WHAT do a CONDUCTOR'S GESTURES Mean? | Conductor & Comedian Rainer Hersch

What IS the conductor doing up there? Do his/her hand movements mean ANYTHING? At last! a clear and funny explanation by conductor & stand-up comedian Rainer Hersch. Classical Music at it's funniest. Check out DOES AN ORCHESTRA NEED A CONDUCTOR • DOES AN ORCHESTRA NEED...
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THIS CLIP
The best conducting lesson you will ever have. Witty, charming and unmistakably British, Rainer Hersch ("Victor Borge for a new generation" The London Times) explains with laugh-out-loud comedy one of the most important things a conductor is trying to show with his/her gestures: THE BEAT. The myths about conductors explained. A video in three parts. 1) What is the beat? 2) Grouping the beat 3) Not beating the beat. Funny and informative even if you don't one end of a baton from another, sit back, relax and enjoy. You might even learn something.
ABOUT RAINER HERSCH
A trained conductor and pianist, British stand-up comedian Rainer Hersch has performed on every comedy stage in the UK and in more than thirty countries across the world. He has conducted many orchestras including the St Petersburg Philharmonic, the London Philharmonia, the City of Birmingham Symphony, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Queensland and Tasmanian Symphony. He is responsible for KZbin hits such as "Orchestra plays Microsoft Windows™ - the waltz" • Funny! Orchestra plays... to "The Funniest Classical Orchestra Ever" • Funniest Classical Orc... - this is the guy that actually does on a concert stage what others just talk about. To find out what Rainer did next bit.ly/1hGR52j
All enquiries: [e-mail]

[@tinkertailor3680]

"Except the brass section" got me rolling on the floor. 😂🤣

[@monicarodrigues985]

But that's another story

[@ginnyjollykidd]

Ptthhhhbbb! 😒

[@herrneumrich6876]

Reminds me of another joke I've heard recently. There's a good drummer, a bad drummer, a trumpeter and a Clarinetist standing in each corner of a football field. You throw 100£ (or € or $, whatever you use) in the middle. Who gets the money first? Of course it's the bad drummer. Because there are no good drummers, the trumpeter doesn't move for just 100 bucks and the Clarinetist didn't understand the game.

[@barbaradyson6951]

Luv this man he makes music sound so easy and likeable.

[@user-kk5qe9fj2l]

are you saying music is not easy and likeable? (says the one who has been playing the violin for 13 years and is not even close to where he wants to be)

[@robert_trumpeteer]

I love how he stands there counting monopoly money.

[@stevenak115]

"everybody does it.

[@howimettheopera]

as a young conductor, I agree with everything except the money counting part due to the general lack of it XD Great video!

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Mea culpa. That IS a bit of artistic license. But, if you look closely, it's actually Monopoly money.

[@howimettheopera]

Rainer Hersch Fan Channel My apologies, I didn’t realise that. I DO have plenty of those plus several real estate properties.

[@ilfriner1287]

A question please, I’m thinking of starting to learn conducting, soo can you share how you started your classes and which music college you learnt it in Thank you

[@howimettheopera]

Drucian . D Drake I started at my local music university but had been studying piano for some years before that. So, if you are already playing an instrument, I would probably suggest to reach out to your teacher to connect you with someone or to your music school and find someone there; this could be good for a first approach and then you can move on to select somewhere more specific if you like it. If you are not playing any instruments yet, I would suggest doing that first; it’s very hard to jump straight to conducting. Hope this helps!

[@ZsomborZsombibi]

I guess that was irony.

[@bobsmodelrailways]

When Leonard Bernstein can conduct with just his face, you know what a conductor is!!

[@ZsomborZsombibi]

I wouldn't be able to learn those beat guestures in my whole life. Fortunately there are conductors for conducting :)

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

It's not that hard. Look how many conductors there are. Mind you, a lot of them can't do it either.

[@FQuintanaMarrero]

That Jacket!! A total icon!! If music would be taught in schools like the way this man does, we will have a better world. I’m sure. 😘

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Hey, thanks. Trying to make the world better, one video at a time.

[@Greghouse]

I get that the conductor is keeping a rhythm but what gets me is that he always a bit ahead from everybody else. Can you imagine drummer drumming one rest ahead of everybody else? :-D

[@SailorYuki]

I remember a Swedish tv program where celebrities were tasked to conduct the Radio Symphony Orchestra. It was absolute mayhem. Fly swatting deluxe!

