As reflected in this ten week journal, music has undergone many changes and will continue to do so. As Gilles so delicately puts it in regards to podcasts, "To get there, to that millennium in the future, those podcasts will need to cross countless hazards of changes in technology platforms, and archival guardians, not to mention a rash of electronically transmitted diseases” (Gilles, 2008, p. 104). Music will continue to change as will musicians, the business industry, and music admirers and listeners.
Hopefully the music business will realize that musicians need to gain more recognition and money. "The Man" at each record company is the equivalent to all the money scoundrels we see in bail lout companies who were going to declare bankruptcy one minute and then turn around and give all their employees bonuses with money that does not really even belong to them. As more musicians take their careers into their own hands and become profitable because of it, record execs are getting slapped in the face. Sometimes it takes a revolution to get things to change.
It is clear that music has undergone a revolution in years past with the discovery of Napster and free music downloading. Fans and consumers are screaming for a break as well as artists. As Gordon (2008) describes in chapter 20 artists can look towards alternative ways of getting recognized. Artists can be featured on virtual worlds like Second Life or on a popular MTV virtual world of The Hills.
Cyberspace is becoming an interesting place and musicians can take advantage of the future of music through these means and many others.
Gillies, M. (2008). From Pencil to Podcast: Maximizing Musical Resources. Fontes Artis Musicae, 55(1), 101-10. Retrieved from Library Lit & Inf Full Text database.
Gordon, S. (2008). The Future of the Music Business: How to Succeed with New Digital Technologies. New York: Hal Leonard.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Week 9: Music Collections
Music collections are becoming more innovative as technology progresses. With the introduction of web 2.0 tools music collections are able to add bells and whistles to plain jane information and data. Cardell (2002) points out that databases are now able to include links to an artists biography, video, and audio. Applications like these area able to provide students, patrons, and researchers with more information in a one shop stop.
The accessibility to information is increasing and the opportunity to share that information is becoming more wide spread. For instance, people are now able to hear music that may have been discovered years ago. Researchers are able to use this information to seek out historical events or explore sociology. Right here at home in the University of South Florida library people are able to explore 4000 pieces of sheet music that influenced African American history.
The possibilities are endless in regards to the information a library can obtain, preserve, and pass on from generation to generation. And as technology continues to aid new venues more information can be upheld and delivered. Vendors are also understanding this and trying to put out promotional products that will entice mobile device holders. Gale the major component of Cengage Learning is a widely used database which is now offering free iPad applications. for public libraries.
This new application from Gale is just one example of how digital collections will most likely be a way of life in the near future. What does this mean for future generations? More access at any time. More careers created due to the increase in information. More of an information supply to the new emerging careers or college programs. Their are unlimited options that could spark new trends for the music business and as a result the need for libraries and their music collections.
Cardell, V. (2002). Digital Media Reviews. Notes, 58(4), 889.
The accessibility to information is increasing and the opportunity to share that information is becoming more wide spread. For instance, people are now able to hear music that may have been discovered years ago. Researchers are able to use this information to seek out historical events or explore sociology. Right here at home in the University of South Florida library people are able to explore 4000 pieces of sheet music that influenced African American history.
The possibilities are endless in regards to the information a library can obtain, preserve, and pass on from generation to generation. And as technology continues to aid new venues more information can be upheld and delivered. Vendors are also understanding this and trying to put out promotional products that will entice mobile device holders. Gale the major component of Cengage Learning is a widely used database which is now offering free iPad applications. for public libraries.
This new application from Gale is just one example of how digital collections will most likely be a way of life in the near future. What does this mean for future generations? More access at any time. More careers created due to the increase in information. More of an information supply to the new emerging careers or college programs. Their are unlimited options that could spark new trends for the music business and as a result the need for libraries and their music collections.
Cardell, V. (2002). Digital Media Reviews. Notes, 58(4), 889.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Week 8: Improvisation
In the week 8 readings there was much discussion about musicians and becoming more tech-savvy. This is the case as everything is becoming more digital and new generations rely on the internet. If artists' fans are checking their website there is a certain level of expectation from the artist to have free music, videos, or even photos. Fans want to see myspace or facebook pages and become closer to the artists by befriending them on social networks or following them on twitter. As musicians become more popular they are almost considered role models or something a fan may want to be.
