CHAPTER 4 Sound Recording and Popular Music Taylor Swift and the Music Industry ‘Despite their lack of affiliation with a major label, Adele and Taylor Swift wield unprecedented power in the music industry. ‘In 2015, Swift’s open letter protesting Apple Music’s 3month free trial caused Apple to capitulate and pay royalties to artists during the trial period. ‘Meanwhile, Adele has produced albums on her own schedule. From Cylinders to Disks: Sound Recording Becomes a Mass Medium ‘Milestones ‘de Martinville, France, 1850s ‘Edison’s phonograph, U.S., 1877 ‘Bell & Tainter’s graphophone, 1886 ‘Berliner’s gramophone, 1887 ‘Victrola, 1906 ‘Vinyl records, early 1940s ’33-1/3 rpm LP record, 1948 ’45-rpm record, 1949 From Phonographs to CDs: Analog Goes Digital ‘Milestones ‘Plastic magnetic audiotape, 1940s ‘Stereo sound, 1958 ‘Digital recording, 1970s ‘Compact discs, 1983 ‘MP3s, ‘music in the cloud,’ and music piracy issues, now Figure 4.1: The Evolution of Digital Sound Recording Sales Convergence: Sound Recording in the Internet Age ‘MP3s and file sharing ‘MP3 format developed in 1992. ‘Supreme Court declared free music file-swapping illegal in 2001. ‘iTunes is the model for legal music downloading. ‘Music in the cloud ‘No physical ownership of music ‘Subscription and cloud services The Rocky Relationship between Records and Radio ‘Record sales dropped off in 1924 due to the emergence of radio. ‘ASCAP established music rights fees for radio by 1925. ‘Began to cooperate when television became popular ‘Royalties issue arose again with music streaming companies. The Rise of Pop Music ‘Tin Pan Alley ‘Published sheet music ‘Sales increased with the popularity of the phonograph. ‘Helped popular music become a mass medium ‘New forms of popular music ‘Jazz ‘Crooners Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay ‘Rock and roll (mid-1950s) ‘Blues ‘Influenced by social, cultural, economic, and political factors ‘Rhythm and blues (R&B) ‘Blues-based urban black music ‘Popular with teens ‘Beginning of the integration of white and black cultures Rock Muddies the Waters ‘High and low culture ‘Chuck Berry, Elvis, and Bo Diddley ‘Masculinity and femininity ‘Little Richard and Elvis ‘The country and the city ‘Rockabilly ‘The North and the South ‘Southern culture and northern listeners ‘The sacred and the secular ‘Ray Charles and Jerry Lee Lewis Battles in Rock and Roll ‘Deejays Alan Freed and Dick Clark help rock gain acceptance. ‘White cover versions often undermined black artists’ music. ‘Payola scandals portrayed rock and roll as a corrupt industry. ‘Fear of juvenile delinquency led to censorship of rock and roll. The British Are Coming! ‘Beatles invaded America in 1964 ‘Followed in the next few years by the Rolling Stones, the Zombies, the Animals, Herman’s Hermits, the Who, the Yardbirds, Them, and the Troggs ”Rock and roll’ became ‘rock’ ‘Sent popular music and the industry in two directions Motor City Music: Detroit Gives America Soul ‘Soul ‘Merging of R&B, gospel, pop, and early rock and roll ‘Berry Gordy and Motown ‘Successful groups included the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, Mary Wells, the Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, and the Jackson 5 Folk and Psychedelic Music Reflect the Times ‘Folk music inspires protest ‘Sound of social activism ‘Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Phil Ochs, and Bob Dylan ‘Rock turns psychedelic ‘Psychedelic era was influenced, and brought down by, drugs ‘Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, and the Grateful Dead Punk, Grunge, and Alternative Respond to Mainstream Rock ‘Punk rock ‘Challenged the record business ‘Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads ‘Grunge ‘Messy guitar sound and appearance ‘Nirvana, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Hole, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails ‘Punk and grunge are sub-categories of alternative rock Hip-Hop Redraws Musical Lines ‘Hip-hop ‘Driven by a democratic, nonprofessional spirit ‘Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Eminem ‘Gangster rap ‘Addresses gang violence, but also accused of creating violence ‘Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., 50 cent, and Lupe Fiasco The Reemergence of Pop ‘Despite the emergence and popularity of other forms of music, pop music has endured. ‘iTunes ‘Biggest purveyor of pop ‘Again made the single the dominant unit of music ‘Streaming services expanded accessibility to music Music Labels Influence the Industry ‘United States and global music business still constitute an oligopoly. ‘Fewer major labels control more music. ‘The indies spot the trends. ‘Play a major role as the music industry’s risk-takers ‘Often swallowed up by major labels when successful Figure 4.2: U.S. Market Share of the Major Labels, 2015 Making, Selling, and Profiting from Music ‘Making the music ‘Labels are driven by A&R (artist & repertoire) agents ‘Selling the music ‘iTunes, Anderson Merchandisers (Walmart and Best Buy), Amazon ‘Subscription services ‘Dividing the profits ‘Depends on the medium Figure 4.3: Where the Money Goes Alternative Voices ‘Indie labels continue to thrive. ‘More viable by using the Internet as low-cost distribution and promotional outlet ‘Some artists self-publish. ‘Signed and unsigned artists can reach fans through social networking and video sites. Sound Recording, Free Expression, and Democracy ‘Battle over rock’s controversial aspects speaks to the heart of democratic expression. ‘How can popular music uphold a legacy of free expression while resisting domination by giant companies? ‘Popular music speaks to individual and universal themes.