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

They did it in the UK too.

[@robhendrikx2198]

...and like every halfway decent English TV idea, it was copied in the Netherlands.

[@Mosedott]

..and Norway too.

[@RobertCardwell]

"Except everyone but the brass section" 🤣🤣🤣🎺

[@user-kk5qe9fj2l]

One of the funniest things in school orchestra was that, as it turned out, everyone was following me(solo violin) and not our teacher.

[@blakebowers3708]

Wow, so relatable. Solo violin gang unite.

[@MonoLith2049]

GodTheChaoticEvil Narcissist but who were you following?

[@user-kk5qe9fj2l]

@@MonoLith2049 what i thought the piece should be played like?

[@Amadea27]

@@user-kk5qe9fj2l 😂

[@rtoip1981]

Oh boy, when I was 12 my class went to see a concert of some classical renditions of our folk music. There was a small contest for audience to conduct the orchestra. I was one of the „volunteers” and I’ve failed miserably. This haunts me to this day, almost 30 years later. Wish I had seen this video then 🤣

[@Brave_Aviator]

I wish I could do that!

[@Jemoja77]

Classical musician here, played in orchestras for about 20 years over my lifetime. This is the first time I have understood the whole gestures for the beat thing. I used to look for the downbeat and ignore the rest, but that's because I played second violin (which is the rhythm section of the violins). Love this!

[@jolo3118]

I have no clue why this channel was recommended to me, but it was recommended about an hour and a half ago and I can't stop watching! My family misses me 😂

[@SplittingProductions]

I've never found 5/4 to be weird to count. Have I...have I always been....a weirdo? D:

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Oh gosh. Erm. This is really hard. But, now you've brought it up...

[@elbertderf803]

when the Conductor makes a sweeping motion from left to right, the gesture means who farted in the Winds Section? Oboe musicians are infamous for their flatulence and usually try to cover it up with a loud fart-like sound on their instrument. Toscanini is famous for throwing his baton at a farting lady cellist and almost blinded her.

[@aninaholbek]

After a wonderful classical concert some years ago, I heard a parent ask his little daughter how she liked the concert: Her comment: "the conductor is very pretty!" That is still my top favorite concert review!

[@annakareninacamara6580]

I've been wondering this my entire life!! Now I'm waiting impatiently the next one

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Great. Really happy.

[@mcrailroader9518]

As a brass player, ouch. But fair enough...

[@ramanoojdasbasu3097]

Love the way he explains stuff in a hilariously educational way. Makes me appreciate and lean more and more towards classical music. Mr. Hersch ... could you also put through a small video to teach how to read and write music? You know those nice little symbols in a set of 4 lines. I just don't want to use them as a background to my ZOOM calls but actually learn what those mean and represent. Internet tutorials are too boring. I am sure it will be much easier and interesting with Rainer Hersch touch :)

[@ki-td5yb]

Bless this gentleman's heart.

[@Dumbluck14]

I always wondered what they were actually doing. Now I know it is a very hard job!

[@c.s.i.inamerica2420]

Rainer, you're brilliant! I'm so happy that I found your channel recently. You make me smile every day!

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Wow, thank you!

[@No-pm4ss]

2:30 the ticker rushing annoyed me more than it should have :’)

[@tszhin814]

I have never seen someone conduct a piece with 5 or more beats. Learnt something today

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Fab. Now you know :-)

[@stevebirmingham9650]

Rainer you make understanding music so much easier, the way you explain what you do and how an orchestra works helps to understand the music better, classical music need not be complicated and by having an understanding of the mechanics make it just so much more pleasureable

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

I am really touched by that. Thanks very much.

[@markhealey3660]

I love your comedy and musical instruction. Some years ago I was playing tympani in a symphony and I found out after a few rehearsals, the orchestra was following me instead of the conductor because his time fluctuates too much.

[@stephw6046]

...counting all the money he will be paid.... **counts Monopoly money** 😆

[@JW-zc8mz]

You are awesome! My wife and I love watching your videos! Only disappointing thing is that you don't do any show in the US. To be honest I don't blame you... Kind of hard flying an entire orchestra over the Atlantic. That being said, if you do ever decide to forget your fear of flying and come over the US, we will be there! No questions asked.

