Sunday, 31 January 2010

Can popular music ever really be unplugged?


Along with all other industries across the world, the music industry has adopted technology to improve quality, distribution and profitability. With popular music being dependant on commercialization, can it ever be unplugged? Since the invention of the recording and amplifiers artists can express their talents across the world. If technology were to be eliminated, this commercial industry would fold and instead of being international, artists would have to refer to local or national coverage. The use of recording has allowed people the capability to listen to music where ever and when ever. Amplifiers have also played an important role, if taken away music from all forms of technology would not exist. Live acoustic performances would therefore be played to small groups in small arenas. Popular music would then change in style, context and content. Folk music would perhaps become popular music as it was hundreds of years ago, the thought of technology not existing would destroy a whole way of social life.

Monday, 25 January 2010

What is Popular Music?


Some may refer popular music as highly commercialized or others may regard it as music of the time. In fact it could be both, it could be defined in many different ways depending on any individuals thoughts. The word ‘popular’ originated as the legal term ‘popularis’ (belonging to the people), with several changes though history the popularis term has somewhat remained. Now, we have the term popularize, which refers to presenting knowledge in generally assessable ways. To popularize is to simplify, top ten and number 1 records haven’t always been works of a genius or a classic. For example bob the builder reached Christmas number 1 in 2000 ahead of international superstar eminem. Its best defined by Ray Shuker as “essentially all popular music consists of hybrid’s of musical traditions, styles, influences and is also a economic product which is invested with ideological significance by many of its consumers” (R.Shuker, understanding popular music)