Does one need a bachelors in music to become a music critic?

Question:I love music and I do not have experience in music as far as work goes. I was told that since I appreciate all kinds of music, I would be good at being a music critic.

The only thing is, I am in my senior year at University of Redlands-School of Business. I have very little training in music and I can't play an instrument (at least, not yet).

I have a few classes in music- fundamentals of music and appreciation of music (Jazz, Classical, Rock etc).

Does a music critic need to have good writing skills or is it more verbal communication skills?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I love music and I do not have experience in music as far as work goes. I was told that since I appreciate all kinds of music, I would be good at being a music critic.

The only thing is, I am in my senior year at University of Redlands-School of Business. I have very little training in music and I can't play an instrument (at least, not yet).

I have a few classes in music- fundamentals of music and appreciation of music (Jazz, Classical, Rock etc).

Does a music critic need to have good writing skills or is it more verbal communication skills?

To your main question--hell no! In fact, most music critics obviously know nothing about it--they couldn't get onstage and do a tune to save their lives!

My advice would be to earn a degree in journalism from any college program accredited by the ACEJMC (link below). Then you can start your career as a journalist doing whatever you can get paid to do--sports, wedding announcements, school board meetings, obits. Eventually you work your way into writing some music reviews, and then you can build your future.

Any critic has to have very good writing skills as well as verbal skills, in the event he performs in the speech media. To be a music critic it stands to reason that the person must have an infinite love and understanding of music and the gift of distinguishing good from bad. They have to be familiar with the classics, jazz, swing, rock, country and western to do a proper jpb.

I would think so! its a bit hypocritical to critic music when you don't know about general music!

No, because critics offer opinions, and you don't need a degree to offer an opinion. Art is subjective, unlike science.

Both verbal and writing skills are needed; you might wind up on t.v.