A music critic listens to musical compositions and writes reviews about them.
It’s very easy to become a music critic, as long as you don’t expect to get paid for your efforts. The title of music critic for the staff of newspapers, television networks, radio stations, and virtually all forms of electronic media is rare and elusive. Most people who want to become music critics start and end their careers doing the service for free or reporting through their own blog or website.
Music critics often listen to new music while on the go.
However, for those who want to persevere, there are certain strategies and tactics that can increase your chances of becoming a music critic. While it doesn’t hurt to have a close relative who serves as a newspaper editor or network CEO, most would-be critics aren’t so lucky with their connections. This being the case, you must possess musical knowledge, musical talent, and the ability to network with reckless abandon. An exemplary and vivid writing style is also a must, as is the ability to not only set trends, but anticipate them before they happen. Last but not least, the music critic candidate must be mobile, willing to live in or relocate to a large metropolitan area with a vibrant music scene.
In terms of musical knowledge, the music critic looking for a large audience must have extensive knowledge of almost all forms of music. Being a niche critic is fine for blogging, but to become a mainstream music critic, you need to be equally comfortable writing about classical, country, hip hop, metal, rock, and maybe even Russian folk music. A reviewer is expected to have a strong opinion, but that opinion must be based on facts and technical knowledge. A degree or three in music theory, history, and performance technique is almost a must.
You don’t have to be a musician to become a music critic, but demonstrating proficiency in one or more instruments will add the credibility a successful critic demands. At a minimum, you should have a working knowledge of just about any musical instrument or performance style imaginable. To be sure, there are some music critics who can’t play a note and are nearly deaf. In most cases, these would be the lucky ones mentioned above, who have relatives residing in the corner office of brilliant media coverage.
Anyone who has ever dabbled in the media or music world will notice that the two are very tight-knit clubs. New members are filtered from the moment, but the inclusion standards are quite restrictive. If you want to become a music critic, you have to meet musicians, producers, composers and directors more than once in a while. If you become an accepted member of the cabal, recognized by publishers, publishers and network executives as part of the music scene, then your foot is in the door to become a music critic.