Reader Profile

Folk music facts 

Folk music entertains, tells or supports a story, and is transmitted from generation to generation. It is the music of the common person as well as the wealthy. A significant number of American ballads were obtained from other societies such as Scotland, Ireland, Germany, England, and Wales  and the words were altered to fit the interpretation of the singer. Most often, the songs were obtained through oral tradition, rather than in written form, and the singer was left with the task of interpreting the meaning of the lyrics on the basis of his or her cultural milieu.


 Examples of Folk music magazines 

Advertisements in magazines


Many magazines use advertisements to capture different genders of the audiences attention. ( Even though its a music magazine). For example this advertisement is used to  captivate a younger, female audience into reading this magazine. The advertisement is promoting 'Maybelline' make up products, in this case lipstick. People stereotype young women/female teens into having an obsession with make up therefore this why this advertisement is appropriate to use to captivate women's attention. Besides the actual product of the advertisement we can see that the colours that are used in this advertisement also are stereotyped with femininity. The main colour used is this advertisement is pink; pink is connoted with romance, sweet things i.e. candy or sweets or it can be seen as a colour that resembles innocence or childlike. The main focus of this image is the lipstick we can imply this from the way the angle work from the camera. They have taken an image that is shot from above so that it look like we are looking down on the collection of 'pink' shades of lipsticks. The advertisement states 'High shine' which implies that if we were to wear this make of lipstick then our lips would look shiny-  this is what makes people buy the magazine so that they find out more about this product and then buy it. The model in this image is used as an example of what we would ' supposedly' look like if we were to wear this lipstick.which also helps to sell the magazine as we immediately think that we will look like this image of the airbrushed model.


This advertisement is used to get men interested in the magazine. This advertisement is clearly for promoting the product of a body fragrance/ aftershave. This image has been taken as a ' over the shoulder shot' from the young woman on the left hand side of the camera angle. The young man is the main focus of the image; the young man is wearing a smug look across his face with a victorious smirk with the statement of the bottom of the page that states that ' it's more than just a bottle'. Leads us as the reader to believe that if we wear this aftershave/fragrance then we will be desirable to the opposite gender like these two people in the advertisement are. The way that this couple appear attached to each leads us to believe the same will happen it also implies that the whole purpose of their attraction to one another is because of this product.The colours used of advertisement are bold bright and seen as magical; gold/dark yellow connotes mystery and power, purple also connotes mystery but it also appears bold and magical it is used easily to get a point across.What is also eye catching about this advert is that the name of the product which is 'escape'. This adds irony to the advertisement of the product because it suggests that by wearing this body scent, that you will be so desirable that no one will be able to 'escape' the temptation of you. It appears to be more reliable to the reader because someone famous is help advertise this product which implies that as the reader that we will be desirable like 'Alex Penna' or for the female audience; that we will be able to attract people like 'Alex Penna'. 




Overall advertisements in magazines are used to capture the target audience attention despite what type of magazine it is they are trying to sell. If it is a magazine aimed more at women then they use advertisements to do with make up or perfumes or a new clothing range/style. Even better they use seductive pictures or male actors or singers etc. such as Robert Pattison or David Beckham.For men they use hair gels,  body fragrances  or provocative pictures of women to capture men's attention. This helps the magazine to sell their issues by advertising other things that take people's interests. 

Conventions analysis #3

Rock genre music magazine cover

I like this music cover because it clearly labels what the magazine is about from the masthead title piece which states ' Vintage Rock' in  bold and vintage font of writing. Also the colours used in this magazine cover are purely black and white which makes the reader think of vintage styles. Also Black and white settings can be used to make music artists look more older in the time setting and therefore make them look more experienced and professional. The skyline of this magazine cover sells more exclusive offers to the magazine in stories which this magazine includes inside of it. The vintage style of this magazine sets well with the main image of this magazine cover which is of the famous Rock star Elvis Presley.  Elvis is well know for setting a vintage era during the 50's and 60's. This becomes obvious to the reader of this time era as one of the feature stories near the top right hand corner states 'The Class of 55' which is when vintage rock and roll was starting to become trendy and still is to this day. The main feature story is printed in a bold font next to Elvis' name in which both his names are in different colours. ' Elvis' is printed in a bright pink colour and 'Presley' in a bright green colour. Both of which colours connote young free minded-spirituality which is often stereotyped with Rock and Roll  (vintage) music. The structured layout of the magazine cover allows us to see the main image of Elvis clearly and the rest of the feature stories and tucked neatly to the sides of the magazine cover. Aldo what I like about the layout of this magazine is the way that they have highlighted all of the things that's important to capture the readers attention are highlight in bold fonts in bright pink or green for an example ' Elvis Presley' and the border of the barcode where the date, price and issue number of the magazine are as well. All of these are important for the magazine cover because the date, issue number and etc. tell us when the magazine is issued and how much it is and so on, so forth. Elvis' name is important because he is featured in the main story/big sell of the magazine.

