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4.5.1: Compound Quadruple Meter Conducting Pattern

  • Page ID
    258486
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    Conducting Quadruple Meter

    Just as we used a quadruple conducting pattern to conduct simple quadruple meter, we also use a quadruple conducting pattern to conduct compound quadruple meter. Again, we need the upbeat to come from the outside of the body toward a neutral middle of the body. Like previous patterns, beat three comes from outside the body. This places beat two of the pattern toward the inside of the body.

    This quadruple conducting pattern ends up coming straight down for beat one, across the body for beat two, to the outside of the body for beat three, and then up to the top for beat four.

    As the hand comes down for beat one, there is a little "bounce" as we move to beat two and then three. You might think of it as down-inside-out-up as you practice this pattern.

    Quadruple conducting pattern from both directions

    Practical Application

    One of the best ways to get a good feel for meter is by listening and conducting along with the music. There are many different options for practicing. Users on Spotify have created playlists that include quite a few song options in Compound Quadruple (12/8) (link opens in a new window). You can either search for a playlist on your own, or use this QR code to access a playlist.

    QR code for the link above

    Attribution, conducting pattern: Foundations of Aural Skills Copyright © 2022 by Timothy Chenette is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License


    This page titled 4.5.1: Compound Quadruple Meter Conducting Pattern is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lauren C. Sharkey.