Ongoing Evolution of Electronic Music - Essay Example

?The Ongoing Evolution of Electronic Music and Its Impact on Music Culture and the Production and Performance of Music Introduction: Music offers eternal bliss, and the world revolves around it. Cell phones, elevators, shopping malls, not to mention some or the other tune one keeps humming always. There is music around us, be it in nature in the form of birds chirping, wind blowing, leaves rustling, brooks flowing, or manmade form the version which majority of people enjoy and cannot live without. People listen to some sort of music every day in their lives, from the moment they are born till the day that they die. Music brings joy, a kind of joy which nothing else can offer especially in times of loneliness and despair. Music has a peculiar strength which captivates and mesmerizes the listeners, and they emerge rejuvenated on listening to it. One of the greatest accomplishments of humanity is developing songs, lyrics, beats, tunes and such other innovative musical strands that connect and create music culture. Music, as we know today is very far from what it was centuries ago. The ability of human beings to mimic the sounds they hear in the environment and converting them into their own music using the different tools he can find is one distinctive facture of human being race. It is believed that music has been around since the times humans, or as referred to during that time ‘cavemen,’ have existed. As it is known, musical instruments did not exist continues ago. The people then just made music out of things they could lay their hands on, like banging stones together, rubbing sticks together, clapping, and humming and so on. Evolution of Electronic Music: Music, like every other art form, has evolved over times to keep in tandem with the transformations in human aesthetics. Similarly, the advent of technology in the modern world has revolutionized all spheres of human life including music. “Key subjects in the music industry range from music production policy and consumption of popular music” (Wiechmann 2009). The evolution of music into electronic form, thus owes it allegiance to a great deal to the developments in technology. The first acknowledged form of an electronic music device is the telharmonium or dynamo phone, invented by Thaddeus Cahill. The evolution of electronic music indicates the type of music that uses various electronic musical devices and technologies of electronic music in its production. In general a difference can be made between the sound created using electromechanical ways and that which is formed using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound creating instruments are Hammond organ, Telharmonium, and the electric guitar. Pure electronic sound can be created by using instruments such as the sound synthesizer, computer and Theremin. The Effects of New Technology on the Approaches to Creating Electronic Music and Artists/DJs etc who Utilize Such Technologies: The effect of new technology has created lots of advantages in the process of creating artists, music or DJs who utilize such kind of technologies. The growth of new instrumental idiom and verbal idiom some of the outstanding phenomena of current music. There are undoubtedly certain contributing factors in the current music forms: the effect of folk instrument methods; the influence of jazz, and, afterwards, rock methods; the emancipation of percussion devices (a growth for which Bartok is particularly important); and at last, the arrival of a growing number of young singers and instrumentalists who specialize in the performance of current music, and who themselves play attention in questioning the idiomatic resources of their devices. The growth of idiom, obviously, has been an ongoing procedure over the centuries; in fact, it is incumbent upon every age to "reinvent" devices as modes and styles of expression change. “The music industry is one industry that has been greatly affected by technology” (Jones 2005). The influence of technology on music is devastating. A DJ gives all types of music. This consists of big band, hip-hop, rock, etc. Very few bands can capably cover up such a broad variety of music which go with every taste. Communicating to potential audiences that hire professional mobile DJ performers enormously, go beyond the entertainment that a band can give. Technological developments in the last century have transformed the method that build market and then listening to music. To be precise, the evolution and invention of synthesizers, samplers, and computer technology have altered the way music is now formed. The influence the new technology in music has created for the whole world consists of the music industry, musicians and music itself, both positively and negatively, according to the beliefs and views of people. Due to the inventions of new technology in music, the music market has nowadays enjoyed 2 phases of quick development in music and artists or DJs. Development of Electronic Music Genres in Recent Years: Electronic music has at present largely stimulated a change from the analogue realm into the digital realm, and is often recorded onto the hard disk of the computer (or CD) rather than on to the type of