good. yes it not helpful for experts of the field but that not the target audience.

    • @cellobuddy251
      @cellobuddy251 6 років тому +5

      As an orchestral musician myself, you can't have an orchestra without a conductor. There are definitely examples of orchestras without conductors say Mozart conducting and playing piano at the same time, but in most cases, an orchestra would not be able to play together whether it be personal egos or not being able to know when someone is coming in or not. A singular person conducting the music stands as an example of expression for everyone. He keeps players in check if they're off (they often are but professionals rarely do), controls the intensity of the dynamics, ends phrases, begins phrases, etc. I'm not bashing you, gavin, for not understanding, but hopefully I can help explain your confusion.
      For example, there are a lot of nuances in tempo in classical music. From rubato, to simple, non specific tempos such as moderato, allegro, andante, and largo. It's up to the conductor to set the pace of a piece and inevitably control it. There's a sort of joke about conductors having the biggest egos in the orchestra because well, they are expressing themselves while also realizing the music which everyone has to follow or face chaos and sloppy hits.
      I hope that clears things up for you. Feel free to say otherwise.

  • @94gamerboy
    @94gamerboy 6 років тому +794

    the video is misleading. The majority of their job is completed during rehearsal. Every piece of music is interpreted differently by a conductor and he instructs the orchestra during rehearsal on how exactly they want it played. By the time the of the actual performance the orchestra knows how the conductor wants it played and has little to do when he finally gets on stage. The musicians occasionally glance at the conductor during the performance to be reminded of certain cues and to keep everyone on the same page (literally). IDK why the video didn't address this.

    • @zxcvbnm2491
      @zxcvbnm2491 6 років тому +84

      The video only claims to address what happens on stage, during performance, which is what most non-musical people know a conductor for. It might not be the most informative video, but people wanting to learn more about music likely wouldn't look to Vox anyway.

    • @Superstarlight867530
      @Superstarlight867530 6 років тому +5

      Raul De La Paz - I’ve wondered something similar actually. I understand that a particular conductor may have their own individual way they like a certain piece to be played, but as you say, by the time of the performance, surely the orchestra has it down cold? And would or could personal interpretation always apply, anyway?
      I mean, for example, take something super well-known, like, hmm...Debussy’s Clair de Lune, ok? That piece of music will surely always be played in the same way, as the soft, lovely, gentle, relaxing yet very evocative piece it is. It’s very unlikely that a conductor is going to say, right, let’s kick this up a notch and really let it rock! you know what I mean? By the same token, an orchestra playing the 1812 Overture is scarcely going to be directed by the conductor to play it like a lullaby - there’s only one way that piece is played, right? loud and forceful and heart-stirring!
      So, hmmm 🤔. Will be interested in your thoughts...

    • @LevW
      @LevW 6 років тому +4

      Thanks so much for the clarification. I thought the conductor's only job was to show the orchestra how to play on stage and kept asking myself why that is necessary after multiple hours of rehearsal.

    • @daybreak2127
      @daybreak2127 6 років тому +22

      Superstarlight867530
      They didn't address tempo as much as they should have. That and the OP forgot to mention, some songs have cues that change every time you play it.
      A great example, something I played years ago in band. The Witch and The Saint.
      That song was never played the same way twice in rehearsal or on stage.
      Our conductor changed the timing of some fermatas to be more or less dramatic. The tempo was never constant, he went with what felt good for the moment.
      By the time the performance is there, the conductors main job is to give tempo and show when certain notes end.

    • @samdajellybeenie14
      @samdajellybeenie14 6 років тому +5

      It depends on the conductor. Some conductors will do things in performance that they've never done before. And depending on your perspective, it can be annoying or thrilling.

  • @timdesuu
    @timdesuu 5 років тому +51

    Conductor: "Wingardium Leviosa"

  • @ronixrising8886
    @ronixrising8886 6 років тому +306

    The answers in the comments section are way more informative than the video itself.

    • @robertcotrell9810
      @robertcotrell9810 6 років тому +1

      Disagree

    • @frisbeeeater
      @frisbeeeater 6 років тому +4

      Agreed... I still don’t know what they do

    • @robertcotrell9810
      @robertcotrell9810 6 років тому +4

      frisbeeeater Conductors offer a single interpretation of the music, which they hold their ensemble too. They maintain togetherness, promote effective musicianship, and lead rehearsal. In many ways, they are the face of the ensemble.

