In this forum we are going to discuss some topics in music education over the course of the semester. I will pose a question to you and you are to engage in polite discussion on you feeling towards the topic. You are expected to have a minimum of 3 posts regarding the topic and response to others. Remember, to be respectful and work to have mature dialogue on the topic.
Topic One
The world of music downloading forever changes when Napster made its debut over 10 years ago. People have very strong feelings on this topic. Is it ethical to download or is being blown out of proportion? Record companies and artists claim they are losing $100,000's of dollars to illegal downloading. Where do you stand on this issue.
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I feel that it is ethical to download music to an extent. Personally whenever I want to hear a song, I just listen to it on YouTube, so I don’t know if you can call that “downloading”. Many of the major stars complain about losing a lot of money, but the exposure they gain from a forum like YouTube or another music site can propel the album to a larger audience.
ReplyDeleteThis can mean a gain in sales with each album they release. When I find a song I really like on YouTube, I usually end up purchasing it on iTunes for my iPod. Since YouTube was created, I have been exposed to a lot of different genres I would not considered listening to before. Where I feel some stars are hurting is if they are one hit wonders and aren’t able to produce a second good album.
I agree with Matt. I listen to a lot of music that I want to hear on youtube. (Love the Herbert von Karajan music). Why would I download music when I can listen to it on youtube?
ReplyDeleteI think youtube can really expand a musician's audience, give listeners a bit of their music to hear, and then they might like it enough to buy it.
Youtube is like a buffet.
I believe that it's true record companies are losing billions to downloading--and it's not just "one-hit wonder" stars that are hurting, but it's those who are trying to get into the music business. What good is it if you record music with a company, expecting to make SOME money, only to find that your songs are available for free download? I purchase songs on iTunes or buy CDs. I rarely listen to music on YouTube and I never download. I don't believe downloading is a horrible crime, but I know I want to support my favourite artists instead of steal from them, because, in reality, that is what one is doing when one illegally downloads a song.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that a website such as YouTube greatly benefits an artist so they can become known, but I think one should purchase music instead of downloading if one wishes to have a certain song or album.
OK, lets see if this works
ReplyDeletehttp://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E2D91139F936A35757C0A9629C8B63&scp=1&sq=Illegal%20downloading&st=cse
Paste the link into your browser, it from NY times, and well worth the read :)
ReplyDeleteI believe that my thoughts on this matter are aquiescent to Matts'. When I hear a new song, I don't download it, I simply listen to it on YouTube. I feel that this provides artists with a greater exposure and does not cause them to lose anything. I also think that YouTube is an institution that bridges the gap between illegal downloading and purchasing a song or CD. Often, after I have listened to a few songs from a new CD on YouTube, I just end up going out and buying the CD anyway, which is obviously what the record companies and artists are hoping to acheive in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI suppose that I don't view downloading as an ethical action, but I also do not think that it is as big of a problem as it has been made out to be. Perhaps the illegal downloaders could simply utilize YouTube as an alternative :)
Also- maybe if it cost less money for songs or CDs, there wouldn't be as much illicit downloading. We are supposed to be going through a recession currently, are we not? So why don't they just charge less money to buy albums? I think that this would help to fix the problem of illegal downloading as music would be more affordable, and it would also make the rest of us (legal buyers of CDs) happier because it wouldn't cost as much to have access to the music we like.
