Class Discussion: Music
Music changed significantly with recording technology.  This technology allows music to pass through time and space and causes it to became a commodity that can be bought and sold. This has led to music becoming big business. With recording technology, musicians can upload their songs to the internet, or they can record a song for mass distribution.  As more people purchase the CDs, download songs from itunes, listen to them on Pandora, or see and hear the music on youtube, it causes the artists to become more well-known and have a broader following. Although a person may be listening to their CD or on their ipod alone, this still is a communal experience because others may be purchasing and enjoying the same music.  Artists no longer have to travel long distances to spread their message and their music --only to have listeners forget the song after only hearing it live once.  Success of an artist's music is determined by public acceptance and demand of the recordings. Many industries were created because of this, such as studios, record stores, equipment, and physical record production.  Because of recording technology, the music industry has created fortunes and made billionaires.