help & faq
If you can't find what you're looking for below, check out our video tutorials. They show you how to:
- Buy music and concert tickets
- Upload an mp3
- Add an event to our Events Calendar
- How to create and build your Dilettante profile
Index
Browsing
How do I sign up
How do I sign in
Members' Profiles: General
Members' Profiles: Music
Members' Profiles: MP3s
How do I use the events calendar?
Forums
How do I advertise on Dilettante?
Can I add information to the Dilettante music pages?
Browsing
Do I need to be a member to browse the site?
Anyone can browse the Dilettante site, view member profiles, and buy music. But you need to be a member in order to communicate with members, to create a wish list, to participate in forums, and to post reviews, mp3s and events.
Sign Up
How much does membership cost?
Nothing. Joining Dilettante is free; the only qualification to join is curiosity.
Can I have more than one profile?
Yes, you can have several Dilettante profiles, as long as you use a different email address for each one.
What if I don't play an instrument?
You don't need to play an instrument to join the Dilettante community. The only thing you need is curiosity about classical music.
How do I determine my membership type?
On Dilettante there are five categories of member types: listeners, musicians, composers, ensembles and organisations, such as venues. Your membership type is a way of telling other users about your relationship with music.
Listeners: Calling yourself a listener means that listening - rather than playing - is your primary relationship with music. You might play an instrument, but you don't regard yourself as a musician. You're not looking for gigs or ensembles to play with, and you're not interested in discussing issues in performance or technique.
Musicians, Composers, Ensembles: You don't need to be a professional in order to call yourself a 'musician' on Dilettante. After all, you might bring great passion but less skill to your playing, and lots of amateur orchestras play to professional standard. Choosing 'musician' is a way of telling other users about your relationship to classical music. But it's also a practical matter. If you're available for performances or are looking to join an ensemble or find collaborators, you should be easy to find through a Dilettante musician search.
Organisations (organisations, venues) Identifying yourself as an organisation means you're an arts venue, an educational institution or summer school, a festival, or some other administrative structure related to learning, performing or presenting classical music.
Now that I've signed up how can I get to my profile?
You will need to activate your account first. Shortly after you register, you will receive an email message to the account you're using for Dilettante, containing the activation link. Follow that link.
How do I activate my account?
You will receive an email message containing the activation link.
Sign in
How do I log in?
Log in using your email address or username and your password. You can log into Dilettante from anywhere on the site. There's always a link on the top corner of the page.
How do I log out out?
You can log out from anywhere on the site. Just click on the 'log out' link at the top right side of the page.
What if I forget my password?
We will send you a password reminder. Just click on the 'forgotten password' link on the top of the page, enter your email address in the form and your password will be sent to you via email.
Members' Profiles: General
How do I edit my profile?
You need to be logged in to edit your profile. Once you've done so, click on ‘me’ to look at your profile and then click 'edit my profile' underneath your photo.
How can I change or crop my profile photo?
To change your profile photo you need to log into your account. Once you've done so, click on ‘me’ to look at your profile and then click 'edit my profile' underneath your photo. Choose the ‘profile settings tab, and scroll down to the photo upload section. Click 'Browse' find a new image on your computer, and click 'Upload'. You do not need to delete your existing picture first.
To crop a profile photo, you need to upload it to the Dilettante site first, following the instructions above. Click on the photo to open the cropping tool. The square box where the image is clearest shows the correct size of the profile photo, and the portion of the image that will be visible. To select a different portion of the picture, simply click on the photo and drag it to move the portion you want into the square box. The slider allows you to zoom in and out of the photo. Click 'submit' when you've finished making these adjustments.
Can I change my member type?
You can click on ‘me’ and then choose ‘profile settings’ to change your member type at any time. You'll find the 'edit my profile' link underneath your photo when you’re logged in.
What is my username for?