    • @frunkybooii
      @frunkybooii 6 років тому +5

      @ronix rising agreed.
      This video doesn't contain what it says on the tin. Sure a conductor moves purposefully on stage and each conductor has their own style. But WHY is the conductor there? Shouldn't that be the main point covered in the video? Is there any discernible difference between a piece of music played by the same orchestra with different conductors? Or no conductor at all? I'm not a music expert and maybe there is a difference, but this video didn't make that point any clearer. Some of the comments do though.
      It would be less clickbaity if Vox called this video "a discussion with a conductor" or something similar.

  • @doodelay
    @doodelay 6 років тому +284

    Does this mean that conductors are like a single, living music sheet that everyone can read at once?

    • @wojciech2279
      @wojciech2279 6 років тому +90

      Yes, except for the fact that they don't tell you what to play (you still have written score for this purpose) but exactly HOW to play it.

    • @daybreak2127
      @daybreak2127 6 років тому +35

      Doodelay Explains
      No._. The video kinda glossed over the topic of tempo.
      What the conductor does is keep all 200+ people in sync, and tells the orchestra when certain notes or rests end. E.X. A fermata over a rest, they choose when it ends. They can speed up or slow down the tempo for dramatic effect.

    • @lnhart7157
      @lnhart7157 6 років тому +16

      On a way, but normal sheet music tells you exactly what to play, and just a bit on how to play. A conductor doesn't tell you which notes to play, but the exact speed, phrasing, dynamics etc.

    • @pearlllg
      @pearlllg 6 років тому +6

      I think the poetry of your thought was lost on some of the more prosaic here, but I appreciate the question.

    • @altrag
      @altrag 6 років тому +6

      More along the lines of a metronome, keeping the time. Though if the band has rehearsed well enough, the conductor shouldn't really be needed and is mostly there as an ego stroke and because the audience expects him to be there. As others have said on this thread, most of their work is before the performance getting those rehearsals to the point of "well enough." Being in the live show is more their victory lap for getting everything together.

  • @majarimennamazerinth5753
    @majarimennamazerinth5753 4 роки тому +6

    A good conductor keeps everyone in time, acts out mood and dynamics, reminds soloists of their entries, and organises every rehearsal according to their individual creative vision.

  • @pinkmapviolin
    @pinkmapviolin 6 років тому +672

    The title of the video is "What a conductor actually does ON STAGE", so I'll forgive the video for not mentioning that the conductor's main job occurs during rehearsal in directing the orchestra on how to play the music. But really (and this is coming from an orchestral musician) I don't think the conductor does very much at all during performance. The conductor starts the orchestra, establishes rhythm, and controlls changes in the music (rubato, accelerando, ritardando, etc.). All of the musical flourishes (the left hand) that conductors cherish so much are mostly ignored and are unnecessary, as they should've been already communicated through words during rehearsal. However, I will concede that this does mean that a conductor's job on stage is more important the less rehearsals an ensemble gets or the less an ensemble knows the style of a certain conductor. A conductor's job on stage also matters more the less advanced an orchestra is.

    • @soso-zz9qf
      @soso-zz9qf 6 років тому +29

      pinkmapviolin finally a comment from a real orchestral musician!

    • @talentstitus
      @talentstitus 6 років тому +20

      Happy to see one comment appreciating the real role of conductor than the choreography.

    • @nguyeneric4576
      @nguyeneric4576 6 років тому +1

      pinkmapviolin k now shut up.

    • @nguyeneric4576
      @nguyeneric4576 6 років тому +1

      pinkmapviolin beotch

    • @TAP7a
      @TAP7a 6 років тому +12

      I never made it past university level orchestras, but I always got a lot out of the conductor - with only weekly rehearsals, you don't get to internalise the exact miniscura of the conductor's interpretation, so I always read the gestures even more closely on the day, which then take precedence over any written notes in the part. Obviously I'm a fourth-rate musician at best, but I have played in orchestras for about 13 years overall, so I think I have at least something to say about it

  • @ericfartman5624
    @ericfartman5624 6 років тому +549

    If he is the bus conductor he should thank the bus driver.

    • @barateza16
      @barateza16 6 років тому +18

      wait a damn minute

  • @Me-wk7dz
    @Me-wk7dz 4 роки тому +23

    Conductors usually do more than just conduct the performance, they typically lead rehearsals with the orchestra and organize the sounds/articulations/volumes/shaping/etc.

  • @marichristian1072
    @marichristian1072 6 років тому +535

    Why not explain how the conductor is able to read a dozen + lines of music throughout a complex symphonic work?

    • @laurenhinkle1999
      @laurenhinkle1999 6 років тому +161

      Mari Christian The job of the conductor is to study the score so well that he or she knows everything happening at every moment. They study in chunks and find the most important line of each chunk, while also understanding the backgrounds. They know every time signature, key signature, chord and tempo. During the performance, the score is only used as a reference. Some even conduct without scores.

