Uses and Gratifications-Applying Theory!

The magazine which i am currently analying is "Total Guitar" Monthly Magazine.



After a brief glimpse at the front cover, i would guess this magazine to be of the rock genre. The contents would include information and articles about the latest rock music and rock lifestyle news. The front cover also gives the idea that the magazine would have a heavy basis around guitars, and the playing of them. Included within the magazine would be guitar tutorials of how to play several pieces included in which would be Led Zeppelin -Stairway to heaven. Within the contents would also be other information about guitars and competitions to win guitars and other prizes.



After assessing the front cover my next task was to flick through the magazine and analyse whether the contents of Total Guitar matched that of what i originally estimated. Flicking through proved that the contents did match my predictions were correct. The magazine main focal genre was upon rock music and within the contents there was evidence of guitar tabs/sheet music/tutorials and competitions.



From the front cover we can see its pretty obvious that the main article of the magazine is about the band "Lostprophets". The main image was smothers the front page is an image of the band themselves. There spread within the magazine covers 5 pages. The chosen band are perfect in fitting with the audience profile which is suggested for the magazine. Rock Music fans and infuistasts would instantly understand who the band are, they're well known and hold a high status within the rock music world. This will therefore attract people into purchasing the magazine in order to read the article. Also included within the magazine is a 4 page spread upon the topic of John Mayer, this artist does not fit the stereotypical rock stereotype however this would attract music infusisats to the purchase the magazine in order to read the article about John Mayer. And possibly after purchasing the magazine they would realise they have a love and an interest for what the magazine has to offer. They would then look at purchasing the magazine on a regular basis. A main reguar feature within the magazine is that of the feature albums spread, the spread includes information upon new releases, album success. The spread gives information upon ratings. This allows the reader to have an idea of what albums are worth purchasing and which arnt by others opinion. The above features are all those which are included on the front cover of the magazine.



The article which personally caught my interest and which seemed to be the main article fo the issue was the article covering the lost prophets. as mentioned previous their image smothers the front page and the article itself covers 5 pages of the magazine. The articles language is infomal and contains alot of curse language. Again this fits with the rock and roll sterotypical lifestyle.