Music Critics are employed by newspapers and blogs to interview musicians, review performances and albums, and sometimes cover music news. Although most publications have a few full-time Music Critics on staff, due to the increasing importance of music blogs, more and more critics work freelance.

Of a typical day on the job, Music Critic Nate Patrin says, “I freelance, so it’s a mix of things — listening to new albums as I get them, checking social media/blogs for info and leads on things people are talking about or just random stuff that seems interesting, pitching story ideas/reviews to editors, and doing the writing, research, and interview work itself.

“Even on the slowest days, I’m usually doing at least two or three of these things during working hours, which can be a few hours of the day or the majority of my waking hours depending on deadlines and workload.”

Since the job involves a lot of time behind the computer, day-to-day work can be solitary. As to people he works with, Patrin says, “I contact Publicists every so often, but the vast majority of my working relationships are with Editors.”

On average, Music Critics earn approximately $52,600 per year. The salary range for Music Critics runs from $10,000 to $221,000.

Although some staff Music Critics are salaried, most Critics are paid on an individual basis. “Most of the outlets I write for pay per article. When I started out in print it was more often on a per-word basis, but I think internet readership metrics have changed things enough that it’s a flat rate depending on the prominence and length of the article,” Patrin says.

Hey, what do you think about trying our new Music Career HelperMusic Career Helper really quick? It’s totally free and could help get your career moving fast! Give it a try. It’s totally free and you have nothing to lose.

Although some Music Critics work in offices, the majority work from home, so it can be isolating. As Patrin mentioned above, a Critic’s daily schedule varies depending on the workload from a few hours of writing a busy day where deadlines must be met. He says, “It can be pretty indoorsy, though part of the job can and will involve going out to live shows (often for free!) so that’s an incentive in itself.”

How To Get Started

So you want to be a music critic. Great! But how should you get started? Unlike with some careers, there is no one path to follow in this specific world. Ask 10 music journalists how they began their time in this industry and you’ll hear 10 different answers–and completely different ones at that. While this may be true, there are still best practices one can follow and previously utilized trajectories that others have stuck to successfully in the past. Here are some ideas that can get anyone started.

• Discover Your Love Of Music…And Listen To A Lot Of It

The journey of becoming a music critic often starts with a genuine passion for music. Explore different genres, artists, and styles to develop a broad understanding and appreciation for various musical expressions. Listen attentively, dissecting melodies, lyrics, and production techniques to deepen your understanding of music’s nuances and intricacies.

• Read A Lot

Immerse yourself in the world of music journalism by reading extensively. Explore reviews, interviews, and feature articles across a variety of publications, both online and in print. Pay attention to different writing styles, critical perspectives, and approaches to music analysis. By studying the work of established music critics, you can gain valuable insights into the craft and artistry of music journalism and criticism.

• Read About Criticism

Dive into literature on criticism to gain a deeper understanding of its principles and practices. Read books, articles, and essays that examine the role of criticism in the arts, the criteria for evaluating artistic works, and the ethical considerations inherent in the critic’s role. Analyze examples of exemplary criticism and learn from the shortcomings of less effective critiques to hone your own critical skills.

• Begin Writing For Yourself

Start honing your own writing skills by expressing your thoughts and opinions about music. Write reviews, reflections, or analyses of songs, albums, or concerts for your own enjoyment. Share your writing with trusted individuals, such as teachers, friends, or mentors, and solicit feedback to refine your writing style and critical insights.

• Publish Your Writing

Take the leap from writing for yourself to sharing your work with a broader audience. Consider publishing your music reviews or articles in your school newspaper, online platforms, or after starting a personal blog. Embrace the opportunity to reach readers beyond your immediate circle and receive feedback from a diverse audience. Establishing a platform for your writing sets the stage for building your reputation as a music critic.

• Find Publications That Will Publish You

Now’s when things start to become professional. Explore opportunities to contribute to established publications that align with your interests and values. Seek out small blogs, local music magazines, or student newspapers that welcome submissions from aspiring writers and critics. Pitch ideas, submit writing samples, and demonstrate your passion and expertise in music to editors and publishers. Getting your foot in the door of these outlets provides valuable experience and exposure as you begin your journey as a music critic, and it allows you to go on to write for much larger media brands later on.

• Make A Portfolio

As you accumulate published work, compile a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your writing samples and published articles. Organize your portfolio by category, publication, or date to present a cohesive and professional body of work. Make a website to showcase what you’ve written, focusing on your top stories and interviews at well-known outlets.

Your portfolio serves as a testament to your writing abilities, critical insights, and contributions to the field of music journalism. Use it to showcase your skills when applying for future writing opportunities or pursuing freelance gigs in the industry. Make it easy to find and easy to read–and don’t forget to put your contact info where everyone can locate it!

