Music lesson "Conductor's Magic Wand"

The Conductor’s Magic Wand is the name of one of the music lessons according to the program of G. P. Sergeeva and E. D. Kritskaya. Its content is variable, and in most cases it is planned to be held in the fifth grade. Consider what material teachers use when conducting this lesson, how the topic is revealed, and what opportunities lurk in conducting this lesson.

Second or fifth grade?

Methodological development of music lessons presented on the Internet offers the conductor’s Magic Wand lesson in the fifth, less often in the second grade. In the fifth, as a rule, acquaintance with various types of orchestra takes place, musical instruments of the symphony orchestra are repeated and fixed. The story about the role of the conductor in this substantial block turns out to be appropriate and can be presented in different ways - as a historical reference, a story about the significance of the profession, the role of this specialist in modern music, etc.

The second class gets acquainted with the conductor in the context of studying musical theater and its main genres - opera and ballet. Conducting is rarely represented here as a separate topic, but a special appeal to this type of playing music is also possible.

Who is a conductor, what is a conductor’s stick, and how to tell children

The word "conductor" comes from the French "direct, lead." In English, the orchestra leader is referred to as conductor. The main function of the conductor is to set the tempo, rhythm, and also coordinate the parts of all the instruments with each other, creating a single sound of the orchestra.

The conductor is located at the base of the orchestra, on a small platform - the chair, from where he sees all the orchestra members, and they are his gestures and facial expressions. When playing music, he is with his back to the viewer; all his movements are extremely important for the orchestra - sometimes eye and eyebrow movements are enough for the musician to start playing or change the volume of his instrument.

The role of the conductor in music of the XIX-XXI centuries is huge, today he not only regulates the technical side of the issue of music performance, but also represents his own interpretation of the musical work. In this sense, the conductor is a full-fledged interpreter, and the brighter his personality and talent, the more interesting it is to listen to a work.

For most children in high school (without basic musical education) the role of this musician seems extremely vague, as is the need to manage an orchestra. In his view of schoolchildren, his activity is limited to the active movement of his hands, which often causes them a smile and a corresponding motor reaction. The teacher is called upon to clarify the meaning of conducting as accessible and broad as possible. This is done by comparing the conductor with a wizard who works wonders, forcing orchestra musicians to play harmoniously, and music to flow in a single harmonious stream. The development of simple rhythmic movements with the help of hands can help in this: two-, three- and four-part sizes.

Conductor's Wand - Magic Wand

When conducting an orchestra, the conductor, as a rule, uses a conductor’s stick.

With its help, a rhythmic pattern is set, intros and the required volume for all instruments of the orchestra are shown. The conductor’s wand did not begin to be used immediately - it was preceded by other objects and ways of controlling musicians. Until the XIX century, its role was played by a trampoline or a bow of a violin. The first was a large stick, with which the conductor hit the ground, indicating the rhythm and pace of sound. Battuta was imperfect, her sound often drowning out the sound of music.

In symphony orchestras of the XVII-XVIII centuries. the role of the conductor was often played by the first violin - the main musician of the orchestra. With the help of a bow, he showed the introduction and the main points that you had to pay attention to when performing music.

With the expansion of the orchestra, the first violin could not always cope with the task of coordinating the entire collective, so the conductor became its obligatory leader. The conductor’s magic wand comes to his aid - her magic consists in complete soundlessness, but the most precise eloquence - the whole orchestra is guided by it. Moreover, she herself is rather a symbol, because each conductor can lead musicians without her.

Conductor in a musical theater

The musical theater is primarily a theater of opera and ballet. The conductor’s magic wand here not only controls the orchestra, but also guides the artists in their actions and numbers.

You can understand the role of this specialist in a music lesson using video clips from ballet or opera scenes. Students should see how the conductor’s magic wand from the orchestra pit directs the entire composition of the dancers, soloists and the orchestra. Vivid video, for example, “Sleeping Beauty” P.I. Tchaikovsky performed by the Vienna National Theater allows you to literally feel the magic of music, the magical powers of the conductor, impress the character of what is happening on stage. This is very significant for students when they get acquainted with classical music.