Never the less, fans or just plain curiosity lead people to want more information and the easiest way to find it is behind a computer screen in the comfort of one's own home. Cohen (2010) makes an excellent point about the internet creating a line of communication between musicians and fans. He also suggests that the internet is just an extension or an aid to provide music services and artists need to take advantage of this. Whether it be through social networking or creating a web page, bands need to get on the technology band wagon in order to satisfy modern fans.
In The Future of the Music Business, Steve Gordon advises that there are several different ways to improvise with relatively free or low-cost technology for musicians. Blogging or web blogging, getting onto Satellite Radio, selling on online record stores like CD Baby., webcasting. Everything must be used wisely, however, because there can be loop holes in every type of business and artists can often become victim to it. In the example of MySpace Gordon (2008) explains how if you are not an indie artists you could end up paying a great deal in commission to MySpace. So much commission that it is not even worth it to use MySpace. The reason being is that indie artists are sought out on MySpace and there is a great demand for indie bands.
Thus, just like with anything in life everything must be taken with a grain of salt and artists must be ready to improvise with what they have and what they can do. Jazz musicians improvised a form of art and were able to put the United States on the map of music history. Many musicians are talented and do not always have the means to make it on their own. With today's advances in technology there are ways to self-promote at a cost-efficient rate and improvise with whatever you can. As I have discovered with this class it is as cheap as free to create a blog. If anyone other than my professor reads it - that is an entirely different story. Musicians must work twice as hard as ever to self-promote, but the advantage is there are more options at low-cost.
Gordon, S. (2008). The Future of the Music Business: How to Succeed with New Digital Technologies. New York: Hal Leonard.
Cohen, A. M. (2010). Reinventing the music business: will artists and fans even need record companies in the future? The Futurist, 44(1),12-13.
Never the less, fans or just plain curiosity lead people to want more information and the easiest way to find it is behind a computer screen in the comfort of one's own home. Cohen (2010) makes an excellent point about the internet creating a line of communication between musicians and fans. He also suggests that the internet is just an extension or an aid to provide music services and artists need to take advantage of this. Whether it be through social networking or creating a web page, bands need to get on the technology band wagon in order to satisfy modern fans.
In The Future of the Music Business, Steve Gordon advises that there are several different ways to improvise with relatively free or low-cost technology for musicians. Blogging or web blogging, getting onto Satellite Radio, selling on online record stores like CD Baby., webcasting. Everything must be used wisely, however, because there can be loop holes in every type of business and artists can often become victim to it. In the example of MySpace Gordon (2008) explains how if you are not an indie artists you could end up paying a great deal in commission to MySpace. So much commission that it is not even worth it to use MySpace. The reason being is that indie artists are sought out on MySpace and there is a great demand for indie bands.
Thus, just like with anything in life everything must be taken with a grain of salt and artists must be ready to improvise with what they have and what they can do. Jazz musicians improvised a form of art and were able to put the United States on the map of music history. Many musicians are talented and do not always have the means to make it on their own. With today's advances in technology there are ways to self-promote at a cost-efficient rate and improvise with whatever you can. As I have discovered with this class it is as cheap as free to create a blog. If anyone other than my professor reads it - that is an entirely different story. Musicians must work twice as hard as ever to self-promote, but the advantage is there are more options at low-cost.
Gordon, S. (2008). The Future of the Music Business: How to Succeed with New Digital Technologies. New York: Hal Leonard.
Cohen, A. M. (2010). Reinventing the music business: will artists and fans even need record companies in the future? The Futurist, 44(1),12-13.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Week 7: Music Economics
Careers in music are typically thought of as being either a musician or someone who controls musicians. Most people do not even think about researching the field or even creating more opportunities to find music via technology. Some music experts are looking into pulling data from music sheets and entering into a computer database in order to archive and preserve physical music sheets. Taking it one step further, there are even ways to then search for these music sheets in a larger database. This type of research then allows for more job creations in developing better access to music technology and different types of musicians. Today music and musicians are breaking stereotypical roles.