ReplyDeleteI am guilty of downloading free music off of Lime wire… I know most artists are not crazy about the idea of free downloads, but it could help musicians be revealed, or increase their publicity. It may have impacted album sales overall but most people including myself continue to purchase music. There is still a unique quality in listening to a CD from start to finish to experience the entire artist/bands work. Companies like Napster and other downloading programs are used by millions of people. I personally don’t find it unethical to download songs by different artists, As long as you don’t misuse these privileges. I feel that these programs by all means do not try to hurt the music industry or the artists, but can actually help sales, when used properly. Sure there are those small number of people that download, each song from an artists album and burn them onto CD’s.. But I think that the majority download a popular song or two and find that they like this artist and will go and purchase their CD. This is what I do. Since the internet is unregulated, it is impossible to control what is being downloaded. Some artists only have one or two songs that I actually listen to; which is when these programs can be great. I would be wasting my money on buying a whole CD that would barely be put to any use. Some people may find a new artists that they have never heard of.. Download one of their songs and think to their selves, “hmmm, I like this song, I would like to hear more of this exceptional artist. I will go and buy their CD!” This gives new artists a better chance of being heard. One site that is great for such musicians is http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/. This site lets you listen to many unsigned bands that are not well known, offering these bands/artists a greater chance and to be heard. I do agree with Matt that the exposure artists can receive from these various forums and music sites can Increase album exposure to larger audiences. Unfortunately, some people don’t want to pay for all the music that they listen to. iTunes and other independent downloading sites do offer the option of purchasing the songs and giving the proceeds directly to the musician(s). This is one step closer to a better and more organized way to download music both benefiting the artist and the listener.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Matt on this one. While many of the very famous artists claim the are losing money because of a lose in CD sales should look at the bigger picture. Many people who may have never listened to them would hear them on iTunes or YouTube. The free weekly downloads from iTunes can put new artist's work out on the market. Some of their work is quite good. While I don't agree with illegal downloads, regulated download sites like iTunes are very good for the industry.
ReplyDeleteJust because millions of people use programs like Napster doesn't make it ethical to use. What needs to be considered is that the selling of artist's music is sometimes the artists only source of income. If we all downloaded illegally then these artists may not make any income. We need to look at this more carefully. We need to ask our whether we should sacrifice someones livelihood just to get a free song. If you have to download a song you should download it as a sample. If you like the artists music you should go out and buy the CD or pay for it on iTunes.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Brynn that downloading would be very useful so that one only has a few favourite songs by one artist instead of a whole CD. However, I still feel purchasing on iTunes, if you have iTunes, is a better option than downloading. I also agree with Colleen that we are in a recession, and due to the difficult times that have come and are coming buying a CD or purchasing a song for $0.99 on iTunes is leading to more people downloading. Downloading will become more and more popular in the years to come, for sure. All in all, although downloading is not preferable for artists and record companies, it will continue to occur no matter what.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Becca, if you have iTunes use it, b/c if you like an artist you want them to succeed, buying their music well only help them. This will only lead to more of the musician’s great music in the future. If everyone downloaded their favourite artists and decided not to buy any more CD's or pay for the music that they downloaded, this will have a very negative effect on all artists out there trying to make it in the industry, which is by all means not easy. iTunes is not expensive whatsoever, if you like an artist, help them out and don't leave it to others to buy their CD's. We all have to take initiative and buy our music, and as Colleen said early, we are in a recession, which means we have to try harder and think before we download free music, which is becoming more and more appealing.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things to always consider is this. If you were a business owner and worked hard to develop a product and suddenly people were copying it and there was no need for you provide it, what would happen to your business? As a society I think we place a high value on our personal entertainment, especially with the introduction of the MP3 player, which can hold more songs than most people would listen in their lifetime in some cases. In order for those to function we need people to produce music. Here is an article that sheds a little light on royalties.
ReplyDeleteEven in a recession if don't want to pay $0.99 for a song you like you should really reconsider your thoughts. You can now download iTunes for free so you have no excuse for not having it. The bottom line of this discussion is that free downloads are illegal. The songs on an album is the artist who made it's property. If you download it for free without the permission of the artist or the record company's permission its stealing. As we all know stealing is criminal. If you are doing this you should take a look at what you are doing. iTunes is a affordable alternative to stealing the music.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brynn, once again, that we will have to think over our options before just randomly download music. As the above post noted, downloading is stealing in the sense that you are taking a song without the artist's permission. It may seem like a trivial form of stealing, or a little bit cheesy like those "illegal downloading" advertisements they had at the beginning of some movies, but that's what it is. I'm not sure if a kind of enforcement agency is out there, but I'm sure, if there was, that their job is fruitless. I don't download, but a lot of people do, and because so many people do it isn't portrayed as a crime. As Mr. Stevenson said, we DO place a high value on entertainment. My own iPod is filled with music I don't listen to nearly often enough--but if I ever NEEDED to listen to almost any song I've heard before and liked a little, I would be able to. It is because we are so obsessed with our own wants that downloading occurs: in many ways, it is easier to download a song on your computer than go to the store and find the CD. We, as a society, are impatient and like instantaneous, or nearly instantaneous, results with minimal effort so that we may go on with our entertainment-focused lifestyles.
