Conductor (role)

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Participant that makes music without producing sounds directly.

Usage

Conductors influence the music by signalling to other players. As far as the game go, their function might be to serve as an obstacle for Players to overcome or as a help to guide their way through the piece (sometimes in one game both options apply, see Co-optionality).

For a staged performances Conductor’s role may be fit for an audience member (e.g. a volunteer), because it allows people to experience the joys of connecting through music, responsiveness, feedback and a range of creative freedom in musical experimentation. In musical games conducting, all that is available also for people not exposed before to any musical instrument.

Not a classical conductor

Conductors affect music-making by gestures, cue-cards or other means that the game defines. Although their role is classically considered very demanding, Conductors in music games have it much easier. They may rely on their musical taste, and consciously shape the performance, but most often it's not even necessary, as the random input rarely causes the game to stop being fun.

There might be one or many conductors, and the closed or open set of gestures. Both the process and the spatial organization may take many different forms.

Video — Signals Game

More resources

Other roles:


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