TIPS FOR
TEACHING THE
CONDUCTING COURSE
1. Much of the Conducting Course teaches
students how to read and perform rhythm.
The rhythmic syllables (see page 10) are
different from those traditionally used.
But they are simple and easy to say in any
language. You may choose to use them
only briefly, giving more attention to the
traditional note names of quarter note and
half note. Or you may use them in place
of the traditional note names. You could
simply point to a row of quarter notes,
saying “dah” for each note. Then each
quarter note would be known as a “dah.”
This lets you avoid having to explain what
quarter means. The rhythmic syllables
can make learning to read and conduct
music faster and more fun. You can help
students who want to extend their musical
knowledge learn the traditional rhythmic
principles outside of class.
2. Because learning to conduct music is less
difficult than learning to play a keyboard
instrument, conducting classes may draw
more students than keyboard classes.
When teaching a large class, use teaching
assistants to help you give personal attention
to each student. Teaching assistants
may be any qualified people, perhaps
students who have progressed further in
the Basic Music Course. During class, the
assistants could go student to student,
giving help where needed. You could also
divide the class into smaller groups for
learning and for practice activities, with a
teaching assistant for each group.
3. Arrange for a room large enough to allow
the students space to stand and move
their conducting arms freely.
4. To avoid confusion when teaching conducting
patterns, conduct with your back
to the students. This way the students’
arms will be moving in the same direction
as your arm.
5. Encourage students to sing the words of
the hymns as they conduct. Singing while
conducting is a good habit to form.
6. As often as possible, let each student
conduct in front of the class as if the class
were a singing congregation.
7. Whenever possible, let the students practice
with music provided by a pianist or a tape.
When you use a pianist, you can stop the
music and begin again without wasting time
trying to find the right place on a tape. If a
pianist is available, be sure the students
practice conducting hymns beginning with
an introduction. On the Conducting Course
tape, instead of an introduction, one full
measure of rhythmic clicks is given before
the measure that begins the hymn.
8. To best use the time during practice
sessions in class, divide the students into
pairs. Each student, facing a partner,
practices the new skills. Partners work
through problems and correct their
performance. You can use these short
practice sessions with partners whenever
you teach a new skill.
9. Help the students feel the spirit of the
hymns. Emphasize that in order to be truly
effective as conductors, they will need to
do more than learn conducting patterns.
They will also need to understand and feel
the message of each hymn they conduct.
10. The videocassette Music Training (53042)
includes a section on conducting skills.
It may be valuable to show it at the beginning
of the Conducting Course as a preview
of conducting skills. Or you could
use it later as a review.