Week 5 – Can Popular Music ever really be Unplugged?

Unplugged popular music is music without technology. Technology, in terms of music, can be seen as recording, amplification and equipment. It has been argued that ‘without electronic technology popular music in the 21st century is unthinkable.’ It is stated that popular music can not be unplugged as the music would have no way of being distributed since artists would be unable to make a recording.
Therefore it cannot really be seen as ‘popular’ music as it would not reach many people. Technology also has a part in the way that popular music sounds: the way singers use the microphone, how the musicians use their instruments or the way a song is technically put together all have an effect on the outcome of the music. If it were unplugged it would become something quite different. However, many believe that it can be unplugged as demonstrated by the popularity of musicians who play acoustic music in order to reveal the skill of their musicianship without the aid of technology.

Week 4 – What is World Music and why does it exist?

World Music is a category of music that many believe cannot be clearly defined. However, it has been put in its own genre: it has a separate section in music shops, specific magazines, record labels and radio and television programmes. It is argued that World Music has been institutionalised. In musical terms Jocelyne Guilbault states that ‘world music is usually described as the blending of modern and traditional musics’ and usually is associated with ‘the musics of the first and third worlds’. Although World Music has always existed as music that was specific to a country or region, it is argued that countries such as England and America now increasingly acknowledge it. This is because of the development of new technologies reaching much more of the world. Therefore artists from other countries can now record, sell and promote their music, which leads to World Music finding its way into America and England.

Week 3 - Is Popular Music a Mass Produced Commodity or a Genuine Art Form?

Some argue that popular music is produced as an art form by musicians. However some believe it is a mass produced commodity, such as Theador Adorno, who stated that ‘the whole structure of popular music is standardized’. He believed that popular music was a product of the culture industry and the capitalist system to make a profit, keep the people passive and stop them questioning society. He stated it was not an art form like classical compositions as it was too simplistic and not challenging to listen to. However, many argue that popular music is an art form as it is more than just a product: it can be interpreted in many ways and more can be taken away from it. There is art in the creation and people will understand it in different ways. Popular music can be seen as both an art form and a mass produced commodity as there are arguments to support both statements.