Music industry has significantly been transformed over time. The primary change of these transformations has been technology that has impacted on the entire music making processes from finding artist to music distribution. Arguably, advances in technology have a profound impact on all aspect of popular music today. Notably, there are five aspects to, technological impacts on popular music. There are several strong arguments as to whether advancement of online media distribution which is the issue under discussing in this essay has been pivotal in the music industry.
In the course of development of popular music, advanced technologies have given way to creative possibilities for musicians and hence created a wide large of choices for customers. To begin with is the internet and the social media which has radically changed how upcoming artists venture in the music arena. Second is the rapid growth of the online distribution which has seen significant growth of both the artist and the label. Third, record labels have embraced online distribution of music to effective cud piracy. Fourth, ruinous music piracy, which has significantly been influenced by technology, and lastly, is how popular music has embraced technology for continued growth.
For a very long time; people have bartered for as long as it has been made. The emergence and adaptation of technology have impacted on the music industry from both an institutional and sociological perspective. The evolution of technology on music as a culturally based product has lowered the cost and the scale of music production. It has also induced periods of de-concentration in this industry by easing entry of smaller product innovating firms. With continued digital technology growth, the traditional recording industry that was dominated by major labels, has come under increased pressure and is on the verge of collapse.
The record labels controlled music assesses to customers and provided artists with financial support to make recording and distribution a viable option. This record labels turned music into business since they would make music that was only available through live audience available to consumers. From this approach, technology has boosted music industry on music production and sale to boost. Technology has also played vital roles in the music industry in use of improved computerized instrumentals that have saved the artist from employing excessive human capital; this improved and improvised way of making music has attracted a lot of people into the industry. Unfortunately, it has allowed poor stage performance and threatened music cultural heritage that involved live band instruments and competitive styles among music artists.
Nonetheless, record labels have been sluggish in adapting these changes that have lead to a long-standing predicament of illegal downloading or music piracy. Music piracy has drastically changed the entire music business and music distribution within this industry. Even with the lawsuit having undertaken several attempts to combat music, technology continues to affect this industry for a long time.
For some time now, music piracy problem has been impacted by advancement in technology. Nonetheless, several theories have come up on how the music industry can develop in this environment. Scherer (2006) argues that the internet assists record labels by exposing artists to the market place. This allows music labels to sign artists who become most renowned since better artist are discovered by the public before they become signed by record labels, thus reducing their economic risks. Nonetheless, the individual music artists are disadvantaged because they are not in a position to succeed in mainstream media without the marketing and promotion that is offered by a major record label. Cockrill and Liu (2013) argue that although record labels consider illegal downloading of music as a major problem, at time this practice lead to increased innovation by artists. It also increases consumer awareness of available products. As such, record labels should be willing to less stringent on copyright laws enforcement. Nijs and Leman (2014) further argue that the impact of piracy on profits can not supersede the impacts resulting from pursuing legal action. Neither is it stronger that the subsequent negative publicity on the record label.
According to Molteni and Ordanini (2003) internet and online downloading can result to increased profits for concerts, merchandisers, and record labels. Notably, many people who download music illegally would not have been exposed to music if they were required to purchase it. Subsequently, this translates to more concert tickets sale and also stimulates future consumption of music for an artist. In addition, record labels should renegotiate their contracts with music artist so that they can reduce emphasis on record sales.
In conclusion, technology has gained profound and lasting impact al entire aspects of modern music industry. It provides exciting new opportunities for artists and record labels to continue marketing popular music products and services. Notably, as the surging number of new the generation of technologically-savvy population continue to come, internet and social media are critical to capturing their attention and interests. Additionally, record labels have been sluggish in adapting to the technological changes in the music industry today. It is apparent that advancement in technology has benefited popular music and many artist have turned to internet and social media to improve they music advertisement, production and distribution
References
Cockrill A & Liu Y. (2013). Western popular music consumption by highly involved Chinese music fans Original Research Article. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Volume 20, Issue 3, Pages 263-271
Nijs L & Leman M. (2014). Interactive technologies in the instrumental music classroom: A longitudinal study with the Music Paint Machine Original Research Article. Computers & Education, Volume 73, Pages 40-59
Molteni L & Ordanini A. (2003). Consumption Patterns, Digital Technology and Music Downloading Original: Research Article. Long Range Planning, Volume 36, Issue 4, Pages 389-406
Scherer F. (2006). The Evolution of Music Markets: Review Article. Handbook of the Economics of Art and Culture, Volume 1, Pages 123-143