    • @marichristian1072
      @marichristian1072 6 років тому +12

      @@laurenhinkle1999 Thank you so much, Lauren. As a cellist, sometimes a single line is a challenge to memorize. Musical entrances and exits also demand absolute concentration.

    • @davidmdyer838
      @davidmdyer838 5 років тому +17

      Many conuctors use colored pencil to code their scores. Not everything is important at once.

    • @NaishaS
      @NaishaS 5 років тому +9

      My director highlights the score so he can visually see which instruments share the melody, counter melody, rhythmic parts, etc.

    • @vari1535
      @vari1535 5 років тому +3

      @@marichristian1072 Canon in D?

  • @wolffgang101
    @wolffgang101 6 років тому +78

    What he said about the brass is totally right.

    • @cinekrit_de6516
      @cinekrit_de6516 6 років тому +4

      And sadly enough, everybody knows "the hand"...

    • @centuriomacro9787
      @centuriomacro9787 6 років тому +3

      I've only played in "brass only orchestras" so far and Im not familiar with what the conductor ist trying to accomplish there. So what is he trying to prevent you from doing?
      And whats the problem (or the complaints) with "brass" in an orchestra in general?

    • @cinekrit_de6516
      @cinekrit_de6516 6 років тому +16

      In symphonic orchestras, brass is easily louder than the reeds or strings (or at least seem to be louder in a 1:1 comparison). This means if the brass section is playing forte, they can easily drown the rest of the orchestra. This can throw off the balance of sounds, overlay important themes or simply be unpleasant to hear. Showing "the hand" to the brass section basically means "You're too loud". Although this may be the case, showing the hand before (!) one starts to play, sends the signal "Whatever comes out of your instrument will probably be too loud.", "Restrict yourself" or "Don't you dare to be too loud". If this happens abruptly, this may surprise or scare the musician to start playing with the commitment the instrument or part may need. You probably know that the control of the tone can be pretty challenging, e.g. for the horn players named here in the video. Even though brass sections most often need restriction, too harsh actions may literally make them choke what eventually may harm their performance.

    • @robbietaylor3732
      @robbietaylor3732 6 років тому +8

      The better thing to do is to get them to turn away from the audience or find them something to play into. When you make a brass player play too quietly it will mess with their pitching and attack. Especially in the higher registers. Given the right music, longer lower notes for example, brass can fade right to nothing, and even come back with everything. But starting notes quietly can be really challenging, and makes a split much more likely.
      come to think of it I don't really know how to explain a split to someone that's not tried playing brass at all. It happens when you try to play a note too quietly, or without enough strength - that is actual physical strength of the players face - and can be enough to stop a less experienced player in their tracks. And please understand it is not a mark of a lesser player, it happens to everyone especially without proper warm-up.

    • @auscomvic9900
      @auscomvic9900 6 років тому

      @@robbietaylor3732 Perhaps put them in an opaque box which can be acoustically remote controlled by the other players.

  • @obsidianstatue
    @obsidianstatue 4 роки тому +365

    So conductors are basically more skilled upscale DJs.

    • @Janonimo
      @Janonimo 4 роки тому +18

      Air DJing

    • @SomalieDXB
      @SomalieDXB 4 роки тому +8

      This is the exact analogy I use when I explain what a DJ basically does. The right hand is like riding the pitch on the turntables and the left hand is like controlling the EQ.

  • @danshen3827
    @danshen3827 6 років тому +51

    I have much respect for them. They're like the glue that holds us all together

    • @aaronqu8168
      @aaronqu8168 6 років тому +1

      They are like glue- You can’t always see it, but without it, everything falls apart.

  • @TsetsiStoyanova
    @TsetsiStoyanova 6 років тому +756

    this was a very comprehensive tutorial

    • @ms.rstake_1211
      @ms.rstake_1211 6 років тому

      ikr? He was great

    • @jangonauta
      @jangonauta 6 років тому +1

      I feel like.. i could explain.it to someone else without problem

    • @sthoverthere
      @sthoverthere 6 років тому +4

      I definetely feel ready for this new career path now.

    • @joeplavin
      @joeplavin 6 років тому

      sthoverthere no

  • @extr3me_warriorzx271
    @extr3me_warriorzx271 5 років тому +25

    When I think of a conductor I always remember Mr. Bean.

