Friday, 29 January 2010

Can popular music ever really be unplugged?

In the current twenty-first century popular music without technology appears impossible, with the constant use of amplifiers, microphones and even the musical equipment itself. Technology rules all contemporary music, Théberge suggests that technology is also an environment in which we experience and think about music; it is a set of practices in which we engage in making and listening to musical sounds. Through the history of technologies that are used in music making and distribution it was clear to see that the sole intentions weren't how it actually ended up. Théberge suggests that pop practices constantly redefine music technologies through unexpected or alternative uses. From microphones, instruments and amplifiers to recorders to C.D.'s and mp3, music wouldn't be able to reach the ears and hearts of the millions of fans without these, the only way for people to hear or create music would be acoustically in a bedroom or small area with a very small fan base.

1 comment:

  1. A nice summary. I like the fact that you have referenced Théberge here but I am not sure that you can really afford to use such an extended quote within a piece with such a small word count. Having said this you use it to good effect.

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