How to Be Music Historian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 29, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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FAQ

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The blues has had a major influence on popular music throughout the 20th century. Its impact can be seen in genres such as jazz, rock and roll, and country. This is due to the fact that blues music was incredibly influential in the development of these genres.

Blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and B.B. King were all pioneers of the genre, as they developed and popularized the sound of electric blues. This sound was then adopted by rock and roll artists like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles, allowing the genre to reach a larger audience. Jazz was also heavily influenced by the blues, with artists such as Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane incorporating elements of the genre into their music.

Finally, country music has been greatly shaped by the blues, with artists such as Hank Williams and Willie Nelson taking inspiration from the form. As a result of its influence on so many genres, the blues has had an immense impact on modern music.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a music historian is to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Most positions require at least a Bachelor of Music degree, although some may require a Bachelor of Arts in music with a concentration in history.
Take Music History Courses. During your undergraduate studies, you should take courses that focus on the history of music and its various genres, including classical, jazz, and popular music. You should also take courses that focus on the development of musical theory, as well as classes in music appreciation and analysis.
Develop Research Skills. As a music historian, you will need to be able to conduct research in order to compile facts and draw conclusions about musical trends and artists throughout history. Developing strong research skills in your undergraduate years will help you prepare for the research-intensive nature of a career in music history.
Consider Graduate School. Some music historians pursue a graduate degree in music history in order to advance their career. A Master's degree in Music History can provide you with more in-depth knowledge of the subject as well as exposure to more advanced research methods.
Pursue Professional Opportunities. After completing your education, you can begin to pursue professional opportunities in music history. This may include working as a professor, performing research for a museum or library, writing about music for publications, or providing historical context for media projects such as films and television shows.

The music industry is constantly evolving, and it can be difficult for music historians to stay ahead and remain qualified. To do so, it is essential to stay up to date on the latest trends and technologies. This means regularly researching new developments in the industry, attending seminars and conferences, and engaging with industry professionals.

music historians must be proficient in various software programs, such as music notation software, audio editing, and video editing. They should also be familiar with the history of music, its genres, and the works of influential composers. Finally, music historians should be adept at conducting research and archiving knowledge about music in order to properly preserve its history and promote its future.

By equipping themselves with these skills and staying current on industry trends, music historians can ensure they remain qualified and stay ahead in their field.

You may want to check Chief Historian, Historical Geographer, and Historical Interpreter for alternative.

Job Description

Music Curator: Responsible for researching, collecting, and organizing musical works and recordings.
Music Archivist: Responsible for preserving, cataloging, and maintaining musical artifacts, recordings, and documents.
Music Critic: Writes reviews and critiques of musical performances and recordings.
Music Educator: Teaches music theory, composition, and performance to students of all ages.
Musicologist: Studies the history and evolution of music.
Music Producer: Compiles, mixes, and records music for album releases.
Music Historian: Documents the evolution of music through research and writing.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Extensive knowledge of music history and music theory.
Ability to research and analyze musical compositions and performances.
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Knowledge of computers and software related to music analysis, such as Sibelius, Finale, etc.
Ability to interpret musical notation and transcribe music.
Creativity in developing new ways to explore and explain music history.
Understanding of cultural and social contexts of music throughout history.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with other researchers.
Understanding of copyright law and other legal aspects related to music.
Knowledge of audio production, mixing and mastering techniques.

The ability to be a successful music historian is heavily reliant on the mastery of several important skills. First, one must possess a deep knowledge of music history and theory, as this allows them to accurately interpret and explain musical works. the ability to research and source relevant information is essential for the historian to accurately contextualize musical works.

Lastly, strong communication skills are necessary for the historian to effectively communicate their findings and conclusions to their audience. All of these skills must be developed and honed in order for a music historian to be successful in their craft.

Oral Historian, History Lecturer, and Historical Strategist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How did you first become interested in music history?
What is your favorite period of music history and why?
Describe a major milestone in music history that you find particularly interesting.
Are there any specific composers or musicians that you admire?
What do you think are the most important elements of music history to study?
What challenges have you encountered in researching music history?
How do you think technology has impacted music over the course of history?
What methods do you use when writing about music history?
What innovations have you made in the field of music history?
How have you incorporated your knowledge of music history into your current role?

Common Tools in Industry

Discogs. A music database and marketplace for buying and selling vinyl records, CDs, and other music-related merchandise. (eg: You can search for an artist on Discogs to find out what albums they've released).
MusicBrainz. An open source music encyclopedia that collects music metadata. (eg: You can search MusicBrainz to find out who produced a certain album).
Bandcamp. A digital music store and platform for musicians to upload their own music. (eg: You can listen to music on Bandcamp, or even download it if the artist has made it available).
Archive. org. A digital library of internet sites, text, audio and other media. (eg: You can listen to old recordings on Archive. org, or read historical texts about music).
Music Theory Software. Software used to help compose and analyze music. (eg: Finale is a popular music notation software that allows you to create and edit musical scores).
Digital Audio Workstations (DAW). Software used to record, edit, mix, and master audio. (eg: Pro Tools is a popular DAW used by many producers and engineers).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Musicological Society
American Federation of Musicians
National Association of Music Merchants
The Recording Academy
Music Publishers Association
International Association for the Study of Popular Music
International Music Council
Society for Ethnomusicology
Music Library Association
American Association of Independent Music

We also have Legal Historian, Numismatist Historian, and Ecclesiastical Historian jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Songwriting. The process of composing and recording a song for a specific purpose, typically for commercial release.
Music Theory. The study of the elements and structure of music, including scales, chords, intervals, tempo and rhythm.
Musical Notation. A system of symbols used to represent musical sounds and their relationships.
Music Production. The process of creating a piece of music from the arrangement of instruments, sound effects and other elements.
Musicology. The study of the history, culture, and performance of music in all its forms.
Aesthetics. The philosophical study of beauty, art and taste in music.
Performance Practice. The techniques used to perform a piece of music, including interpretation, ornamentation and improvisation.
Ethnomusicology. The study of the music of different cultures and its relationship to their societies.
Popular Music Studies. The study of popular music and its role in contemporary culture.
Music Technology. The use of technology to create and manipulate musical sounds and recordings.