Initial introductory task 1

1. Initial
Introductory
Task 1
Niamh Hayes

2. General questions about
music magazines

3. 1.
What is a music magazine?
 Music magazines are a publication and
often have a niche market because they
are dedicated to a specific music culture
and genre of music for example rock or
country., They inform fans about artists
and upcoming gigs and music. Along with
keeping fans up to date with the latest
gossip.

4. 2.
What content would you
expect to find in a music
magazine?
 Music magazines will include images of many
different artists and events such as festivals or
concerts. There is usually a main image on the
front cover of the magazine which initiates who
the main artist is in that specific magazine. The
background and props used in an image can
illustrate a specific genre such as using graffiti,
which would link it to an urban music magazine.
 The magazine will also include images of CD and
album covers so readers know what to look for if
they are interested, tour dates, new up coming
artists and reviews.

5. 3.
What images would you expect to find in a music
magazine?
Image of artists ( often medium
close up ) and things to do with
music for example instruments
and the artists fashion.
Images of other magazines are
often featured on the front
cover to advertise future special
editions of the magazine.
Image of free posters included
in the magazine

6. Identify general characteristics/features that you would expect to
find in all music magazines.
 The font used in magazines is often plain and clear to read but for mast
heads and titles they are very bold and stand out to draw the readers
attention to the page. Magazines often use the same font in every
issue, this creates a house style and makes the magazine recognisable.
 Artist information is always included which is related to the main image,
supplementary images and cover lines. Competitions, adverts, CD’s,
and cross words are often found in magazines to entertain the reader.
 The magazine often has a house style which creates an identity for the
magazine and familiarity for the target audience.
 The main image (medium close up) often follows the magazine
conventions by using the rule of thirds which helps create a neatness to
the magazine and makes the main image look inviting . The main image
also uses direct address to automatically forms a connection with the
reader
 Issue number, date and barcodes are always on magazine covers as a
legal requirement. Pull quotes are commonly shown to interest the
reader about certain page topics.
 The magazine will include rule of thirds to make the magazine organised
and draw the reader to important parts on the magazine.
 The brand identity is clear on all magazine covers. It helps the readers
identify the magazine and makes the cover look professional.
.
4.

7. Questions about music
magazines front covers

8. 4 front covers

9. Identify the features they all have
1.
Mast head –
Rule of thirds-
Main cover line-
Bar code, issue
and date.
Header
or
footer
Puffs
Same font
used
throughout.
House style

10. Why are these features present? Why are they
important?
Mast head – covered by the artist because the
brand is popular and established.
Rule of thirds-
Key information grabs the readers attention while the
artist is the main focal point. Left thirds have the
important information which is visible when magazines
are stacked in shops.
Header or footer-
Informs the reader of what’s inside the magazine and
what that magazine is about, aimed at a certain
target audience.
House style-
Constant colour scheme used to keep the magazine
cover organised and appealing
Bar code, issue and date-
All must be included on magazines for the sales to be
registered, easily purchased in shops and studied by
students.
Main cover line-
The artists name is the main cover line because they
are the main feature which will attract readers.
Puffs-
Offer the readers freebies
.

11. Take one magazine and
explain why it is a certain
subgenre This magazine is based on classical
music genre. Its clear that the genre is
classical because it looks very
sophisticated and organised. The
main image is of a mature woman
holding a violin which emphasizes the
genre. Sarah Chang is also a well
known American classical violinist. The
colours involved on the cover (black
and red) are not directed to a
specific gender which makes the
target audience wide.
The footer of the magazine makes it
very clear its the ‘best selling classical
music magazine’ and the
subheadings also indicate the genre
by advertising ‘composures’.

12. Explain the target audience
 The target audience of the magazine is
fans of classical music however in this
issue it appears to be aimed more directly
towards Sarah Chang fans which
stereotypically could be female because
she's an iconic female role model in the
classical music industry. The font of the
text is quite formal which suggests the
target audience is mature adults.