Score Reading: A Brief Introduction

What is score reading?

Score reading is exactly what it sounds like: sitting down with a musical score and
reading it, to aid in understanding the piece in its entirety. Score reading is a preface to score
analysis, which allows conductors to examine a scores compositional techniques and replicate
the intent of the composer. Score reading is important to drum majors because adequate
conducting of a piece of music is rooted in an adequate knowledge of the generalities of the
piece (key, time, tempo, voicing, etc.)
When reading a score, there are a few important things to take note of before beginning (we will
be using the Chaconne from Holsts First Suite in E flat for Military Band as an example):
The Basics of performance: This includes the key signature, time signature, tempo, and
overall style of the piece. Are there any changes in the basics of the piece? The Chaconne is
in 3/4 time, in the key of E-Flat, and marked with the tempo of Allegro Moderato.
Orchestration: It is important to know score order for pieces. For band, score order is
flute (picc), oboe, clarinets, bassoons, saxophones, trumpets (cornets/flugelhorns), horns,
trombones, euphoniums, tubas, and percussion. What instruments a composer uses in their
piece is important in learning which parts are more important. For example, in addition to the
normal band scoring, Holst wrote a solo clarinet part, signifying that the clarinet section was
really important to Holst.
Melody: Obviously, this is the most important aspect of a piece. A good director knows
who has the melody at all times, and which parts hold other importance. Who has the melody in
the first 9 measures? Who has the melody at rehearsal B? Rehearsal C? What is the trend of
trading the melodies?
Texure: What is going on other than the melody? How does it line up with the melody?
Who has the melody at 8 after C and who has other textural elements? Texture is also closely
tied to orchestration. The textural lines at 8 after C (flute and oboe) would sound different if
they were played by trombones, for example. That change would disrupt the balance and flow
of the whole piece.
The quickest way to read all the parts of a score is to group them together by how they
look. Usually, you can tell by looking at a score which parts go together and which parts contrast
each other. For example, at rehearsal A, the WWs and a few brass players have a staccato
arpeggio figures, and the low reeds and low brass have the melody.
The best way to read a score for the first time is to read it while listening to a quality
recording. If no recording is available (for marching shows, etc., this is usually the case) sit down
at a piano and try to play out some of the parts yourself. You can also play them on your
instrument, or try to sing them.