Mastering the Art of Online Learning: Your Guide to Acing Online Courses

Introduction

In recent years, the popularity of online courses has skyrocketed, offering learners the flexibility to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes. However, succeeding in online courses requires a different approach compared to traditional classroom settings. To help you make the most of your online learning experience, this article presents essential strategies and tips to ace your online courses.

1. Set Clear Goals and Plan Ahead

Before embarking on an online course, establish clear goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve by the end of the course and break down your goals into manageable milestones. Create a study schedule that aligns with your other commitments, ensuring you allocate dedicated time for coursework, assignments, and revision.

2. Create a Productive Study Environment

Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for online learning success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can concentrate without distractions. Remove any potential interruptions, such as notifications from social media or email. Organize your study materials and have a reliable internet connection to ensure seamless access to course materials.

3. Actively Engage in the Course

Active participation is key to mastering online courses. Engage with course materials, including videos, readings, and interactive components. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key concepts and ideas. Participate in discussion boards, forums, and virtual meetings to interact with instructors and peers, fostering a sense of community and enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

Online courses offer flexibility, but it’s essential to manage your time wisely to avoid falling behind. Create a detailed schedule, allocating specific time slots for coursework, assignments, and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable segments to prevent procrastination. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dedicate focused time to each one, ensuring consistent progress throughout the course.

5. Develop Effective Communication Skills

Online courses often rely on written communication, making it crucial to hone your skills in this area. Be concise and clear in your written responses, paying attention to grammar and spelling. Actively participate in discussions, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive feedback to your peers. Regularly check your course emails and notifications, ensuring you stay updated with any important announcements or changes.

6. Utilize Available Resources

Take full advantage of the resources provided by your online course platform and instructors. Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) and explore its features. Access supplementary materials, such as textbooks, lecture slides, and external resources recommended by instructors. Utilize online libraries, research databases, and tutorial services to deepen your understanding of the subject matter.

7. Stay Motivated and Engaged

Maintaining motivation throughout an online course can be challenging, particularly when faced with competing priorities or a lack of face-to-face interaction. Set short-term goals and reward yourself upon their completion. Connect with fellow learners through virtual study groups or online forums to foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly remind yourself of the benefits and personal growth associated with completing the course successfully.

8. Seek Support and Clarification

Don’t hesitate to seek support or clarification when needed. Reach out to your instructors for guidance or clarification on course material. Utilize online discussion forums to ask questions or engage in collaborative problem-solving. Leverage the support services provided by your course platform or institution, such as technical support or academic advising.

Conclusion

Online courses present unique opportunities for self-paced learning and personal growth. By setting clear goals, creating a productive study environment, actively engaging with course materials, and managing your time effectively, you can maximize your chances of acing online courses. Remember to stay motivated, seek support when needed, and make the most of the available resources. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability of online learning to achieve your educational goals.