When you set up your Dilettante profile, you'll be asked to create a unique username. This username becomes part of the Dilettante web address in your browser's address bar whenever you're logged into your profile - for instance, www.dilettantemusic.com/member/johndoe. You can add this web address to your CV or profiles on other websites to take users directly to your own Dilettante profile, and it helps search engines such as Google find your Dilettante profile.
Notifications
If another Dilettante sends you a message connects to you, or comments on your blog, you will receive an email alert to your personal email address. If you do not want to receive these alerts, log into your profile and click on 'edit profile'. Under ‘preferences’ scroll down to the 'email notification' option and select 'No'. When you're logged in, new messages will appear on the top right corner of your Dilettante web page.
How do I get to my profile page?
When you log in you will automatically be taken to your personalised homepage. There are two ways to get back to your profile page from anywhere on the Dilettante site. First, you can click on ‘me’ in the navigation menu. Second, you can click on your name in the top right corner of your browser window. Another way of getting to your profile is by typing your profile url, for instance: http://www.dilettantemusic.com/member/ plus your username. To change your username to something easy to remember, visit your edit profile page.
Can I control what information appears on my profile page?
The only way to control what information other users see on your profile page is by deciding whether or not to include it in your profile. If you don't want other users to know things about you, do not include this information in your Dilettante profile.
Why is some information missing from other members' profiles?
If a user hasn't added information to a section of their profile, that section isn't visible to other users. Only the profile owner can see the sections that need information.
What is a blog?
A blog is an online journal. You can use it to express your feelings or views about anything from a concert you attended to news you wish to share, from what you ate for breakfast to the fact that you won a music competition. You update your blog by adding 'posts' to it, on which other members can comment. Anyone can read blogs, but in order to write or comment on one, you must be logged in.
How do I add connections to my profile?
In order to add a connection to your profile, you need to be logged in. Then you can visit their profile page where you'll see a link that says 'connect' underneath their profile photo.
Can I remove connections?
As long as you're logged in, you can always remove someone from your connections list. Simply click ‘disconnect’ underneath the person’s photo on your ‘connections’ list.
How can I upload a photo?
All photos need to be in a gallery, so in order to upload a photo the first step it create a gallery. You can do this by logging into your profile and opening the 'photos' section. Create a gallery with a title of your choice. Add photos by browsing your hard drive, choosing the photos you want, and selecting 'upload'. Once you have uploaded your photo, you then need to select ‘submit’ to save the changes.
Can I delete a photo?
You can easily delete a photo by clicking the 'remove' button underneath it.
Can I delete a photo album?
You can easily delete a photo album by clicking on the 'delete album' link next to the album's title. Remember that when n you delete an album you also delete all the photos in that album.
What is a member’s 'wall'?
A member’s wall is where public messages are displayed. Writing on a member’s ‘wall’ is an easy, fun and public way for members to communicate. Only profile owners can delete comments from their own wall.
Sending messages
You can send a message to any registered Dilettante through our internal messaging system. (For now, you cannot use the Dilettante system to send a message to an external email address.) There are two ways to send a message through Dilettante. To send a message to anyone, you need to be logged in. Then find the profile of the person you want to send a message to and click 'send a message'. To send a message to a friend or multiple recipients from your friends list, log into your profile and then click 'messages' next to your name at the top right corner of your browser window. Select 'compose' from the sub-menu that appears. When you click inside the 'recipients' box and start typing, the names of your friends will appear. Select one or more of those people to receive the message.
Making a CV request
If you find a musician or ensemble on Dilettante whom you would like to hire or work with, you can make a CV request. In order to do so, you need to be logged in. Then visit the profile of the Dilettante whose CV you would like to see, and click 'request CV'. Please note that you will need to supply an email address to which the CV should be sent, since Dilettante messages do not permit attachments, so be sure that it is an email address you are comfortable sharing.
Members' Profiles: Music
What is the music section for?
Musicians can use the music section of their profile to showcase their repertoire, influences, and even their own recordings. Listeners can use this section to detail favourite composers, works or albums.
