How+the+Digital+World+is+Affecting+Music+in+the+21st+Century


 * Question:** Given the music community around the world has seen a huge transition in the past ten years or so to artists making music solely on computers, I would like to know how this is affecting the listeners/fans of music and the traditional musicians who compose and perform in the physical world with real instruments. Is the general music listener excited about this undeniable conversion, fearful of its long-term affects on those with bodily musical talent, or simply complacent/oblivious to the change at all?


 * I Wonder:** Many college-aged individuals are immersing themselves in a world filled with bleeps, crunches, and whistles as opposed to guitar squeals, brass pops, and drum crashes, and I would love to investigate the affects this evolution (or devolution) of music is having on people. Is there an underground community of conventional musicians seeking to abolish this “electronic garble”? Or are the majority of traditionalists helping to propel its existence by adopting new musical techniques brought about by this digital age of music?


 * Plan:** I will begin my research by compiling articles concerned with electronic music and its affects on the music community. The topic is undoubtedly one that extends well before the turn of the century (back to the invention of the synthesizer some sixty-odd years ago), so uncovering the history of the issue shouldn’t be a problem. For the opinions of fans sitting farther down the food chain, I will delve into music forums around the web to hopefully garner a better understanding of what the majority of fans and musicians’ thoughts are on the transition. As a musician myself, I will also include first-hand interpretations of where music “was” when I was growing up and how a noticeable shift has taken place—especially in the last decade. I would also love to travel to different venues around the city ranging from the completely electronic to completely physical (and the mixture of the two) to get personal accounts from fans and musicians alike on their thoughts.


 * My Expectations:** At the conclusion of the semester, I hope to have acquired a firmer understanding of what the general public’s opinions are on the digital world’s effects on music. The topic will definitely be an exciting one to dive into seeing as some people (mainly traditional musicians) will certainly have very concrete judgments and beliefs on the issue. The musician in me already feels the heat from this fire, but I plan on writing as much of an unbiased paper as I can (excluding the sections devoted to my own sentiments).

Fascinating and important topic and I like the idea of comparing the perspectives of fans to artists and critics. There are so many angles to this topic that you risk it becoming very shallow unless you take one angle and dig into it with precision and depth. The angle that is **closest to the theme of the course** concerns the issue of music ownerhip, sharing, copyright, sampling and remix--- not the quality of recording or types of sounds angle.


 * Research Report 1:**

1.) Sisario, B. (2011, August 29). //At Last, a Label Goes Digital.// NY Times. 

2.) (2008, December 5). //College Radio Maintains Its Mojo.// NY Times. 

3.) (2011, November 14). //Site to Resell Music Files Has Critics.// NY Times. 

4.) (2011, October 5). //He Pushed a Reluctant Industry Toward Digital Music.// NY Times. 

5.) (2011, May 13) //LimeWire to Pay $105 Million to Music Industry in Piracy Settlement.// L.A. Times Blogs. 

6.) (2011, May 18). //Google's Eric Schmidt: Blocking File-Sharing Sites Would Make U.S., Britain Like China.// L.A. Times Blogs. 

7.) Sorid, B. E. (1990, November 28). //Plugged Into Electronic Music.// Philadelphia Inquirer. 


 * Research Report 2:**

I wanted to include interviews in my paper with musicians and non-musicians alike to get a better understanding of what people were thinking at the grassroots level. Here are the three interviews I've conducted thus far:

Musician #1:

Do you download music illegally? -Yes. Do you buy any music? What format? -Occasionally. Used records and cds. Never new. How would you feel if your music was being downloaded illegally? -As long as people were listening to it, I would be okay with it. Whether you steal music or not, is it unfair to the artist(s)? -Yes, because a lot of work and money went into the album. It’s downplayed when people steal it. Should legal action be carried out to lessen or stop illegal downloading? Why? -The laws in place are adequate enough to catch the right people. Is downloading music illegally the way of the future? -No that would suck. Do you think it’ll last forever? -No, eventually there will only be digital music and it’ll be more legally managed. Before the internet, would you have bought as much music as you download? -Because of my love for music, I would try my best to buy as much as I download.

Non-Musician:

Do you download music illegally? -Yes. Do you buy any music? What format? -Never. 5 years ago. How would you feel if your music was being downloaded illegally? -I’d feel upset by still understanding. Whether you steal music or not, is it unfair to the artists? -It’s fair because people are listening to their music. Should legal action be carried out to lessen or stop illegal downloading? Why? -No, I don’t like censorship. Is downloading music illegally the way of the future? -No it’ll deal with the clouds. Do you think it’ll last forever? -No, it’ll turn into online memberships. Before the internet, would you have bought as much music as you download? -No, no chance.

Musician #2:

Do you download music illegally? -Yes. Do you buy any music? What format? -Occasionally off itunes, no cds, mostly used vinyl (some new). How would you feel if your music was being downloaded illegally? -Exposure is good, but making no money sucks. Double-edged sword. If enough money is made from other things, it doesn’t matter. Whether you steal music or not, is it unfair to the artists? -Ultimately yes. Should legal action be carried out to lessen or stop illegal downloading? Why? -No because it’s how I get my music but it would be good for the music industry. Is downloading music illegally the way of the future? -Definitely part of the future and present. Do you think it’ll last forever? -It’ll last until new technology is developed to prevent illegal downloading. Before the internet, would you have bought as much music as you download? -No, wouldn’t be able to afford. If the money was available, I would buy as many as I could.