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

I have done some concerts in the US but too few. I hope to do more some day. Meantime, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@mryrius]

The blazer though...I love it

[@thebiglebowski9849]

For pop 5/4 - Living in the past by Jethto Tull 7/4 - Money by Pink Floyd (switches to Common time during the guitar solo) Switching between 4/4 and pretty much any other time signature (pick any song by Rush) Really enjoying your channel. Hope you make it back to Canada some time.

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Cool. Thanks for these. Would love to come back to Canada too.

[@thebiglebowski9849]

Rainer Hersch Fan Channel my pleasure (I’m a rock drummer who was classically trained in clarinet, bass clarinet and alto sax).

[@IkatteiruPanda]

Thanks for enlightening me, I´ve always had curiosity about conductor's gestures but I'm busy playing Mario Kart and watching Impossible Mission films ;) and off course your videos! quite fun and instructive! thanks again and keep 'em coming.

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

...and when you’re bored with those, Monopoly of course. I recently came into a load of £500 notes.

[@kate2create738]

Never looked this up, but I've always been curious about a conductor's hand movements.

[@Trygman81]

I often tap my feet or bob my head at classical concerts. I've noticed other members of the audience doing the same.

[@clairef.9908]

I love the thumbnail! 🤣

[@rolandobravium1873]

Absolutely love your teaching style. Thank you

[@sarai846]

So basically a conductor for an orchestra is like a drummer for a rock band. I don't understand anything in classical music and don't play any musical instruments but I really like your amusing and interesting videos. You answer questions that have arisen for me regarding the conductor's role in the orchestra. I hope one day I will see you at the concert. Stay safe.

[@brasschick4214]

sarai aviv There is a band joke. What do you call a drummer that loses one of his sticks- The conductor.

[@sarai846]

@@brasschick4214 Cool 😂

[@StuartDWright]

That was awesome. Perfect mix of education and entertainment which held my attention to the end. From a rock drummer with the attention span of a...

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Great. Thanks for this comment. Much appreciated.

[@DemonikDave]

I'm learning so much, and this amaze me... Thank you!

[@NBT2469]

Thanks for the explanation, Mr. Hersch. This was very good. As someone who plays both the piano and keyboard, this was very helpful.

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@NBT2469]

@@RainerHerschKZbin Thank you, sir!

[@forbiddenfursona]

that thumbnail though 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@OmarTravelAdventures]

bravoooo...encore!!!!!!

[@clairef.9908]

This is so educational and funny. Your teaching style is awesome and perfect for young musicians.

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Glad you think so!

[@Dukmysick]

thumbnail got me

[@noahpowell8676]

In my school orchestra I was asked to play mission impossible and I had never come across 5/4 before and completely embarrassed myself and as I was pianist I was behind the conductor and couldn't see his movements

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Been there. Done that. It's not that hard - notice how 5/4 is almost always divided up 3 + 2; less often 2 + 3. It can help you to think about it.

[@noahpowell8676]

@@RainerHerschKZbin Thank you I'll remember that for next time

[@bethhentges]

Yes, really all of the patterns are combos of 2 and/or 3.

[@iain860]

I always thought conductors relied on alcohol and a woeful lack of sense of rhytm-method by their fathers..... 😅 Rainer, you are genius 😊

[@bruces12]

Very, very interesting...never knew what the gestures of the orchestra conductor meant...now it's more clear and I can watch them with a bit more confidence. Thank you.

[@dennisrudin6907]

This video is just wonderful! Went looking for conducting, and you sure delivered what I wanted, and made me laugh at the same time (facilitates memorising). A big thumbs up 👍

[@Cristinact]

Wow, I had absolutely no clue at all! Thanks for enlightening me 😉

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

No worries!

[@rachelwoods461]

Love it!!

[@WaddleQwacker]

My favorite five-beat is the Isengard's theme in The Lord of the Rings. brilliant!

[@diechaoshueterin3186]

Thanks for your videos. :)

[@WASpectrum]

This is incredibly entertaining. Quality stuff.

