Editing Sheet music (section)

=== Full scores, variants, and condensations {{anchor|full score}} ===

A ''full score'' is a large book showing the music of all instruments or voices in a composition lined up in a fixed order. It is large enough for a [[Conducting|conductor]] to be able to read while directing [[orchestra]] or [[opera]] rehearsals and performances. In addition to their practical use for conductors leading ensembles, full scores are also used by [[musicologist]]s, [[music theory|music theorists]], [[composer]]s and music students who are studying a given work. 

A ''miniature score'' is like a full score but much reduced in size. It is too small for use in a performance by a conductor, but handy for studying a piece of music, whether it be for a large ensemble or a solo performer. A miniature score may contain some introductory remarks.

A ''study score'' is sometimes the same size as, and often indistinguishable from, a miniature score, except in name. Some study scores are [[Octavo (book)|octavo]] size and are thus somewhere between full and miniature score sizes. A study score, especially when part of an anthology for academic study, may include extra comments about the music and markings for learning purposes.

A ''piano score'' (or [[reduction (music)|''piano reduction'']]) is a more or less literal [[Transcription (music)|transcription]] for piano of a piece intended for many performing parts, especially orchestral works; this can include purely instrumental sections within large vocal works (see ''vocal score'' immediately below). Such arrangements are made for either piano solo (two hands) or piano [[duet]] (one or two pianos, four hands). Extra small staves are sometimes added at certain points in piano scores for two hands to make the presentation more complete, though it is usually impractical or impossible to include them while playing.

As with vocal score (below), it takes considerable skill to reduce an orchestral score to such smaller forms because the reduction needs to be not only playable on the keyboard but also thorough enough in its presentation of the intended [[Harmony|harmonies]], [[Texture (music)|textures]], [[Figuration (music)|figurations]], etc. Sometimes markings are included to show which instruments are playing at given points.

While piano scores are usually not meant for performance outside of study and pleasure ([[Franz Liszt]]'s [[Beethoven Symphonies (Liszt)|concert transcriptions of Beethoven's symphonies]] being one group of notable exceptions), [[ballet]]s get the most practical benefit from piano scores because with one or two pianists they allow the ballet to do many rehearsals at a much lower cost, before an [[orchestra]] has to be hired for the final rehearsals. Piano scores can also be used to train beginning conductors, who can conduct a pianist playing a piano reduction of a symphony; this is much less costly than conducting a full orchestra. Piano scores of operas do not include separate staves for the vocal parts, but they may add the sung text and stage directions above the music.

A [[Part (music)|''part'']] is an extraction from the full score of a particular instrument's part. It is used by orchestral players in performance, where the full score would be too cumbersome. However, in practice, it can be a substantial document if the work is lengthy, and a particular instrument is playing for much of its duration.
[[File:CuiVil3 2p204.png|thumb|upright=1.5|An excerpt of a piano-vocal score for [[César Cui]]'s opera ''[[William Ratcliff (Cui)|William Ratcliff]]''. {{audio|CuiVil3 2p204.mid|Play}}|left]]