Professional and Industrial Context 1 1MMF0043

Pavandeep Ruprah

Professional and Industrial Context 1

1MMF0043

Pavandeep Ruprah
08209270

Neil Luck

Sounds of the past, Present and the Future

Contents
Introduction _____________________________________ 2.1

How has technology changed Music? _________________ 2.2

How has age & generation changed music? ____________ 3.1

How has Instruments changed music? _________________ 3.2

How has Culture changed music? ____________________ 3.3

Conclusion ______________________________________ 3.4

Bibliography _____________________________________ 4.1

Sounds of the Past, Present and the Future

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Professional and Industrial Context 1 1MMF0043
Pavandeep Ruprah

2.1 Introduction

I have been asked to produce an essay on a music topic of my choice. I

have decided to write about how music has changed from the past
decades to now and how it will change in the future.
Music was formed at the time cavemen existed. They hit two pieces of
sticks or rocks together and formed sounds which then lead them to
making simple beats. Today we are able to create full songs that include a
variety number of different beats by using highly advanced music
software’s and mixing techniques. Vocals were also made-up by the
cavemen by making simple humming noises.

My argument will be against ‘How music has changed over the past
years’. Has it changed in a positive way or negative?

In the early 1920’s, Jazz music was popular. The two years 1930’s and
1940’s had a ‘Swing’ trend which became popular. In the 1950, Elvis
Presley brought Rock and Roll music. The year 1960, Bands such as The
Beatles, Flower Children and all other bands preformed live on stage in
front of audiences. This carried on till the year 1970. In 1980 ‘Big Hair
Bands’ came across with heavy metal rock music. ‘Pop was introduced in
the early 90’s and more heavy metal. In the year 2000 Rap, Hip Hop and
R&B became popular to many youngsters which is still going on in today’s
days.

After doing a vast research and gathering information from various

sources, I have listed and explained some points regarding how and why
the development of music since the past decades has changed.

➢ Technology
➢ Age & Generation
➢ Instruments
➢ Cultures

2.2 Technology

Technology has considerably changed music, both for the positive and the
negative. The limitations of new technology can define how musicians and
producers make the most of their work. In the era of 78rpm records, the
maximum running time per side was about 4 minutes 20 seconds, ideal
for shorter popular songs but poorly suited to opera or long-form classical
music. Now technology has become advanced enough for musicians and
producers to record songs on compact disks which allow you to record up
to three hours. Digital MIDI recording has changed the whole concept of
recording from the 70’s. This includes high quality recording,
computerised sampled vocals, sound levels, sequencing, editing, etc.
Computers and a variety of new electronic instruments are rapidly adding
to the musician's range of creative tools. Now technology has the
capability to edit and improve recording qualities of music from the early

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70’s. This includes getting rid of any distortion and editing volume levels.
People are now able to listen to old music with high quality recordings
since new technology and computers have taken over the music industry.

3.1 Age and Generation

In today’s days, majority of youngsters are keen in learning how to

compose and produce music. This will be the next generation of music
type and style. But what type? After doing a vast research based on this
matter, I gathered information from people aged between 10 to 40, by
handing out a small questionnaire. This helped by showing me what type
of music people prefer listening to considering their age. People under 30
years old prefer listening to modern club classics as the other half prefer
listening to something from the 80’s and 90’s. Large scale human
movement has also profound effect. Taking into consideration, human
migration, as well as trade and war, has moved both instruments and
musical ideas around the world for centuries.

3.2 Instruments

Since the past decades, a variety of acoustic and electronic instruments

have been invented. In today’s days producers and artists record their
instruments onto a digital sampler which can then be used on a midi
player/controller to play the instruments electronically. Electronic
keyboards have become more advanced with latest sounds and software.
Many bands these days use electric drum kits; there are many advantages
and disadvantages to this. Electric guitars have also rapidly developed
since the past decades. Since the 80’s, appearance of instruments have
become vital to musicians. Instruments such as drum kits and guitars
have developed from a basic solid colour to variety colours, shape and
designs.

3.3 Cultures

Different cultures has also affected the music industry both positive and
negative ways. For example, hip hop is known as a cultural movement
manifest in B-boying (break dancing), graffiti writing, DJing and eMCeeing.
It has influenced youngsters negatively as a lot of slang words and bad
language is used in majority of new hip hop tracks. Ethnic groups has also
affected music because not only British or American people listen to their
music, Asians and others are influenced by their music which leads them
to do something similar. They either remix them or record a copy but in a
different language. This benefits them as they get ideas from different
cultures. American hip hop/ R’n’B music has also gone through a phase
where they recorded short samples from Asian music to mix in with
English music.

3.4 Conclusion

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To conclude this matter, in my opinion music has changed in both ways,

negative and positive. Technology has affected music positively. The electronic age gave
us even greater volume and created a path for the age of recording. The digital age has
enabled us to perform complex sound manipulation. In some ways, music has
affected age negatively, as youngsters are getting influenced by music
which contains slang and words which are unsuitable for youngsters. As
the age and generation went by, new instruments came across making
different sounds which lead to producers making unique beats. New
instruments affected the music industry positively as youngsters find
them easy to use, from a full organ set to a digital keyboard which not
only plays standard piano sounds but also plays a large number of other
instruments including the organ. Youngsters who have passion in music
will be the ones who will come up with new ideas, new sounds and new
technology. The future of music will be in their hands.

4.1 Bibliography

www.answers.yahoo.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_hop
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_changes_in_society_affect_music

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