  • @angelarrieche6427
    @angelarrieche6427 6 років тому +270

    "I don't believe in jumping around during a symphony"
    Dudamel: Hold my arepa.
    P.D. PLEASE go see his conduction of the 4th movement of Dvorak's 9th symphony. You won't regret it.

    • @Redorgreenful
      @Redorgreenful 6 років тому +6

      I ain't even mad. Arepas are delicious. I will gladly hold one for him 😂

    • @RSP13
      @RSP13 6 років тому

      HAHAHHA. OMG

    • @vmeli73
      @vmeli73 6 років тому +1

      Yeesss that video is sooo great 😂😂😂😂

    • @EvelynGaunt
      @EvelynGaunt 6 років тому +1

      I was scrolling through the comments as the video was playing and I read your comment at the exact time he said it in the video🤯

    • @krissveismanis990
      @krissveismanis990 6 років тому +4

      He said very clearly that he doesn't believe in jumping around during BRUCKNER'S symphony. Have you not got ears?

  • @jslasher1
    @jslasher1 6 років тому +13

    As a left-handed conductor I wave my baton in a reverse beat. Elmer Bernstein and Paavo Berglund are two such conductors, who were/are highly respected by orchestras. Dr William Steinberg once remarked that 'the most difficult thing about conducting is getting the job'.

  • @rubievale
    @rubievale 3 роки тому +5

    I'm a professional guitarist, who has spent his entire life internalising the beat, the rhythmic pulse of a song, and the first time I sat in with an orchestra I was somewhat surprised at how classical musicians don't do the same thing. For me there's a regular, rhythmic beat that won't waver too much. There will be a push and pull, absolutely, but classical music doesn't have such a rigid sense of timing, it ebbs and flows in a completely different manner to the music I've played for a living for 35yrs. I learned more about what a conductor does while I struggled to find my way in an orchestral setting than at any other time, before or since. I used to think they kept time, but I vastly underestimated their role

  • @FernandoR220
    @FernandoR220 6 років тому +4

    As a violinist for 9 years having many different conductors, this video is very much on point! The way the conductor conducts IS how the orchestra plays.

  • @adfmo2195
    @adfmo2195 6 років тому +12

    I have a masters degree in Choral Conducting so I was watching this with an immense amount of scrutiny. That said, I absolutely agree that the conductors main job is to do justice to the composer as any musicians main job is to serve the music... it would’ve been nice if they included some choral conductors in this video like Robert Shaw, Rene Clausen, Sandra Snow, Eric Whitacre. Choral conductors also rarely use a baton, so highlighting choral conducting techniques as well would’ve give the viewer a broader education on the topic.

  • @nxp22
    @nxp22 5 місяців тому +1

    I’m always focusing on the conductor. What they do is pure art

  • @JustinY.
    @JustinY. 6 років тому +671

    Everyone knows the more hand motions = the better the music

    • @simonli4484
      @simonli4484 6 років тому +3

      Justin Y. Y tho

    • @danieljacobs5350
      @danieljacobs5350 6 років тому +23

      Oh Justin Y, NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOU ANYMORE ! JUST QUIT COMMENTTING IN EVERY VIDEO YOU WATCH AND JUST ENJOY THE DAMN VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • @bins1
      @bins1 6 років тому +9

      Justin Y. Hoo Lee Sheet you're here again

    • @brandomontes
      @brandomontes 6 років тому +36

      Quz Y Calm down. There’s really no need to be upset.

    • @pmm1767
      @pmm1767 6 років тому +4

      Quz Y you wouldn't comment here if you didn't care

  • @tearsintheraincantfeelthep475
    @tearsintheraincantfeelthep475 6 років тому +688

    As a musician, my biggest pet peeve is people, who don't believe in conducting

    • @cheesecakelasagna
      @cheesecakelasagna 6 років тому +54

      conductor is flat

    • @tearsintheraincantfeelthep475
      @tearsintheraincantfeelthep475 6 років тому +15

      CheesecakeLasagna get out...
      😂

    • @faisalhardan3508
      @faisalhardan3508 6 років тому +13

      Convince us

    • @Jesse__H
      @Jesse__H 6 років тому +45

      What about the multiple professional orchestras currently working that do not use a conductor at all, ever. Seems like they're managing just fine!

    • @sarahminner5173
      @sarahminner5173 6 років тому +60

      Jesse H. They put it in a lot more work and have to talk to each other about it a lot. A normal practice in high school is 2 hours a day, so 2 hours with which would be probably taken up a majority of the time trying to compromise on how the piece should be played, the tempo, and whether or not to follow the fermata and other markings. Having conductors is very helpful because you're often doing as the conductor wishes you to play. Instead of holding the fermata for 2 beats they might ask you to hold it 10 all while keeping a smile on your face. Conductors add an extra order to any ensemble because instead of 40-100+ people getting their word in, the conductor conducts what they think is the best at the time. Also might I add that a majority of those conductorless orchestras are chamber, so there are maybe 15 members if they're rather big. Chambers are smaller, and have better communication between peers than a regular sized orchestra.

