Going to any kind of musical concert is exciting. But concerts vary according to the type of music that will be played. So when you buy your ticket, how will you know what to expect?

A classical concert

If you are lucky enough to be able to listen to a well-known orchestra playing in a large concert hall, your ticket might be expensive. You might even have to dress up for the occasion! It’s a good idea to listen to a recording of the music beforehand. Then you will know about the music and be able to appreciate it.

The orchestra will start to play at a set time and you must be in your seat ten minutes or so before this. You already know that the players in the orchestra must tune their instruments before starting to play. Once the concert is about to begin, the conductor attracts the attention of the orchestra — usually by tapping on the rostrum and raising the baton. Some classical concerts start with an overture. The orchestra plays an opening piece which helps to set the scene for the music to follow.

Then the main part of the concert begins. If you are listening to a long piece of music, you will probably find it is divided into short sections. These are called movements. Remember that it is usual to clap only at the end of a piece. So even if you are particularly impressed by a performance, don’t clap until other people do — you might put the musicians off. You will be able to express your appreciation by clapping loudly at the end of the concert!

A rock concert

How different is a rock concert to a classical concert? The answer is very different! To begin with, you may not even have a seat, especially if you are attending an open air concert. The audience often stands up or sits on the ground — so it’s not necessary to dress up for a rock concert. You might be amazed at how many people there are at the concert, too. Rock concerts often attract huge audiences of ten thousand people, or more.

Rock bands need to tune their instruments just as members of an orchestra do. But if the instruments are electrical, they may be tuned by engineers. Once the band appears on stage, you’ll notice the real difference to a classical concert. The audience cheers, claps, stamps and sings along! In fact, you may not notice a gap between the pieces of music at all.

Of course, there are many other kinds of concert and many different places where concerts are put on. Folk music or jazz concerts may take place in small halls or rooms so that the musicians don’t have to use microphones. Even the busker or one man band who plays in the street in your town is giving a concert. But all concerts need an audience, so it is up to you to make sure you take the opportunity to listen.

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dodoFolk Music, Jazz, Microphone16 Oct, 2008