How to read conductor's gestures from the side

1. What do the conductor's movements or gestures mean?
2. What does the conductor's left hand do?
3. What are the different conducting gestures?

What do the conductor's movements or gestures mean?

The conductor traces shapes in the air that measure and indicate each beat according to changes from downward to upward motion. There is also the downbeat, which indicates the first beat in a bar. To signal the occurrence of the beat, the conductor then changes the direction of the baton instantly.

What does the conductor's left hand do?

The orchestra conductor's left-hand serves several purposes. It gives musicians prompts regarding when a section should enter the piece or when to exit a piece, to do this the conductor uses his index finger to point directly at the person or section he wishes to guide.

What are the different conducting gestures?

Basic conducting gestures usually include holding the baton to cue musical entrance, execute preparation beat and beat patterns such as “2/4”, “3/4”, “4/4” ...... The velocity of the movement of baton or hands determines the tempo and dynamics.