Becoming a music critic is difficult, with few paid positions available. To succeed, one must possess musical knowledge, talent, and a vivid writing style, as well as be well-versed in all forms of music and have connections within the industry. Playing an instrument adds credibility.
It’s pretty 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 newspapers, television networks, radio stations and virtually all forms of electronic media is rare and elusive. Most people who want to become a music critic start and end their career by doing the job for free or reporting through their own blog or website.
For those willing to persevere, however, there are certain strategies and tactics that can improve your chance of becoming a music critic. While it’s certainly not hard to have a close relative who serves as a newspaper editor or network CEO, most aspiring critics aren’t so lucky in their connections. That being the case, you must possess musical knowledge, musical talent, and the ability to interact with reckless abandon. An exemplary and vivid writing style is also a must, as is the ability to not only set trends, but to anticipate them before they occur. Last but not least, the music critic candidate must be mobile, willing to live in or move to a large metropolitan area with a vibrant music scene.
In terms of musical knowledge, the music critic looking for a wide audience must be extremely well versed in almost all forms of music. Being a niche critic is fine for blogging, but to become a music critic in mainstream media, you must be equally comfortable writing about classical, country, hip hop, metal, rock, and maybe even Russian folk music. A critic is expected to have a strong opinion, but that opinion must be supported by facts and technical knowledge. A degree or three in music theory, history and performance technique is almost mandatory.
You don’t have to be a musician to become a music critic, but exhibiting proficiency in one or more instruments will add the credibility a successful critic requires. At a minimum, you should have a working knowledge of almost any musical instrument or playing style imaginable. There are undoubtedly some music critics who can’t play a note and are borderline deaf. In most cases, these would be the lucky ones mentioned above who have relatives residing in the corner office of glossy media coverage.
Anyone who has ever been involved in the media or music business will realize that both are very close-knit clubs. New members are filtered out as of this moment, but the defaults for inclusion are quite restrictive. If you want to become a music critic, you must meet musicians, producers, composers and directors more than occasionally. If you become an accepted member of the clique, recognized by editors, publishers and network executives as part of the music scene, your foot is in the door to becoming a music critic.
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