Orchestra conductors.

[Brian37]

It is admittedly for me, a puzzel. But I never understood, when watching bands or orchestras where the leader waves a stick in the air and the other members follow that stick. My mind knows there is a reason for it, but not being musically apt, it just looks like a person waving their hands all over the place. 

Up down, waving left to right, this one person is the focus to the musicians, everyone looks at them, the conductor, while at the same time looking at their easle.

One can brag about their favorite music. But when it comes to orchestras and symphonys, there is no greater complexity and collaboration to music. 

I just don't understand what the role is for a conductor. They simply stand there and wave a stick in their hand.

[Silver]

You have Google at your disposal, correct?

[Brian37]

You have Google at your disposal, correct?

I like shiney objects.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

It is admittedly for me, a puzzel. But I never understood, when watching bands or orchestras where the leader waves a stick in the air and the other members follow that stick. My mind knows there is a reason for it, but not being musically apt, it just looks like a person waving their hands all over the place. 

Up down, waving left to right, this one person is the focus to the musicians, everyone looks at them, the conductor, while at the same time looking at their easle.

One can brag about their favorite music. But when it comes to orchestras and symphonys, there is no greater complexity and collaboration to music. 

I just don't understand what the role is for a conductor. They simply stand there and wave a stick in their hand.

Conductors control the orchestra - they set tempo, indicated when certain sections play, how loudly they play, etc. And they don't just 'wave a stick'. They also use hand gestures, eye contact, and body language to indicate which musicians should do what when.

Boru

[Brian37]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conducting

Not the point. I simply don't get how it works. I know the conductor is the unity of the orchestra or symhony. It is no different for me in not understanding how the motions in Hula dancing or ballet work.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conducting

Not the point. I simply don't get how it works. I know the conductor is the unity of the orchestra or symhony. It is no different for me in not understanding how the motions in Hula dancing or ballet work.

Stop saying 'not the point' when you change the point. You said, 'I just don't understand what the role is for a conductor.' I told you what that role is. Now, you're saying I missed your point by changing the point to 'I simply don't get how it works.'  Those are two very different things.

Also, it's kind of stupid of you to link to an article that explains how conducting works and then say that you don't get how conducting works.


Boru

[Silver]

It works by waving your arm in the air while handling a wand with utmost poise.

Simple, really.

[Brian37]

Bottom line, the way I see conductors is just mere sign language for each segment of the orchestra/symphony/band. My mind knows there are a language of hand jestures that mean something to the musicians watching the conductor, but I was simply posting this to admit, I couldn't understand it to save my life. 

All I have is my layperson's lame attempt to make sense of it. 

Conductors look to me, like some desperate kidnap victim who escaped and is trying to flag down a passing motorist to save them.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Bottom line, the way I see conductors is just mere sign language for each segment of the orchestra/symphony/band. My mind knows there are a language of hand jestures that mean something to the musicians watching the conductor, but I was simply posting this to admit, I couldn't understand it to save my life. 

All I have is my layperson's lame attempt to make sense of it. 

Conductors look to me, like some desperate kidnap victim who escaped and is trying to flag down a passing motorist to save them.

(bold mine)

It's in the Wikipedia article that you linked. Fucking read it.

Boru

[The Grand Nudger]

Musicians play instruments, conductors play musicians.