The decline of contemporary music
Alain Jamot
independent composer
Chapter 1 : The competition between contemporary music and popular music
1.1 The growing influence of popular music genres
1.2 The media saturation of popular music
1.3 The democratization of music production tools
1.4 The role of streaming platforms in promoting popular music
Chapter 2: The elitism of contemporary music, a deterrent for the general public
2.1 The perceived inaccessibility of contemporary music
2.2 Cultural and educational barriers
2.3 The lack of media representation of contemporary music
2.4 The difficulty of creating a popular craze around contemporary music
Chapter 3: Is there a future for contemporary music?
3.1 Initiatives to democratize contemporary music
3.2 The impact of interdisciplinary collaborations
3.3 The fusion of genres: an opportunity for contemporary music
3.4 The evolution of musical institutions to support contemporary creation
Chapter 4: The decline of the idea of progress in contemporary music
4.1 The questioning of modernist values
4.2 Postmodernism and the diversity of artistic approaches
4.3 The importance of innovation versus the preservation of traditions
4.4 The redefinition of success and artistic value in contemporary music
Chapter 1 : The competition between contemporary music and popular music
1.1 The growing influence of popular music genres
In recent decades, popular music has grown exponentially in popularity and influence. This rise can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the accessibility of music, the democratization of production and distribution, and the changing musical tastes of the general public. This has contributed to the increased competition between contemporary music and popular music genres.
First, it is important to understand what popular music is. Pop music, hip-hop, rock, and electronic music are a few examples of musical genres that fall into this category. These genres are generally characterized by catchy melodies, catchy rhythms, and a certain accessibility to the average listener. In addition, popular music is often produced and released with the goal of reaching a large audience and generating significant revenue for artists, producers and record companies.
The accessibility of popular music is a key factor in its success and competition with contemporary music. Streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube have made popular music more accessible than ever, allowing listeners to discover new artists and genres anytime, anywhere. These platforms have also given emerging artists a chance to gain exposure, democratizing the music landscape.
Along with this increased accessibility, the democratization of music production has also fostered the popularity of popular music genres. Music production software such as Ableton Live, FL Studio, and GarageBand have enabled amateur and professional musicians to produce quality music at a lower cost. This democratization has given rise to a new generation of popular music producers who are able to create innovative, quality tracks without necessarily having formal music training.
In addition, the changing musical tastes of the general public have also contributed to the competition between contemporary and popular music. Younger generations are increasingly attracted to popular music genres, which often reflect the trends and concerns of contemporary society. For example, hip-hop had its roots as a means of expression for marginalized communities and has since evolved to address a variety of themes and reach a wider audience. Electronic music, on the other hand, has benefited from technological advances and the growing adoption of digital technologies to create new and exciting sounds.
In this context, contemporary music, often considered more complex and demanding for the listener, struggles to compete with popular music in terms of popularity and influence. Works of contemporary music can be perceived as elitist or inaccessible, especially to listeners who lack musical training or exposure to more avant-garde musical styles. As a result, it is often more difficult for contemporary music to reach a wide audience and generate interest comparable to that of popular music genres.
In addition, financial and media support for contemporary music artists is often limited compared to that of popular music artists. Record companies and concert promoters are generally more willing to invest in artists and projects that generate significant revenue and attract large audiences. As a result, contemporary music artists must often rely on alternative sources of funding, such as government grants, institutional commissions, and artist residencies to support their work.
Another challenge for the genre is the lack of media representation of contemporary music. Mainstream media often give predominant coverage to popular music artists and events, leaving little room for the discovery and promotion of contemporary music. This imbalance in media coverage can create a vicious cycle, in which contemporary music is perceived as less relevant and appealing to the general public, which in turn further limits its visibility and success.
Finally, the competition between contemporary music and popular music genres also raises questions about the identity and relevance of contemporary music in the current cultural landscape. In a world increasingly dominated by popular music, how can contemporary music maintain its distinctiveness and artistic value? What role can it play in enriching our musical and cultural experience, and in inspiring listeners to explore new horizons beyond popular music genres?
In conclusion, the increased competition between contemporary music and popular music genres stems from several factors, including the accessibility of music, the democratization of production and dissemination, and the changing musical tastes of the general public. To overcome these challenges, it is essential that contemporary music continue to innovate, adapt, and find ways to reach a wider audience, while maintaining its artistic integrity and unique contribution to the music world.
Chapter 2: The Elitism of Contemporary Music as a Repellent to the General Public
2.1 The perceived inaccessibility of contemporary music
Contemporary music is often perceived as elitist and inaccessible to the general public. This perception stems in part from the complexity and abstraction that characterize many contemporary music works. Compositions may include advanced techniques, atypical structures, and experimental sounds that may be difficult for uninitiated listeners to grasp.