ReplyDeleteThe only recourse the artist and recording company have then is to appeal to each country to enforce blocking the websites that allow free downloading through legal action and require each countries' internet providers to comply. Presently, Internet providers block U.S. internet and radio programs that are available for replay. Surely if they can block you from watching a replay of a TV episode or listening to a live streaming radio broadcast from the U.S., they can block you from illegally downloading music. Napster's original owners were challenged legally and were forced to stop.
ReplyDeleteIf illegally downloading were not so easy, people would not do it. Like Matt said, if it were block, a lot of people would stop. Illegally downloading can also not be good for your computer. Programs, like Limewire, can be responsible for many viruses your computer gets, if you download from limewire. If people don't want to stop illegally downloading to support artists, they should at the very least think about the effects it will have on their own computer.
ReplyDeleteGetting illegal downloading sites blocked would be a major step forward for the music industry. However to get governments to put blocks in place would be extremely difficult. Besides the fact that they don't usually want to deal with this stuff anyway, it would require a major undertaking. It would require people to set up these blocks and monitor them constantly. After a little while hackers will probably find a way around these blocks and the downloading would continue.The only real way to stop illegal downloading is for the populace to change its ways about downloading. This will take time and effort but it is the best permanent solution.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is making very good points, although illegal downloading is happening everyday, people are still buying cds. I download from limewire just like Brynn, but I also buy cds. Lime wire is kind of like youtube, exposure for the band. The recordings on limewire or youtube are not as good, making me want to go and buy the cd as well. Not every song is available on limewire or on youtube so people are forced to buy the cds. I dont have an Ipod so I dont buy songs online, but if I did have an Ipod I would buy songs from Itunes. I think that there isnt a way to stop the illegal downloading, just have to maybe lower cd costs, someone can monitor the songs being put online and maybe remove them. I think the downloading is ok as long as your not selling them to other people.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with matt - I have found so many new bands just by searching for certain things on youtube, or clicking related links on other bands' pages. Many of the pages are actually created by the band themselves. I think this is because on youtube, its impossible to put a song on your ipod (unless you have an ipod video, but it would take up a lot of room if you wanted to add a ton of songs). Instead, you're just streaming the song. Plus, with a lot of views on a youtube video, the videos are often featured on the youtube homepage. if i were an artist, i personally wouldnt mind this at all, even though i wouldnt be getting money out of this in the short term.
ReplyDelete-Sarah
As for limewire, its so tempting to use because it's extremely fast and easy, and FREE. but the bottom line is that it is illegal, and (in my opinion) unethical. I can't say I'm not guilty of using it from time to time, but I've gotten better. Although this is wrong, i feel much less guilty if i download a britney spears song (or any huge and successful artist) as opposed to if i download a new indie band's song because I know theyre trying get a name for themselves, and selling CDs or itunes tracks would really help.
ReplyDeleteI think that some of the punishments are too harsh for illegal downloading. Hardly anyone gets caught, but when they do the consequences are huge. Rather than such huge fines (or jail time) as a punishment, maybe more people should get fined but be charged less money.
I agree with Sarah. Not many people get caught illegally downloading even though not many people can say that they've never done it. More people should be charged, instead of charging the one person who gets caught a ton of money. I'm not saying it's right to illegally download, but I also don't think it's right for so many people to get away with it and then charge the one person who gets caught a ton of money.
ReplyDeleteYes, maybe there ought to be a more serious consequence for those who download music. Even one song, as wp_girl (sorry, I don't know who you are) said. Although the people who download more songs do present more of a problem, even downloading one song is stealing. If you stole something from a store, you would face legal repercussions, so why should people who steal music have a different punishment? Or none at all?!?
ReplyDeleteI am totally guilty for downloading from limewire. I agree with everyone saying that it's wrong but I can't help myself:)..I still do buy some cds but if I just like one song from an artist i'm not going to go out and buy the whole cd. itunes is good in the fact you have to pay for the songs. I guess i'm a hypocrite because I think it's unethical to download music and not pay for it(to a certain extent..like everyone is saying). But sorry like I said i'm not going to go buy a whole cd if i'm only going to listen to one song...don't these artists make lots of money anyway??
ReplyDeleteNot all artists have a lot of money just because they are selling some CDs. Most artists that hear on the radio and television are very popular and have a lot of money. Lesser known artists and new artists do not have as much exposure and therefore not as much money. This is partly the radio stations fault as the don't give airtime to less popular artists. These are the artists that are hurt the most by illegal downloading.
