Stance
Hand and Arm Position
Stance
Standing at the podium, the conductor must transmit a sense of leadership and self-confidence. This is not merely in order to make it easier for him to get the players to respond to his wishes. Equally important is the effect his stance has on the level of confidence both the audience and the ensemble has in him as someone who knows what he or she is doing.
Foot tapping while conducting should be avoided at all costs. It is a visual distraction to the audience and appears amateurish at best. At worst, it suggests a certain rhythmic insecurity. Sometimes, the podium actually amplifies the sound, making the tapping audible. Let the movement of the hands keep time instead.
When conducting, the elbows should be held slightly outwards and forward of the body, not cramped against it. This allows the joints in the shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers to move freely. In the ready position, the forearms should be roughly parallel to the ground or (in the case of shorter conductors) slightly higher so that they are level to the chest. In any case, no portion of any gesture should be so low as to be hidden from view behind a music stand or other obstruction. The hands should be held slightly above the wrist, palm facing the floor and the fingers slightly curved.
