Here we are at the start of 2010, and the economy ( be it a recession, or, a depression ) is still in the tank. That fact, coupled with the rise of studio quality home recording made possible by your MacBook Pro, and singles downloading at .99 a pop replacing the purchasing of CDs, has created a perfect storm that could mean the end of the music business as we know it. While I hear all the time that the computer has made it easier for starting musicians to build a following for countless reasons - I've no doubt that's true - at the same time, it has de-valued recorded music as a commodity to the point where it will soon be possible to have quite the following, and still be broke.
In a nutshell, over the course of a century, music has made the transition from being a service, to being a product, and now back to being a service. Songwriters, pre-Edison, could make a living writing songs with the sale of sheet music. In those days, musicians were paid to perform live only. They were service providers. When we use the term "The Music Business" today, however, we are really referring to a relatively short period from the invention of recorded sound ala Thomas Edison sometime around 1877 to date. With this invention recorded music became a product. Soon, the "Recording Star" was born. Well, just as when too much cash is injected into the economy its value decreases (inflation), There is now an inflation of recorded music causing a similar devaluation.
I remain positive and hopeful that, through creative thinking, we performing musicians can make the adjustment and, in time, survive. We need to look for niche areas not being filled. For example. If we accept that anyone with a lap-top and some reasonably good software can record their own music and distribute it, regardless of quality, without needing a recording contract, then we must consider things like: style, lyric content, is the music we hear even relevant anymore?, subject matter. Perhaps it is time to consider a return to the "Brill Building" model where the emphasis is songwriting quality. After all, regardless of the state of the recording business, the successful songwriters will be the ones who survive and thrive.
Consider honing your songwriting talents. Think about what kind of music you're NOT hearing. Use the old adage used by authors: "I couldn't find a single book on the subject, so, I wrote one." In a time when record labels are gone and music creation and recording is available to anyone with or without "talent". Quality and uniqueness will be the keys to success in this business of music.
Suggestions? Advice? Stories?
In a nutshell, over the course of a century, music has made the transition from being a service, to being a product, and now back to being a service. Songwriters, pre-Edison, could make a living writing songs with the sale of sheet music. In those days, musicians were paid to perform live only. They were service providers. When we use the term "The Music Business" today, however, we are really referring to a relatively short period from the invention of recorded sound ala Thomas Edison sometime around 1877 to date. With this invention recorded music became a product. Soon, the "Recording Star" was born. Well, just as when too much cash is injected into the economy its value decreases (inflation), There is now an inflation of recorded music causing a similar devaluation.
I remain positive and hopeful that, through creative thinking, we performing musicians can make the adjustment and, in time, survive. We need to look for niche areas not being filled. For example. If we accept that anyone with a lap-top and some reasonably good software can record their own music and distribute it, regardless of quality, without needing a recording contract, then we must consider things like: style, lyric content, is the music we hear even relevant anymore?, subject matter. Perhaps it is time to consider a return to the "Brill Building" model where the emphasis is songwriting quality. After all, regardless of the state of the recording business, the successful songwriters will be the ones who survive and thrive.
Consider honing your songwriting talents. Think about what kind of music you're NOT hearing. Use the old adage used by authors: "I couldn't find a single book on the subject, so, I wrote one." In a time when record labels are gone and music creation and recording is available to anyone with or without "talent". Quality and uniqueness will be the keys to success in this business of music.
Suggestions? Advice? Stories?