Further changes in Music

I just can't seem to leave music alone. Perhaps it's because it strikes a cord in me. As I continued to muse about modern music I realized that I could continue to talk about the evolution of music with some neat examples.

First, my theory of modern soundtracks being the newest wave of classical music. The Piano Guys helped vindicate me on these thoughts. They have a couple of videos that use soundtracks mixed with classical music to produce an amazing combination. The two big ones are Bourne Vivaldi and Mission Impossible (featuring Lindsey Stirling).

If you read the "Story behind the song" in the notes of Bourne Vivaldi you'd find the following:

There are few "hooks" in the movie-music world that are as grabby as the Bourne Identity Soundtrack riff. like the movie series, its intensity commands attention. We just had to figure out a way to use it. In our usual style, we thought we'd create an "action movie soundtrack" that combined this and a piece of classical music...With no "action movies" in the 1700's, [Vivaldie's piece] was probably the closest you could get to one. It has intense and exciting moments between beautiful lyrical moments. It was this piece, among others, that got Steven (the cello guy) excited about classical music - it was one of the first pieces he played with orchestra.

 The piano guys are known for mixing classical music with everything they do, demonstrating the tendency to mix different styles to create new sounds. While different forms of classical music have done this in the past, it appears to be a staple of modern music in general. Not just in mixing classical with soundtracks or pop, but different pop styles, rap, alternative, and everything in between. I am not a big rap fan. Most of the time I take issue with the content or style of rap, but I do have a collection that I enjoy. A particular favorite is the YouTuber Eppic featured in these videos (with Peter Hollens, Kait Weston, and Alex G).

I like the addition of the rap and the way it fits with the other singers and the style of the songs. the blend is good and despite the differences in styles I feel that it adds something. To go in the reverse, the Salt Lake Pops Orchestra takes popular songs and puts them to full orchestration. They are also doing fun things with orchestration (calling it the "Radioactive Orchestra") as shown in these videos with Kristen Jensen and Alex Boye and Lindsey Stirling.

One last alteration in music that follows a more experimental theme is music based on more than just emotion, narrative, or even any kind of music tradition. Alan Key writes and produces music for Brady Haran (and others) and is featured in many of the science and math videos that I enjoy. Brady has also worked with Dave Lens, a singer/song writer who has been inspired by science concepts. Below are recent videos from each of them. Alan's Pi March is based on the number pi (3.14....). He has also done music based on Tau, e, and Khinchin's constant. Dave's video was inspired by the vast differences in size between the smallest form of matter and the largest. While the music itself is original, he had to do extensive research (using Brady's help) to compile the facts, sizes, and accuracy for the lyrics. His song has grown on me over the time since he posted it on one of Brady's channels. The video features a chores by ViHart, who is a professional mathemusician at the khanacademy.org. So we can view music as it's influenced by math and the sciences.

These videos also demonstrate a principle that I was trying to blog but just never came together. With the rise of the recording industry music became a regulated industry. Only those that the production company thought were worthy would receive wide spread distribution. Sure artists could self produce, but generally access to equipment was expensive, marketing was non-existent, and exposure was limited. But then the digital revolution happened. Peer-to-peer file sharing, particularly of music, enabled people to spread music faster then the recording industry, often times spreading music without the recording companies and the artist receiving any money. This, of course, was not seen as a good thing for the people who make or produce the music. While Peer-to-peer was eventually locked down and regulated (for the majority) when Napster lost their lawsuit against the RIAA, another potential enemy of the recording industry loomed its head - YouTube.

There is lots of debate on whether and how YouTube hurts the music industry. And I don't have anything to add or subtract from what has already been said. There is obviously one huge effect of YouTube on music - exposure. Musicians are able to expand their audience much more now than ever before. The Piano Guys, Lindsey Stirling, and The Salt Lake Pops have all been able to expand their music beyond YouTube because of their success on YouTube. Many other YouTubers are able to support themselves (some completely, others partially) through their productions. But anyone can post a video and potentially become the next new thing. Previously artists would of had to go through a recording company for an opportunity to reach the same size audience. Many YouTubers will collaborate with others to increase their audience. This results in many of the mixes, mashes, and variations that occur, including some of those above.

The growth of the online musician increases with digital production and sales. I own both albums and singles of several of my favorite YouTubers' music, buying it from iTunes but it is also available via that artist's websites. Even if the artist is not looking to support themselves but just do something that they think others would like they can accomplish their ends very easily. Music as a medium and a industry is changing and it's not about to stop any time soon.