Conducting from the Keyboard ... isn't as easy as it sounds
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.พ. 2021
- In this video we look at tips to enable you to lead the band from the keyboard/piano - starting the number with a count-in, ralls, rits and ensuring clarity in your tempo requirements. 'On-the-nod' cueing. This is part of a brand new course for aspiring Music Directors in Musical Theatre. Learn numerous techniques in getting the very best from your performers. What works and what doesn't work. We will look at Music Direction from start to finish. What does it take to become a confident Music Director, your roles and responsibilities, choosing productions for your group, marking up the score, leading singing rehearsals, working with principal actors, choosing audition pieces, the audition process, working with your production team, choosing a band or orchestra on a limited budget, conducting technique, working with musicians in your band, leading rehearsals, the band call, the technical rehearsal, the dress rehearsal and the performance itself.....what can go wrong and how to fix it.
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I literally finished a high school show 3 days ago. Wish I could have found this video.
Opinions on a Keyboard 2/Conductor part?
I actually prefer working from these when conducting a larger band/ensemble, as I am just adding the colours as opposed to doing the heavy lifting piano wise, as it leaves my hands free to cue more.
The downsides would be the increased programming and the inability to drive the rhythm section from your instrument I guess. These kind of parts are getting more common though, and when writing for two keyboards, I am often inclined to make the conductor part the auxiliary keyboard, and sometimes writing the rhythm piano in that part if the music requires particular drive or perhaps some dictated leading following an actor.
The headache issue is a real thing!
Enjoying your video series, thanks for the work and tips, I
Thank you Fran. The next video is aimed more towards those in stage - lets give the MD's a break !!
I just wanted to say an enormous "Thank you!" to Rob Parish for this series of related videos. I've just completed the sixth and final performance of "Fiddler on the Roof" in a production for which I was both Musical Director and pianist. I've played piano all my life, but had never before been Musical Director and all of the concerns I'd had when I took on this project were dissipated once I'd watched these videos. They've helped me coordinate my hands, my head, my mouth and my general "expression" (whilst still playing lots of notes) in a way that I'd never before even thought about. Bravo!
Hi Robert. Thank you SO much for your kinds words. I couldn't be happier if someone involved in theatre and a musician with experience like yourself has been able to challenge themselves and been able to advance like you describe. It makes making these videos worthwhile. Please feel free to post any link on any social media you have to spread the word. haha Rob P
Excellent series, was hoping you’d do a video on this topic.
Thanks Matt - if you know anyone who'd benefit from any of the vids....hit the share button. There is a lady in China that shares every video to every member of her group!! haha
Enjoying your video series, thanks for the work.
I've seen two tricks to helping out an MD whos playing from the piano. Especially if they are at a piano with the lid up or playing an upright and not at a keyboard. If other band members can't see them well, you can get another band member who can see well to watch the MD closely and match up / sync a violin bow, or head nod or other beat indication movement with the MDs movement and count ins. The members that are having trouble seeing can watch the other band member/s who can see.
If done well you can have multiple people cueing and counting in sections to other people that are behind set pieces or even off stage. Almost like a video link.
I've also had the MD share the cues and conducting out to other members who are trusted and skilled enough to do it. With different songs or parts being cued and counted in by different members of the band. This works well if you have people in the group who are familiar with leading a band or conducting themselves. You can tap into their skill set in this way to take pressure of the playing MD.
One MD I worked with wore white fingerless cotton gloves so their hands were more visible but they could still play properly.
Wow Gary. I came across this technique once but those put into the position of responsibility weren't that reliable. Of course it all depends on the people involved but I try and aim for the simplest solution (all being able to see)...I wouldn't advise any set-up like this unless absolutely necessary, and then as a final resort. Playing with gloves....not for me!! haha
Definitely nominate trustworthy ensemble members to direct singing in the wings (or when they are facing upstage). If you watch "Topsy Turvy" (the G&S movie about the development of the Mikado), you can see the ensemble doing just this at one point. th-cam.com/video/N6zZV46PTds/w-d-xo.html
Also, watch string sections in big orchestras, they all follow the section leader as the conductor's direction is often very vague.
One other thing which I have done for many years and believe is the best idea for small bands (although I've had 14 on this system before) is to have a microphone as the MD, have the whole band on headphones and verbally count in rather than physically conduct. If you're using click tracks anyway it's not a difficult extra step to add a microphone to the click feed and in the case of some productions where things may go wrong it's been a very valuable get out of jail free card to just shout bar numbers at everyone until you're back on track. You'd need a small mixer and a number of headphone amplifiers/splitters, as well as many headphone extension cables, but despite the increased workload I'd highly recommend it
Excellent idea. We're heading towards a 'silent' pit' which I know is a technique used here in the UK sometimes....in other words all electronic instruments (which is sad to start with) all musicians on cans (headphones) and then everything being controlled by the sound desk.
Mic into band headphones is great, they can't talk back!
I usually fix things that have become unstuck by playing the piano REALLY loud.
@@MusicDirectorOnline even if you've got brass, you can invest in some foam mic reflection filters to help take the edge off. For one company who used to do shows in a school hall we built a 4ft high timber framed wall between the band and audience which was stuffed full of insulation and covered in foam which really made a huge difference to the brass
@@mattmilford I tend to just make fun of the cast most of the time. Whole band LOLs really add to the Panto vibes!
What do you do when you don’t have a full score? At times the piano/conductor is not really enough....
Sorry Kris - I'm not sure I understand what you mean
@@MusicDirectorOnline some musicals don’t come with a full orchestral score. A score in which you can watch all the band parts at the same time. Instead you get a piano conductor score with a little information... what do you do in that case?