The musical language of contemporary music can also contribute to this perception of inaccessibility. Composers of contemporary music often use notation systems and musical theories that differ from those used in popular and classical music. For non-musically trained listeners, these elements can make contemporary music difficult to understand and appreciate.
In addition, contemporary music concerts are often associated with prestigious concert halls and formal atmospheres, which can create an additional barrier for the general public. This perception of exclusivity can deter many potential listeners from exploring contemporary music, reinforcing the idea that it is reserved for a cultural elite.
2.2 Cultural and Educational Barriers
Cultural and educational barriers are another obstacle to the appreciation of contemporary music by the general public. Access to music education, particularly the study of contemporary music, is often limited and unevenly distributed. Public schools, especially those in disadvantaged areas, may lack the resources to offer in-depth and diverse music education programs.
This can result in many individuals not being exposed to contemporary music during their education, which can limit their appreciation and understanding of this musical genre. Listeners who have not had the opportunity to study contemporary music may thus be less likely to be interested in and enjoy it.
In addition, cultural prejudices and stereotypes also play a role in the perception of elitism in contemporary music. The media, cultural institutions and even the general public may perpetuate the idea that contemporary music is for an intellectually superior or culturally privileged audience. These stereotypes can discourage listeners who do not consider themselves part of this elite from engaging with contemporary music.
2.3 Lack of media representation of contemporary music
Another factor contributing to the perceived elitism of contemporary music is the lack of media representation. Mainstream media often pay disproportionate attention to popular music artists and events, leaving little room for the discovery and promotion of contemporary music. This can lead to an underexposure of contemporary music, limiting opportunities for the general public to discover and appreciate this musical genre.
In addition, when the media discuss contemporary music, they may do so in a way that reinforces the idea that it is elitist or inaccessible. Critics and commentators may use complex and specialized language to describe contemporary music, which may discourage uninitiated listeners from engaging with it.
2.4 The Difficulty of Creating a Popular Fascination with Contemporary Music
Creating a popular buzz around contemporary music is a significant challenge, in part because of the barriers mentioned above. However, it is also important to recognize that the very nature of contemporary music can make it difficult to create a mass following.
Contemporary music is often characterized by a wide variety of artistic styles, approaches, and ideas, which can make it difficult to define a unified sound or aesthetic that could appeal to a broad audience. In addition, contemporary music is often less market-driven than popular music, which can limit its potential to become a mass phenomenon.
Despite these challenges, it is possible for contemporary music to generate broader interest and reach a wider audience. To do so, it is essential to rethink the way contemporary music is presented, promoted and taught. Artists, cultural institutions, and the media must work together to demystify contemporary music, making the works more accessible and providing opportunities for listeners from all walks of life to engage with them.
In conclusion, the perceived elitism of contemporary music is a major obstacle to its appreciation by the general public. Perceptions of inaccessibility, cultural and educational barriers, lack of media representation, and the difficulty of creating a popular following all contribute to this situation. To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to rethink the way contemporary music is presented and promoted in order to make it more accessible and appealing to a diverse audience. Ultimately, by breaking down these barriers, contemporary music will be able to enrich and expand our collective cultural experience.
Chapter 3: Is There a Future for Contemporary Music?
3.1 Balancing Accessibility and Artistic Innovation
To ensure a viable future for contemporary music, it is crucial to strike a balance between accessibility for the general public and continued artistic innovation. Contemporary music must be able to reach a wider audience without sacrificing its distinctiveness and artistic value. To do this, composers, performers and cultural institutions must work together to rethink the way contemporary music is presented and disseminated.
A first step is to offer works that combine elements of contemporary and popular music. For example, some contemporary composers, such as Nico Muhly and Bryce Dessner, have successfully integrated elements of popular and electronic music into their works, creating accessible compositions that retain an artistic and intellectual dimension. By combining familiar and innovative elements, these composers can attract new listeners and encourage them to further explore the world of contemporary music.
3.2 Democratizing music education and fostering public engagement
Music education plays a key role in promoting contemporary music and creating an engaged audience. By democratizing access to music education and integrating contemporary music into school curricula, educational institutions can help younger generations develop an appreciation and understanding of this musical genre.
This can include creating music education programs that emphasize active listening, analysis, and discussion of contemporary music. Teachers must be trained to teach contemporary music in an accessible and engaging way, emphasizing the emotional, cultural, and historical aspects of this music.
In addition, cultural institutions, such as concert halls and festivals, must also work to foster public engagement with contemporary music. This can include programming events that combine contemporary and popular music, creating informal and friendly spaces for concerts, and providing workshops, lectures, and discussions to allow audiences to interact with artists and works in a more personal and in-depth way.
3.3 Using new technologies to promote and disseminate contemporary music
New technologies offer unique opportunities to promote and disseminate contemporary music to a wider audience. Streaming platforms, social networks and virtual reality technologies can be used to present contemporary music in innovative and engaging ways.