Instruments
Users will find a comprehensive drop-down list of instruments from which to choose. You can select the instruments as 'primary' or 'secondary', and can include notes. If you don't play an instrument you can still use the rest of the music section of your profile to tell others about your favourite music.
Skills
Skills includes anything you know how to do that enhances your profile. For instance, musicians might be skilled at accompaniment, teaching, or arranging. Listeners might be good writers who produce good CD reviews or be expert concert promoters.
Using the Dilettante Music Pages
The Music pages of the Dilettante site provide a library of information about composers, works, and albums, with links to Amazon where users can buy the music they're reading about. Listeners can enhance their profiles by linking the music they like in the Music Pages to the 'favourites' section of their profile. Musicians can use the Music Pages to create links to their repertoire, influences, and even their own recordings in their Dilettante profile.
Recommendations
You can only recommend music to other Dilettantes who are already in your connections list. Simply find the work in our Music pages, and choose 'recommend'. A message will open containing our standard recommendation message, however you can add a personal message if you like.
Favourites
You can enhance your profile by revealing your favourite composers and works. To add music or people to your favourites, you need to visit the Dilettante music pages. Find a composer you want to add, and click on 'add to my favourites'. It will then appear in the favourites section of your profile.
What is a tag?
A tag is your own word to describe a piece of music. How does it make you feel? Where did you hear it? What does it make you think of? Tags help other users find music based on their mood, as well as music they don’t know the name of.
Influences
You can enhance your profile by telling other users about the composers, performers and works that influence you. To add information to your list of influences, you need to visit the Dilettante music pages. Find a composer you want to add, and click on 'add to my influences'. It will then appear in the 'influences' section of your profile.
Repertoire
You can enhance your profile by telling other users about the works you play at performance level. To add information to the repertoire in your profile, you need to visit the Dilettante music pages. Find a work you want to add, and click on 'add to my repertoire'. It will then appear in the repertoire section of your profile.
What is 'recordings' for?
If you've taken part in an album recording, this is the place to say so. To add an album to 'my recordings' visit the Dilettante music pages. Find the album on which you appear, and click on the option 'add to my recordings’.
How do I post an album review?
You need to be logged in to post an album review. Once you’re logged in, go to the album page of the album you would like to review and select ‘post a review’ underneath the album picture. Then click ‘submit’.
Members' Profiles: MP3s
How do I upload an mp3?
To upload an mp3, you need to be logged into your profile. When your main profile page opens, click 'upload mp3' underneath your profile picture. You can only upload one mp3 at a time.
About this mp3
You need to give the work title and composer for your mp3.
If the work you’re uploading is from the standard classical repertoire, it is probably in the Dilettante music pages so you should select that option. Begin typing the title and composer, and select the work from the drop-down list that appears. By doing this, visitors to your mp3 page can click through to information about the work and composer in the Dilettante Music Pages. Also, your mp3 will automatically appear on the relevant 'work' page in the music section.
If the mp3 is a performance of a new work and is not yet included in the Dilettante Music Pages, select 'this is a performance of a new work' and manually type the title and composer.
Selecting an mp3
Browse the files on your computer to find and select the mp3 you'd like to upload.
Click 'Upload'. Please note that your mp3 won’t be saved until you click ‘submit’ at the bottom of the page. You can add notes about your mp3, including information about performers and when it was recorded. Then when you’re ready to save the mp3 to your profile, select the tick-box to say that you have the right to upload the mp3 and click ‘submit’.
Editing an mp3
To change any of the information about an mp3 you have uploaded, you need to go to the individual mp3 page of the one you want to change by selecting ‘more info’ under the mp3 on your playlist. Once there, select ‘edit this mp3’ to the left of the page. You can then change any of the information you like, and save the changes by clicking ‘submit’.
Deleting an mp3
To delete an mp3 you have uploaded, you need to go to the individual mp3 page of the track you want to delete by selecting ‘more info’ under the mp3 on your playlist. Once there, select ‘edit this mp3’ to the left of the page. At the bottom of the page choose the ‘delete’ button.