For example, on the Berklee College of Music in Boston website a plethora of jobs from being a band's sound technician to a composer offer many different branches for the musically inclined (whether that be with their hands of simply their brains) are available for all music students. Music Therapy is also an interesting field that many may not think about. According to the Berklee website music therapists can work anywhere from Hospice to drug/alcohol programs. The world of music can vary from making profits to helping people.
The Berklee music department knows what its talking about in regards to varying degrees of music careers and being successful. Andrea Fuller's article "From Berklee to 'American Idol,' and Beyond" highlights the success of four graduates from the Berklee College of Music who have gone onto great adventures in music. Four graduates were able to make American Idol auditions after being music business students. It just goes to show that if you are interested in music and decide to study music business you may have a chance of hitting it big or in this case at least getting an audition. The face of music and the jobs that come with it are changing from the stereotypical musician with an instrument. The new musician must also sing, dance, and live through auditions in order to earn their keep. Oh yes, and it doesn't hurt to have a degree in music business.
According to Howe (2009) women are ever present in music education. Apparently women have been music educators for years, in fact they have been involved since 1907. Howe indicates that women were often regarded as invisible in the music field. Times are changing and women are getting more recognized and breaking down the stereotype that only men can teach and learn music.
So the face of music and everything that falls under the umbrella is evolving. The economics of music are changing the way people are educated about the business, technology, and the way it is headed.
Fuller, A. (2010). From Berklee to 'American Idol,' and Beyond. Chronicle of Higher Education, 56, 21, pA6-A6. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier
Howe, S. W. (Fall 2009). A historical view of women in music education careers. Philosophy of Music Education Review, 17, 2. p.162(22). Retrieved July 06, 2010, from Academic OneFile via Gale:
http://find.galegroup.com/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=405_mcls
For example, on the Berklee College of Music in Boston website a plethora of jobs from being a band's sound technician to a composer offer many different branches for the musically inclined (whether that be with their hands of simply their brains) are available for all music students. Music Therapy is also an interesting field that many may not think about. According to the Berklee website music therapists can work anywhere from Hospice to drug/alcohol programs. The world of music can vary from making profits to helping people.
The Berklee music department knows what its talking about in regards to varying degrees of music careers and being successful. Andrea Fuller's article "From Berklee to 'American Idol,' and Beyond" highlights the success of four graduates from the Berklee College of Music who have gone onto great adventures in music. Four graduates were able to make American Idol auditions after being music business students. It just goes to show that if you are interested in music and decide to study music business you may have a chance of hitting it big or in this case at least getting an audition. The face of music and the jobs that come with it are changing from the stereotypical musician with an instrument. The new musician must also sing, dance, and live through auditions in order to earn their keep. Oh yes, and it doesn't hurt to have a degree in music business.
According to Howe (2009) women are ever present in music education. Apparently women have been music educators for years, in fact they have been involved since 1907. Howe indicates that women were often regarded as invisible in the music field. Times are changing and women are getting more recognized and breaking down the stereotype that only men can teach and learn music.
So the face of music and everything that falls under the umbrella is evolving. The economics of music are changing the way people are educated about the business, technology, and the way it is headed.
Fuller, A. (2010). From Berklee to 'American Idol,' and Beyond. Chronicle of Higher Education, 56, 21, pA6-A6. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier
Howe, S. W. (Fall 2009). A historical view of women in music education careers. Philosophy of Music Education Review, 17, 2. p.162(22). Retrieved July 06, 2010, from Academic OneFile via Gale:
http://find.galegroup.com/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=405_mcls
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Week 6: Music Sociology
Kevin Kelly wrote an article about free music and what the different meanings of free music are in his article: "Where Music Will Be Coming From". The on going discussion about free music downloads is not a new thing. In fact, free music downloads have been discussed since Napster first came out in the '90s when music file sharing become a new phenomenon. However, Kelly brings up some good points about you get what you pay for.
The argument that Kelly brings up is a good one. Just because music is free it doesn't always mean that it is top quality. So, when people start to expect free music are they just expecting low quality because that is what they are used to? Or are people simply expecting a free sample of an artists work? I mean it makes sense when you go to an art gallery to be able to view the painting before you buy it, right?