  • @wammy5467
    @wammy5467 4 роки тому +4

    I think most people are missing the point. Conductors do so much of their work BEFORE the concert. They're the ones who have a vision for what the piece should sound like, and get the best out of their orchestra. Music is not as simple as simply reading sheet music and replicating it. It, for example, won't tell you how the second violins are meant to blend with the trombones in a passage. That's the conductor's job; he basically pieces together all the little nuances and colours in a piece of music to make it as amazing as it is. Some might ask why older (baroque and classical) orchestras lack conductors and that's mainly due to the smaller size of the orchestra. With less parts and writing not as rich as say late Beethoven or Tchaikovsky, a conductor is not entirely necessary. During the performance (on stage), the conductor is basically keeping everything together, all the little gestures are simply reminding the specific player of what they rehearsed and how it should be played!

  • @mvn_dn
    @mvn_dn 6 років тому +5252

    I just realized I’ve never seen a female conductor

    • @gavindonnelly331
      @gavindonnelly331 6 років тому +498

      If you're a classical fan, Try Marin Alsop. She's very good.

    • @saddaddytentacles9897
      @saddaddytentacles9897 6 років тому +33

      M D same

    • @ellispipermusic
      @ellispipermusic 6 років тому +142

      Also try JoAnn Falletta, she's incredible

    • @definitelynotskittles
      @definitelynotskittles 6 років тому +242

      My orchestra conductor is female lol she's really good

    • @norahidvegi846
      @norahidvegi846 6 років тому +148

      because there's a lot more guys in that industry. but there are a couple women there as well, and some of them are really good. :)

  • @darko.ristanovic
    @darko.ristanovic 6 років тому +1062

    *it's laviOsa, not laviosAR!*

    • @ndirjura
      @ndirjura 6 років тому +13

      I cannot believe that's the only HP joke in this comment section

    • @Alexagrigorieff
      @Alexagrigorieff 6 років тому +18

      *Leviosa

    • @rhyshyllecollins7641
      @rhyshyllecollins7641 6 років тому

      No wonder harry potter said something like that laviosa with the stick 😁

    • @Jeremy_Fisher
      @Jeremy_Fisher 6 років тому +2

      @@zlomenina If you're implying that Harry Potter book fans are illiterate gits I'd like to disagree with you. If they've read the books, it's pretty likely they've read more books. Movie only fans on the other hand have likely never read a book they enjoyed.
      Whether or not they've read other books doesn't diminish the fact that Harry Potter is a great book series with tons of fans that are ready to understand and appreciate jokes from the books/movies. You won't get the same effect from the majority of incredible books out there, except for lord of the Rings. People like you would probably get sour about that too, because you probably only respect certain books that you deem 'mature'. There's just no pleasing some people. Read what you like and like what you read.

    • @davidmehnert6206
      @davidmehnert6206 6 років тому

      Seriously, I didn’t understand this comment. Pretty sure I’m not qualified for any job in the HR Department.

  • @JanMichael-Vincent
    @JanMichael-Vincent 5 років тому +25

    I love that no one is talking about how this guy’s name is Jim Gaffigan

  • @hoodedswan3013
    @hoodedswan3013 6 років тому +84

    As a non-fan of orchestral music, I greatly enjoyed this video. Whenever a creative person talks about their art...

    • @joeplavin
      @joeplavin 6 років тому +3

      Hooded Swan there’s a lot of great orchestral music out there, give it a try.

    • @CalTxDude
      @CalTxDude 4 роки тому

      I enjoy it too! He reminds me of the fantastic gentleman who invited me to a personal
      "Orchestral Music Appreciation (Tutorial)"! He volunteered to do it for my birthday one year! It was great fun And the beginning of a love affair with great music, all kinds!
      He was exactly what this gentleman described! Let the music represent itself, while also reminding & encouraging us to have FUN!

    • @CalTxDude
      @CalTxDude 4 роки тому

      Indeed, creative people talking about their art Is pure and un smashed love & passion!

  • @phildf6922
    @phildf6922 6 років тому +22

    Long story short: conductors give time signature, tempo, dynamics and entrance of sections

    • @brianbethea3069
      @brianbethea3069 5 років тому +5

      Plus a lot more than that, which is what the video was describing. Emotion, phrasing, feel, tone color, etc. And their main job is to be an interpreter of the score, and to guide the ensemble through that interpretation. Conductors do a lot more than just keep an ensemble together.

