Just because you aren't a musician doesn't mean you can't express an
honest critique of music. If you're a fan of a certain type of
music, there's a good chance you're very knowledgeable about that
genre; and even if you aren't a fan of that type of music, you can
certainly say what you like or dislike about it.
All critiques represent the opinion of one individual, no more, no
less. But to be a fair, honest, and knowledgeable critic will set you
apart - and you don't even need to play an instrument to qualify.
!! Steps !!
* Decide what sort of music you'll offer critiques on. You don't
have to pigeonhole yourself, but you do need to make a set of
parameters for yourself: Will you critique classical music? Rock
and roll? Jazz? Folk? There are some bloggers who have "listening
blogs" - they listen to a variety of music, post links to it, and
then comment on it. They don't have a set type of music they
listen to. There are others who are known for being classical
music [1] critics, rock critics, and so on. All you have to do is
say what you intend to critique: Rock? Jazz? Film scores?
Everything?
* Form an opinion before saying it out loud. Refrain from talking
off the top of your head as you listen. Your critique might change
as you get deeper into the recording. Wait until you have listened
carefully to the entire recording, and think about it. Once you've
let the ideas percolate a bit, you'll be better able to articulate
them.
Refrain from presenting yourself as an expert on playing techniques.
Since you aren't a musician yourself, it's probably best if you make
sure you frame any reference to the musician's skill or talent as
your opinion [2], only. Those who would like to disqualify your
opinion because you aren't a musician will pounce on statements like
"he's not that good a player." Instead, use phrases like,
"Personally, I like the way Van Halen plays better, but this guy
does as well as he can."
* Use your knowledge of similar music. Draw comparisons [3] between
bands or musical styles when you hear the similarities. Doing this
can help illustrate your opinion for people unfamiliar with the
new act you're discussing. For example: "My Chemical Romance
channels Queen's 'A Night at the Opera' all through its epic 'The
Black Parade.' Listeners to both will hear similarities throughout
- while Queen's style is a bit smoother and more eclectic, MCR's
heavier, thrashier drums make for good over-the-top fun."
* Do your homework. Read other music reviews [4]. Find out if the
music you're listening to "sounds like" anything else - when
several different reviewers draw a comparison like the above, it
might be helpful to listen to that record too. Playing an
instrument may qualify you to discuss tone, or embouchre or
harmonic [5] techniques, but the only qualification you need to
critique is familiarity with the music - and being familiar with
other, similar stuff is half that battle.
Trust your own memory [6]. Perhaps you saw something obscure once
that comes to mind when you hear this music. See if you can
contact the band to ask about it. For example: The aforementioned
album, "The Black Parade" contains a song called "Sleep." In it, a
part of the lyric mentions "...all the good guys and the bad guys,
all the monsters that I've been..." One critique remembered a
line from a song in a movie from many years earlier, "All the good
guys and the bad guys that I've been... all the devils that
disturbed me, and the angels that defeated them somehow come
together in me now." Later, Gerard Way confirmed that he had taken
great inspiration from _Phantom of the Paradise_ - the movie in
which the song appeared.
* Encourage others to discuss the music with you. This is the most
fun of all. It's fun to talk music [7] with your friends. The best
way to do it is to never say "That sucks" or to allow others to
say it. Instead, head off fights by saying, "Whoa, whoa - wait. It
doesn't suck. You may not like it. I may not like it. But somebody
likes it, and it's disrespectful to anyone here who might like it
to say that. Instead, let's just say "That's not my cup of tea" or
"Not my taste" when we don't like something." Or perhaps just
agree. Either is completely valid.
* Recommend your favorites to everyone. That's how word about good
music spreads! If you've done your homework, when your friend
comes in and tells you he wants to listen to something like
Yellowcard, but he's bored with all of his Yellowcard albums, ask
him to try Breaking Benjamin. If you like Daughtry, but you've
listened to that album 500 times already, try Three Doors Down, or
Fuel, or Matchbox 20. Pass the good music vibes around!
!! Tips !!
* Be sure to point out originality when you hear it - saying
"There's no one else like them" is a very cool thing!
* Avoid reminding everyone that you aren't an instrumentalist
yourself every time you discuss music. Once you've told your
readers or listeners that you aren't a musician, don't preface
everything you say with that statement again.
* The only way you really get into trouble critiquing music without
being a musician is when you act like you know everything, and it
turns out that you don't. Saying stuff like, "God, tune your
guitar once in a while" is okay if the guitar is obviously out of
tune. But you look like a doof if it turns out the guitarist has
purposely "down-tuned," or used a special tuning.
!! Things You'll Need !!
* Music selection
* Blog or other form of critiquing
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Appreciate Heavy Metal [8]
* How to Appreciate and Perform Music [9]
* How to Be a Hard House Chick [10]
* How to Appreciate Classic Rock if You Are Under 20 [11]
* How to Read Music [12]
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
* Discuss
Links:
------
[1] http://www.wikihow.com/Appreciate-Classical-Music
[2] http://www.wikihow.com/Form-an-Opinion
[3] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Comparative-Essay
[4] http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Movie-Review
[5] http://www.wikihow.com/Do-Natural-Harmonics
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Trigger-a-Memory
[7] http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Music-Therapist
[8] http://www.wikihow.com/Appreciate-Heavy-Metal
[9] http://www.wikihow.com/Appreciate-and-Perform-Music
[10] http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Hard-House-Chick
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Appreciate-Classic-Rock-if-You-Are-Under-20
[12] http://www.wikihow.com/Read-Music
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