I think that the concept of free sample music is excellent. I mean it is pretty much true that a majority of us have listened to free music and in my experience I have had songs cut off at the end or even the wrong song under the wrong title. Like Kelly argues you are going to get what you pay for and if you do no pay anything you should not expect anything. On the other hand, if you are going to pay for something you want your money's worth. So, new artists are beginning to add second discs into their albums when you buy the physical copy. I recently bought a Sounds album in which came a free poster and a DVD to watch some of their videos.
Consumers are looking for more. So, whether it be a free poster or a free sample of an artist's music, consumers want more! Maybe this is just one way of oeople saying record labels charge too much and they need to get off of their stacks of cash and contribute more to either the artists (who are most of the time being robbed by the record company) or to the fans. Some fans devote entire websites and blogs to artists, promoting and marketing for the band at no cost. What do these fans get in return? A free poster from the record company! Not exactly fair or worth what a consumer has paid.
So, where does this leave fans and musicians? Well, fans either become more devoted and visit bands on tour for live music or fans just simply become free music downloaders and hurt record sales. Hopefully this will create some notice in the eyes for music business execs and either offer more free posters or lower their prices and pay musicians their fair share.
The argument that Kelly brings up is a good one. Just because music is free it doesn't always mean that it is top quality. So, when people start to expect free music are they just expecting low quality because that is what they are used to? Or are people simply expecting a free sample of an artists work? I mean it makes sense when you go to an art gallery to be able to view the painting before you buy it, right?
I think that the concept of free sample music is excellent. I mean it is pretty much true that a majority of us have listened to free music and in my experience I have had songs cut off at the end or even the wrong song under the wrong title. Like Kelly argues you are going to get what you pay for and if you do no pay anything you should not expect anything. On the other hand, if you are going to pay for something you want your money's worth. So, new artists are beginning to add second discs into their albums when you buy the physical copy. I recently bought a Sounds album in which came a free poster and a DVD to watch some of their videos.
Consumers are looking for more. So, whether it be a free poster or a free sample of an artist's music, consumers want more! Maybe this is just one way of oeople saying record labels charge too much and they need to get off of their stacks of cash and contribute more to either the artists (who are most of the time being robbed by the record company) or to the fans. Some fans devote entire websites and blogs to artists, promoting and marketing for the band at no cost. What do these fans get in return? A free poster from the record company! Not exactly fair or worth what a consumer has paid.
So, where does this leave fans and musicians? Well, fans either become more devoted and visit bands on tour for live music or fans just simply become free music downloaders and hurt record sales. Hopefully this will create some notice in the eyes for music business execs and either offer more free posters or lower their prices and pay musicians their fair share.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Week 5: The Music Cognition Field
The field of music cognition is vast and promotes many questions about the study of the human development and understanding of music recognition. There are many different avenues in the field and at one University they have discovered tribal songs from the past. The Music Cognition Department at Ohio State University is leading a unique endeavor called the Densmore Project. The project is collecting Native American songs from some of the earliest tribes on the North American continent.
Frances Densmore originally collected the songs on monograph and the Music Cognition Department is focusing on creating a database that will allow students and patrons to search for the songs primarily by tribal name, region, and cultural region. Eventually the songs will be available to download. The concept is mind boggling as many people do not think about applying MP3 formats or podcasts to past civilizations and using modern technology to preserve music let alone be able to search through it.
It will be interesting to see how libraries continue to use the concept of preserving music through MP3s as current music comes out. Some questions music librarians must face today would be what types of music should and shouldn't be preserved? What dictates a song is a piece of art or history? There must be many different questions as music archiving advances.
Check out their site: http://www.musiccog.ohio-state.edu/Densmore/technical.html
In addition, week five's lesson introduced the different stages in which humans are able to perceive and register music cognitively. On the discussion board an article entitled "Babies Learn Music While Sleeping" from Science Daily introduced the concept of how and when we understand music. Something that caught my interest in this article was the explaination of Henkjan Honing of how if we as humans listen more to a specific genre we may have a better music knowledge and appreciation toward this genre even without any musical training.
This particular study makes me wonder that if the entire generation of Baby Einstein listeners or rather "Mozart Effect" children really do have a better musical upbringing in classical music than those that did not listen to classical music as a baby. The "Mozart Effect" is a concept introduced by Don Campbell which claims that babies who listen to Mozart will become brighter and more advanced. It looks like Honing's study may even agree with Campbell.
