What Does an Orchestra Conductor Do?

What Does an Orchestra Conductor Do?

What does an orchestra conductor do? The conductor of an orchestra is similar to a train conductor—he or she directs traffic! The conductor of an orchestra helps keep all of the musicians on the same beat, tells them when to speed up or slow down, when to get louder or softer, how to interpret the music, and many other things!

The conductor communicates with the orchestra by gesturing and waving his or her hands, often holding a baton in one hand. Each time signature (see: Learning about Time Signatures) has a different movement pattern. The conductor will move his or her hands differently depending on if the music is counted in 2, 3, 4 or some other time count. 

You can learn to conduct in 4/4 time! Start with your right hand extended in front of you, move it down (1), to the left (2), to the right (3), and up (4). You've just conducted your first 4/4 time signature!

Click here to listen to a podcast about conductors from Classics for Kids.

Click here for more information about conducting from Kiddle Encyclopedia.


Click here for a printable diagram of some common conducting patterns from TheBirdFeedNYC.com.

Did you like last week's Tom & Jerry cartoon? Here's your chance to watch them conduct from WB Kids! 

Now it's your turn! Watch this video from Music Education Whiz to try conducting Mary Had A Little Lamb!

Read this article from Classic FM for more information about conductors and why orchestras need them.

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