Studying the Score

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Studying the Score

Conducting

Written by Bruce Gale

conductor also needs to be adequately prepared for the task at hand. Inevitably, this implies that a good deal of time should be devoted in advance to the study of the work that is going to be rehearsed. Studying the score involves:

	Identifying the various melodies, including any contrapuntal textures.
	Analysing the harmonic background of these melodies and relating this to the phrase structure.
	Pencilling in the phrase structure on the score and marking in breathing places.
	Analysing the rhythmic pattern of the melodic lines.
	Studying key relationships.
	Analysing the basic rhythmic structure of the entire work.
	Studying the work's intellectual form and content.
	Studying the work's emotional content.
	Deciding when and how to resolve rehearsal problems.