A conductor (of an orchestra, a choir, or any other musical ensemble) may choose to direct using patterns that correspond to the number of beats in a measure. Some don’t; some prefer to use gestures that create visual imagery. But from time to time it’s useful to be able to help musicians by showing the beats in a visual way.
Here are the most common conducting patterns.
2 beats per measure
3 beats per measure
4 beats per measure
5 beats per measure
6 beats per measure
