Monday, October 15, 2018

The Future of Music



QUESTION:
Have you ever thought on the future of music? What path do you think it will take?

ANSWER:
I have. I studied music from early periods and watched how it changed, from chant and tribal, to folk, classical, blues, swing, bebop jazz, free jazz, funk, disco, rock and pop. Realizing, of course, there are so many other styles that it formed into, but too long of a list to place here.

Early on, decades ago, the legendary trumpeter, Miles Davis, veered from straight-ahead and cool jazz, to electric jazz. Following that, the iconic saxophonist, Michael Brecker, added electronics into his music, using the EWI (Electric Wind Instrument). Even symphonies have added some electric sounds to their orchestras.

Music in general, is constantly going to electric and electronics.

I have a friend who performed opera all over the world. She has a wonderful voice, and she is a good pianist. She teaches her daughter voice and piano, but she said that she would rather have me teach her daughter, because I can also teach her how to chord, improvise, write songs, and push her into the electronics field. The reason? Because music is ever-changing, and opera and classical music are not as popular as most other music anymore. It would be very hard for her daughter, according to her, to sustain herself as a musician in today's world.

Nowadays, one has to know how to write popular songs, create music through software, or play multiple instruments, just to survive and gig enough to make money. For, only the elite opera and symphony members are able to make the bread with the top companies in the world. As well, there are less and less jazz clubs now, than there were in the 70's, 80's and 90's. Like classical, outlets for jazz do exist, but they are far and few between.

For part of my background, I worked business administration for a top opera company in the Midwest, as well as a company that presented Classical music in San Francisco. All companies in that field are struggling to find a young audience between 20-35. In speaking with others in the business aspect of opera and classical, I found that the younger generation is not as giving. Meaning, the donations for non-profit music aren't as high as they used to be. It shows that most of today’s generation are looking in a different direction for music.

Another person close to me, who grew up singing classically and tutoring voice at a college in California, has said from time to time, "I stopped singing classical and switched to Pop, because there's no money in it. There's Heart, but the money is rare."

Music, for the longest time, has been on a paved path of electronics. Those who can adapt, chord and improvise and add electronics to what they already do, have a good chance. I am not saying that those who purely play traditional cannot make it. Everyone can make it. However, studies and experience has shown, that the world of electronics and technology is ever-expanding, not just in music, but in all avenues of our lives. Even in Japan, concerts sung solely by vocaloid voices, while holograms dance onstage, are very popular. A lot of Film Score, Anime, Cartoons and TV shows also use electronic music. It's just the world we live in.

Let me add, there is still great music coming out of opera houses and symphonies, and there are amazing bluegrass, blues, jazz, reggae and Latin bands out there. This is very satisfying for many people. However, as a whole, in general, music all throughout the world is pushing through the sounds of electronica. From traditional jazz musicians becoming fusion artists, to Pop and Rap artists adding electronic sounds to their songs, and symphonies adding electric guitars, music has always been headed down a path of electronics.

The goal for most musicians (at this time), is to be able to meld with electronics in some way, while still keeping their value as a performer in the physical and artistic sense.

Vaughn Edward is a performing vocalist and instrumentalist, author and photographer. He has trekked over twenty cross-country trips in the States, performed throughout the U.S. and toured the Caribbean. He has authored two books, WARRIOR CHILDREN Fantasy series, and he has sold his photography canvases in various states. (www.vaughnedward.com)

To SUBMIT questions to him, send to:  vaughnedwardmusic@gmail.com
WARRIOR CHILDREN novels blog:  https://vaughnedward.blogspot.com
.
.
.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Ten Things You Can Do to Overcome Writer's Block (For Writing, Music and All Fields)

QUESTION: What are some of the best tips you can share with aspiring writers? ANSWER: Here are a few things ...