Relationships

Navigating the landscape of music journalism and criticism hinges on cultivating meaningful relationships within the industry. From editors who shape your narrative to bands and artists who provide exclusive insights, these connections are the lifeblood of a music journalist’s career. Along your way into this field, you’ll meet many kinds of people–and these will be the most important to you and your career.

• Editors

Editors play a crucial role in a music journalist’s career, providing guidance, feedback, and opportunities for publication. They’re probably your most important contact, and maintaining these relationships is more important than perhaps any other.

Building a strong relationship with editors at the publications where you write–or want to write–involves effective communication, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality work that aligns with the outlet’s standards and audience preferences. Cultivating trust and rapport with editors opens doors to assignments, collaborations, and career advancement in the competitive world of music journalism.

• Bands and Artists

Developing relationships with bands and artists allows music journalists to access exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and firsthand experiences that enrich their coverage. Building a connection with artists involves respecting their creative process, maintaining professionalism, and demonstrating genuine interest and enthusiasm for their work. The more musicians like you, the better your interviews will be. This can be what separates one music critic from another.

• Publicists

Publicists serve as valuable liaisons between music journalists and the artists, helping facilitate interviews, coordinate press coverage, and provide access to promotional materials and events. Sometimes this is a terse connection, but it’s an unavoidable one, and one that must be watched and treated carefully.

Establishing positive relationships with publicists involves constant communication, mutual respect, and professionalism in all interactions. Cultivating trust and reliability with publicists enhances a journalist’s access to opportunities, resources, and valuable content within the music industry.

• Managers

An artist’s manager plays a pivotal role in representing and advocating for their client’s interests, making them key allies for music journalists seeking access to interviews, events, and promotional opportunities. Building relationships with managers–usually alongside publicists–requires professionalism, integrity, and sometimes a bit of pushback to negotiate mutually beneficial arrangements. Strong relationships with managers can open doors to exclusive access, insider insights, and collaborative opportunities.

• Other Journalists

Networking and collaborating with fellow journalists is essential for staying informed, sharing resources, and building camaraderie within the music criticism community. Establishing relationships with other journalists could involve attending industry events, participating in forums and social media groups, and engaging in meaningful conversations about music and journalism. You’ll want to be open and helpful to these people, as they may one day help you find work.

• Critics Associations

Joining critics associations provides music journalists with access to professional development opportunities, networking events, and resources for advancing their careers. Building relationships within critics associations means active participation, contributing to discussions and initiatives, and fostering a sense of community among members. Membership in critics associations enhances a journalist’s credibility, visibility, and opportunities for recognition and collaboration within the wider music journalism community.

Advancement for a Music Critic would mean getting hired by more prestigious, well-known and better-paying publications. Freelance work could turn into a salaried position at a newspaper or blog.

Patrin says, “Prospects for advancement seem to shift every few years as the music writing market expands and contracts and changes focus; starting out doing reviews and moving on to working on larger features, opinion pieces, interviews, profiles, etcetera still seems to be the order of the day.”

Most Critics start from the bottom, often working for free to gain experience and build up their writing portfolio. This can mean starting your own blog or working for another blog that only uses volunteer writers. With enough of your own press clips, you apply for jobs at paying publications or pitch article ideas to editors.

Patrin says, “It’s a cycle of working and pitching. Work for yourself, reach out to peers, work some more, pitch to an outlet, work for the outlet, pitch to additional outlets, build a portfolio. “

It’s important to expand your knowledge base and build your writing portfolio before you search for a paid job.

Aspiring Music Critics should:

• Network with other Music Journalists and Music Historians.
• Listen to lots of music and read lots of music criticism.
• Start your own blog or become a volunteer writer at a blog so you can build your writing portfolio.

The experience and skills needed to land a gig as a Music Critic are connected to the writing and researching skills that should be part of a Critic’s training. Patrin advises aspiring Music Critics to “network with folks, write honestly and for enthusiasm’s sake, listen, explore, fall into Discogs.com holes the way other people get lost inside Wikipedia for hours at a time.

“I got started at the end of the ’90s when the internet was still something of a secondary market for writing, but I imagine it’s not much difference now: reach out to people, and show you’re passionate about something. It helps if you’re coming at things from a perspective that isn’t always front-and-center in music criticism; we need more writers who have as little as possible in common with the Lester Bangs demographic.”

Working as a Music Critic can demand a lot of solitary hours, a thick skin, and late nights spent at shows. So, who’s right for this kind of work? Patrin says, “Someone who’s both very opinionated and very willing to question their own opinions.