[@lizleary101]

Love his jacket

[@MomiAubrey]

Never thought there's 5 and up til I watched this. Very well explained. 😘

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Oh yes - goes well beyond 5. It goes up to what ever number you want, actually but, after 12, it would all go a bit crazy.

[@raumaduth]

i discovered Rainer Hersch by suggestion on you tube... one of the best suggestions ever. Love all the videos!

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@cassiflyn1575]

It's like a video game for the conductor. I am learning more now it's all making sense now.

[@bentspoon6218]

Thank you Mr. Hersch for teaching us and entertaining us at the same time. A question - what would the orchestra sound like if a fly actually did start buzzing around the conductor's head?

[@heard3879]

Rainer Hersch, can you make a video to explain what makes rock music different from classical music? Someone once told me that classical music has 4 beats to a measure with the heavy accents on the 1st and 3rd beats, whereas rock music has 4 beats to a measure with the heavy accents on the 2nd and 4th beats. It never made sense to me because how would the listeners know what was written on the paper, as to which notes are the first note in each written measure. Watching this video has convinced me that person was wrong. By the way, I struggled with piano lessons as a child but never got very far. I barely survived Grade 1 in the John Thompson books if you’re familiar with those. So that’s my level of knowledge.

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

I think/hope this video explains some of the differences between classical and rock. Rock has 4 beats to the bar a lot of the time (like 98% probably) whereas, as you see, classical uses a much greater range. I’m afraid your advisor was really quite wrong. Reggae, a subset of rock, has four beats to the bar with accents on 2 and 4. You ask how could someone what was on a piece of paper. The answer is that not much paperwork is involved in the composition of rock, reggae or any other popular style. It is all just felt by the musicians when they create the music. This might seem like a great mystery but actually it is super simple and, with a little bit of experience, the number of beats in the bar just pop out at you when you listen to a piece of music. Listen to a few waltzes and you will feel the 3 beats. Listen to a few marches and you will feel the 2. The fancy ones are just that plus a bit more experience. All the best.

[@luxinveritate3365]

I love that jacket!

[@JW-zc8mz]

My favorite is whenever u have rock music on with a background. too funny. keep up the good work sir. We love it

[@JW-zc8mz]

"not him" lol

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Thanks so much

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

First time I saw the conductors movements with beats above 5. And I have sung a lot of modern classical music in the 80ties. So: wasn't I watching?????

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Well, now you have seen 1-12. Don't know if you were watching or not. Did you find yourself still singing, after everyone else had stopped :-)

[@ankavoskuilen1725]

@@RainerHerschKZbin Never! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@brujagranuja5860]

After seeing your videos, I´d like to become a conductor :)

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Wow. That is a compliment. Go for it!

[@KCFreitag]

This is EXACTly the kind of video that I needed!

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Great. Thanks for watching.

[@heard3879]

Wow, I just learned a lot!

[@captaincrazypants10]

Lovely .... Thank you 👍😂

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Welcome 😊

[@siwjohansen9318]

Love the way you teach us about conducting 😁🤩😂

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Thanks!

[@ginnyjollykidd]

I had a conductor who beat 2 by rolling his baton in a circle, muddying the top beat and bottom beat into one mishmash of uncertainty.

[@cleodimalaluan6620]

The thumbnail made me go here But it was worth it

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Mwa ha ha ha. But glad you got sucked in.

[@Graham_Hand]

He wouldn’t look out of place at Hogwarts

[@otterfox488]

XD

[@linafinsterwald8726]

This needs more likes

[@Roma-kp4qg]

This was very educational! I've never actually understood what musicians mean by 'phrasing' or 'expression', I'm looking forward to your video on that :D

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

More to come!

[@angelostropios]

Nice suit mate! Cheers!

[@bradmmay]

I played trumpet in high school and my conductor was always more concerned that my trumpet was cobalt blue and not my playing lol

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

I love that you get brass instruments like that. One guy in an orchestra I conducted in Germany recently had a red trombone.

[@bradmmay]

Rainer Hersch Fan Channel I had a buddy who had a red trumpet! We took a sectional photo with another friend who had a silver trumpet for a red, white, and blue cameo in the center, I miss playing in a big group like that, best memories I’ve ever made

[@beckyboo5097]

If i could have my career life over again from the start I would throw myself into orchestral music or conducting 💝 i think you all do such a brilliant job 🙂 Thank you for the videos 😁 x

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@dannylam8272]

Okay, the thumb nail got me watching.

