Here are a couple of ideas on how to get started Studying Scores. I make process easy and open to anyone at any level. These are a few methods that I have used to deepen my understanding of the work. Every single note, articulation, orchestration and word is a conscious decision made by the composer. Score study is the art of asking 'Why?' Why did they do this? Studying scores takes time because they are dense and you want to approach any study in Layers. I recommend Touching the Impactful moments first. Go immediately to the part that excites you and soak it up. After you've spent time doing that you can then go back to page one and start the process. I recommend for the first time literally looking through the page and Just Noticing Something. Something interesting, something that is different than you might expect. And write it down in the score. And then you go on to Page 2 and so on. Other layers you can add can be: Harmonic Analysis, Thematic Analysis, Analyzing the Form, Orchestration Analysis. There are hundreds of layers. Remember, your focus is to Deepen Your Relationship with the Work. This takes a long time. Don't undervalue a short study session. 15 minutes of active study are far more powerful than an hour of Passive. Lastly, the most important thing is to just get started.
Don't wait, just pick one and go. You will be so glad that you did.
What are the things that you struggle with when it comes to Score Study as a composer? What do you wish you knew better?
I'd love it if you left a comment. I read every one and I would love to hear from you.