Conducting

Studying the Score

A 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:

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Identifying the various melodies, including any contrapuntal textures.

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Analysing the harmonic background of these melodies and relating this to the phrase structure.

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Pencilling in the phrase structure on the score and marking in breathing places.

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Analysing the rhythmic pattern of the melodic lines.

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Studying key relationships.

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Analysing the basic rhythmic structure of the entire work.

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Studying the work's intellectual form and content.

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Studying the work's emotional content.

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Deciding when and how to resolve rehearsal problems.