ABSTRACT
Soft feet is a secret to expressive conducting. The body expands with the idea and the gesture that the conductor uses to express his or her musical intention. A conductor can disrupt this natural process with the use of excess effort or a singular focus. If the musical intention of the conductor does not make it to the hands, the resulting gesture will be general and lack specificity. Conversation is a metaphor for the exchange of ideas between the conductor and the ensemble. Consequently, compression interferes with the ability to live in the moment and experience the unfolding conversation with the ensemble. Acting off the line is the direct opposite of living in the moment and being engaged in the conversation with the ensemble. A conductor's default is a generalized approach to getting the ensemble to start playing. Actively engaging in the conversation with the ensemble is the only way to fully have an authentic generosity of spirit.
