We recently scoured scholarly journals, collegiate records, and data collected from self-reported social media profiles to perform a meta-analysis from various angles…
Sometimes, to get the full story, it helps to go back to the beginning. Picture this scene; it's Southern California at the turn of the 90s. The exact timeline is difficult to pin down but the basic facts are these: 1988: N.W.A.’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’, produced by Dr Dre, drops an album that pushes the boundaries of hip hop, announces the sound of West Coast […]
The subject of our Top 10 is a sensitive one. Suicide is a heavy theme to write songs about. Nevertheless, when we contemplate what circumstances might drive an individual to end their own life in such a dramatic way, it can lead us to question what it is that motivates poets to explore the topic. If we are to take the definition of a poet […]
You'd think this isn't that popular of a discussion but I can't count how many times I've argued about which are the best musicals of all time. We generally all agree on the same batch, but it's the order in which they rank, particularly the top three, where the real conversation begins. As you read this list, you'll undoubtedly find some of your favorites and […]
The songs in this Top 10 selection are all fire-related, and also happen to include the word 'Fire' in their titles - providing a further clue to the fact. This article reveals the facts, backstories, and lyrical narratives attached to the ten songs and also explores what 'fire' symbolizes and represents in each instance. This selection also shows that the subject has been a popular […]
Ah, the eighties! Whether you experienced this decade first hand, or developed a nostalgia for it through the countless references across pop culture and beyond, there’s no denying it was a very distinctive era. While some might look back and question certain fashion choices, what’s not in doubt is what a creative time it was for music. This list of the ten best dance tracks […]
So many lists rank artists based on subjective information such as fame or likeability. But when it comes to Spotify's top artists, the data is clear cut. Compare this list to the Top 10 Best-Selling Artists of All Time and you’ll discover how people's taste in music has changed tremendously over time. Interestingly, there are three artists that feature on both lists, but good luck guessing which […]
Kanye West is Worth $6.6 Billion Kanye is the richest rapper and musician in our ranking. Name Kanye West Other Name(s) Ye, Kanye Omari West Net Worth $6.6 billion (Bloomberg) Other Estimates $2.0 billion (Forbes) Birthday 8 June 1977 in Atlanta, GA Star Sign Gemini Height 5ft 8 (173 cm) Introduction Updating our list of the Top Richest Musicians in the World is always exciting but usually […]
It was a fairly straightforward exercise to choose the top 10 best orchestras in the world. We can all agree with who should be included, but it's the order of their rankings that might lead to the most interesting conversations. At this level, the truth is all of these orchestras are perfect, so it really starts to become about their contributions, how long they've been […]
When it comes to who to include in our top 10 best piano players in the world, I think you'll agree with who is included, both modern and a little less recent. That's a fairly objective decision to make. But it's the order of their ranking that you'll want to argue about. Obviously the skill level matters, but you might judge a certain strength as […]
Choosing the top 10 best keyboard players in the world was extremely rough. There's a big risk that your own favorite won't be listed or that you don't agree with the order of our rankings. That's part of the fun! The big issue is there's so many good keyboardists that have top-level skills. So we had to dig into other aspects like creativity, playing techniques, […]
Choosing who to include in our top 10 best violinists of all time list was easy. You'll agree with the picks, but it's the order that they appear in that might make you want to send us an argumentative email. We'll hear you out, because this is somewhat of a subjective exercise. Our choices are based entirely on skill levels and aren't restricted to the […]
It felt pretty straight forward to decide who belongs in the top 10 best flute players in the world list. I believe most of us will agree with the choices, but where the discussion really begins is with the order in the rankings, due to the subjectivity involved. Part of the issue is, to be included the flutist had to be among the most skilled, […]
It wasn't hard to choose who to include in our best harmonica players list. Frankly, there's not that many contenders, so I'm sure we agree here. Where we could potentially argue is the order in which they appear. Here, to even make it into the list the harmonicist must have top-level skills. But then we also mixed it up a bit by considering their creativity […]
Performing rights organizations (PROs) exist to help musicians manage the licensing and rights to their work, so they get the royalties they are entitled to. Two of the biggest in North America are the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). If you’re a musician and looking for a PRO to license your work, how do you know which […]
In this article, we’ll discuss everything there is to know about ethnomusicology and what kinds of jobs are available to those with a background in this area of study. We'll also cover the salaries and wages as well as everything involved in education to get you ready. What is Ethnomusicology? Ethnomusicology is the academic study of the socio-cultural aspects of music. In other words, ethnomusicologists […]
Here we’ll explore what music librarians do and what types of jobs are available. We'll also cover the average salary and how you can begin a career in this area of study in terms of education requirements. What is a Music Librarian? A music librarian is a person who has a broad understanding of both music and librarianship. The same way that a regular librarian […]
Unlike other careers in music, music therapy doesn’t involve recording soundtracks for films or perfecting the acoustics in a theater. Instead, music therapy requires you to work one-on-one or in small groups to facilitate therapy that helps people heal and recover. Ready to learn more about music therapy, including how to become a music therapist and what degree you need to make it happen? Read […]
While the job title of sound technician sounds a bit stuffy, it’s a more colorful career than you might assume with plenty of challenges, creativity, technical know-how, and opportunity for advancement. Many sound tech job duties are similar to those of the one-man recording artist, making this career path a desirable and lucrative one for many music enthusiasts. Here we’ll cover what a sound technician […]
Like everything, boiling it down to the top 10 best movie scores of all time requires a balance between objectivity and subjectivity. There are some that are clearly better than others, but our own tastes come into play as well. It can't simply be that the music is good. It has to create an effective atmosphere for the movie scenes, emitting the right emotions for […]
This list of the best-selling albums of all time has more to it than you'd might think. Record labels and artists often post much higher claimed sales than can be certified by companies like Nielsen SoundScan and the RIAA. If those claimed sales aren't even remotely similar to those collected by the certification-awarding companies, they weren't included. There's also situations where double-length albums count as […]
LedgerNote is the leading-edge online music magazine. With our focus on education for industry professionals while at work and enjoyment at home, we never cease adding and updating our tutorials, tips & tricks, and entertainment blog. Use our passion for your benefit in the studio, at gigs, and during practice and rehearsal. Progress never stops at Ledger Note. Gear Gigs Grind Glory. Learn more about the LedgerNote Team here. See you at the top!
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