Are you tired of iTunes playing your favorite albums out of order or skipping tracks altogether? Do you want to enjoy your music collection without interruptions or hassle? Look no further. In this article, we’ll show you how to get iTunes to play an entire album seamlessly, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite tunes.
Understanding iTunes Album Playback
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s essential to understand how iTunes handles album playback. By default, iTunes is set to play songs in the order they appear in your library, which may not always be the correct order for a particular album. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to listen to a concept album or a classical music piece that requires a specific order.
iTunes Album Playback Settings
To get iTunes to play an entire album, you need to adjust the playback settings. Here’s how:
- Open iTunes and select the album you want to play.
- Click on the “Songs” tab in the top navigation bar.
- Look for the “Sort By” dropdown menu and select “Album by Artist” or “Album by Title.”
- This will rearrange the tracks in the correct order for the album.
However, this method may not work for all albums, especially if the tracks are not correctly labeled or if the album has multiple discs.
Using the “Album” View in iTunes
Another way to get iTunes to play an entire album is to use the “Album” view. This view allows you to browse your music library by album, making it easier to play entire albums.
Enabling the “Album” View
To enable the “Album” view in iTunes, follow these steps:
- Open iTunes and select “Music” from the top navigation bar.
- Click on the “View” menu and select “Album.”
- This will display your music library in album view, with each album represented by its cover art.
Playing an Entire Album in “Album” View
To play an entire album in “Album” view, simply click on the album cover art. iTunes will automatically play the album in the correct order.
Creating a Playlist for an Entire Album
If you want to ensure that an entire album plays in the correct order, you can create a playlist specifically for that album.
Creating a New Playlist
To create a new playlist in iTunes, follow these steps:
- Open iTunes and select “Music” from the top navigation bar.
- Click on the “File” menu and select “New Playlist.”
- Give your playlist a name, such as the album title.
Adding Tracks to the Playlist
To add tracks to the playlist, follow these steps:
- Select the album you want to add to the playlist.
- Click on the “Songs” tab in the top navigation bar.
- Select all the tracks in the album by pressing Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac).
- Drag the selected tracks to the playlist you created.
Playing the Playlist
To play the playlist, simply click on the playlist name in the sidebar. iTunes will automatically play the entire album in the correct order.
Using Smart Playlists to Play Entire Albums
Smart playlists are a powerful feature in iTunes that allows you to create playlists based on specific criteria, such as genre, artist, or album.
Creating a Smart Playlist for an Entire Album
To create a smart playlist for an entire album, follow these steps:
- Open iTunes and select “Music” from the top navigation bar.
- Click on the “File” menu and select “New Smart Playlist.”
- Give your smart playlist a name, such as the album title.
- Set the criteria for the smart playlist to “Album” and select the album you want to play.
Playing the Smart Playlist
To play the smart playlist, simply click on the playlist name in the sidebar. iTunes will automatically play the entire album in the correct order.
Troubleshooting iTunes Album Playback Issues
If you’re still having issues getting iTunes to play an entire album, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Check the Album Metadata
Make sure the album metadata is correct, including the album title, artist, and track numbers. You can edit the metadata by selecting the album and clicking on the “Get Info” button.
Check for Duplicate Tracks
Duplicate tracks can cause issues with album playback. Remove any duplicate tracks from your library to ensure that the album plays correctly.
Check the iTunes Settings
Make sure the iTunes settings are set to play albums in the correct order. Go to “Edit” > “Preferences” > “Playback” and ensure that the “Play albums in the correct order” checkbox is selected.
Conclusion
Getting iTunes to play an entire album can be a frustrating experience, but with the right settings and techniques, you can enjoy your music collection without interruptions. By understanding iTunes album playback settings, using the “Album” view, creating playlists, and troubleshooting common issues, you can ensure that your favorite albums play seamlessly.
What is the purpose of playing an entire album in iTunes?
Playing an entire album in iTunes allows users to listen to their favorite music in the intended order and format. Many albums are designed to be listened to from start to finish, with each song flowing into the next to create a cohesive musical experience. By playing an entire album, users can appreciate the artist’s vision and enjoy their music in a more immersive way.
In addition, playing an entire album can also help users discover new songs and artists. Sometimes, the most popular tracks on an album are not the only great ones. By listening to the entire album, users may stumble upon hidden gems that they may have otherwise overlooked.
Why is iTunes not playing my entire album by default?
iTunes may not play an entire album by default due to various reasons. One possible reason is that the album is not properly organized in the user’s music library. If the album tracks are not correctly labeled or are scattered across different folders, iTunes may not recognize them as part of the same album.
Another reason could be that the user has inadvertently set iTunes to play songs in a random or shuffled order. This can be easily fixed by adjusting the playback settings in iTunes. Additionally, if the user has created a playlist that only includes certain tracks from the album, iTunes will only play those selected tracks.
How do I get iTunes to play an entire album?
To get iTunes to play an entire album, users can start by selecting the album in their music library. They can do this by clicking on the “Music” tab in the top navigation bar, then selecting the album they want to play. Once the album is selected, users can click the “Play” button to start playing the first track.
Alternatively, users can also create a playlist that includes all the tracks from the album. To do this, they can select all the tracks from the album, right-click, and choose “Add to Playlist” > “New Playlist”. This will create a new playlist with all the tracks from the album, which can then be played in the correct order.
Can I set iTunes to play albums by default?
Yes, users can set iTunes to play albums by default. To do this, they need to adjust the playback settings in iTunes. They can go to “Preferences” > “Playback” and select the option to play albums in the correct order. This will ensure that whenever they select an album, iTunes will play all the tracks in the correct order.
Additionally, users can also set iTunes to play albums in a specific order, such as alphabetical or chronological order. This can be done by selecting the album, going to “File” > “Get Info”, and adjusting the “Sort” options. This will ensure that the album tracks are played in the desired order.
How do I create a playlist of my favorite albums in iTunes?
To create a playlist of favorite albums in iTunes, users can start by selecting the albums they want to include. They can do this by clicking on the “Music” tab in the top navigation bar, then selecting the albums they want to add to the playlist.
Once the albums are selected, users can right-click and choose “Add to Playlist” > “New Playlist”. This will create a new playlist that includes all the tracks from the selected albums. Users can then name the playlist and adjust the playback settings to play the albums in the correct order.
Can I play entire albums on my iPhone or iPad using iTunes?
Yes, users can play entire albums on their iPhone or iPad using iTunes. To do this, they need to sync their music library with their iOS device using iTunes. Once the music library is synced, users can open the Music app on their iOS device and select the album they want to play.
The Music app will play the entire album in the correct order, just like in iTunes on the computer. Users can also create playlists on their iOS device that include entire albums, and adjust the playback settings to play the albums in the desired order.
Are there any alternative music players that can play entire albums?
Yes, there are several alternative music players that can play entire albums. Some popular options include Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music. These music streaming services allow users to play entire albums, as well as create playlists and adjust playback settings.
Additionally, there are also several third-party music players available for download, such as VLC Media Player and Foobar2000. These music players offer advanced features and customization options, including the ability to play entire albums in the correct order.