MUSIC JOURNALISM 101 Workshop Syllabus

Week 1: Transforming Sounds Into Words: Reviewing Albums and Songs

This week is all about feeling and describing music. Listening (how to really listen), brainstorming, refining. What is the tone of the music? How does it make you feel?

Week 2: Transforming Experiences Into Words: Reviewing Live Shows

Start the class by going over homework. This week we discuss observation. Use examples from great music writing. Observation is where you get a lot of colour - what details do you pick up on in a physical space or in an interview that add colour and texture to your writing? This extends to interviews, locations, and processes. Details create the human connection.

Week 3: How to Ask Great Questions: Interviews Pt.1

Types of questions! Who, where, when, what, why, how. Never asking close-ended questions or stacking questions. Where to place questions in an interview.

Research. How to research musicians, especially smaller ones. Research the genre of music, their influences, read read read.

Week 4: Follow the Conversation: Interviews Pt. 2

Finding a focus (using your research).

How to make a Q&A: set questions ahead of time, what you can and can’t change, shortening quotes etc.

Flexibility when you’re interviewing - follow the conversation, not just your notes!

Week 5: Capturing the Nuances of a Subject: Profiles and Features

The building blocks of an article: the focus, the lede, the interviews, the kicker

The differences between profiles and features.

Active writing (vs passive).

How to integrate interviews into your writing. MUSIC JOURNALISM 101 Workshop Syllabus

Week 6: Get Paid: The Business of Journalism

Pt 1 - How to Freelance

The basics of the pitch!

Try, try, try again.

How to address online hate

How to create your portfolio (e.g. Wordpress)

Guest speakers to speak to participants about their experience as a journalist, how to treat yourself as a business, what some challenges will be and how to overcome these

Pt 2 - Concert & Show Photography

DIY photography skills. How to use a grid, experiment with angles, different styles.

How to work with dim/dark lighting and busy crowds.

Quick tutorial of free editing apps (desktop and cellphone friendly).

Week 7: Get Creative: Make Your Own Zine!

Use your edited feature as the main piece in your zine. You can also use your review, your live show piece, your concert photography and your in-class interview to create it. We’ll be making it in class and students can continue it at home.

Week 8: Get Inspired: Wrap Up & Graduation

Print/photocopy, cut, and decorate your zine!

Wrap up the past eight weeks with a graduation ceremony