Codes And Conventions of a Music Magazine Front Cover and Contents Page.

Front Cover;A music magazine contains all the codes and conventions of a normal magazine such as:•Title- Biggest text on the page, usually at the top left of the magazine of full width and is a unique font.• A consistent colour scheme that is continued onto the contents page- The amount of colours are kept to a minimum, usually only three of four.• A positioning statement•Issue Date and Price•One main image- It gives direct audience address, it is always Photo Shopped and the image is used to create feeling and meaning. •Converlines- These anchor the meaning of the main image, there is usually one main coverline which is the 2nd biggest piece of text on the page. Coverlines intrigue the reader into wanting to find out more. It gives a ‘taste of the content’. Usually only one or two lines to attract attention.•Sublines- more information about the article, all done in a few words and are as short as possible. Sometimes can include alliteration or a pun.•Smaller images- occasionally one or two smaller images may be used to advertise articles.•Puffs- Free gifts given with magazine, to make it look like the buyer is getting ‘more for their money’• Buzzwords- Words like ‘Exclusive’ to make it seem like this specific magazine is the only place to read this information.

However, music magazines differ slightly from the normal codes and conventions.

Main Image; •Occasionally covers part of the title- this shows that it is a well established magazine.•Conveys attitude of the band/singer- The lighting and angle help convey this, and the artist/s in the image is usually popular with the target audience.

Coverlines;• Mainly all names (band/artist)• All about attracting the reader.• Buzzwords are used, followed by a list of band/ artist names (sometimes in strip along bottom of magazine).•All coverlines are music related.

Contents Page;

The contents page of a music magazine follows all the codes and conventions of that of a normal magazine. For example:• Page number- which is always followed by outline of content which is often only one or two words in bold or capital. Underneath is an explanation if the article•Category heading- Shows regular content•Features- ‘one off articles’ in this issue only•Font size- 11pt•Images- There are lots of images that take up most of the space. All images have page numbers on, which anchor the image to the article it is meant for•Colour scheme- continued from the front cover- usually represents the colour associated with the genre of the magazine.• Page back ground is convent ally white- this is so the writing stands out•Page layout- Structured layout, in columns of usually three or four, •The word contents and the magazine image is always placed on the contents page, this goes across the top like it does on the front cover•Website or contact details•Issue date•Sometimes there are credits for the front cover image.