Little Things Mean a Lot

by Maiello, Anthony

Music examples by Vincent Oppido

“Little things do mean a lot. But this splendid book is no little thing. Conducting Nuances ranks among the finest books of its kind and will help conductors become more appreciative and respectful of the pleasures, privileges, and responsibilities of our craft and our art for many years to come. Clearly, that is a very big thing!” —Mark Camphouse, from the Foreword

Refining one’s conducting technique is a never-ending process, and the efficient use of physical gestures on the podium is a must for every conductor. Conducting Nuances is for those who have studied basic technique and are now ready to bring their craft to the next level.

This invaluable book focuses on those awkward and cumbersome moments of particular challenge to conductors. These challenges give conductors the means to grow, creating opportunities to refine and improve technique.

Conducting Nuances includes extensive attention to left-hand development, independence, and expressive gestures. Other topics include: delicate transitions, fractional entrances and cutoffs, starts and stops, establishing new tempi without extraneous movements, and changing meters.

Extremely helpful videos—viewable free online —provide clear models of the major conducting techniques. Checklists and exercises throughout this book reinforce the major points.

Anthony Maiello’s concise explanations will move conductors from technique to artistry, demonstrating again and again that it is the little things that mean a lot.

Contents : Review of the Basics; The Preparatory Beat and the Focal Point of Attention; Fraction Entrances and Cutoffs; Developing Greater Left-Hand Independence; Transitions; Eliminating Extraneous Movements; When and When Not to Conduct; Conducting Asymmetrical Meters with Efficiency; Score Study and Preparation; Improving Conducting through Self-Assessment.

Anthony Maiello is Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Studies at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He is a nationally known conductor and clinician.