Conducting From The Piano

[florentin]

Do any of you have to conduct from the piano?

I have to do this at school. I teach general music and Chorus. I actually record most of my songs, since I am using a Clavinova. some songs I have to play though, and it's kinda hard to play and conduct at the same time.

do any of you have any experience or suggestions?

[timothy42b]

I know people who do this, and I have sung in a number of choirs where this happens.

It is very unsatisfactory.  It is frustrating to the singers, especially those who can count, and the performance is never as good as it can be.  This messes up not only expression but basic time, causing of course intonation and blend to be off as well.  (Time is the basis for everything else.) 

I would avoid it if at all possible.  When I was in high school several decades ago, the music directors always found a piano student good enough to do the accompanying. 

[florentin]

I agree with you, but the school won't pay for an accompanist. Even if it did, he/she would only be there for the performance. I think most school choir conductors conduct from the piano.

[timothy42b]

I guess you were looking for practical solutions rather than complaining about how bad it is.

If I were doing this, I would be very sure I directed entrances with a hand, even at the expense of playing only one hand's part, and go back to playing one hand and directing the other any time there were difficulties, changes of tempo, etc.  If you have good singers they can cope, but you have to at least give them a hint, not make them sink or swim.  It doesn't matter which hand, kids won't report you for breaking the commandments of conducting.  You can also lead them with your playing, but that can be a steep learning curve for younger singers. 

I would do as much a capella as possible, that solves the problem too!  but that's just me. 

Also, don't underestimate how much it can help to mouth the words, especially after you get them trained to really watch you.  I've done some Anglican chant where that was the only way to stay together.  Chant is done to speech rhythms, not note values, so it is tricky to do well together without a director. 

[florentin]

thank you Tim