Is DRM the best way to save the music industry?
I would have to say that DRM isn’t the best way to save the music industry. Even though I don’t think there is a way to save the music industry while keeping everyone happy, there are many reasons as to why downloading (legally and illegally) can have its positive points.
Lots of music lovers would say that by downloading one song from an album and deciding if they like the music would make them go to a shop and buy the CD. Also, if someone hears a band they like on myspace or somewhere else on the internet from a different country, it is sometimes almost impossible to find their album in the shops. This means that illegal downloading is the only way to get their songs.
By allowing free sample listening of music, word of mouth is free publicity for a band and expands their marketing immensely. Also, it creates fans for the band who will want to buy their next album and create a whole audience for their music.Some people say that charts are completely pointless now because people like to download songs. But others might argue that there is no reason to have charts anyway. This is because lots of bands release many songs from their album so people would rather just buy the album instead of each individual song.
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Can Popular Music ever really be unplugged?
To answer this question I need to establish the meaning of ‘unplugged’ in the context of popular music. I am going to use this definition in my answer: “Of, relating to, or being a musical instrument, arrangement, or performance that does not feature electronic amplification or modification; acoustic” (http://www.answers.com/topic/unplugged).
There are some circumstances where popular music can be unplugged, but usually it is very difficult to do so. If there is a local band in either England or America, for example, that want to play in a local pub or venue, it is very easy for them to play acoustically with just their voices and ‘unplugged’ instruments. However, if there is a band or singer who is popular on a larger scale, for example worldwide like Madonna, it becomes more difficult. If the artist wants to sing live, with only acoustic instruments and no amplification, they can only be heard by a fixed amount of people. If they are extremely popular and lots of people want to see them perform, they would have to repeat the performance many times to satisfy the needs of their fans. This is not practical and therefore 'unplugging' most artists becomes an issue.
To answer this question I need to establish the meaning of ‘unplugged’ in the context of popular music. I am going to use this definition in my answer: “Of, relating to, or being a musical instrument, arrangement, or performance that does not feature electronic amplification or modification; acoustic” (http://www.answers.com/topic/unplugged).
There are some circumstances where popular music can be unplugged, but usually it is very difficult to do so. If there is a local band in either England or America, for example, that want to play in a local pub or venue, it is very easy for them to play acoustically with just their voices and ‘unplugged’ instruments. However, if there is a band or singer who is popular on a larger scale, for example worldwide like Madonna, it becomes more difficult. If the artist wants to sing live, with only acoustic instruments and no amplification, they can only be heard by a fixed amount of people. If they are extremely popular and lots of people want to see them perform, they would have to repeat the performance many times to satisfy the needs of their fans. This is not practical and therefore 'unplugging' most artists becomes an issue.
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
What is “World Music”?
I think “world music” is the simple term used for music made in countries other than England and North America. This makes it easier for record shops to create a section in the store for music created in other countries. This means that because there are so many countries which produce their own music, it would be impractical to make a section in the shop for each country. However, by calling music from other countries “world music” it seems as though music from England and North America is not music from this world.
World music could also describe music which includes influences from the country in which it was made. For example, traditional instruments or the words being sung in the language of that country. It is sometimes easy to know which country a song was created in, which I think makes it unfair to typecast all foreign songs into a single category.
I think “world music” is the simple term used for music made in countries other than England and North America. This makes it easier for record shops to create a section in the store for music created in other countries. This means that because there are so many countries which produce their own music, it would be impractical to make a section in the shop for each country. However, by calling music from other countries “world music” it seems as though music from England and North America is not music from this world.
World music could also describe music which includes influences from the country in which it was made. For example, traditional instruments or the words being sung in the language of that country. It is sometimes easy to know which country a song was created in, which I think makes it unfair to typecast all foreign songs into a single category.
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Is Popular Music Art?
“Art, in its broadest meaning, is the expression of creativity or imagination, or both” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art). I think this can definitely be applied to popular music.
I think that the definition of art is a way of expressing yourself by creating something that stimulates one or more of the five senses which creates an emotional reaction. Anyone can create their own ‘art’ by making their feelings, emotions, thoughts, imaginations or opinions into something people can experience.
I think that because popular music can be defined as whatever type music each individual likes, all different types of music can be called ‘art’. Whichever way someone decides to express them self is dependant on their individual taste. If someone makes music that they believe will inspire or get a reaction from someone, it must be allowed to be defined as ‘art’. If someone believes that a song or piece of music is art, it doesn’t matter if someone disagrees because it can be up to each individual to have their own opinion.
“Art, in its broadest meaning, is the expression of creativity or imagination, or both” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art). I think this can definitely be applied to popular music.
I think that the definition of art is a way of expressing yourself by creating something that stimulates one or more of the five senses which creates an emotional reaction. Anyone can create their own ‘art’ by making their feelings, emotions, thoughts, imaginations or opinions into something people can experience.
I think that because popular music can be defined as whatever type music each individual likes, all different types of music can be called ‘art’. Whichever way someone decides to express them self is dependant on their individual taste. If someone makes music that they believe will inspire or get a reaction from someone, it must be allowed to be defined as ‘art’. If someone believes that a song or piece of music is art, it doesn’t matter if someone disagrees because it can be up to each individual to have their own opinion.
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