Score

All the parts at a glance

In a score the parts of all the instruments are printed one under the other and are aligned bar by bar. That lets you see at a glance who plays together, who rests and where the melody lies. The instruments are ordered in groups: at the top usually the woodwinds, then brass, timpani and finally the strings. Each line carries its own clef, and for some instruments “in A” or “in E” is written beside it, because they sound different from what is written; see at sounding pitch.

Orchestra

• Sinfonie Nr. 7, Allegretto Ludwig van Beethoven, op. 92 · score · 54 pages

  The first page lists the parts from top to bottom: flute, oboes, clarinets in A, bassoons, horns in E, trumpets in D, timpani, violins I and II, viola, cello I and cello II with double bass. Above it is marked “Allegretto”, and the time signature is 2/4.

• Sinfonie Nr. 9, 2. Satz Largo Antonín Dvořák, op. 95 (1893), “From the New World” · score · 18 pages

  The sheet is headed “Movement II” and carries the marking “Largo” with ♩ = 52. Among the parts is the cor anglais (English horn), grouped with the pair of oboes.

Piano

• Für Elise Ludwig van Beethoven, WoO 59 · piano · 3 pages

  For comparison a piano part: two staves joined by a brace, for right and left hand.

Reading a score

When you read a score, first look for the time signature and the tempo, then for the part that leads the melody, and follow it. Only then is it worth adding further parts.

Common mistakes

• Reading all lines the same: Each line has its own clef.
• Overlooking the transposition: Clarinets “in A” sound different from what is written.
• Too much at once: First follow one part, then add more.