magnetic vinyl or tape. In its place generating sounds directly by using electronic circuitry, the worth of all "samples" of a sound can be quickly measured using the power of a computer desktop. “By concentrating on the primary aspect of gesture, namely movement, it is tempting to consider the whole chain of musical communication as based on movement” (Godoy 2010). This move from hardware to software of the computer has given electronic music even superior freedom, and has additionally reduced manufacture costs, and facilitated numerous more artists to participate in the revolution. The discovery of the telephone in the 1870s demonstrated that sound could be transformed into electrical signals, and then be reversed into sound again. The organization of sound and electricity turned out to be stronger by the detection of elements which could manipulate and make those electrical signals. Electronics has wholly revolutionised music creation, from speakers and microphones to amplifiers, recording transmitters, receivers, and the growth of electronic devices. Electronic music has grown up into a gigantic industry, which currently touches virtually every recorded music in some form or shape. Mainstream electronic music and electronic dance music are most recent trends nowadays. Sounds are the nowadays characterised by quicker and precise rhythms at the same time, using electronically transformed vocals and sounds. “As a music genre whose age has exceeded a century, electronic music of course has accumulated a warehouse of context regarding human civilization history and its socio-cultural movements, technology, and art form progressions within it” (Adhianto 2011). Now days, electronic music has developed so much that no part of world remains exempted from its varied and diverse forms. From the remote cosiness of Indonesia to the glossy malls and galleries of America and Europe, it has had its effect. This brings to the fore the eternal theory that music knows no boundaries. Reasons for Such Developments: The last 50yrs have brought many technological advances and developments to the music industry. From periodic records to mp3s, listening to music and recording of music have altered considerably since the 1950s. Two advances, on the other hand, were extremely significant to the growth of popular music in the late 20th century: computer-enhanced audio editing and the electric guitar. The very atmosphere of electronic music is concerned with the anticipation of technological equilibrium. The query is what will happen to this style of music as a universal phenomenon once accomplish the common objective. In the early period of music, musicians created music for the locally in the society on phase with orchestras and live bands. Their music included numerous rhythms and harmonies that would relax the peoples mind and relieve stress. Their classical approach to music had more of a cord like sound, in comparison to the rugged and uneven sounds of modern music. Those days music lovers had no means of hauling around music as moveable devices. “The music of the 20th century has seen more developments, more divergent styles, more ferment and contrasts of idea, than any prior century except perhaps that of the 16th”(Morris n.d). The music present day has its own probable drawbacks too. a) It might vanish as a dynamic music style, and be recorded in various libraries as a remarkable post-industrial phenomenon. b) Every electronic music might obtain a new form and turn out to be very complex so that it might not be understandable to modern human beings. c) It might continue to the self-perpetuating as an expression of primitive music in the shape of a tribute to our accomplishments. How does electronic music affects today's mainstream music  The relationship between sound and electricity became stronger with the innovation of mechanism, which generated and influenced electrical signs. Electronics has totally revolutionized music production, from speakers and microphones to loudspeaker, video recording apparatus, transmitters and receivers, and the growth of electronic instruments. From its early premature stages instrumental growth has diversified into a broad variety of electric guitars, pianos, organs, drum machines, and a mass of electronic gadgets with no real life corresponding item. The potential have enthused many composers and musicians to try and to generate. Electronic music has extended itself into a vast industry and today it affects almost all recorded music in various forms and variety. The imaginative possible trends of electronic instruments have caused concerns many composers, and these composers feel oppressed an an impending situation which demands more advanced methods. It's maybe predictable that the group of composers recognized as investigation lists are required to make use of electronics in unusual and fantastic ways.  