10 Minute Questions

Music Programming

1. What is 'Music Programming'?
   Music Programming is a form of music production where you use electronic devices to generate music. This is done in nearly all forms of electronic music and is also used in Hip-Hop.
   
   
2. What is a station 'format'?
   A station format is what kind of music and talk is presented on a certain radio station. E.g. Rock music is a format and is played on Kerrang.
   
   
3. Please give an example of two radio stations, the format and an example of two tracks.
   On Majic FM, they play classic hits such as 'Jammin'' from Bob Marley and 'Fast Car' by Tracey Chapman. Alternatively, Radio 1 are Top 40/ contemporary hit radio. They play music such as 'I Cry' by Flo Rida and 'Let Me Love You' from Ne-Yo.
   
   
   
4. What is and 'ABC playlist'?
   
   An ABC playlist ranks music by how frequently a song is played. Songs in the A category are played often, whereas songs in the B category are played sometimes. Songs in the C category are played every now and then.
   
   
5. Explain how the choice of music would affect profits of a commercial radio station.
   
   It is important for every single radio station to play and talk about what the listeners want to hear. If the presenter plays to many new songs then listener numbers will decrease as people like to hear what they know. 2-3 new songs every 10 is advisable if you want to retain listeners.
   
   
6. Explain some techniques in music programming to keep the listener interested, with examples.
   
   As i said, it is important to limit new material and play songs that listeners will be familiar with as it will encourage them to listen to the station again. It is also important to scatter popular items across the show, for example if your doing a competetion then perhaps have people compete in that competition once every hour instead of lots of people at once.
   
   If it's a station that plays various genres of music then it is important that you don't go from one genre to a complete opposite genre as it could decrease the listeners mood to listen to your station. You can also use a segue to apply a smooth transition between two items.