Are blackness and whiteness useful concepts in the study of popular music?

The concepts of blackness and whiteness in popular music is useful, as these concepts allow a starting point for theorists and other people when identifying of where music into categories. However when looking deeper into the categories of music, it is actually linked to class and location, not simply dividing between black and white artists.

On top of this the line of blackness and whiteness in music can be blurred with white and black artists covering each others music. “Pop music has always depended upon the interaction between white and black traditions” (Hatch 1987)

The issues of studying popular music are made easier when categorising music into blackness and whiteness. However you can argue this categorising could maybe classed link to stereotyping music. Consumers aren’t always the same race as the music performers. Concepts are put in place as guidelines to help address underlying issues within types of music.

Can popular music achieve genuine political change?

There are countless examples over the years of how music has tried to change the world politics. Live aids music concert is undoubtedly the most famous example of music being involved in an attempt to change world politics. It was a very successful campaign and since the 1980s there are now people in third world countries who may not have be alive today if the event did not happen.

This happened because the event raised awareness around the world of what terrible things are happening in third world countries, resulting in people wanting to help. This proves music can achieve genuine political change.

Live aid got one of the highest viewing figures in television in history, billions of people watched it worldwide, and it helped the problem. This was achieved through a concert of music, therefore music can make a difference in the world and influence politics to make change.

Does the emergence of the digital download signal the end for the music industry?

In February 2010 since the iTunes music store first launch in 2003 10 billion downloads had been bought. This gives the impression digital download market is not the end of the music industry. Music industry must take notice of the digital download, as a majority of music devices like iPod’s are entirely digital.

Digital downloads are simply more convenient to the consumer, uploading the tracks straight to their MP3 players. Giving them large amount of tracks on the go.

January 2009 saw record labels agree with iTunes to remove DRM. Making downloading appealing to consumers, now being able to download a track and not have the restrictions they once had.

iTunes provide a better alternative to illegal downloads. Consumers are choosing to pay for the tracks they download. Meaning digital downloads are helping the dying music industry evolve with technology more specifically the internet which is the future for music.

What is world music?

In my opinion ‘World Music’ describes a type of music genre which ‘belongs’ to a certain country or its origin of where the music started. For example Ireland with Irish folk music, and further a field to Aboriginal music in Australia. If you were to categorize these genre as a whole you would class them ‘World Music’ and you tend to take these genres of music exclusive to their part of the world.

However the modern day term can be used in a less forgiving way.

Take HMV for example they would include music from all different genres around the world in their store. Therefore there is going to be genres that do not sell as well as other genres from places such as America and England.

HMV decide to place these genres all together in a ‘World Music’ category so they condense and allow more space for popular music.

Is popular music a mass produced commodity of a genuine art form?

Art: "The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power"

When applying this definition to popular music it is not an art form.

The majority of “artists” of popular music don’t write the meaningful lyrics, come up with the dances routines (if applicable) or the riffs to the music.

The only creative skill of art to the performances is their ability to stand on stage and deliver the lyrics to the audience. Their songs have been created for them. They are merely part of the product of the song.

I believe when the performer creates the lyrics, choreography and music it is then to be classed as art.
This is rare to happen, which confirms the genuine art form because of it being so rare to witness.

How useful is a production of culture perspective in understanding the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll?

Numerous facts and myths have explained the birth of rock and roll during the 1950s.
In particular Richard Peterson’s discussion explains how the economy, cultural and social, and technology factors produced the platform for the birth of something new.

His discussion has strengths and weaknesses due to certain parts not being addressed. For instance his technology factors do not go into the development of the electric guitar of amplification.

He does not go on to explain why rock and roll was successful.
There was not just rock and roll during the 50s. Jazz, blues and hillbilly emerged during this time. This gives the question. Why weren’t these genres the something new?

In my opinion Peterson’s discussion effectively explains how rock and roll became the something new.
However the discussion would improve if there was reasons addressing why it was successful.

Perhaps he wasn’t interested in the music he was addressing.

Is it reasonable to consider that rock music is gendered male?

Rock music you listen to is dominated with males. However on the rare occasions you hear a band which includes a female. All these occasions the female included is the the lead singer, or other cases backing singers. When you hear a band consisting of females playing the instruments you tend to take it on board as a novelty or gimmick.

This is due to a number of reasons; Instruments tend to be associated with genders. For instance the guitar associated with males, and a flute or piano associated with females. This happens because its the way we are brought up into society.

“lead guitarists are made, not born. The reason for women’s absence are entirely social” (Bayton, 1997)

Females are simply not brought up to be playing the electric guitar, whereas males are. If females pick up the guitar they’re known as “One of the Boys” and not taking seriously.