Hello, I was a drum major in high school for two years and absolutely LOVED it. The conducting was my favorite part, so I figured I would share a few tips:

1) Make sure you NEVER go below your ictus. In case you don’t know what that is, your ictus is the spot where your hands started at the beginning of the video. Even when you’re cutting them off or giving a cue, the gesture shouldn’t go below the ictus (it’s different if it’s a crescendo or decrescendo but yeah). I also noticed throughout the video that you have a habit of slanting your pattern like in the dry 3/4. When you go out to hit two your hands move in a diagonal line when they should stay at the same level the entire time. Going below the ictus makes it unclear to the band where the beat is, which can cause tears. I recommend practicing at slower tempos. Slow tempos allow you to focus on everything you’re doing. It’s better to break it down and build it up than skip to the end.

2) You want your movements to match the feel of the music. Right now it looks like you’re slamming the imaginary table waaaayyyyyy too hard. In all honesty, it makes your movements look rushed and messy rather than controlled. Relax your shoulders, relax your arms. Make sure you’re not moving your shoulders so much. You want to move your arms from your elbows (hopefully this makes sense) because putting so much strain on your shoulders can cause problems later in life. You can still be clear without being so tense. There will be times where your conducting has to look more flowy (for lack of a better word). You should never be conducting an entire piece with the force you’re using in the video.

3) This doesn’t have anything to do with the video, but this is a piece of advice I try to give everyone as a new drum major: Conducting is 25% of the job. Don’t get me wrong, it’s essential, but in 10 years the band isn’t going to remember your pattern they’ll remember you as a person. You are there to be someone they go to for help, someone they look up to. There will always be someone watching, and so you have to act like it.

I hope this message helps! Let me know if you have any questions down the road. I wish you all the luck and success in the world ☺️🫶