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:

• Identifying the various melodies, including any contrapuntal textures.
• Analysing the harmonic background of these melodies and relating this to the phrase structure.
• Pencilling in the phrase structure on the score and marking in breathing places.
• Analysing the rhythmic pattern of the melodic lines.
• Studying key relationships.
• Analysing the basic rhythmic structure of the entire work.
• Studying the work's intellectual form and content.
• Studying the work's emotional content.
• Deciding when and how to resolve rehearsal problems.