In this lecture you'll learn:

• The basic shapes of beats and influence on the sound
• How to conduct U beats and V beats
• Where to apply U beats and V beats in music

Why You Need to Learn It

• To show the appropriate articulation for the music
• So you have a wide variety of expressive possibilities (musical flexibility)

What Will Happen if You Don't Learn It

• You may have a single default articulation that may contradict the music
• Sound may not be what the music asks for
• Your conducting might conflict with your verbal instructions

U Beats vs. V Beats

• The bottom of the beat can be a U or V shape
• U, rounded shape gives a 'd' articulation - da, doh, doo
• V beats give 't' articulation - ta, toh, too
• Shapes can be done with fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder

Common Issue

• All V beats - music is all heavy, with hard articulation (often associated with locked wrist and all movement in elbow hinge)

Action Step

1. Practice V beats and U beats isolating each hinge one by one