ICT Results(February 27, 2009).Babies learn music while sleeping. Science Daily. Retrieved June 11, 2009 from http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:RBKh1Yc4I4gJ:www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090226082517.htm+%22music+cognition%22+babies&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Frances Densmore originally collected the songs on monograph and the Music Cognition Department is focusing on creating a database that will allow students and patrons to search for the songs primarily by tribal name, region, and cultural region. Eventually the songs will be available to download. The concept is mind boggling as many people do not think about applying MP3 formats or podcasts to past civilizations and using modern technology to preserve music let alone be able to search through it.
It will be interesting to see how libraries continue to use the concept of preserving music through MP3s as current music comes out. Some questions music librarians must face today would be what types of music should and shouldn't be preserved? What dictates a song is a piece of art or history? There must be many different questions as music archiving advances.
Check out their site: http://www.musiccog.ohio-state.edu/Densmore/technical.html
In addition, week five's lesson introduced the different stages in which humans are able to perceive and register music cognitively. On the discussion board an article entitled "Babies Learn Music While Sleeping" from Science Daily introduced the concept of how and when we understand music. Something that caught my interest in this article was the explaination of Henkjan Honing of how if we as humans listen more to a specific genre we may have a better music knowledge and appreciation toward this genre even without any musical training.
This particular study makes me wonder that if the entire generation of Baby Einstein listeners or rather "Mozart Effect" children really do have a better musical upbringing in classical music than those that did not listen to classical music as a baby. The "Mozart Effect" is a concept introduced by Don Campbell which claims that babies who listen to Mozart will become brighter and more advanced. It looks like Honing's study may even agree with Campbell.
ICT Results(February 27, 2009).Babies learn music while sleeping. Science Daily. Retrieved June 11, 2009 from http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:RBKh1Yc4I4gJ:www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090226082517.htm+%22music+cognition%22+babies&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Monday, June 14, 2010
Week 4: Music Technology
In addition to the discussion on Overdrive last week it has also become apparent that there are more advantages to having digital databases regardless of some of the hurdles. The hurdle as I stated last week is the choice of music made available by libraries on Overdrive. For example, only having classical and new age genres are not exactly the most appealing genres for young adults and even many adults. But, when libraries to make the right or applicable choices Overdrive or databases like this can be very cost-effective.
Materials in the library can get worn down quickly when a popular item comes into play. If you are an AV material you may even get broken within the first week of your introduction. The great thing about having a digital collection is that there are no worries with wear and tear. For that matter there are no issues with wear on tear on any digital format. As tech savvy generations increase the awareness of podcasts and MP3s will only advance in the music field. This concept of no wear and tear will allow more in print items to become indestructible.
Indestructible is just one more great appeal to the digitization of music. Another great aspect of a digital library is that if a library chooses to have Overdrive for instance, there can be an unlimited amount of copies available for a library material. This option can be more expensive than a one item = one person price, but the options are unlimited. Working in youth services this option is very advantageous when it comes to a school districts' recommended reading list for the summer. As soon as the lists are produced mobs of parents come into the library trying to find every book on the list. Not to say that this is a bad thing by any means - it is a great thing! But, when you are a library with a limited budget you may only have one or two copies of the book on that list.
On the other hand, if you have Overdrive's option of unlimited items for unlimited patrons, everyone can have the same book. Our library currently has the one item = one person price. However, if our circulation numbers go up and our budget crisis goes away then we could have a fairy tale ending. In conclusion, the supply is there our libraries just have to advance a little more quickly to catch up.
Materials in the library can get worn down quickly when a popular item comes into play. If you are an AV material you may even get broken within the first week of your introduction. The great thing about having a digital collection is that there are no worries with wear and tear. For that matter there are no issues with wear on tear on any digital format. As tech savvy generations increase the awareness of podcasts and MP3s will only advance in the music field. This concept of no wear and tear will allow more in print items to become indestructible.
