If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy listening to music. But have you ever thought about what music is, and how it’s created?
Music is a form of art, and like all forms of art, it’s a reflection of the culture that produced it. Today’s music is a reflection of our modern, fast-paced world. It’s eclectic, diverse, and ever-changing.
Whether you’re a fan of pop, rock, hip-hop, or anything in between, there’s something out there for everyone. So take a listen and find out what music is saying about our world today.
Music Industry News
As the music industry continues to adapt and evolve, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest news. Here are some recent stories from the world of music:
-Spotify is testing a new feature that would allow users to block artists they don’t want to see in their playlists. The move comes as the streaming service tries to address complaints about artists with problematic behavior, such as R. Kelly and XXXTentacion, being promoted on its platform.
-Apple Music is reportedly planning to launch a lossless audio version of its service later this year. The move would put Apple in direct competition with Tidal, which has offered lossless audio since it launched in 2015.
-Pandora is launching a new premium subscription tier that will offer on-demand listening and other features for $10 per month. The new tier, which will be called Pandora Plus, will launch later this year.
-YouTube is reportedly working on a new music streaming service that will be similar to Spotify and Apple Music. The service is said to be launched in March 2018, and will likely be priced at $10 per month.
Music Technology
Music technology is the use of any device, mechanism, machine or tool by a musician or composer to make or perform music; to compose, notate, play back or record songs or pieces; or to reproduce or distribute music. The earliest known application of technology to music was prehistoric peoples’ use of a tool to hand-drill holes in bones to make simple flutes. Ancient Egyptians developed stringed instruments, such as harps and lyres, and percussion instruments, such as cymbals. In China, Confucius (551–479 BC) wrote about the influence of music in society.
The first technological marvel in music was the invention of automatic musical instruments such as the player piano and musical box. These devices enabled composers such as Franz Liszt and Scott Joplin to create new pieces that were mechanically “played” without the need for a human performer. The disadvantage of these devices was that they could only play notes that were programmed into them beforehand; they were not truly “automatic” in the sense of being able to improvise or respond to changes in the music on the fly.
Music Production
The electronic music revolution of the last decade has changed the landscape of music production forever. The tools and techniques that were once the domain of professional studios are now available to anyone with a computer and an internet connection.
This has led to a boom in home recording and self-produced music, as well as a new generation of independent artists who are bypassing traditional record labels altogether.
If you’re interested in getting into music production, there’s no better time than now. In this guide, we’ll go over the basics of what you need to get started.
First, you’ll need a computer with enough power to run music production software. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need the latest and greatest Mac Pro – most modern laptops will do just fine.
Next, you’ll need some software. There are a few different options available, but the two most popular are Apple Logic Pro and Ableton Live. Both are excellent choices for beginners, so it really comes down to personal preference. There are also many free options available if you’re on a budget.
Once you have your software set up, you’ll need some way to create or record your music. This can be done either with a digital audio interface (DAI) or an analog input device like a MIDI keyboard or controller. Again, there are many different options available depending on your budget and needs.
Music Theory
Finally, you’ll need some basic knowledge of music theory and composition if you want to create original songs rather than simply remixing existing ones. Don’t worry this doesn’t mean you need to be able to play an instrument perfectly or read sheet music fluently. There are many resources available online (and offline) that can help you get started with music theory basics.
Now that you have all the basics covered, it’s time to start making some noise!
Music Education
Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. It can encompass both the academic study of music and the practical study of music. Music education can be found in schools, colleges, and universities.
There is a long tradition of music education in the Western world, dating back to ancient Greece. In more recent history, the field of music education has been shaped by a number of different movements and philosophies, including the Kodaly method, Orff Schulwerk, Suzuki method, and contemporary approaches such as Dalcroze eurhythmics and Gordon Music Learning Theory.
Music Business
The music business is a broad term that encompasses the people who create new songs and musical pieces (songwriters and composers), the businesses and organizations that financially support and distribute them (record labels, publishing companies, and music venues), as well as those that promote their live performances or broadcast them to listeners (concert promoters, radio and television stations, and streaming services). It also includes the legal framework under which all of these activities take place (intellectual property law), as well as the academic study of musicology.
