Pandora musings

[stonebender]

I'm wondering if anyone has any particular strategies with how they use Pandora.com? Since it allows 100 stations I tend to have a station for each singer or group that I like. I think I'm interested in limiting the variables Pandora can uses to select new music for me. I hardly ever nix a song unless I really really hate it. I also don't tend to tell Pandora I like a particular song. If I like a song I add it to my favorites list. I'm not sure if Pandora uses that to help it decide what else to play.

I'm a little dismayed at how often the same musical qualities show up in the music I like. I think of myself is being fairly eclectic in my musical preferences. Seems like, although I listen to many types of music. What I like about music is pretty consistent. I like "strong vocals, mixed acoustic and electric instrumentation, mild rythmic syncopation, and major key tonalty."

Comments

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

I don't think it will pick up on your eclectic nature unless you tell it what you like and dislike.

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

That's a fair point, but what I mean is that no matter what song I initially make a station of the suggestions that follow include the same song qualities. Which would tend to make me think that although I appear to be eclectic it may be the same musical qualities are what I'm enjoying no matter what category of music I'm listening to

[sturgeonslawyer.livejournal.com]

Basing on songs rather than artists seems to focus better, because most artists I like do a lot of different things, and I tend to want one kind of music when I'm in the mood for something like Pandora. I found that the best way to make a station that fits a particular mood was to pick several songs and base one station on them, then fine-tune by using "I don't like this." I have to use it less and less as I use a given station more and more.

[stonebender.livejournal.com]

Basing on songs rather than artists seems to focus better, because most artists I like do a lot of different things, and I tend to want one kind of music when I'm in the mood for something like Pandora. I found that the best way to make a station that fits a particular mood was to pick several songs and base one station on them, then fine-tune by using "I don't like this." I have to use it less and less as I use a given station more and more.

*nods* That makes since I'll try it. Thanks