Rock music contents page of a magazine

The structured layout of this magazine allows us to the contents/feature stories of this magazine. For the title of the contents page they have used the title of the well known (famous) band the 'Rolling Stones'. This captures the attention of the reader because the name of band creates recognition and intrigues the reader to read about this band etc.etc. Again for the image of this rock music genre magazine they have used a black white background setting/editing. Which again creates the sense of professionalism and experience. This contents page has its contents structure on the far right hand side of the magazine and 3/4 of the page is used for a image of the band (the Rolling Stones) who are in the main feature story.  Below the image of the Rolling Stones there is a teaser/plug which entices the reader with an invitation to read about 'exclusive interviews' with the band. Also on the right hand side below the column  of the contents of the magazine is another plug/teaser which is promoting an opportunity for the reader to win something for free or to read something for a certain price of the magazine.

 Double page spread of a Rock music genre magazine

I  like the layout of this double page spread as it straight away we can tell that this article is going to be happier/ more positive than other articles because the main image is of 'Pink' the famous music artist smiling and looking cheery. The pull quotes of the double page spread is at the right hand corner of the page of her picture. The title of this double page spread states 'Cash for Questions' which suggests that they have paid Pink to reveal her secrets for public display through media informs such as magazine. Or it may be the opposite way round where Pink is paid to answer questions from the public - and this is displayed through forms of media such as magazine articles. The image of Pink is what really captivates the target audience as it gives the vibe of positivity. People know that Pink has been through a lot with her husband, drinking problems and having a child therefore this article may be about her life improving and her finally appreciating things in her life. This helps to advertise the magazine more as it isn't all about depressing facts and may well be about happy facts.

Genre research

Genre of music; Folk

Some images of  existing folk music magazines;

  This magazine is based on a particular type of folk music which happens to be Irish folk music. Folk music varies across the world and is often based on traditional music and ways of making this music. I like the way thy have stereotyped this woman into the imagery of the 'traditional irish scheme' which is of lepricorns and people with natural ginger hair. Also the magazine has labelled its articles in irish which links in really well with the traditional Irish setting.

This folk magazine is called 'R2'. I like this magazine as it shows that this magazine is all about folk music an isn't trying to cover it by using a bold  masthead. This magazine gives an unsual atmosphere to go with the genre of music; the magazine's title is ' R2' which sounds like a modern type of name for something robotic. When people see R2 people think of the robot from, the sci-fi film Star wars. What is also unsualis the font and style they have put the masthead in on this magazine cover. They have used a large white font with a robotic style about it. This dennotes that this magazine is modern and is for a younger target audience

This magazine is a well known Folk genre music magazine. It is based in America and looks at american types of folk music and artists.In this magazine they have used a young artist who appears to be called 'Sam Lee' the way that this magazine have presented him makes him appear as attractive especially the way that they have set the image. The image layout of this front cover makes 'Sam Lee' stand out of the light which makes him appear more attractive because the lowered light gives of a sense of romance to the audience. this again sells the idea of trying to entice the reader to read this magazine through the theory of attractiveness and seductiveness.

The history of Folk music

The term Folk music came from England, where they took the German word “volk”, meaning people, and applied it to mean the common people of England, the illiterate peasants who passed on stories and legends through song as they were unable to publish books. It is generally considered to be an expression of life in the communities in which the music was developed and is a great help to historians in discovering the way of life of a people. The term has been used since the 19th century, but Folk music has existed for hundreds, if not thousands of years.
Folk music was relatively popular at the beginning of the Romantic period. Josef Haydn and Beethoven were two famous composers who made arrangements of Folk music. Many also composed traditional Folk dances which were virtually indistinguishable from the dances and songs sung by the common people. In recent times, however, Folk music did not have its revival until the 20th century. It is believed that the first Folk music festival took place in 1928, in Asheville, Carolina.

