Many youth subcultures have their roots in revolt of some type. Usually musical subcultures are formed by the young as a way of establishing an identity for their group. In order to create this new identity people listen to a specialist type of music that often is not accessible to older people. They also invent new fashions to reinforce their separate identity.
The key question is whether the apparent revolt is only a means of creating an identity or whether it represents something more substantial. Some subcultures are genuinely based on trying to promote change and punk was probably the best example of this. In this case not only were youth revolting against the social conditions in the 1970s, they also revolted against other youth cultures and especially the rock establishment that had existed before.
(148)
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Does the emergence of the digital download signal the end of the music industry?
Certain parts of the music industry are being badly affected. For example the major record stores are suffering from the fact it’s easier and cheaper for people to get their music by downloading from the internet.
Illegal downloading also is a threat to the business. This is because people get their music for free and therefore the artists and recording companies don’t get their royalties.
However it’s not all bad news for the artists as downloading provides a very good way of selling their back catalogues, as well as their new music.
The really positive thing about downloading is that it enables new artists to reach a new audience at low cost very easily.
Whilst this reduces the control of the established music business (radio stations, record companies, etc) it creates extra demand from listeners which in the long run is good for the industry.
The business has to keep up with the times!
(154)
Illegal downloading also is a threat to the business. This is because people get their music for free and therefore the artists and recording companies don’t get their royalties.
However it’s not all bad news for the artists as downloading provides a very good way of selling their back catalogues, as well as their new music.
The really positive thing about downloading is that it enables new artists to reach a new audience at low cost very easily.
Whilst this reduces the control of the established music business (radio stations, record companies, etc) it creates extra demand from listeners which in the long run is good for the industry.
The business has to keep up with the times!
(154)
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Can popular music ever really be unplugged?
Popular music is music that is made to sell. People listen to pop through electronic media.
As a starting point pop should be plugged in, since the principle concept behind rock and roll and other forms of popular music is either to express the rebellion of youth or to provide something people can dance to, usually both. Most popular music is meant to be loud and therefore plugged in.
That’s not to say that some unplugged music is not popular. If it sounds good and people buy it, then it’s popular music!
The fashion for unplugged music was created by MTV when they got rock performers like Eric Clapton and Nirvana to play acoustically. The series stripped the music down to the bare essentials and a great song is always a great song. However all the artists that appeared on the show made their names from using a lot of electronics and digital technology.
(154)
As a starting point pop should be plugged in, since the principle concept behind rock and roll and other forms of popular music is either to express the rebellion of youth or to provide something people can dance to, usually both. Most popular music is meant to be loud and therefore plugged in.
That’s not to say that some unplugged music is not popular. If it sounds good and people buy it, then it’s popular music!
The fashion for unplugged music was created by MTV when they got rock performers like Eric Clapton and Nirvana to play acoustically. The series stripped the music down to the bare essentials and a great song is always a great song. However all the artists that appeared on the show made their names from using a lot of electronics and digital technology.
(154)
Sunday, 8 March 2009
what is world music?
World music is hard to categorise as it comes from so many different cultures. It is used a term that covers an enormous range of musical cultures.
The popularity of world music is a reaction to cultural imperialism from the west and in particular the music business.
World music is not new. In the 1920’s Latin American music, for example Tango from Argentina became a worldwide dance craze.
However from the 1950’s until the 1970’s music became dominated by Western pop. The music business took advantage of radio and TV. Records and cassettes became popular and it was more affordable.
But by the 1980’s people were getting fed up hearing the same sounds and commercialised music. They started to look for something different and found it in Africa, South America and Asia.
Now with the internet it’s possible to listen to an enormous range of music. Even if people can’t find world music in their record shops it is easy to download from the internet and listen to radio from across the world.
(173)
The popularity of world music is a reaction to cultural imperialism from the west and in particular the music business.
World music is not new. In the 1920’s Latin American music, for example Tango from Argentina became a worldwide dance craze.
However from the 1950’s until the 1970’s music became dominated by Western pop. The music business took advantage of radio and TV. Records and cassettes became popular and it was more affordable.
But by the 1980’s people were getting fed up hearing the same sounds and commercialised music. They started to look for something different and found it in Africa, South America and Asia.
Now with the internet it’s possible to listen to an enormous range of music. Even if people can’t find world music in their record shops it is easy to download from the internet and listen to radio from across the world.
(173)
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Is popular music a mass produced commodity or a genuine art form?
Popular music is any genre that has a mass appeal. Art includes any range of activities such as music that are seen as attractive and creative.
There is no clear boundary between what is art and what is a commodity. Nearly everything that we call art is sold. Art is formed when people are being creative by expressing themselves. Art doesn’t have to be skilful but it does need to represent what people are feeling. This is what music is about.
At the extreme the music business is just like any other business. It doesn’t really matter whether the music is good, as long that it sells. However the origin of most pop music comes from the people finding a way to be expressive making music and enjoying themselves.
In conclusion most popular music starts off by being an art form but gets taken over by the music industry in order to make product and profit.
(156)
There is no clear boundary between what is art and what is a commodity. Nearly everything that we call art is sold. Art is formed when people are being creative by expressing themselves. Art doesn’t have to be skilful but it does need to represent what people are feeling. This is what music is about.
At the extreme the music business is just like any other business. It doesn’t really matter whether the music is good, as long that it sells. However the origin of most pop music comes from the people finding a way to be expressive making music and enjoying themselves.
In conclusion most popular music starts off by being an art form but gets taken over by the music industry in order to make product and profit.
(156)
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