Counting and

Conducting
Pattern

Time Signature 2/4, 3/4, 4/4

Counting and Conducting

– Counting is the process of – Conducting is the act of

saying the numbers in leading, or directing an
order. In music, it is saying orchestra, choir, or any
the number of beats as music ensemble. A
they occur in each conductor’s function is to
measure. establish tempo by
beating time using hands.
Certainly, hand gestures and
counting are excellent methods to
make rhythm fall exactly on the
beat.

Some notes to remember in

conducting are:
Body Posture and Hand
Movement

Stand up straight with arms relax. Look at the individual or

group you are going to lead. The motion of the hand including
the arms should be relax and not stiff to conserve energy
until the last note of the music. Remember, the group
responds to whatever the conductor’s hand motion or facial
expression shows.
 Hand movements

Don’t be fooled by those who claim that hand movements are

not important. They do serve a purpose. A good song leader
leads with hand movements. They create a state of order for
both the song leader and the congregation. Falling into the trap
of the novice can create disorder
Using hand motions to “beat
time” is done to maintain
control of the song.
Exaggerated and meaningless
movements serve only to
distract from the service.

Beating time is not a

gymnastic exhibition.
Meters

The basic grouping of beats and accents is essential

knowledge for the conductor. There is no other way to lead
but to count every step of the way.
Downbeat/Upbeat

If you know your beats well, you must know where the
downbeats are. It is the strongest and falls on the first beat of
every measure regardless of the time signature.
Standard Conducting Patterns (RIGHT HAND shown)

The two-beat pattern

Down - Up Duple Meter

The duple meter starts by lowering the hand

on ‘1’ and bounce up at ‘2’ about head level.
Standard Conducting Patterns (RIGHT HAND shown)

The two-beat pattern The three-beat pattern

Down - Up Down – Out – Up

Triple Meter

The triple meter starts by

lowering the hand on ‘1’, make
a bounce to the right then
another bounce up at about
heal level.
Standard Conducting Patterns (RIGHT HAND shown)

The two-beat pattern The three-beat pattern The four-beat pattern

Down - Up Down – Out – Up Down – In – Out – Up

Quadruple Meter

The quadruple meter starts by lowering the hand on

‘1,’ bounce to the left on ‘2’, bounce to the right on ‘3,’
then again, bounce up at about head level on ‘4.’
Standard Conducting Patterns (RIGHT HAND shown)

The two-beat pattern The three-beat pattern The four-beat pattern

Down - Up Down – Out – Up Down – In – Out – Up

When using the HAND the up beat always goes up and

over the barline.
In order to maintain control during song leading, it is
necessary to let the congregation know which verses are to
be sung.

In all aspects of music, counting is more important if one is going to

conduct a choir or an orchestra. A conductor can effectively lead
a group if everybody plays the correct time values. In order to count
correctly, you also have to observe the time signature.