Composers and performers can take advantage of streaming platforms to disseminate their works to a global audience and to present quality recordings at a relatively low cost. The
social networks, meanwhile, offer opportunities for artists to connect directly with their audiences, sharing insights into their creative process, announcing events, and exchanging ideas with their fans.
Virtual and augmented reality technologies also offer exciting possibilities for rethinking the contemporary music concert experience. Artists can use these technologies to create immersive and interactive experiences that allow listeners to engage with the music in new and exciting ways.
Finally, online platforms can also serve as educational resources for listeners who want to learn more about contemporary music. Online tutorials, lectures, and discussions can help demystify contemporary music and make the underlying concepts and techniques more accessible to a wider audience.
3.4 Create collaborations between contemporary music and other artistic disciplines
Another strategy for ensuring a promising future for contemporary music is to encourage collaborations between contemporary music and other artistic disciplines, such as dance, theater, visual arts, and literature. These collaborations can create innovative, interdisciplinary artistic experiences that appeal to a wider audience and allow listeners to experience contemporary music from a different perspective.
For example, collaborations between contemporary composers and choreographers can result in dance performances that integrate contemporary music into visually and emotionally powerful performances. Similarly, visual artists can work with composers to create installations and exhibitions that combine contemporary music with visual elements to create an immersive, multi-sensory art experience.
In conclusion, the future of contemporary music depends largely on the ability of artists, cultural institutions, and audiences to overcome current challenges and create an environment in which contemporary music can thrive. By balancing accessibility with artistic innovation, democratizing music education, using new technologies to promote and disseminate contemporary music, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations, contemporary music can continue to play a vital role in our cultural landscape and enrich our lives in meaningful and lasting ways.
Chapter 4: The Decline of the Idea of Progress in Contemporary Music
4.1 Challenging Linear Progress in Music
The idea of linear progress has long been a driving force in the evolution of Western music, with each generation of composers seeking to push the boundaries of harmony, rhythm and form. As the 20th century progressed, however, this notion of linear progress was increasingly challenged. Composers realized that the possibilities offered by tonal music and classical forms had been largely explored, leading to a questioning of the notion of progress in music.
In this context, many composers began to explore alternative approaches, such as atonality, serialism and minimalism, that broke with established musical conventions. While some of these approaches were seen as radical advances, they also raised questions about the nature of progress in music and its relevance to contemporary music.
4.2 The influence of non-Western musical traditions
Alongside this questioning of linear progress, contemporary music has been influenced by a growing interest in non-Western musical traditions. Composers began to explore techniques, instruments and musical philosophies from other cultures, such as Indian, African and Asian music.
This openness to non-Western influences led to a diversification of compositional approaches and a questioning of established values and hierarchies in Western music. In this context, the idea of musical progress has been replaced by an interest in diversity, crossbreeding and intercultural dialogue.
4.3 Contemporary music in the postmodern era
The era of postmodernity has also contributed to the decline of the idea of progress in contemporary music. Postmodern composers have challenged established grand narratives and aesthetic hierarchies, adopting eclectic approaches that combine elements of different musical styles and traditions.
Characteristics of postmodern music include pastiche, collage, and irony, which serve to question and destabilize traditional aesthetic categories. In this context, the notion of progress is replaced by a playful and deliberately ambivalent exploration of the different possibilities offered by music.
4.4 The Role of Technology and Interdisciplinarity in Challenging Musical Progress
Technological developments and interdisciplinarity have also contributed to the questioning of the idea of progress in contemporary music. New technologies, such as synthesizers, computers, and computer-assisted composition software, have opened up new possibilities for musical creation, allowing composers to explore new textures, timbres, and structures. However, these technological advances have also raised questions about the role of the human in music making and the relevance of traditional criteria for judging and evaluating music.
In addition, interdisciplinarity has encouraged composers and performers to collaborate with artists from other fields, such as visual arts, dance, theater and new media. These collaborations have led to hybrid and innovative artistic experiences that challenge the boundaries between disciplines and established aesthetic conventions.
In this context, the idea of musical progress is less relevant, as composers are more concerned with exploring new forms of expression and creating singular, multidimensional artistic experiences.
In conclusion, the decline of the idea of progress in contemporary music is the result of several factors, including the questioning of linear progress, the influence of non-Western musical traditions, the advent of postmodernity, and the impact of technology and interdisciplinarity. These developments have led to a diversification of approaches to composition and a questioning of established aesthetic values and hierarchies.
Nevertheless, rather than seeing this decline as a threat to contemporary music, it is possible to see it as an opportunity for composers, performers, and listeners to explore new forms of expression and to rethink the way we understand and appreciate music. By embracing diversity, innovation and openness to other cultures and disciplines, contemporary music can continue to play a vital role in our cultural landscape and enrich our lives in meaningful and lasting ways.
Contact:
mail: ajamot@gmail.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6yt3mkTh1qURNKufvztSgu
Apple music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alain-jamot/285578393