Music Marketing
Before the digital age, music marketing was limited to physical means such as flyers, posters, and print ads. Today, music marketing has taken on a whole new meaning with the rise of social media and online streaming platforms. With so many ways to reach potential fans, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Here are a few tips for marketing your music in the digital age:
1. Start with a strong social media presence.
Make sure you have an active presence on all the major social media platforms, and that your branding is consistent across all channels. Post regularly and interact with your followers to keep them engaged.
2. Use online tools to reach new audiences.
There are a number of online tools that can help you reach new audiences, such as streaming services, music blogs, and fan communities. Make sure you’re leveraging all these platforms to maximum effect.
3. Host live events and stream them online.
Live events are a great way to connect with fans and build buzz around your music. If you can’t host a live event in person, consider streaming it online so that more people can experience it.
4. Collaborate with other artists.
Collaborating with other artists is a great way to reach new audiences and create interesting content. See if there are any artists you can team up with for joint ventures or collaborations.
Music Distribution
The way in which music is distributed has changed drastically over the past few decades. In the past, if you wanted to listen to music, you had to either buy a physical copy of an album or go to a concert. Now, there are a number of ways to listen to music, including streaming services, digital downloads, and radio.
The most popular way to listen to music today is through streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. These services allow you to listen to millions of songs for a monthly fee. They also offer a free tier with limited features. Another popular way to listen to music is through digital downloads. Services such as iTunes and Amazon Music sell individual songs and albums that can be downloaded and played. Radio is also still a popular way to listen to music, especially in the car. There are numerous radio stations that play different genres of music around the clock.
Music Streaming
The music streaming industry has exploded in recent years, with many different platforms now available to listeners. This can be a great way to enjoy your favorite tunes, but it can also be overwhelming to try to figure out which service is right for you.
One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to use a free or paid service. Free music streaming platforms like Pandora and Spotify offer a great way to discovery new music, but they often have ads and limited features. Paid services like Apple Music and Tidal offer ad-free listening, along with other premium features like high-quality audio and access to exclusive content.
Another important consideration is the type of device you want to use to listen to your music. Many music streaming platforms are available on both desktop and mobile devices, but some are limited to one or the other.
Finally, take some time to explore the different features offered by each platform before you decide which one is right for you. Some services let you create custom playlists, while others offer on-demand listening or radio stations pre-programmed with similar artists. Think about what you want from your music streaming experience and choose the service that best fits your needs.
Music Downloads
People have been downloading music from the internet since the early days of Napster. But with the advent of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, downloads have become increasingly rare. In fact, according to a recent report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), global music downloads fell by 12.1% in 2018, while streaming grew by 26.6%.
There are a number of reasons for this shift, but one of the biggest is convenience. With streaming, you can listen to any song you want at any time, without having to worry about storing or organizing files. You also don’t have to worry about buying individual tracks or albums; most streaming services offer a monthly subscription that gives you unlimited access to their music library.
Of course, there are still some downsides to streaming. For one, you need to be connected to the internet in order to listen. This can be a problem if you’re trying to listen on the go or in places with spotty cell service. Additionally, because you don’t technically own the music you listen to on a streaming service, if you stop paying your subscription, you’ll lose access to all of it.
Still, for many people, the convenience and affordability of streaming has made it the preferred way to listen to music today.
Music Piracy
Music piracy is the illegal downloading or copying of music files without the permission of the copyright holder. This includes downloading music from file-sharing sites, ripping CDs, and downloading music from peer-to-peer networks.
There are a number of reasons why people engage in music piracy. For some, it is simply a matter of convenience. Others do it because they want to have a larger collection of music than they could afford to buy legally.
Whatever the reasons, music piracy is illegal, and it can have a negative impact on the careers of musicians and other industry professionals. When people download pirated files, they are taking revenue away from artists, record labels, distributors, and everyone else involved. This can make it difficult for new artists to break into the business, and it can limit the ability of established artists to continue making new music. Additionally, when people pirate music instead of buying it legally, they are missing out on the opportunity to support their favorite musicians in a sustainable way.