Indestructible is just one more great appeal to the digitization of music. Another great aspect of a digital library is that if a library chooses to have Overdrive for instance, there can be an unlimited amount of copies available for a library material. This option can be more expensive than a one item = one person price, but the options are unlimited. Working in youth services this option is very advantageous when it comes to a school districts' recommended reading list for the summer. As soon as the lists are produced mobs of parents come into the library trying to find every book on the list. Not to say that this is a bad thing by any means - it is a great thing! But, when you are a library with a limited budget you may only have one or two copies of the book on that list.
On the other hand, if you have Overdrive's option of unlimited items for unlimited patrons, everyone can have the same book. Our library currently has the one item = one person price. However, if our circulation numbers go up and our budget crisis goes away then we could have a fairy tale ending. In conclusion, the supply is there our libraries just have to advance a little more quickly to catch up.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Week 3: The Digital Revolution in Music
The digital revolution in music is changing the way people listen and access music as well as the way artists are are able to be heard and paid. With the creation of mp3s music can be accessed on the internet all over the world and heard within the privacy of one's own home. With the creation of mp3 players people have the capability of leaving their homes and continue to listen to the music they accessed on the internet whether it be walking down the street or in a car or better yet on public transportaion. Many libraries and vendors are tuning into this and trying to create programs and application for patrons to use.
The digital revolution has made music more accessible and readily available to share with others and this is also present in the library. Libraries are jumping on the band wagon by buying databases which offer digital music to it's patrons. For instance, new databases like Overdrive are allowing patrons to download cd albums straight to their computer or Mp3 player from their homes. Rather than making a trek to the library and searching for a physical CD in the stacks and then checking the material out to eventually take it home and download the item, libraries are becoming hip or simply catching up to the revolution.
Similarly, Alexander Street is an electronic publisher that will soon allow users to download their music collections straight to an iPhone or several different mobile devices. The company also plans to allow users watch video on mobile devices as well. Likewise, EBSCOhost also plans on allowing users to access the database from smartphones. At this rate patrons will never have to leave their homes or on the other hand, they can travel just about anywhere and have information at their footsteps.
Not all libraries have successfully acheived this type of hip status as this digital revolution is only slowly revolutionizing libraries. My county library does have Overdrive but has not subscribed to the complete multimedia package. So while I wait for my library to become hip, I simply registered for a free e-card with the Alachua County Library System and try to download what I can from their hip library. Which by the way - if you are a Florida resident you have the right to do. They even have television series and movies you can download from their site. If you have not checked out how it works or registered for a card you should definitely try at least to see how it is set up - at least this is what my branch manager suggested.
So, I recently tried Alachua County's e-card and accessed Overdrive. The music collection available for downloading is not the most extensive collection. There is free music and the quality of it does come through nicely, but if you are looking for indie rock or the latest and greatest hip hop you may need to look elswhere. While the collection is probably a reflection of budget or simply local patron taste, it does not reflect modern users taste. The collection is primarily made up of classical and new age. And although "new age" is meant to be modern it is very far from "new taste". I do recall Lady Gaga and Jay Z hitting the top of the charts recently.
Moreover, the fact that vendors and libraries are trying to adhere to new generations they may need to remember that the choice in music may also need cater to the new generations that are actually using the products and services. This may be key in creating a successful product.
Happy downloading!
The digital revolution has made music more accessible and readily available to share with others and this is also present in the library. Libraries are jumping on the band wagon by buying databases which offer digital music to it's patrons. For instance, new databases like Overdrive are allowing patrons to download cd albums straight to their computer or Mp3 player from their homes. Rather than making a trek to the library and searching for a physical CD in the stacks and then checking the material out to eventually take it home and download the item, libraries are becoming hip or simply catching up to the revolution.
Similarly, Alexander Street is an electronic publisher that will soon allow users to download their music collections straight to an iPhone or several different mobile devices. The company also plans to allow users watch video on mobile devices as well. Likewise, EBSCOhost also plans on allowing users to access the database from smartphones. At this rate patrons will never have to leave their homes or on the other hand, they can travel just about anywhere and have information at their footsteps.
Not all libraries have successfully acheived this type of hip status as this digital revolution is only slowly revolutionizing libraries. My county library does have Overdrive but has not subscribed to the complete multimedia package. So while I wait for my library to become hip, I simply registered for a free e-card with the Alachua County Library System and try to download what I can from their hip library. Which by the way - if you are a Florida resident you have the right to do. They even have television series and movies you can download from their site. If you have not checked out how it works or registered for a card you should definitely try at least to see how it is set up - at least this is what my branch manager suggested.
