This is an upbeat.

This is a downbeat.

That's all you need to know.

The end.

Let's talk about beats.

These are the four beats in a 4/4 time signature:

One, two, three, four.

These are the beats in a 3/4 time signature:

One, two, three.

These are the beats in a 2/4 time signature:

One, two.

And these are the beats when your conductor is lost:

One one one one one one one one.

Now these are textbook pathways only.

In reality, conductors will vary with their own personal styles.

Usually, the more musical the conductor, the harder it is to decipher what the f*** is actually going on.

This is scientifically proven to be the best method to begin Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.

So in case you have a crazy conductor... What do you do?

The key here is to remember that you have a concert master.

Follow the concert master to come in.

And once the music begins, simply count, listen, and play in time.

There are three incidences, however, where you have no choice to look at the conductor.

These are, accelerando, ritenuto, or in other words, tempo changes.

And, pau-sé (pause)

If a conductor is not awkwardly mirroring the right hand with the left, then the left hand can often provide valuable performance information through cues and gestures.

First, let's talk about cues.

Cues are a conductor's way of showing you when to come in.

You know, in case you weren't counting.

The irony of cues, however, is that the conductor is human, too.

You do not want to get into the habit of relying on cues, for it is not uncommon for conductors to forget to cue you on the day of the performance, or worse, cue you at the wrong time.

Apart from cueing, the left hand can also provide certain gestures to help aid your interpretation.

This means louder.

This means softer.

This means, shut up you playing too loud!!

This means be mysterious and vague.

This means, ACCENT!!

This means, Vibrate~~

This means, TIGER PALM!

This means, suddenly go soft.

Peek-a-boo!

This means, taper off gently.

And this means, just stop.