When it comes to music I'm as sharp as a nerf toy.

OK, my musical IQ is equivelant to Iamneds CP, but I was just watching a Columbo episode about a symphony conductor who killed his mistress. Anyways, an symphony consists of many talented musicians and a guy/gal waiving a stick, yet this stick waiver gets all the attention and credtit. Now I do understand tempo etc., but you could get a monkey to waive his tail to signal the start after which the musicians are focused on their sheet music.

My question: Why are there not any monkey conductors?

 

because the monkeys would start throw feces around

 

Because the conductors job goes beyond the keeping of tempo

 

They throw feces around too?

 

Coz Nobody believes they could do it except you.

 

Could you repeat the question?

 

Hi, Masters Degree in music performance here

As you said, the conductor is important for keeping the tempo steady, but they do way more then start the orchestra.

If you ever watch a symphony conductor, you'll see them make a variety of hand gestures and facial expressions that really communicate to the orchestra. If there's an important moment in a piece coming up in a few beats, they will make certain signals to communicate how they want the orchestra to interpret this upcoming moment. So for example if there's a beautiful soaring melody in the string section, you might see the conductor making broad sweeping motions with his or her arms - it's all about nonverbal communication.

The orchestra is very much not "concentrated on their sheet music." Musicians are trained to look down at their music when necessary, but we always keep a peripheral eye on the conductor, often looking at him or her 100% when one of those important moments is coming up.

Also the conductor is essential if something is going wrong - if a trumpet enters in the wrong spot or the cellos play out of time (tempo), someone needs to get the group back on track and that's the conductor's job.

I hope I answered your question, if you have any more please let me know! I'll try to keep my peripheral eye on this thread.

 

Thanks, I'll buy that.

Now you know why I'm not a musician nor a conductor, if fact I'm a lot closer to the monkey.


Bah, I wnted to give you a green rep but: You have given out too much Reputation in the last 24 hours, try again later.

 

Damn, I'm confused...