So, I recently tried Alachua County's e-card and accessed Overdrive. The music collection available for downloading is not the most extensive collection. There is free music and the quality of it does come through nicely, but if you are looking for indie rock or the latest and greatest hip hop you may need to look elswhere. While the collection is probably a reflection of budget or simply local patron taste, it does not reflect modern users taste. The collection is primarily made up of classical and new age. And although "new age" is meant to be modern it is very far from "new taste". I do recall Lady Gaga and Jay Z hitting the top of the charts recently.
Moreover, the fact that vendors and libraries are trying to adhere to new generations they may need to remember that the choice in music may also need cater to the new generations that are actually using the products and services. This may be key in creating a successful product.
Happy downloading!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Week 2 - MIR What is it?
What is Music Information Retrieval(MIR)? I know at least one of my classes talked about databases and collecting data for retrieval. But what a unique and very necessary idea as to retrieving data that is music! I think as time goes on and the future has an ever increasing need to make things more accessible and refined, more and more call upon innovation and creativity. Classics and traditions are rediscovered and influence new age. Music Information Retrieval needs to be explored and mastered in order to expose, share, and discover the old and new.
I had no idea of the concept of MIR before this class. Working in the library field, I personally feel that there is a lack of appreciation for music as a material held by the library. More advanced library systems have databases that actually make music downloadable for patrons. Patrons can then use music to educate, enrich, and decide what music may influence them. Music can tell stories, take people on an adventure, and teach things just as books do. Music should be treated with the same respect as books. Why is it that books are the first thing to be digitized when music is so much easier and faster to digitize or is it? Hopefully more libraries that we can consider shall we say "old school" will become either "new school" or MIR will just become general knowledge as we discover more about it.
As I understand it MIR is the tool used to organize and catalog music. Whether it be music sheets entered into a database or mp3s, MIR can act as a search engine to pull up a specific sound, pattern, track, album. The ability to find these for a researcher, student, or a fan can mean access to years of preserved music which can be saved and passed on to future generations. Though the field is still growing advancements have been made which are pretty extraordinary. For examples of this refer to week 9 of music collections.
Something that makes MIR interesting not to just the library field but even the music business, is that because music is being created digitally in the 21st century, many business can use MIR. Retrieving music or music information can be used by businesses like iTunes. According to Breen (2005), iTunes playlists which are also described as "smart playlists" allow users to define what kind of music they listen to on their iPods. In other words, if users are tired of listening to songs they listened to one to many times, they can call upon their smart playlist to decide which songs they have not listened to in a long period of time. The smart playlist then looks way deep into the darkest depths of a users ipod to retrieve that music and automatically play it.
Music Information Retrieval can be used in many venues and not just the library field. MIR is a field that is continuing to grow and a relatively modern concept as mp3 players, podcasts, and databases evolve so does MIR. The field still seems to have further developments to make in order to keep up with today's evergrowing tech savvy world.
Breen, C. (2005). Brilliant Playlists. Macworld, 22(6), 74-76. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
I had no idea of the concept of MIR before this class. Working in the library field, I personally feel that there is a lack of appreciation for music as a material held by the library. More advanced library systems have databases that actually make music downloadable for patrons. Patrons can then use music to educate, enrich, and decide what music may influence them. Music can tell stories, take people on an adventure, and teach things just as books do. Music should be treated with the same respect as books. Why is it that books are the first thing to be digitized when music is so much easier and faster to digitize or is it? Hopefully more libraries that we can consider shall we say "old school" will become either "new school" or MIR will just become general knowledge as we discover more about it.
As I understand it MIR is the tool used to organize and catalog music. Whether it be music sheets entered into a database or mp3s, MIR can act as a search engine to pull up a specific sound, pattern, track, album. The ability to find these for a researcher, student, or a fan can mean access to years of preserved music which can be saved and passed on to future generations. Though the field is still growing advancements have been made which are pretty extraordinary. For examples of this refer to week 9 of music collections.