Choir conductor

As a rule, choir conducting at music lessons rarely comes up. But when learning a song repertoire, the teacher always uses gestures. This means that children regularly encounter a conductor's gesture, not realizing its significance. Learning simple rhythmic patterns will help to understand and imagine yourself as a conductor.

In addition, with gestures, students can show the pitch of sounds, dynamics. Basic knowledge of conducting is not only acquaintance with the music profession, but also training in coordination skills.

The conductor of orchestra

Often the theme “Conductor’s Magic Wand” is a kind of key to the story about the types of orchestra. The symphony dominates here - it is not only the most complete composition of musical instruments, but also the pinnacle of music making.

The instruments that make up the orchestra may be repeated in the Conductor’s Magic Wand theme (as a rule, this is done in a playful way - in the form of riddles, mini-tasks, etc.). A story about the role of the conductor is also possible in the description of military, brass bands, small ensembles - quartets, quintets. If you have lesson or extracurricular time, you can speculate with the students about the difference in the management of these structures. In different types of orchestra, the conductor’s magic wand can change its functions and appearance, either becoming the bow and neck of the first violinist (in chamber ensembles), or acquiring the appearance of a decorated rod in a military marching band.

Famous conductors

Students are worth talking about the outstanding conductors of the world. Many great composers conducted in the performance of their works, and some were also outstanding conductors. Here you can mention the Viennese classics, who themselves led the orchestras that performed their symphonies, operas, quartets, etc., the great conductors of the twentieth century (pictured by A. Toscanini).

The modern famous conductors of the world in the Conductor’s Magic Wand should be named and, if there are additional capabilities, presented in video shows - V. Gergiev, V. Spivakov, Yu. Bashmet and many others.

Do you need a conductor in popular music?

Of course you need it. True, the conductor’s stick in jazz, rock and modern pop music, where live music sounds (played on instruments, not on a computer or mixer) is simply useless (it organizes more complex musical texts). The drummer always sets the pace and rhythmic pattern; thus, he performs conductor functions. Pop and rock music, which schoolchildren often know much better than classics, also begins to appear controlled, conducted, and knowledge of classical music is also relevant in other contexts.

Related topics of the program as a continuation of the conversation about the value of the conductor in music

Continuing the topic of conducting is often suggested by introducing L. van Beethoven's image. The transition from the Conductor’s Magic Wand to the Images of Struggle in Art compels us to turn to Beethoven’s 5th symphony, its thematic development and semantics. A sonorous and powerful Beethoven orchestra is a vivid sound illustration that should be correctly presented. It is also possible here to continue the “Conductor’s Magic Wand” with victories in art - again on the example of Beethoven’s genius, his fierce struggle against deafness, the triumph of music and vitality (in the 9th symphony). Given the thematic plan, this will be a generalization and the result of the entire series of lessons on symphonic music.

What tasks can be solved during the lesson on the theme “Conductor’s magic wand”

With the purpose and objectives of the lesson , any planning begins. Having determined the content side, the teacher will be able to more easily control the development of educational material and the formation of the necessary competencies that develop during one training session or a whole cycle.

The main goal indicated in the methodological development of the “Conductor’s Magic Wand” lesson is the formation of a holistic view among schoolchildren about one of the following list:

• types of orchestra;
• symphony orchestra and its main instruments;
• activities of the conductor;
• theater of opera and ballet, etc.

Tasks are focused on the development of students' competencies and vary depending on the content of the lesson:

• Create an in-depth understanding of the role of the conductor’s magic wand in opera and ballet (symphony orchestra or types of orchestra).
• Reveal the place and role of the conductor in classical music.
• Introduce the history of conducting and conducting sticks.
• Introduce the functions of a conductor’s magic wand in an orchestra.
• Show the meaning of the profession through meeting the famous conductors of the world.
• To introduce students to the basics of conducting.

These varied tasks are complemented by others that come from other stages of the lesson (for example, singing, musical notation, or repeating material from previous lessons).

The topic discussed is limitless and does not fit in one academic hour. The role of the conductor is so multifaceted that it is almost impossible to tell, show and explain this in one lesson. You can deepen the topic at related lessons (“Images of struggle and victory in art”), as well as during extra-curricular and extra-curricular activities, for example, when attending live concerts of symphonic music, opera and ballet performances.