“You might wind up interrogating yourself fairly often in the process of figuring out why you might like or dislike something, and you have to approach it in a way that keeps you out of an ‘I’m the center of the universe’ sort of headspace. You also have to be nonchalant about reader praise and twice as much about reader insults, though you should also be open to constructive criticism — grateful when it’s positive; reflective when it’s negative.

“It can be hard, and you can and will screw up in public, sometimes to a chorus of detractors. So long as you can figure out when detractors have a point and when they’re just being reactionaries, you can go from there.”

Skills You Need

Embarking on a journey to become a music journalist entails more than just a love for melodies and lyrics. It’s about mastering a set of fundamental skills that form the backbone of this profession. From crafting compelling narratives to digging deep into research and conducting insightful interviews, these basic skills are the building blocks of a successful career in music journalism.

Whether you’re penning album reviews, interviewing artists, or covering live events, honing these foundational skills will not only enhance your writing, but also enrich your understanding of music and its cultural significance. Don’t skimp on any of these–but also be aware that you’ll acquire and better many of these traits along the way.

• Exceptional Writing Skills

A music journalist must possess exceptional writing skills to craft compelling narratives, insightful reviews, and engaging interviews that captivate readers. This is the No. 1 skill you must have–and it’s also one that can never be fully mastered–just ask any music critic.

This includes the ability to convey complex musical concepts and industry insights in a clear and engaging manner. Whether it’s conveying the emotional depth of a live performance or analyzing the cultural significance of a new album release, a music journalist’s writing should resonate with readers, being approachable, while simultaneously elevated.

• Research Aptitude

Strong research skills are essential for music journalists to uncover compelling stories, fact-check information, and provide accurate reporting. This includes the ability to gather information from a variety of sources, critically evaluate sources for credibility, and synthesize data into coherent and interesting articles. Whether it’s delving into the backstory of a rising indie band or investigating the impact of streaming services on the music industry, thorough research lays the foundation for impactful journalism and criticism.

• Networking Abilities

Music journalists and critics need to be able to cultivate relationships within the music industry. This is done through networking, which can be done in-person or online these days. Building connections with artists, record labels, promoters, and other industry professionals can provide journalists with access to exclusive content, interviews, and insights that enhance their reporting. By establishing trust and rapport within the industry, music journalists can gain valuable insider perspectives and uncover untold stories.

• Passion for Music

A genuine passion for music is fundamental for music journalists. This passion drives journalists to seek out new music, explore different genres, and stay engaged with the industry. It also informs their writing, allowing them to convey the excitement and emotion of music to their audience. Passion fuels creativity and dedication, inspiring music journalists to produce meaningful and impactful work–just like the musicians they write about.

• Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills are essential for music journalists to analyze and evaluate music and industry trends. They must possess the ability to critically assess the quality and significance of music, identify what’s coming next, and offer insightful commentary and analysis to their audience. Music critics must be able to approach their subject matter with a discerning eye, separating hype from substance and providing valuable insights.

• Time Management

This one isn’t just for music critics, but it certainly helps!

Effective time management is crucial for music journalists who often juggle multiple projects. This includes the ability to prioritize tasks, meet those deadlines, and balance the demands of research, writing, and possibly multimedia production. Music critics must be adept at managing their time efficiently, allocating resources effectively, and staying organized amidst the fast-paced nature of the business.

• Adaptability

Again, this isn’t specific to music journalists and critics, but it’s applicable to this world. Adaptability is key for music journalists who work in a fast-paced industry–and that’s certainly what music has become. They must have the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies, platforms, and trends, as well as to navigate unexpected challenges and changes in the industry landscape.

Music journalists must be flexible and open-minded, embracing innovation and experimentation in their approach to storytelling and content creation. They must dive in headfirst and not be afraid to get things wrong as they learn valuable skills.

• Attention to Detail

All great critics and journalists must have an attention to detail in order to ensure accuracy and quality in their reporting. This includes meticulous fact-checking, thorough research, and careful editing to eliminate errors and inconsistencies in their work. Music journalists must pay close attention to the details of their subject matter, from the technical aspects of music production to the nuances of an artist’s creative process.

• Interviewing Skills

Strong interviewing skills are a must for music journalists to conduct insightful and engaging interviews with artists, industry professionals, and other sources. If this is something an upstart writer doesn’t have just yet, they should work on it by practicing and studying what others do so well.

This includes the ability to ask thoughtful questions, actively listen to responses, and follow up on interesting leads and insights. Music journalists must be adept at building rapport with their subjects, putting them at ease, and eliciting candid and compelling responses that provide valuable insights and perspectives.

