Sunday, December 25, 2011

How to Write a Music Review

!9#: How to Write a Music Review

"Five Tips for a Successful Music Review"

1. Who Should Write a Review?

Writing an informative and captivating music review can be a challenging task. It is helpful if the reviewer is a musician and understands music theory, musical styles, and the type of music to be reviewed. It is essential for the reviewer to be aware of the target audience for which the music review is intended. My reviews are targeted to music teachers who have in in-depth understanding and appreciation of music.

2. What Does the Reader Want to Know?

The reader of my column is educated, has an in-depth understanding of music, including music theory, conducting,, and music pedagogy, and a level of musical understanding in all genres of music. Typical readers want to know about the product. They are looking for new ideas for presenting music in concerts and on the football field. They want music that will add diversity to their concert programming. Readers want to know certain things about each piece of music; specifically the level of difficulty, and any unusual demands placed on the different instruments and the appropriateness of the music for performance.

Here is an example taken from one of my recent music reviews:

Here we have ten minutes of Spanish flavored music that has many dynamic types of shading, and is sprinkled with sustained lines, weaving counter lines, and thick, resonant chords. The contrasts in mood are very well handled. It is a rousing number that exudes rhythmic intensity, and Spanish bravado. This exciting musical composition brings out a sense of adventure, and student will enjoy the brisk tempo and fiery Spanish rhythms.

Another review contains a subtle warning to the reader:

This is a challenging piece in that the flutes must be proficient at rapid tonguing and the high tessitura of the trumpets and horns can be demanding. The snare drum solos are effective and provide smooth linkages between sections. However, the dynamics must be carefully observed to make these transitions effective. A proficient xylophone player is necessary in this piece.

The title of the piece, the composer/arranger, an name of the music publisher should be at the top of the review.

3. What About the Style of Writing?

It is best to avoid using terms such as: "you" "your" and "I" in the review. It is assumed that whatever is written is the expressed opinion of the reviewer and if not, than that statement should be quotations. It is also helpful if the reviewer avoids the use of clichés, and generic, non-specific terms such as "interesting," and accumulates a list of colorful adjectives that can be used to describe the music. The words "appealing" "fascinating" and "exciting" are more suitable that is the word, "interesting."The following are a few helpful descriptive terms for use in music reviews:

freshness of sound, absence of musical clichés, colorful work, use of sonorous pedal-points, the crisp and intense combination of....., splashes of percussive color, a deep woody bassoon solo..., leads to a warm, mellow four-part horn chorale, a tender, expressive melody by the oboe.

Here is another example from one of my recent music reviews:

This piece is a tender expression and an excellent composition for teaching dynamics, balance of tone, and phrasing. The contrast in scoring makes this piece a first-rate choice for programming.

4. How to Approach Writing a Music Review

It is essential that the reviewer consider the type of review that is expected by the publisher. For example does the publisher want an in-depth analysis of one or two compositions or does he/she expect an overview of seven or eight selections?

The reviewer should listen to each selection many times to in order to grasp and absorb the many layers of sound and to acquire a deeper understanding of the music. Taking detailed notes about what stands out in the music can be very helpful. Writing a music review is a creative process that is based on the individual opinion and personal tastes of the reviewer. The reviewer must be able to recommend appropriate and usable musical compositions to the reader.

The music reviewer is not a specialist in all styles and genres of music. For example, a band director may not feel comfortable or confident reviewing music for chamber groups or orchestra. In this case it may be wise to ask an expert in a particular field (strings) to write the review for a particular column. Perhaps the reviewer can offer one review and the guest reviewer can review six or seven other pieces. This assists the reviewer and provides positive visibility and exposure for the guest reviewer, and guarantees that the reader will gain maximum benefit from the reviews.