Through the 30s and the 40s Folk music continued to rise in popularity. Stars like Jimmy Rodgers in the 30s and Burl Ives in the 40s helped to bring the genre to its peak in the 1950s, with the most popular groups and singers being The Weavers, Harry Belafonte and the Kingston Trio. Their style was an attempt to honour and reproduce the Folk music of the past. This style was popular until the mid-late sixties, when “folk rock” became popular and the Beatles mania swept the world.
In the 60s, the term “protest music” became popular, in which Folk music singers sang against the ideals of capitalism and the war in Vietnam, and in favour of movements such as the American Civil Rights Movement. Certain people call this type of music “antifolk” based on the idea that liberal politics reduces the importance of ethnicity, which is an essential part of Folk music, and that thus protest music is the opposite of true Folk music.

By 1975, the Folk music revival had mostly died out, and was not rejuvenated until the late 1990s, though that revival was to a much lesser extent than the previous one. Throughout the 70s and 80s, popular bands nonetheless took elements from Folk music, and today all over the world there are Folk music clubs and festivals. England’s Cambridge Folk Music Festival sells out in a couple of days, and Port Fairy Folk Music Festival in Australia is incredibly popular as well.
Folk music, while not in a peak revival stage, is still very popular today, and given as it has already progressed hundreds of years, it is not likely to be a form of music we will see disappear anytime in the near future.

Some videos of Folk music from across the world

Scottish folk music;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSmXMMc28yw&list=RDZSmXMMc28yw#&hd=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F97M-UOiP8g&index=11&list=RD_3xeTpgLP5o

 

Irish folk music;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBATrLRWySg&list=RD2Z_TheGgFWI&index=2

Italian folk music;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73qQc6Ywd40&index=10&list=RDw90aCHVyMx8

Danish folk music;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3cT3aTeZb4

 

Russian folk music;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylEctxnIrNA&list=PL85DF60467BEBCC7B&index=40

 

Different genre's of folk music

Romantic;

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2DKkL7UEis

 

Sad;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFECO5avIZM

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw8W6hYGZ0E

 

happy/upbeat/celebratory songs;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVbJ1sEe9lE&list=PLE6DB5E70E7CDC194&index=6

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKnZgDyS38g&list=RD-_SzvNt4TpI&index=4

 

Conventions analysis #2

Front cover of an Indie music genre magazine

Contents page of an Indie music genre magazine 

Double page spread of an Indie music genre magazine 

Conventions analysis #1

Front cover

'I like the font size and style of the Masthead because they have used a bold colour that stands out form the contrast of the dark background. The title of the magazine is called 'ACCORD' which we can read clearly because of the  large sized writing and how the title is all in captial letters. For the rest of the writing on the magazine such as the features stories have all used the same font style and colour. The Barcode, price and date are all directly under the masthead title piece so that the reader can see clearly how much the magazine is and when this magazine was produced and what issue it is. The logo of the 'BBC' is directly above the the feature story which tells us who funds/sponsors the 'Folk awards'. I have picked the folk music genre because it gives of a calming sensation to the audience with their traditional sounding music.I like the background to the main image as it shows the reader that the magazine has a traditional setting and there is nothing too heavy such as rock music or heavy metal. The main image is a central image of a  girl who is staring directly away from the camera, the image is set in some kind of a enclosed wooded area which comes across as natural to the reader which is what a lot of people think of when they here traditional folk music. Folk music can make you think of different things when you listen to it such as when listening to upbeat Russian folk music or Eastern- European music you think of their traditional fast dancing. If you listen to Scottish or Irish folk music you think of their dancing or of the highlands and beautiful landscapes of  both of these places. English folk music makes you think of relaxed natural places such as forests or beautiful lake districts. The main feature story consists of a girl called 'Malisa Hays' who the reader interprets is the girl on the front cover the magazine,'Malisa Hays' name is used in a different font size and colour to the rest of the feature stories and masthead. I like this about the magazine as it shows the reader what the magazine's main feature is about; it is about Malisa who we interpret to be a folk-music producer or singer or band member. She is obviously quite a popular known-figure to people who like this genre of music therefore she is used to capture/grab the reader's attention in the front cover the magazine. The plug links in well with what the magazine is advertising; the plug offers 'free festival tickets' which assumes to be the folks-festival which the BBC are advertising in this magazine. The footer of the front cover to the magazine sells the special news/features in this magazine as it states the opportunity to enter ' the ultimate singer-songwriter competition' which entices reader to read the magazine more as they have a chance to win a competition to do with folks-music. The audience that this appeals to could vary form anyone in their late teens to their 80's this is the thing I like about folk music it appeals to anyone at any age it doesn't have a targeted audience. For example Pop-music is aimed for those of the younger generation, classical/jazz or the blues is aimed for the older generation, R&B is for slow-dancing-romanced-couples but folk music can be for anyone, anywhere.