  • @harringtonvo
    @harringtonvo Рік тому +1

    I’m still not convinced a tight professional orchestra couldn’t be just as epic without these dudes

  • @annachase4715
    @annachase4715 6 років тому +102

    I love especially when the hair of the conductor flops around😂😂

  • @allisonmachado3925
    @allisonmachado3925 6 років тому +69

    Band kids are quaking

  • @gunabitez
    @gunabitez 6 років тому +43

    I learn how important a conductor is when I watch the movie `Whiplash'
    "Not quite my tempo"

    • @MorrisArena
      @MorrisArena 4 роки тому +2

      Great movie! but that behavior would get a conductor fired immediately and hated

    • @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823
      @windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 3 роки тому

      @James Cunico It wasn't far off from that in the late 70s. Nobody bled like that from a drum stick, though. Never happened.

  • @ericknyoro6469
    @ericknyoro6469 6 років тому +68

    he forgot to mention that he went to Hogwarts

  • @lauramaririn
    @lauramaririn 5 років тому +10

    0:54 Samson et Dalila, Act III Scene II: Bacchanale by Camille Saint-Saëns
    Give it a listen I promise you won’t regret it

    • @prateek752
      @prateek752 4 роки тому

      Thank you I was searching for this

  • @Nevermorepicker
    @Nevermorepicker 3 роки тому +4

    me seeing a conductor for the 1st time in my childhood: *_man this guy is doing some fancy hand movement_*

  • @caleculating
    @caleculating 6 років тому +842

    So this guy plays the horn.

    • @ren.pfa.99
      @ren.pfa.99 6 років тому +87

      as far as I know, to be a conductor you need to be able to play multiple musical instruments. so he probably does play the horn, but not just it.

    • @richardhoenich9338
      @richardhoenich9338 6 років тому +73

      Actually, Jim is a very talented bassoonist. It was his major before he focused on conducting.

    • @thomasnewton8223
      @thomasnewton8223 6 років тому +40

      He is right tho about the horn, it’s very fragile

    • @clolton
      @clolton 6 років тому +46

      he could play my horn

    • @currencyaudio
      @currencyaudio 6 років тому +14

      And a guitarist! We grew up together playing everything from Primus to Metallica to Red Hot Chili Peppers

  • @hanahclaudia
    @hanahclaudia 2 роки тому

    A Conductor makes the beautiful energy of the sound flows around the environment. If we could see the colors flying through their hands, we could see the notes dancing in this flow of energy.

  • @AL-ov9wx
    @AL-ov9wx 6 років тому +13

    1:24 the lack of ictus is something that I really had to get use to when switching over to the Orchestral side. Wind ensemble conductors seem to have a much more defined point of rebound. At least the conductors I’ve worked with.

    • @brianbethea3069
      @brianbethea3069 5 років тому

      In my experience, it's more about the skill of the ensemble and experience of the conductor. Having played with both professional orchestras and professional wind ensembles under some really brilliant conductors, I find the ictus is equally left by the wayside.

  • @Saturn-uz6jc
    @Saturn-uz6jc 6 років тому +5

    Love the topics Vox comes up with. So unusual and interesting. I wonder where they get their ideas from.

  • @SM-hy4np
    @SM-hy4np Рік тому

    Thank you for taking the time to film and publish this. Well done and appreciate the lesson.

  • @AlexBallMusic
    @AlexBallMusic 6 років тому +888

    Did the Electric Light Orchestra use a conductor?

    • @declanglynn419
      @declanglynn419 6 років тому +10

      Alex Ball Jeff Lynne

    • @gzsandiego
      @gzsandiego 6 років тому +225

      He was only used part of the time... He was a semiconductor

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic 6 років тому +71

      Gabe Zorbas Nice. I nearly diode with laughter.

    • @evy2031
      @evy2031 6 років тому +50

      Alex Ball I'm resistoring the urge to laugh

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic 6 років тому +59

      Evy! This post has LED to some excellent puns. Stick around, joule regret it if you don't.

  • @AceVincentSevilla
    @AceVincentSevilla 4 роки тому +20

    Here in the Philippines, conductors are the ones collecting the jeepney fares and telling the passengers the route of the ride.

