How Do I Get Better?

Welcome to the Conductor’s Podcast Summer Mini Series!Hi there! Welcome to the Conductor’s Podcast Summer mini series. During the month of July, we are taking a break from the usual interview conversations. Instead, I will be sharing some tips on different aspects of a conductor’s job with you every week.In today’s episode, I will be talking about how to improve my conducting!This is the question that I got asked a lot, and in today's episode I will be sharing some tips that were given to me, and also some that have worked well for myself in these areas:CONDUCTING TECHNIQUESDevelop a variety of gestures Use videos to get used to a delayed sound Eye contactPostureSCORE STUDYUse a piano reduction to learn the harmony and structureFollow melody, bass line, and instrument entrances firstHave a set of steps that you go throughMark your score for two purposes: to study the music, and to use during performance / rehearsalsREHEARSAL TECHNIQUESWatch your own videosStudy your score thoroughly - note where might be problematic and need rehearsalsWrite down different ways of rehearsing the same thingWatch rehearsal footage, or go to rehearsalsWhen in rehearsal, split your mind - what you are hearing v.s. What you are doingBest way to practice: having an ensemble that you constantly work with!All About Chaowen Ting