Score analysis
Conductors who analyze their scores are more prepared for rehearsals. Analyzing a musical score
includes identifying the form, transitions with key and tempo, texture layers, emotional contour,
dynamic phrasing, articulation phrasing, breath phrasing, harmonies, and rhythmic interplay.
includes identifying the form, transitions with key and tempo, texture layers, emotional contour,
dynamic phrasing, articulation phrasing, breath phrasing, harmonies, and rhythmic interplay.
Being fluent with instrument ranges and transpositions is essential. For example, if the score indicates
that a baritone sax is playing an F#, the bass clarinet is playing a B, and the French horn is playing
an E, the conductor should quickly recognize if the trio is playing in unison, an octave, or a two
octave span.
that a baritone sax is playing an F#, the bass clarinet is playing a B, and the French horn is playing
an E, the conductor should quickly recognize if the trio is playing in unison, an octave, or a two
octave span.
One exercise for increasing fluency with ranges/transpositions is to select a place in a score where
many Instruments are playing simultaneously. Starting from the lowest voice and working upwards,
transpose all of the instruments as needed in order to determine the structure of the chord. If the
chord is a simple triad or seventh chord, rapidly find all of the instruments that play the third of the
chord or the root of the chord.
many Instruments are playing simultaneously. Starting from the lowest voice and working upwards,
transpose all of the instruments as needed in order to determine the structure of the chord. If the
chord is a simple triad or seventh chord, rapidly find all of the instruments that play the third of the
chord or the root of the chord.
On a similar note, find a composition with contemporary or jazz harmonies and use the above exercise to determine an entire harmonic progression. View a sample from Ira Hearshen’s Aragon 1945 - 1952 (Tennessee).
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