It is of vital importance to stress the positive aspects of the music that is being reviewed. It is a wise policy to select for review only pieces that the reviewer can recommend to the readers. Often what is said in the review can be a very subtle warning to the reader such as:

A total of seven percussion players are required and the sound emanating from the percussion section must be carefully balanced so they do not overpower the winds

If a teacher has only two percussionists in his ensemble, I doubt that he/she would consider playing this piece.

If a review states that the tessitura (range) of the trumpets is high throughout the piece, this will alert the music teacher to select this piece only if he has a very strong trumpet section.

Stating that the bassoon has a lengthy solo, without stating which instrument it is cued for is of little help to the reader. It should be stated that the bassoon solo is cued for the tenor sax or the baritone horn. Most bands have one or no bassoons and another instrument must cover that instrument in its absence.

Here is another example taken from a recent review:

Sharp, precise tonguing is needed to make this march sparkle, and close attention must be paid to the dynamic contrasts between mf and ff, and ff to pp. The woodwinds must be capable of playing diatonic and chromatic scales at a bright all- breve tempo.

Music is a very personal experience and the writer's subjective judgment can be very helpful for the reader. But each opinion rendered needs a framework of support. The writer must bring meaning through explanations regarding his/her opinions. Written comments should be backed up with musical facts and a sense of musical understanding.

5. Where Do I Find Music to Review?

Begin by compiling a list of the major music publishers who publish the type of music that you will be reviewing. Contact with them by phone or by e-mail and ask for sample scores and CDs. Today most of the printed music is available to listeners online--just type the name of the composition and its composer/arranger and locate it at the publisher, at a musical outlet or on YouTube. Some of the music publishers will send scores via Pdf files for review. It is to be emphasized that there are many small music publishing companies that are producing some very high-quality material for schools and will leap at the chance to have their music reviewed.

It is helpful to ask experienced and successful music teachers to recommend pieces that they and their students love to play.

Final Points

Use a catchy or descriptive title to captivate the attention of the reader and unify the review. Here are a few "catchy" titles that were suggested from my musician friends: Keeping Score, What's the Score?, Vince's Views, Variations by Vince, Vince's Verdict, Mr. Note It All, Excerpt Expert, Instrumental Corner, Music Mavin, Note Value, Overtones, Full Score, and Senza Sordino. Avoid using slang or colloquial expressions such as:. Man, that was a groovy piece of music! "Awesome to say the least!" "One can really chill out listening to this piece" Ask a local editor to peruse and edit the review before submitting it. Read many reviews to obtain a sense of style and content. Learn about writing and how to improve the presentation. Send a thank you note (or email) to the person or persons who provided the music for the reviews, along with a copy of the review.

Another posting from a recent review:

This dramatic piece creates an intense, rhythmic, driving, angular sound that is quite contemporary;. The rich and resonant brass and the crisp and exact percussion dominate the scene throughout, as the main theme is somewhat developed. This composition would make a good concert opener.

The best way to learn to write music reviews is to study what is currently being written for various music magazines, in print and online. Analyze, circle the adjectives, note the positive comments, sense the style of the writer, and Just Write It!


How to Write a Music Review

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Monday, December 5, 2011

What Can Noise Cancelling Headphones Do For You?

!9#: What Can Noise Cancelling Headphones Do For You?

Do you often feel that you're going to go deaf sooner than later because you blast your headphones on the top volume peak possible? Wait, you didn't hear me? Turn your volume down some. I said, if you feel that you're going to go deaf because of your loud volume, you probably are! Just kidding, but you get my drift. People are used to having to turn the volume up way too high in order to get everything out of their favorite song, from the high kicks to the deep rifts. If you are a victim of this practice and wish that you could find a happy medium between turning the volume down some and hearing every element in your favorite song, you might have found your answer with noise cancelling headphones.

What are Noise Cancelling Headphones?

Noise cancelling headphones fit into the new world of technology as a new way to listen to and truly enjoy the quality of music coming from you music source. The new technology has taken the world by storm, giving many people the opportunity to listen to their music without having to turn it all the way up in order to hear all of the subtleties that make it great.