I like the style of layout on this contents page for a folk-music magazine.The colours stand out, they are symbolized with nature and tradition. The listing of the stories shows the reader clearly where they can find these stories. Also it include some of the titles of bands that the magazine includes in its articles such as ' Mumford and Sons and Noah and the Whale' hwich intises the reader to these articles are they are acknowledging the band names before turning to that page.The layout of the overall contents page is in a coloumn sturcture which makes it easier for us to find what articles we want to read about in this magazine. The font size of the writing varies, for the title which is labelled 'Contents Page' is in a large font size with a bold dark colour that contrasts against the light green back ground colour to the title piece. The image of the editor  is in the bottom-center of the page, the image fits in well with the background colours of  the magazine which are green and brown, these colours are often connoted with late, autumn time which is well linked in with the image of the editor as she is dressed for what looks like around autumn time and the background of the image is of a wooded area which is again is denoted with different shades of greens and browns. What I also like about the layout of this contents page is the sub-heading which states 'This month's going on' which tell us that this is a monthly produced magazine and what this magazine advertises/advises for people to see in gigs/concerts in the upcoming month such as 'Mumford and Sons' etc. etc.

I like the layout of this double page spread as it shows clearly the pull quote and main feature title so that the reader can see what this article is about, what I like in particular about this pull quote is that it isn't depressing like most magazine articles are. At the bottom of the right hand side page below the image of the guy it says 'I might not be Bod Dylan but it's going to be GOOD. Trust me'. This tells us that this mean feature story had a positive outcome for this person, The layout of the magazine allows us to see the text of the clearly which is in columns, directly underneath questions that have been asked in the interview with this person. The colour's used in this double page spread is a dark red for the back ground colour of the article, the red colour conotes passion and desire which may replicate this persons passion for being a musician or it is to promote him more. In such a way that grabs the attention of readers as he may be seen as sexy or desirable.For the main image of this man he is just wearing a casual outfit which but the way in which the image is edited into a black and white background style makes him look more professional as we can see the outlines of his face in definition from the contrast of the lighting and darkness of the image.The page numbers are in a smaller font of writing on the bottom of both pages as we cannot see them  as well as the rest of the writing of the magazine but we can see them to just be able to acknowledge what page we are on. The Standfirst grabs the readers attention as it states in a bold clear font 'A change is as good as the rest, why not change up the sound?' This sells the article with irony as it states at the end of the Standfirst it says ' change up the sound' is this ironic because most people say 'turn up the sound' whereas folk music (the topic of this magazine) is normally seen as quite a change from what people would call 'normal music' which consists of pop music, rock and heavy metal. Also where it says 'up' in the Standfirst quote this is also ironic because folk music is normally quite upbeat and fast whereas pop music has a rhythm and a tune to go whcich is quite popular and well known. Whereas folk music isn't always a popular choice which is why the Standfirst quote is handy when it says 'A change is as good as the rest' this is where the magazine is promoting the change of music type which would be Folk music in this case. Everyone always says' a change is good for you' this is where the magazine is making it obvious and that maybe changing the type of music you listen to will be better for you. This is why I like the Standfirst quote as it very cleverly used to grab the audience's attention. 

Main Brief

To design a front cover, contents and double page spread of a new magazine. All images and text used must be original, a minimum of four images must be used.