Electronic music has become the mainstream at present, and is seemlessly included with “acoustic recordings” (Rammage 2001) on television and film. In the event of rising application and exploitation of digital models, many software devices can follow orchestral devices with rising practicality and certainly many of the new composers and musicians have at present switched over to digital reinvention in software. Does the production and performance of electronic music require a musician? As electronic music flows to new altitude of popularity, the responsibility of musicians and composers keep increasing. An electronic musician is a musician who is an expert in composing music by combining different sound effects using computers and other electronic equipments. The production and performance of electronic music leads guide to new sounds, methods, and techniques of music. However, creating and developing electronic music need new skills. The sudden waves of electronic music hit the shores of people’s lives thanks to the inventions and discoveries made by experimental composers. Most of these electronic works are not written in notation. The electronic music necessitates a human performer to make assessments that modify the result of the performance during the time it is being performed. The performer creates sound through channels that can function automatically, or through the electronic instruments that imitate mechanical tools according to what he wants. Electronic musicians play a vital role in the expansion of electronic musical instruments. Their main function is to help people, more importantly musicians to discover the definite enjoyment presented by the new technical means. Considering the past few years, technology has become more sophisticated, influential and at the same time more easily available as well as affordable. Software in music has become extremely complex much to the favor of majority of electronic music producers. Years ago electronic musicians have created and developed their music on digital software rather than electronic equipments. But currently, most of the electronic musicians work with the latest software, which has the ability to copy most of the hardware tools. There are professional electronic music creators who apply different audio model, frequently in use from outside resources, and digitize them by using software. This enables them to experiment with different type of sounds in their recordings. They use modular model to produce the sounds and also alter the various signal procedures to create a almost perfected sounds in their music and programs. The increase of “microprocessors” (Manning 2004) has altered the setting of electronic music completely. The total figure of people employing in this field has increased rapidly in comparison to the previous years. Musicians who have inevitable obsession and passion for music are high on the rise. How a Live Band Could Create the Same Effects Produced by a DJ Through Using Live Drum and Instrument Manipulation? Musical performance concerning electronics has altered and developed further constantly throughout the current generation. It is really difficult to get a good band and, therefore, DJs are rapidly becoming the best option of selection. It can be seen that the click that the bands use to bring is not that much anymore as people are used to performances of bands and individual artists. But DJs and electronic music takes the audience to a whole new setting, a whole new experience. In this modern era, where electronic gadgets do most of the things, it is only obvious people prefer electronic music now. The DJs give the original description of the song, so that the audiences will by no means have the vague version of their favorites and there are fewer chances of a rational annoyance. The specialty of disc jockeys is that they can offer more song range than a band or an individual artist can. In the present time, it can be seen that they are prepared with complete pack of Mp3s, sound systems and other technical elements to attract audience. It is significant to observe and perceive sound of a do in act as it is with a band. DJs take the job of making known through the media in which stations they would perform and when. They might have imparted voice intermission connecting the songs, and certainly could have a better extend of power in the series of music that they perform. “Night clubs also need someone to keep music playing when there are no live bands” (Wiil, 2004) though the job being carried out differ significantly. Some DJs simply select an arrangement of path to perform, analyzing the mind frame as well as tastes of the audience. In this intellect it is obvious that the DJ performs a very significant role in understanding the moods of the public. The audience essentially has a benefit of the working of the musicians to a certain extend than the DJs, but the DJs give a face for which to express enjoyment. Most DJs cooperate more honestly with their performance technology manipulating the speed and a number of sound basis. The majority of complicated DJs make their own musical material. They need only amateur skills to make live musical performance. The requirement for mobile disc jockey performers is increasing. People, who would have opted for a live band during earlier times, are at present employing DJs for the main reason regarding cost. “A DJ will be typically less expensive than a band” (Mattei 2008) as the client has to pay for only one person rather than a group of members in the band. Also, DJs approximately, by no means, get breaks and