The internet + music - good or bad?

[jnbammer]

I think the Internet is an extremely powerful and empowering tool for musicians and independent artists of all kinds to connect with people around the world. It provides instant access and tons of exposure. The problem is how to get seen, noticed or discovered. There is a lot to choose from on a variety of sites. Nothing beats experiencing music in person though, so while the Internet has its place I hope that it never supplants going to concerts or live performances. Just my opinions.

[pnoom]

I think the presence of music forums definitely empowers word of mouth. The internet also allows downloading. There are pros and cons.

[hillelr]

i think the internet has
made things for the better for musicians.
now they are not totally depended on the music industry
the "middle man" between the fans/listeners and musicians
is less needed and so the music can be controlled more by the musicians themselves and so we will hear better and more creative and more inspirational music in the future and the musicians will get more money for what they do and they deserve it.

[Corno Dolce]

With such a powerful tool like the 'net, one needs to have a powerful 'net ethic to begin with. Hey gang - let's try to codify nine more guiding principles:

1. Don't be evil

[methodistgirl]

I believe there should be a balance there. Where I live you have to
travel at least fifty miles to get to the nearest music store unless a
compact disc is all you want. For us musicians it's Evansville, In. if
you want sheet music or get it off of the net either one. I'm the one
who has to get it off of the net. I don't travel much.
judy tooley

[Krummhorn]

I think the Internet is an extremely powerful and empowering tool for musicians and independent artists of all kinds to connect with people around the world. It provides instant access and tons of exposure. The problem is how to get seen, noticed or discovered. There is a lot to choose from on a variety of sites. Nothing beats experiencing music in person though, so while the Internet has its place I hope that it never supplants going to concerts or live performances. Just my opinions.

Well said ...

We are ushers for the local university's performance hall - It seats about 2400, and it has been full for every performance so far this season. This is true for non-musical events as well ... last night it was David Sedaris, and the place was full to overflowing. Itzhak Perlman in performing here in January 2008; the entire house sold out last August in just 2 days, and a good number of those tix were at $85(USD) per seat!! Fortunately, we are ushering that night, and as such get in for free ... woohoo!!

Although world renown artists can be heard on radio, television, CD's, streaming internet, etc., there is no substitute for being there for the live performance.

[Oneiros]

With such a powerful tool like the 'net, one needs to have a powerful 'net ethic to begin with. Hey gang - let's try to codify nine more guiding principles:

1. Don't be evil

2. Don't type naughty words into google images

[Corno Dolce]

Hi Oneiros,

Excellent addition to the Codex Argenteus of Internet Usage.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

[lucyjones88]

I think the internet is having a really positive affect on the classical music world as a whole - for musicians and listeners.

Classical music CD sales in shops are falling dramatically, which doomsayers have taken to mean that there is a decline in interest in classical music, but the genre with the highest increase in sales through downloads shops has been classical music. People are able to discover and rediscover classical music in the safety of there own home, which hopefully in turn will encourage more people to go to live events as that is where the magic happens.

There are issues about the sound quality of downloaded classical music, but I've heard that mp3s give a better quality if downloading is the option you want. The problem is that there aren't yet enough places that have a large enough catalogue of classical music with the right kind of search functions - I get increasingly frustrated about the pop music focus of places like iTunes.

Also what I'd like to see more of on the internet are places that support young musicians in the first stages of their career - these people have a huge commitment to classical music and they get drowned out on the web by pop-focused sites.

I think classical music's relationship with the internet is going to be a great one, but I'd like to see more websites that take into account the things that would make such a relationship prosper.

[Krummhorn]

Hi lucyjones88 ... Welcome to Magle International Music Forums

I agree with your comment about supporting young musicians that are just starting out. We do just that right here in this forum community. New musicians embarking into composing or playing can post within this forum asking for advice or constructive criticism. Since this site is quite searchable via Google, and the use of refbacks and pingbacks from other sites, the new musician can get a good amount of exposure.

Again, glad to have you here in this forum.

[jnbammer]

Well said ...

We are ushers for the local university's performance hall - It seats about 2400, and it has been full for every performance so far this season. This is true for non-musical events as well ... last night it was David Sedaris, and the place was full to overflowing. Itzhak Perlman in performing here in January 2008; the entire house sold out last August in just 2 days, and a good number of those tix were at $85(USD) per seat!! Fortunately, we are ushering that night, and as such get in for free ... woohoo!!

Although world renown artists can be heard on radio, television, CD's, streaming internet, etc., there is no substitute for being there for the live performance.

------------------------
Thanks, and it must be amazing getting to see so many live shows at the university.

One of the things that I did to help pay for college was work for the Arts & Entertainment section of a local newspaper in CT. No one liked going to review the live shows because they were always late and you had to rush back before deadline to get the story in the following day's edition. I loved it though!

When you experience good music of any genre performed well in a live environment, it is extremely moving - much different than listening to a download on the computer or iPod.

[Mahlon]

The internet + Music = I get my music out to the world! and I don't have to worry about darn record companies and the like