Conduct the Orchestra

Stand back so your hands are in frame. Sing an idea to a section, then conduct them.

Camera and microphone stay on for the whole session, and never leave this machine.

Waking the orchestra…

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Stand naturally, hands relaxed

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Session ended

How to conduct

Your two hands do different jobs — that is the whole language.

Right hand keeps time

Beat a steady four: down, left, right, up, and repeat. The beat lands at the bottom of each stroke — that bounce is the moment the orchestra plays. Beat faster and it speeds up; beat slower and it settles.

Go frantic and it races. The orchestra follows you up to about two and a half times its written tempo.

Left hand shapes the feeling

Lift it — louder. Lower it — softer.
Open your palm — the notes stretch and sing through.
Close it — short, clipped notes.
Reach out wide — more of the orchestra joins in.

It never touches the tempo. You can hold a steady beat with your right hand and swell or soften with your left at the same time.

Both hands high and wide — everything, at full force. Arms wide, then stop moving — the orchestra holds the chord. The drums and piano drop away and the strings ring on, until you move again. Both fists closed — silence. That is the only thing that stops the music.

Got a recording? Drop an audio or video file anywhere on the picture, or press Match a clip. The orchestra works out what key it is in, what chords it turns over and how fast it goes, and plays in that instead — you conduct as normal. It is not a cover: the tune stays this orchestra's, and what it borrows is the harmony. One click puts everything back, and nothing you have taught is lost either way.

Every section already has its own part. Violins carry the tune, cellos drive underneath, horns answer, timpani push. You are shaping a piece that is already playing — you do not have to build one first. Want to change one? Click a section, then pinch and trace a melody in the air, or just hum it. That section plays your idea instead; everything else carries on.

Never done this before? Start with only your right hand. Beat a slow, steady four and watch the orchestra find your tempo. Add your left hand once that feels easy.

Press H any time to see this again

H how to conduct · Pinch to draw · N another idea · B tempo meter · T top speed · K key