    • @gigipineda4052
      @gigipineda4052 3 роки тому

      HAHAHAHA pota

    • @runescaper1333
      @runescaper1333 3 роки тому

      Putek umiinom ako ng kape, biglang nabasa ko to

    • @gae8330
      @gae8330 3 роки тому

      Also in Britain you call them conductor
      Conductor has two meanings btw

  • @YokoshimaSTAR
    @YokoshimaSTAR 4 роки тому +2

    I was kinda disappointed this video of all of others Vox have is so short and a little informative in comparison _-_ but I'm glad they put this important topic to the public so more people know.

  • @ToriKo_
    @ToriKo_ 6 років тому +672

    Soooo... What was the answer to the title?

    • @victoria4
      @victoria4 6 років тому +118

      Tori Ko I haven’t watched the video but they basically control the speed and give cues for the music.

    • @heyguesswhat2414
      @heyguesswhat2414 6 років тому +64

      Keeping time and vibe

    • @heyguesswhat2414
      @heyguesswhat2414 6 років тому +180

      And sometimes casting spells if need be (you never know)

    • @ToriKo_
      @ToriKo_ 6 років тому +34

      Victoria does the sheet music do that? I know nothing of music so explain this like you're talking to a 5 year old

    • @94gamerboy
      @94gamerboy 6 років тому +160

      Tori Ko the video is misleading. The majority of their job is completed during rehearsal. Every piece of music is interpreted differently by a conductor and he instructs the orchestra during rehearsal on how exactly they want it played. By the time the of the actual performance the orchestra knows how the conductor wants it played and has little to do when he finally gets on stage. The musicians occasionally glance at the conductor during the performance to be reminded of certain cues but really not necessary. IDK why the video didn't address this.

  • @milkncookie
    @milkncookie 5 років тому +59

    They dance with a baton while having their backs turned to the audience.

  • @anthonymarino1377
    @anthonymarino1377 2 роки тому +1

    When I use to play the violin in an orchestra, the conductor is the most important part to orchestrate that many people. We’re always looking up at them and making sure we’re on beat, no too loud or not too soft, and to make sure we’re playing correcting, in tune!

  • @lionandjenny
    @lionandjenny 5 років тому +4

    Lol, when I was younger, I've always thought that the conductor was just an audience with a stick... listening to the performance first class on stage 😂
    Now that I'm into music... I now know the purpose XD

  • @hanzangeles622
    @hanzangeles622 3 роки тому +25

    When I was a kid, I thought conductors are useless and easy.

  • @hexistenz
    @hexistenz Рік тому

    ever since I was a kid, our dad used to take us to classical concerts.
    He was a big appreciator of conductors, and conducting.
    Through him, I got an enormous respect for conducting.
    A piece of music can’t be fully expressed on paper. A lot of what it actually is, resides in the interpretation. The term itself, ‘interpretation’, says it all. The musicians, the conductor, they all interpret it, i.e. they individually understand the piece through their own filters, preferences, education, history, …
    And then they interpret it, i.e. they play it, they reproduce it. Again, filtered through their own preferences, …
    It’s the conductor’s role to coalesce all the different, individual interpretations into one coherent, harmonic, symphonic whole. That whole being their, the conductor’s, own vision.

  • @josuepalomares6820
    @josuepalomares6820 5 років тому +4

    As a french horn player when he bought up the more pressure you put on them the worse it gets I started clapping because that is so true. Sometimes i even start to shake and it just goes downhill

  • @howieisbored
    @howieisbored 6 років тому +5

    I would say, on the day of the performance, the conductor's job is much less integral as compared to the actual rehearsals and hours upon hours of preparation leading up to the said performance.

  • @R.A.A.
    @R.A.A. 5 років тому

    As a 24 years PIANIST , playing music since I was 6 without even knowing why ... I thought it was cool to show off like most of kids .. I just love it . As I growing up the feeling is getting better it's weird to describe but it's becomes all about being one with the piano , not separated not extinction I feel it like it is a living part of my body ...
    Now at 30 , I began to realize why most pianists are playing solo , and why most CONDUCTORS ARE ORIGINALLY PIANISTS !
    But the most pleasant time to play for me is when I am all alone , hearing myself is not lonely as it seems ... It is inner peace , the only thing that would never happen in this world. The best thing to do than giving up is enjoying the ride ! 👁😌🎹

  • @MrPeace-xi1db
    @MrPeace-xi1db 5 років тому +16

    1:27
    And you’re watching the Disney Channel

  • @salehpaz
    @salehpaz 4 роки тому +3

    You answered my 30 years question in this video, the role of a conductor!

  • @danielzha7826
    @danielzha7826 2 роки тому +1

    What really matters is what a conductor does offstage training the orchestra to get the sound and rhythm he wants.