audiences get more music for their money. The other reason is flexibility. A DJ gives all types of music. This includes Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, R&B etc. Very few bands are capable of covering such a wide range of music to go with every taste. Hiring professional mobile DJ performers extremely goes beyond the entertainment that a band can give. The General Future of Electronic Music: With the development of technology, electronic music will have a better development in the near future. The electronic music will become more attractive with the use of futuristic sounds and other electronic elements. In current years, as computer technology has turned out to be better available and software of music has advanced, the production technology of the music has introduced more performance music practices. A number of software established programs have come forward, with products acquiring general demand. Such techniques give practical and commercial choice to usual creation studios. Major advancements in the technology have provided and created high-level quality music which makes use of a single laptop computer. Such improvements have made the creation of music, directing to a huge enhancement in the quantity of electronic music accessible to the common public. Artists can immediately individualize their creation practice by generating modified software instruments, result elements as well as various arrangements. “The use of live electronics is now well established in all kinds of new improvisation” (Emmerson 2000). The viewpoint of the future of electronic music is positive but also a bit unsure. The electronic medium is still comparatively innovative, therefore there is room for errors but more importantly, greater opportunities. Electronic producers and composers are always modernizing and re-inventing their skill and also designers of the instruments are continually learning about the requirements of musicians consecutively to make more receptive computer software and instruments. There are aspects of electronic music that are yet to be revealed. The future rests within the hands of musicians and bands that can discover ways to totally use the technology to create and bend electronic music according to their will. They should think on how to bring varieties of electronic music approach to life on stage without relying exclusively on computers and recordings. This will turn out to be one of the most attractive styles in live music over the next decade. Advanced musicians are looking to the future of technology and sound plan for inspiration. Many composers have nowadays started to observe an applying of electronically created sound, mixed or operated along with “traditional instrument” (Donington 1982) sound. If the composer would be competent to provide form and importance to the new innovations in order to compete with musical architectures of the earlier period, electronic music might convey a new meaning to the current society. Many “experiments in musical intelligence program” (Cope 2004) are growing to attract the audiences. Another feature to appear in future expansion is the relationship between the actions in the performance and the music. It is essential to adjust generative techniques used in a modern music performormance. As a substitute of generating sounds openly by using electronic devices, the worth of every example of a sound can be quickly intended using the influence of a desktop computer. This move from hardware to software has given electronic music still better choice, and has added cheap manufacture expenses and permitted many more artists to contribute in its uprising. Thus, it can be concluded on a high note that electronic music has more to it than has been currently witnessed and experienced, hopefully it can be fully utilized by the modern day artists and musicians in the years to come. Reference List Adhianto, A (2011). Electronic Music Then, Now, and Later. Listen to the World. [Online] Available at [Accessed on]. Cope, D (2004). Virtual Music: Computer Synthesis of Musical Style. MIT Press, USA. Donington, R (1982). Music and Its Instruments. Taylor & Francis, London. Emmerson, S (2000). Music, Electronic Media, and Culture. Ash gate Publishing, Ltd, England. Godoy, RI. & Leman M. (2010). Mucical Gestures: Sound, Movement, and Meaning. ROUTLEDGE. [Online] Available at [Accessed on]. Jones, W (2005). Technology has Greatly affected the Music Industry. WILLIAMJONES. INFO. [Online] Available at [Accessed on]. Mattei, A (2008). Pocketbook Bride Wedding Planner: The Bridal Accessory You Can't Live Without. Adams Media, China. Manning, P (2004). Electronic and Computer Music. Oxford University Press, USA. Morris, M (n.d). Mark Morris’s Guide to Twentieth Century composers. Music Web International. [Online] Available at < http://www.musicweb-international.com/Mark_Morris/index.htm > [Accessed on]. Wiil, UK & Cmmr (2004). Computer Music Modelling and Retrieval: International Symposium. Springer, Germany. Rammage, L. et al (2001). Management of the Voice and Its Disorders. Cengage Learning, Canada. Wiechmann, D (2009). The Impact of Online Music Services on the Music Recording Industry. GRIN. [Online] Available at [Accessed on]. Read More