Something that makes MIR interesting not to just the library field but even the music business, is that because music is being created digitally in the 21st century, many business can use MIR. Retrieving music or music information can be used by businesses like iTunes. According to Breen (2005), iTunes playlists which are also described as "smart playlists" allow users to define what kind of music they listen to on their iPods. In other words, if users are tired of listening to songs they listened to one to many times, they can call upon their smart playlist to decide which songs they have not listened to in a long period of time. The smart playlist then looks way deep into the darkest depths of a users ipod to retrieve that music and automatically play it.
Music Information Retrieval can be used in many venues and not just the library field. MIR is a field that is continuing to grow and a relatively modern concept as mp3 players, podcasts, and databases evolve so does MIR. The field still seems to have further developments to make in order to keep up with today's evergrowing tech savvy world.
Breen, C. (2005). Brilliant Playlists. Macworld, 22(6), 74-76. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Week 1 - Introduction
This week we are discovering the world of digital music and the evolution of labels and music makers. "The Future of the Music Business" by Steve Gordon has introduced the concept of sharing music on the internet and musicians agreeing to this. In effect, record labels are becoming a thing of the past and for good reason.
For example, as highlighted in the Preface and Introduction of the textbook, bands like Radiohead have managed to cut out the label in order to make an incredible profit. This is all due to the internet and the opportunity of having worldwide accessibility to music. This is an incredible change from years of labels being considered "The Man" that bands paid dues to.
On the other hand, there are still many issues with paying dues when it comes to owning up to originality and copyright issues. The other half of the introduction of this week's lesson is the issue of copyright and laws of the trade and the new wave of this trade. Since so much music is available via the internet it is easy to download music without paying the music makers. Musicians and record labels combined are not always getting recognition for their authentic and original work which poses a huge problem.
I recently subscribed to Emusic for as little at $10-$13 a month. With this subscription I am able to download at least 30 songs. Because it is my "first" time registering, I also receive 45 new downloadable songs of my choice. I have always wondered if I am only paying $10 a month for 30 songs, how do artists make a living anymore?
So, while I am happier paying less are artists happier being paid less and working harder to promote themselves? I think the answer to this question is easy or is it? In the next ten weeks I will try to find out how music listeners, musicians, and the music industry can all be satisfied.
For example, as highlighted in the Preface and Introduction of the textbook, bands like Radiohead have managed to cut out the label in order to make an incredible profit. This is all due to the internet and the opportunity of having worldwide accessibility to music. This is an incredible change from years of labels being considered "The Man" that bands paid dues to.
On the other hand, there are still many issues with paying dues when it comes to owning up to originality and copyright issues. The other half of the introduction of this week's lesson is the issue of copyright and laws of the trade and the new wave of this trade. Since so much music is available via the internet it is easy to download music without paying the music makers. Musicians and record labels combined are not always getting recognition for their authentic and original work which poses a huge problem.
I recently subscribed to Emusic for as little at $10-$13 a month. With this subscription I am able to download at least 30 songs. Because it is my "first" time registering, I also receive 45 new downloadable songs of my choice. I have always wondered if I am only paying $10 a month for 30 songs, how do artists make a living anymore?
So, while I am happier paying less are artists happier being paid less and working harder to promote themselves? I think the answer to this question is easy or is it? In the next ten weeks I will try to find out how music listeners, musicians, and the music industry can all be satisfied.
Music Informatics- Course Journal
Darlene Feuillebois
University of South Florida
Abstract:
Follow my journey into the world of music informatics for ten weeks for discoveries on new music tools and technology, careers in music, and the way music industries are run. The world of music is so broad and vast it varies from music librarians and databases to music therapists. Musicians and recording artists are not the only people in the world of music and music is continuing to evolve and change the way we think of it. Furthermore, music is becoming global and more accessible and this journal will explore what the advantages and disadvantages are of this result.
University of South Florida
Abstract:
Follow my journey into the world of music informatics for ten weeks for discoveries on new music tools and technology, careers in music, and the way music industries are run. The world of music is so broad and vast it varies from music librarians and databases to music therapists. Musicians and recording artists are not the only people in the world of music and music is continuing to evolve and change the way we think of it. Furthermore, music is becoming global and more accessible and this journal will explore what the advantages and disadvantages are of this result.
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