The way they are able to create a crystal clear sound without you having to turn them up is by reducing the ambient (or acoustic) noise in the headset by the speakers. They placed a microphone near the ear that creates a sound wave called antinoise. The sound wave is said to have the opposite polarity of the sound wave that arrives as the microphone. This means, when they meet, they cancel other out; this is called phase cancellation. Once phase cancellation occurs, a new sound wave is produced called destructive interference. The original sound wave is then placed a higher volume than the new sound wave, which eliminates unwanted noise. The end result is a crisp quality of music that allows you to hear every aspect of sound placed in the song.

Noise cancelling headphones have become so popular than many are getting in on the action by creating unique styles, as well as making them available for more devices. So now, you can find these quality headphones at varying price ranges, in over-the-ear, on-the-ear, or even in-the-ear styles, and for everything from your stereo or computer to your handheld musical device.

Bluetooth

I'm sure by now you've heard about Bluetooth technology. You've probably seen the Bluetooth earpiece attached to someone's ear as they've walked down the street looking as though they're talking to themselves. The earpiece, however, is one of the many innovations that have come from the company that specializes in wireless, hands-free technology. In addition to earpieces for your cell phone, they create everything from wireless GPS systems that communicate to your laptop, technology that allows your computer and printer to read pictures from your cell phone, and even blood pressure monitors that can communicate your blood pressure readings to your doctor automatically.

One of their other innovations is the wireless headphone that communicates directly to your iPod, MP3 player or even home stereo through an adapter, or directly if the device is Bluetooth-enabled. And now, many stereo manufacturers are creating Bluetooth-enabled, noise cancelling headphones. So in addition to being able to wear your headphones while moving around your home independent of the device you are listening to, you can enjoy the great quality of noise cancellation too!

For iPods and MP3 Players

The good news is that you can find great noise cancelling headphones that will work well with your iPod or MP3 player. In addition to being able to find Bluetooth-enabled, wireless headphones, you can now get some that even work to create the crystal-clear sound you want straight from your handheld device. So now, if you want to travel with your iPod but don't like the sound quality coming from your complimentary earbuds, you can use your new headset with noise cancellation technology to truly enjoy your trip with the music you love.

Who Offers the Good Ones?

Of course, like everything else, once manufacturers see a good product being sold on the market, they make a point to get in on the action. Unfortunately, this practice may not work as a benefit to you because you may find noise cancellation packaging without the quality to go with it. So to help you out, I have listed a few products on the market that are said to be creating the sound quality they advertise.

Bose Quiet Comfort 2 - Apparently these noise cancelling headphones are all the rage in airline magazines because they provide so much of a distraction to those wanting to avoid the obnoxious sounds of jet engines and babies crying while in mid-flight. They are said to be one of the best headsets on the market (and for the 0 price tag, they darn well better be!). Reviewers say that these incredible headphones block out noise even if music is turned off, and when you do turn it on, the crystal-clear quality will suffer absolutely no interruptions.

Sony MDR-NC33 - These headphones are seen as a jewel among reviewers because they provide great cancellation quality in a small, lightweight package. They are lightweight because they come in the form of earbuds. These great phones are said to have great bass quality, a nice high-frequency clarity and, of course, the absence of ambient sound. One of the downfalls of them, however, is that they are said to have a little hiss, so for the 0 price tag, it is my suggestion that you check them out at your local electronics store before committing to a purchase.

The best way to learn more about noise cancelling headphones is to do your research. Because the good ones tend to be in the pricier range, you want to make sure you get exactly what you desire for the price you're paying. While I know the Internet is a great source for finding products on sale, I highly recommend you test some noise cancelling headphones out in person before buying them online. That way you won't be disappointed when you still have to turn the volume all the way up to hear the sound quality you desire.


What Can Noise Cancelling Headphones Do For You?

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