• Ethical Standards

Every journalist or critic, no matter their field of expertise, must have the utmost ethical standards. They need these in order to maintain the trust and credibility of their readers. They have to, at all times, adhere to principles of accuracy, fairness, and transparency in their reporting, as well as respecting the rights and privacy of sources and subjects.

Other Skills You May Want

As a music critic, you’ll of course need to know how to write well. Research, critical thinking, editing, and many other skills mentioned above are important, but in the ever-evolving industry that is media–especially when focused on music–there are many other items that may be helpful when it comes to landing, and then keeping, a career. Music writers don’t need to possess all of these skills, but one or two of them would be a huge bonus.

• Photoshop and Graphic Design

In today’s multimedia-driven landscape, having skills in Photoshop–and more generally in graphic design and photo editing–can significantly enhance your content. Whether you’re creating promotional materials, designing visuals for articles, or editing images for social media, proficiency in graphic design allows you to add a professional touch to your work and make it visually appealing to your audience.

• Video Editing

With the rise of video content consumption, video editing skills are becoming increasingly valuable for music journalists. Being able to edit and produce high-quality videos allows you to create engaging content such as artist interviews, event coverage, and behind-the-scenes footage, expanding your reach and connecting with audiences on a deeper level.

• On-Camera Speaking and Hosting

As the demand for multimedia content grows, being comfortable in front of the camera can open up new opportunities for music critics. Whether it’s hosting video interviews, presenting live coverage of events, or delivering on-camera reports, honing your on-camera speaking skills enables you to effectively communicate with your audience and establish a strong on-screen presence.

If you become very good at this, you may end up appearing on TV as a talking head in interviews about music and the music industry. This is not only fun, it helps raise your profile as a well-known commentator in the business.

• SEO Optimization Knowledge

Understanding the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) can be crucial when it comes to ensuring that your content reaches a wider audience online. By incorporating SEO best practices into your writing and content creation, you can improve your visibility in search engine results, attract more readers to your articles, and increase your overall impact as a music journalist.

• Basic Coding

While not always necessary, having basic coding knowledge can be helpful for customizing your online presence and optimizing your content for digital platforms. Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and content management systems (CMS) allows you to make small adjustments to your website, format articles more effectively, and troubleshoot technical issues as they arise. If you’re just starting out, learning coding can be useful when creating your own blog, if that’s a route you want to take.

• Social Media Research and Platform Familiarity

Social media plays a vital role in modern journalism, offering valuable insights and opportunities for engagement. Understanding how platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit work, as well as staying updated on emerging trends and features, allows you to effectively leverage social media to promote your content, connect with your audience, and stay informed about industry news and discussions.

• Analytics Tools

Analytics tools such as Google Analytics, social media insights, and email marketing platforms provide valuable data and insights into the performance of your content. Understanding how to interpret analytics data, track key metrics, and identify trends can help you optimize your content strategy, measure your success, and make informed decisions to grow your audience and engagement as a music journalist.

• Podcasting

Podcasting has become an increasingly popular medium for music journalists to share their insights, interviews, and commentary with their audience. Understanding the technical aspects of podcast production, as well as storytelling techniques, interview skills, and distribution strategies, can help you create engaging and successful podcasts that resonate with your audience and establish you as a trusted voice in the music community. It may also one day allow you to make some extra money via advertising.

Many Music Critics major in Journalism or English in college, but a degree is not required for this position. The biggest training required is frequent writing practice and reading quality music criticism to see how the pros do it.

Patrin says, “I didn’t go to journalism school or even have a significant college education, so the way I managed to get educated — and this seems even more applicable now with social media and easily accessible music — is to listen to a ton of music, read writing about that music, reach out to the people writing about that music, and basically do as much work as you can to find your voice and work out your ideas.

“Maybe that means blogging for free for a while, but whatever gets you in the spirit and mode of writing on a regular basis.”

As mentioned before, networking is important to get Music Critic jobs. Patrin says, “I subscribe to the Freelancers Union newsletter and keep tabs on what they’ve got to say as far as work/life advice. I also make it a point to try and hit the EMP Pop Conference as often as possible; it’s a great way to both network and learn.”

Because news never stops happening, it’s vital for Music Critics to stay informed. It’s also important to keep reading quality writing, not to mention that if you read a website regularly, you’ll be more likely to know when and if they’re hiring.

Patrin says, “Most music websites have links and info on their writers’ social media pages, so follow a bunch of writers you like on Twitter for starters.

“What sites to follow depends on what your tastes and interests are, and fortunately it feels right now like there are enough distinct voices between Pitchfork, Stereogum, Fader, Complex, Spin, Rolling Stone, Metalsucks, Resident Advisor, Paste, Flavorwire, and whatever other sites there are that might aim towards a certain taste and sensibility.”