DSOP wrote:Can something be perceived as important, and also as having no value simultaneously? If music really is that important to someone, wouldn't they be willing to pay something for it? And wouldn't they be willing to listen to it while focusing on it (instead of while working, or jogging, or grocery shopping)?
Well, the comment of mine that you quoted was not in regards to piracy but the previous generation's view of the newest since the topic veered in that direction. I do believe they should pay for it no doubt; however, I will not pontificate about how they will listen to it.
I jog and listen to music for two reasons.
1. Focusing on the music helps me alienate my senses, making the act of jogging much easier to do for long periods.
2. Since I'm focusing on it, I can really do a lot of listening homework ie. stuff I want to ape, tracks I might need to learn for a call gig, or dig on something I've never heard.
Should I not listen to music in my car? Or when I'm doing stuff around the house? Also, the way you perceive how people value stuff is totally intrinsic and is no way congruent with reality.
DSOP wrote:New music isn't any crappier than old crappy music. There's just more music than ever, so there's bound to be more crap. I think the bigger issue is that it's hard to find the better music. Radio started going downhill in the 80s, and is all but pointless now in that regard. That's probably the bigger reason for the endless parade of "classic" rock bands and nostalgia.
Mathematically, the ratio would stay the same if exposure vs. content were linearly related. One thing I know is impossible is that the crap would grow without the good stuff increasing as well.
Another question: How many bands never made it past the A&R chopping block in the old days that might have been considered great music. One will never know.
And, "the endless parade of "classic" rock bands and nostalgia" is perpetuated because people get stuck in there time/genre. In 50 years classic rock will be called indie rock and indie rock tribute bands will be playing Native American Casinos all over the country.
DSOP wrote:As for breaking off with new people and ideas, I can't say I've heard much of that in a long time. Everything I hear is extremely derivative, yet without the passion of the original inspiration. I honestly can't think of any artist or band that has less than five years of history that I care for.
First off this is purely opinion based and also limited to how much music you have exposed yourself to.
Second of all, all music us derivative in an incredible amount of ways. It has rhythm, most music follows the tempered scale, most music uses or at least stems from tertian harmony, instrumentation in the 20th century is very similar (especially prior to electronics), etc.. it's an evolution.
DSOP wrote:And where is the motivation to really experiment and break new ground in music? If you can't find an outlet for it, and no one is going to hear it (let alone buy it), how can you get three or four people to commit to anything long term? It may be possible but it's highly unlikely and extremely difficult.
This rings true no matter when. At least now you have a chance at distributing and producing it yourself when no one else will.
Ardent15 wrote:Music isn't that important to a lot of young people. It is to some, yes, but not many. And I'm one the "current youth", so yeah. I can say that from experience.
Ok, we have you're data, now you need to meet with an old person and compare. Also, if it is true, it might not be because of music.
Things that exist now that didn't not too long ago:
Computers
Internet
Video Games
These three things could be solely responsible for diminishing interest in music; however, I still believe it is important to young people, as I see inspiration in the young people I teach and enrollment is up most of the college and university music programs in my state.
Look it, my main point is that all of these things are a sign of the times. We are in a major technological revolution, such is why pirating is possible. We need to catch up to ourselves. Also, the generation war is so played out and obvious. Everyone here complaining about music now was receiving the same earful from their progenitors. If every generation was right, music would have died due to entropic failure long ago. It's the same thing as how the Armageddon is always coming. Louis Armstrong called bebop "incomprehensible". Do you think Charlie Parker, Coltrane and Miles Davis are incomprehensible? Well the generation before did and thought it was the end of jazz.
This negative outlook is what got me frantic to type. I hear the same thing hidden in all the arguments. Even if they're 100% right as the argument against piracy is, it exists in large or very very minute qualities but is still there nonetheless. What I hear is a very faint "I'm old, the world is changing, and I'm scared". I'm not saying anyone is old as it is a relative term, but the sentiment of not being young or fresh is there. No argument or declaration motivated by this fear of the unknown is good. Young people don't know, they just are reckless and don't think about it as much or are filled with inspiration and can't be troubled with it.
People argue like this over all types of art. The fact is, the artist makes their statement, and you take it or leave it. There is no grand score keeper.
Just be glad Harry Partch didn't catch on in a big way in the middle of the 20th century or all music would be micro-tonal.