Events Calendar
Can anyone add an event?
Yes, as long as you're a Dilettante member and logged into your account.
Where do I add an event?
Once you've logged in, there are two ways to add an event. First, you can click 'add event' on your Dilettante profile. Alternatively, click 'add an event' underneath the events calendar on the Events Homepage.
What details do I need to include?
As many as possible! Event title, event type, and date and time are compulsory fields. You should also include the venue details and location. It is also useful to include ticket prices and where people can get tickets, which can be a link to an online booking form or website. You can use the 'Description' box to include extra information about the programme or artists.
Uploading a photo for your event
Any photo you'd like to associate with your event will appear next to it in the Events Calendar.
Uploading a video for your event
You can either upload your own video, or embed a video from a video sharing site like YouTube. To upload your own video, browse for the file on your computer then select attach. To embed a video, you need to enter the web address (URL) or embed code in the space provided.
Google maps
If you include the postcode in the venue’s address, it will automatically add a Google map to the event listing.
What if my event is on more than one day?
You can add up to four event times at once. Selecting ‘Event Time 2 / 3 or 4’ will reveal drop down boxes where you can select the extra date and times
Your involvement in an event
When uploading an event, you can indicate your relationship with it - for instance, that you're attending, organising or performing. But you do not need to be connected to an event to upload it. You can also indicate your relationship to events posted by other users; see 'Add to my events' below.
Related albums
Once you have saved your event, you will be redirected to your event’s individual page. From there you can link your event to specific albums featuring the event’s performers or works. Start typing in the white box under ‘related albums’ and select the one you want from the drop-down list that appears. This will mean that your event will be featured on that individual album page.
Adding work information to your event
Once you have saved your event, you’ll be sent to your event’s individual page. From there you can link works from our Music Pages to your event page. In the white box under ‘this event’s works’, start typing the work and select the one you would like to link to from those that appear. This will also mean that your event will be featured on the individual work page.
Finding events
To find events that have been listed on the Dilettante calendar in any city or country, you can browse the Events Calendar on the Events Homepage. Or to search for something more specific use the search box on the Events Homepage.
Add to my events
If you see an event in which you're performing or which you plan to attend, you can link it to the Events section of your Dilettante profile. On the event page underneath the event’s photo, click ‘confirm you are attending’ or ‘add yourself as a performer’.
Forums
Can anyone start or join in a discussion?
Any registered Dilettante can start a discussion, or join an existing one. Discussions you start or join will automatically be linked to your profile. Any registered member can start a discussion, or join an existing one. Discussions you start or join in with will automatically be linked to your profile.
How do I start a discussion?
Once you’re in the forum, click on ‘start a new discussion’ at the top of the page. You need to choose a forum for your discussion to live. If your discussion is directly music related, then select ‘music from the drop-down, or if your topic is more general then select the ‘general’ forum. Once you’ve filled out the title and the body of your discussion, click ‘submit’.
How do I add a comment to an existing discussion?
You need to be logged in to add a comment to an existing discussion. At the bottom of the discussion that you want to join, type your comment in the box and click ‘post comment’.
Support Forum
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about Dilettante you can leave your thoughts in the support forum. Follow the steps above for starting a discussion, and select the ‘support’ forum.
Advertising
How can I advertise on the Dilettante website?
Please contact us at info-at-dilettantemusic-dot-com to enquire about advertising rates and technical specifications.
Adding information to the Dilettante music pages
I have an artist page in the Music pages, but it’s empty. Can I add information to it?
You can’t add information to an artist page (colour coded green). We license the information in the Music Pages from All Music Guide, so if you would like, you can email a biography and any other information to info-at-dilettantemusic-dot-com we will pass the information on to All Music Guide.
Can I link my biography in the Music pages to my Dilettante member profile page?
To do so please contact us, as we will need to verify your identity first.