This presentation deals with some points on critiquing music.

1. Critiquing Music
Things you should know

2. Objectives
At the end of this tutorial, the student should:
▪ Explain the concept of Music Criticism
▪ Recognize the components of critiquing a composition or
performance
▪ Participate in a mock critique

3. The Role of the Music Critic
Musical criticism relates to the aesthetics outcomes of a piece of
music. It is concerned with making judgments about a composition or
performance.

4. Aspects of Music Criticism
Three aspect can be looked at when approaching a Music Criticism
Task.These include:
• Objective Criteria
• Interpretation

5. Objective Criteria
Objective criteria is based on how well the material in the score is
executed. Criteria includes:
• Correct pitches
• Correct rhythms (and clarity of meter)
• Correct articulation
• Correct dynamics
• Correct voicing (bringing out the most important voices)
• Proper harmonic pedaling, and following pedal marks (for piano performances)

6. Aspects of Interpretation
Interpretation is used to enhance the substance of the material in the
score. Criteria includes:
• Appropriate tempo and effective timing (however, often the composer gives an exact metronome
marking)
• Range of dynamics (depending on style of music)
• Tone (dark/bright, timbral shifts, etc.)
• Amount of pedal and use of soft pedal (for piano)
• Prominence of melody
• General articulation issues and very particular articulation differences (articulation, too, is not
always objective)
• General style (less subjective is whether the style is appropriate for the period)