To become a music journalist, the first step is to define what that term means. Many people consider themselves to be this type of journalist, but what they write about varies greatly. The music journalist differs from the music critic in that he or she writes in a more educated manner about the various types of music and the musicians who create it. To do this job well, people must have excellent writing skills as well as extensive knowledge of the musicians/music/genres about which they write.
One way to become a music journalist is to do so in a very informal manner. Those with good writing skills (or none) and a passion for music could start a blog and write about their favorite artists or genres. With a large following, the journalist can monetize the site with pay-per-click ads or sponsorships. Even good writers may not always get noticed using this method because the internet is already flooded with fan sites and music sites.
Others end up as music journalists almost by chance. They get a job with a newspaper or magazine after graduating with a degree in English, journalism, or communications, and are assigned to the music beat. Others look for jobs in local magazines or newspapers where they can cover music or lifestyle sections. They build a portfolio of good articles over time, which may help them find work in music-related publications.
A few people start working for a variety of professional online or print magazines devoted solely to various types of music. Writers in this position may write not only reviews, but also interviews, histories, comparative studies, and anything else the magazine deems worthy of publication. The more specialized the magazine, the more people may require intellectual knowledge, which may necessitate additional educational paths.
A person may become a music journalist if he or she is a talented musician who also writes well. Years of musical experience or degrees in music history, appreciation, or performance are all possibilities. Background and training vary greatly, but the more a publication is designed to appeal to experts, the more people who must possess expert knowledge are required.
Some of this information is gained through constant study and listening. It’s difficult to work as a music journalist if you don’t keep up with current research and new music. Whether a person reviews classical music or hard rock, he or she must be able to compare and critique all of the new developments in music. This means that good journalists are always conducting investigations and conducting research. To inform their work, they rely on other publications and artist productions.
Some journalists anticipate a lot of travel as well. They might need to see live performances on a regular basis, or they might do pieces about musicians or band members’ lives. Many of the best journalists live near urban areas where live music is either of high quality or readily available.