[@kathychenyinggao4519]

5:46 Jaap van Zweden!!!

[@quadshot-eventvideography3476]

I can't read music, can't play an instrument well. But I find your videos absolutely fascinating.

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Well, that is really cool, thanks!

[@MissPickles1980]

I found myself unconsciously doing the 4-beats right along with you - in primary school (I was 3rd violin - you know, the odd notes that fill in the blanks after the melody and harmony!) all we played was in 4/4 time, so I am VERY familiar with our music teacher conducting like that - because we were 7 years old and very not professional and needed every beat.

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Usually, third violin replaces the violas, which there generally aren’t any of in school orchestras. Glad it brought it all back. Hope they were, on the whole, good times.

[@MissPickles1980]

@@RainerHerschKZbinActually we had one viola in my primary school! She was called Rachel. I don't know what the instrument's name was. Yes, they were good times :-)

[@Rv12_pilot]

anyone else naturally tap their feet during any classical performance?

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

I'm more a head-nodder.

[@clairef.9908]

I totally do. 😄

[@garysandiego]

Rainer Hersch Fan Channel My whole body sways. Much to the annoyance of my seat mates.

[@islamkamil5459]

Your explanation is great. Kinda like making an elephant fly

[@Somnamber]

Was that Monopoly money? 🤣🤣

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Sure was.

[@raboin1]

So funny.

[@MrJdsenior]

DUH...composers emphasize the DOWN beat to make MEASURES easier to COUNT (yes, one of those was a triplet, It'll come to ya, work on it a time or two). A KISS feature. Wasn't that just splendid of them? Your vids are always worth a watch, maybe not a clock, but definitely a watch. Mission Impossible?....really?....BRUBECK!!!...OK, not orchestral, but the WORTH!

[@Dirk-Ulowetz]

You can see the 7/4 in the song "music" too.

[@jeanmatlock370]

Very interesting.... as a musician myself I like your explanation......:o)

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Cool, thanks! Trying to make it clear and fun.

[@milk_man395]

As a percussionist, I got really good at recognizing the death stare when I messed up the beat

[@gabovizcarra]

I was thinking of using this videos for my students... but this will help ME to study my 7, 9, 10 and 12 patterns LMAO. Also, I'll start doing spanish captions for this one (I wish KZbin could FINALLY approve the first one I translated)

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Great. Hope this helps! At least there is one video game in there this time :-). The translation is approved and up there.

[@gabovizcarra]

@@RainerHerschKZbin Yes! I kinda fangirled when I saw that Mario Kart 64 example haha! thank you so much! I'll start with the translation of this one tonight :)

[@narvia7872]

Sometimes Coductors reminds me of traffic cops just for instruments.

[@officialspaceefrain]

Wow, what an interesting video! 🙂

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@anhthiensaigon]

can't believe I can't escape smoke on the water even in a non-guitar channel

[@devontodd3512]

My conductor once made us play a piece in 7/12 time for three pages. It was a living hell

[@davidcraft7342]

I enjoyed this one, though I was really hoping for what's now the second one in the series. After all, I figure I need to improve my conducting technique so that my home sound system can better follow my direction...

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

You and me both! But, try it, your home sound system will kind of follow you whatever you do.

[@SearinoxNavras]

Thanks for the video thumbnail, now I want an episode of Mr. Bean where he winds up conducting for an orchestra and in his lack of knowledge, just gives them the finger. XD

[@RainerHerschYouTube]

Haha. Can't see that happening. You see, I just know too much ;-)

[@rdhunkins]

I-Gor Stravinsky. I see what you did there, Fronkensteen.

[@MrPmclh]

it's all about counting the money.... hehehehehehe

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

The conductor showing how you do the rite of spring is Jaap van Zweden. Very Important Fact!

[@rhydianmann267]

I can now watch more of The Proms and actually spot where the time signature changes are. Instead of going "Was that a time change?" in my head. Better than figuring time signatures of metal bands which I've heard include 9/8 guitar solo.

[@yengsabio5315]

I don't remember unsubscribing this channel! Why was I unsubscribed? Grrr...!

[@torspedia]

TIL what all the wand waving meant :-)