C—Fore-arm movement.
D—Full-arm movement.
The diagrams on pages [11] and [13] represent a set of exercises for the acquiring of complete control and suppleness of the wrist and arm in all these four movements. On the opposite pages sets of music examples will be found. Each individual note of these examples represents a movement.
The conscientious study and practice of these exercises will not only fully prepare the conductor for the more complicated beating of time-indications, but will give him that poise and confidence which come only with a consciousness of absolute self-control. This physical self-control is one of the greatest essentials in the art of conducting.
DESCRIPTION OF EXERCISES
There are two series of exercises, each numbering 24 figures. These are to be performed in four different styles, corresponding to the four fundamental movements.
- A—Wrist movement in horizontal position.
- B—Wrist movement in vertical position.
- C—Fore-arm movement.
- D—Full-arm movement.
For each style, there are four different positions which, for practical reasons, have been named after the points of the compass; North, South, East, and West. The drawings contained in this chapter are of the four different positions, for each style of exercise. In the diagram of exercises each of these points is indicated by a letter; N—for North, S—for South, E—for East, and W—for West.
The small letter in the upper left corner indicates the starting point. The other letters indicate the points of arrival.
Each figure is to be executed in time with certain music examples of which each individual note corresponds to a point of arrival.