The Impact of Technology on Musical Communities
Overview
Communities are often formed based on similarities among their members, such as race, gender, locality, or shared preferences. Musical preferences have often formed the so-called Affinity Groups. These are well-known in the 21st century – every principal musical performer or band has a legion of admirers who form the basis of the community by sharing a similar taste in music. Wider communities of rock, rap, and other types of music are also well-known and could be considered Affinity Groups. However, the trend has existed well before the 21st century.
History
Musical societies have been known since Ancient Greece (Bacan 15). The 20th century witnessed the rise of rap communities in the US, and jazz also had a prominent presence in the country’s culture (Bacan 16). Both have been expressions of not only one’s musical affinity but also the shared struggles associated with race and class. Modern technologies have made it easier to connect with people based on their musical preferences.
The Internet’s Influence on Music Creation
Online communities have become larger than any Affinity Groups before the Internet age. This is due to my ability to connect to people across the country and the world much more easily. Access to tools for creating music, the music itself, and the distortion of music ownership and knowledge, as well as the evolution of musical traditions, were all accelerating factors that contributed to the growth of music (Bacan 25; 28).
Music as Society vs. Music as Culture
As for whether modern musical Affinity groups are societies or cultures, they exhibit elements of both. For example, modern online communities reside in a singular virtual space closer to society rather than culture (Bacan 30). While culture provides rules for how people live, modern affinity groups serve as frameworks for organizations that are closer to society. However, these beliefs and practices can differ from one member to another, with the sole uniting factor often being the choice of music (Bacan 31). It represents elements of culture and society.
Work Cited
Bakan, Michael B. World Music: Traditions and Transformations. 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill, 2018.