  • @Not_Aaron_
    @Not_Aaron_ 3 роки тому +6

    I feel like the question "What does the conductor actually do" is a question everyone want's to know but no one bothers to search it up

  • @maranathashalom9402
    @maranathashalom9402 4 роки тому +5

    It's as if the musicians are fairy dust and the conductor is a magician who brings them to life with his spells.

  • @andrewjackson4012
    @andrewjackson4012 4 роки тому

    I can't play without a conductor. They bring the music to life. Without one it's just rehearsal.

  • @deadfr0g
    @deadfr0g 6 років тому +5

    There’s this really fun Japanese jazz band called Soil & Pimp Sessions that has one member who is simply credited as an “agitator.”
    His instrument? He plays... the megaphone. 😀

  • @thevioletskull8158
    @thevioletskull8158 6 років тому +133

    Is mayonnaise an instrument?

    • @sciencmath
      @sciencmath 6 років тому +9

      No, thevioletskull, mayonnaise is not an instrument.
      Horseradish is not an instrument either.

    • @thevioletskull8158
      @thevioletskull8158 6 років тому +1

      @@sciencmath lol

    • @mho...
      @mho... 6 років тому +2

      well, mayonaise is instrumental for fastfood worldwide!

    • @satyre_1
      @satyre_1 6 років тому

      ua-cam.com/video/A5jnftBQw2U/v-deo.html hahahah

    • @satyre_1
      @satyre_1 6 років тому

      ua-cam.com/video/xlTEry7CYUY/v-deo.html and...

  • @bonelessthincrust
    @bonelessthincrust Рік тому +2

    literally none of the musicians are looking at the maestro/conductor, they are focused on their sheet music... the roll of the maestro exists purely for aesthetic reasons

  • @thewabbitemu8997
    @thewabbitemu8997 6 років тому +22

    Leaving woodwinds out😢😢😢

    • @reevecoble1812
      @reevecoble1812 6 років тому

      Lol I saw in another comment that his main instrument is bassoon, tho

    • @acat8310
      @acat8310 6 років тому +3

      because they're so good they don't even need a conductor lmao

  • @azthetical2980
    @azthetical2980 5 років тому +10

    I always thought it looked like some wizard casting a music spell lmao.

  • @kelseysmith5278
    @kelseysmith5278 5 років тому

    I used to think conducting didn’t do anything but after playing in a flute Choir it is so critical to have a conductor, if you don’t it will all fall apart.

  • @PremierCCGuyMMXVI
    @PremierCCGuyMMXVI 2 роки тому +3

    As a Clarinet and Sax player, in an assemble I rely more on the conductor than my music as the conductor gives cues and keeps tempo. I prefer the baton so it’s easier to see but in Marching Band the drum major who’s the conductor doesn’t use it which is interesting.
    Regardless I love this video as I love instrumental music, specifically classical, orchestral, symphony, wind assembles, concert bands, military/marches, marching bands, jazz, big band, etc.

  • @farhanhossain3867
    @farhanhossain3867 5 років тому +3

    i should appreciate my chorus teacher, since he conducted a lot of our songs and i didnt realize it was this complicated.

  • @ChowmutLe
    @ChowmutLe 4 роки тому +1

    Man vox is incredible. Learning cool things all the time because of them.

  • @karinarangel4263
    @karinarangel4263 4 роки тому +3

    I’m a vocalist and I sing and record my vocals for fun and make covers. And I often will find myself conducting myself, and make gestures while I record to imitate how I want to portray my lines

  • @venkatjayadeepj1342
    @venkatjayadeepj1342 6 років тому +10

    These are the type of videos we want!!!

  • @keatonlacretin9781
    @keatonlacretin9781 5 місяців тому

    I knew conductors had a legitimate purpose to the sound but I didn’t expect it to be this in depth. It’s very fascinating

  • @fireaza
    @fireaza 5 років тому +3

    0:17 "And for my next trick, I shall pull a rabbit out of my hat!"

  • @isocrate27
    @isocrate27 6 років тому +9

    I also use my right hand to keep rhythm.

  • @CalTxDude
    @CalTxDude 3 роки тому

    I never tire of watching this great video! He explained it so well, it's obvious he loves it so much and... I get a kick out of watching him!!

  • @FixItAngel
    @FixItAngel 6 років тому +12

    3:46 he was pure fantasy

  • @JustFranz13
    @JustFranz13 4 роки тому +9

    What theyre actually doing is “FLOWING”. The conductor flows as he sets an energy and as he flows, he spreads the energy to the orchestra.. they communicate telepathically. Im really high.. sorry.