Basic signs

Change Tune

Continue One Line

Move one index finger horizontally in front of you
Continue playing what you played for 4 beats

Continue Playing

Turn your hands around each other horizontally
Show together with instrument section sign(s).

Continue Two Lines

Move two index finger horizontally in front of you.
Continue playing what you played for 8 beats

Everybody Else

Circle with your index finger above your head
After showing something to one section, always signal to the rest of the band what they should do.

Into the Tune

Move both hands from the shoulders down in a half circle each, like waves, backs of the hands touching each other at the bottom.
Signal everyone or a group of instruments to go back into the tune.

Loop

For repeating a sign (or a sequence) endlessly, show with your second hand the loop sign. Draw with you second hand a half circle over the sign you want to repeat

Play it again

Hit with your flat hand on your forehead
A break sequence was great and you want to do it again. Use the “again sign”. If something didn’t work out well, it’s better to show everything again, since maybe someone didn’t get it.

Slow down

Signed with circling a watch on the hand clock wise, while pointing downwards with the drumsticks.

Speed up

Signed with circling a watch on the hand clock wise, while pointing upwards with the drumsticks.
Some breaks can be used for speeding up or slowing down. Others need more practise and some experience. Speeding up can also be done following one instrument section, either by signing to everyone to listen to and follow while playing, or by stopping all other instruments and then, after speeding up, get all back in with a break or just count them in. For speeding up you would take the most stable section, but maybe not the surdos.

Stop

Raise one fist (look at the inner side of your hand)
In the moment of stopping, move your fist down. In order to “Stop” the band you have to count in. Immediate stop with two fists.

Volume Down

Move flat hands to the bottom
Take care that the band only changes loudness, not speed.

Volume Up

Move flat hands up
Take care that the band only changes loudness, not speed.