There’s a book for everything, even as intricate and complex as music conducting. “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Conducting Music” helps music conductors of all ages and expertise levels hone their understanding of conducting in the multi-genre music world.
Author Michael Miller has written more than 100 books on a variety of topics; some of his notable works regarding music include “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solos and Improvisation” and “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music History.”
As every musician knows, music is a compilation of instruments, pieces of music, and the theory behind it. And with multiple genres of music out there, it only becomes more complicated.
“People are moving into a certain type of music or certain role about music theory composition,” Miller says. “In this case there are a lot of folks who are serious about training to be conductors or people who are thrust into it and have no formal training, and this book is designed to help them do it.”
The guide is set up in three parts to better grasp the concepts of conducting. According to Miller, the first third of the book covers basic technique and beat pattern. The middle third teaches the reader to conduct with a more stylistic pattern. Finally, the end of the book interviews about a dozen different conductors with different music genre experiences.
Miller says that this last section is his favorite because it gives the reader real-world perspectives on the different styles of conducting.
The learning doesn’t just end with the book. The book’s website provides 15 online videos hosted by Miller as well as full interviews with notable conductors including Pete Anthony, Glenn Northern and Lawrence Yurman. While the book highlights and emphasizes the knowledge and wisdom of conducting music, Miller says that the full interviews give “a lot of great insights for someone who wants to conduct.”
For more information and to view videos and interviews, visit www.idiotsguides.com/static/bookextras/ musicperformingarts/9781615641680x.html
