How does one preview music other than paying $9.99?

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Level 1

93 points

How does one preview music other than paying $9.99?

Pre-Catalina it was possible to preview songs for 1:30 before deciding to buy it. That was handy feature to make sure you got the version you were looking for.

When I try that now I am asked to pay $9.99 a month to join Apple Music. I cannot find a way to preview any music. What am I missing?

I know that Apple needs money, because having more cash on hand than any other company on Earth is not enough, but this seems a tad greedy. Even for Apple. If the cost of music were reduced I could understand that, but I see many songs have gone up from $.99 to $1.29 so other than the "privilege of making uncle Tim richer" I just don't understand. I realize he needs a new super yacht and corpora jet fleet to get around the world and be famous...

Posted on Aug 26, 2020 4:43 PM

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Answer 1

Martin Gallo Author

Level 1

93 points

Aug 28, 2020 6:30 AM in response to ed2345

I regret to inform you that you are only partially correct. The free preview is only available for music that Music will show you.

If I am interested in a particular song/album NOT on that page it does not work. Any attempt at searching for the item reverts to "paid mode only".

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Answer 2

ed2345

Level 9

62,612 points

Aug 28, 2020 3:42 PM in response to Martin Gallo

Hi Martin,

No, I do not subscribe to Apple Music. Note that there are cases where a song is available for streaming but not for download, but these are clearly not in that category.

When you see the "Join Apple Music" window, what happens if you decline?

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Answer 3

ed2345

Level 9

62,612 points

Aug 27, 2020 7:13 AM in response to Martin Gallo

Martin,

The previews in the iTunes Store work exactly the way they always did.

If you don't see the iTunes Store in your Music app, you can enable "Show -- iTunes Store" in Preferences as shown below.

Once you find the song you want, click the icon and a 90 second preview will play. No subscription is required.

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Answer 4

ed2345

Level 9

62,612 points

Aug 28, 2020 10:32 AM in response to Martin Gallo

Martin,

The new Kansas album -- "The Absence of Presence," released June 26, 2020 -- popped right up in a search, and the 90 second previews played just fine. Ditto Blue Oyster Cult "45th Anniversary - Live in London," which was released August 7, 2020. See clips below. I am using the iTunes Store, USA; availability may vary on other countries. If you still have an issue finding and previewing what you are looking for, pls post back with specifics.

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Answer 5

ed2345

Level 9

62,612 points

Aug 28, 2020 8:42 AM in response to Martin Gallo

If I am interested in a particular song/album NOT on that page it does not work. Any attempt at searching for the item reverts to "paid mode only".

Martin,

That sounds strange, but if you care to share what song you are looking for, I will check it out.

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Answer 6

Martin Gallo Author

Level 1

93 points

Aug 28, 2020 9:56 AM in response to ed2345

Thanks.

Try the new Blue Oyster Cult Live in London - Old guy music for sure. Maybe Music is a millennial only app? (please see the attempt at humor).

There is also the new Kansas album.

Really anything you find by searching - Straying beyond what Apple thinks you want is where the problem is. So far Apple's recommendations have been pretty far off the mark.

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Answer 7

ed2345

Level 9

62,612 points

Aug 29, 2020 3:23 PM in response to Martin Gallo

Martin Gallo wrote:

Well, that solved it! Thanks you.

Isn't that just horrid design? I selected iTunes Sore and then searched. I would never even have thought to look at that!

Martin,

You are quite welcome. Yup, they don't make it easy. But anyway, you can still -- for the time being -- preview and purchase tracks without an AM subscription. Enjoy the music!

Ed.

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Answer 8

Martin Gallo Author

Level 1

93 points

Aug 29, 2020 4:27 AM in response to ed2345

No, That is how it worked Pre-Catalina. Here is the sequence of events. Note that in the first image the mouse pointer is hovering over the track number and screen capture is not showing it.

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Answer 9

Martin Gallo Author

Level 1

93 points

Aug 28, 2020 2:12 PM in response to ed2345

How interesting. Both of those still require an Apple Music subscription of $9.99 sa month. Are you a member?

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Answer 10

Martin Gallo Author

Level 1

93 points

Aug 28, 2020 2:13 PM in response to Martin Gallo

Note that I see those images but when I try to play any song I get the "Join apple Music" window.

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Answer 11

Martin Gallo Author

Level 1

93 points

Aug 28, 2020 4:33 PM in response to ed2345

It just goes away. There is no 90 seconds of song, no preview. That is how I "know" that Apple Music is required.

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Answer 12

ed2345

Level 9

62,612 points

Aug 28, 2020 6:14 PM in response to Martin Gallo

Hover over the track number and it will turn to a Play symbol (circle with a right-pointing triangle). Click the triangle and the 90 second preview will play.

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