ReplyDeleteOne problem with punishing people who use Limewire is it would be hard to track. I have never actually used the program so correct me if I'm wrong. From what I understand Limewire is just a program used as a means to transfer someones data from their computer to yours. You are not actually downloading from a website so it would be hard to monitor. Monitoring someones computer most likely violates some privacy law. What really needs happen is peoples attitudes towards downloading.
ReplyDeleteYour not going to stop illegal downloading...period. I agree with Chelsea in the fact i don't consider it as bad because i'm not going around selling it to people. The music I download from lime wire is for my use only..and if I really want to support the artist I will buy the cd.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is any way to prevent people from creating free music downloading web pages, or to prevent people from using them. The programs to prevent such activity would have to be very specific, and, as such, easily worked around. I think the responsibility is with the people who listen to music to do so responsibly. It is the listeners who need to keep their favorite bands up and going.
ReplyDeletePerhaps individual bands will eventually sell their own music on their own websites.
-Jen
Firstly, some artists have already started selling their music on their websites. They will let you pay what you believe the album or song is worth, or in some cases get it as a gift from the artist. artists like Radiohead have started doing this.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, just because you do not use the downloaded music for profit does not make it ok. The music you are downloading is the artists property. Taking it for free without the artists consent is stealing and as we all know STEALING IS BAD. If you do not want to pay for the music check if it's free on the artists website. Also, why are you listening to something that you don't think is worth paying for in the first place?
The biggest problem is when the songs are leaked onto limewire before the cd comes out, then you think why would I wait for the cd to come out when I can listen to the songs now for free? The artist need to be extreemly careful that this does not happen. Limewire and other downloading sites I think are for publicity for the band. The more I hear a song the more I like it. The more hits the better, then the song could make the top 10 and create lots of revenue for the band all because of the exposure from these sites. In regards to kenshikuns last post, I listen to a song Im not paying for because Im seeing if the band is any good. So many times I just liked one song from a band so I saved my money and bought the whole cd only to find that I only liked the one song. It was such a waste. Ya, the band is loosing money, but if I discover that I like the band I might be encouraged to buy all the other cds by that band.
ReplyDeleteI look at the illegal downloading from a criminal point because it is illegal. People who download 'illegally' are techinically criminals no matter how trivial it may seem. The biggest thing for me is that if you truly enjoy an artist then why not support them because if you don't support them they will stop making music. The thing I the funniest is that almost everyone of you quote the I only just sample thing and I go buy it later but it's like going to the grocery store everyday and having one kind of grape and then another and then another in the end you have eaten a whole bushel of grapes. Most of the big artists are signed to only a few labels nowadays and they feel the pressure too, they are also people with jobs you are taking. Also the one hit wonders that most of you talk about are massively overplayed on Much Music and on the radio anyway so why perform illegal actions and just listen to the radio or tv once in a while and, hey, maybe the news will be on after and you can learn something.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike completely. People have to put themselves in the artist's shoes. Though saying illegal downloading is illegal is redundant.
ReplyDeleteI agree with supporting the artists you like. CDs don't cost that much in comparison to other things we buy. Even if you only like one song when you buy the CD a lot of the time you'll end up liking a few others on the CD if you continue to listen to it. Artists need to make money too, so by buying their CD, you allow them to continue to do their job (which you seem to enjoy when you listen to their songs). Also, if you've never really listened to a certain band before you can always sample some of their songs on iTunes. It's only a dollar and you can figure out if you like them or not.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah that programs like Limewire are tempting, and it is also tempting when it is in the news that an artist's new single has been leaked as Chelsea said. However, as wp_girl posted Limewire exposes your computer to viruses, along with your computer being used as server for other's downloading your music. It isn't fair for artists to suffer financially or artistically because they cannot sell enough music to maintain a record contract. Most artists do not seem to mind being available on Youtube with the exception of Prince and lately Warner Bros Music. I researched on the internet found the following "YouTube has become an important revenue stream for at least one of the top labels. This week, Rio Caraeff, Universal Music's digital chief, told CNET News that YouTube has generated tens of millions of dollars for the recording company this year, up 80 percent from last year." I think it is like kenshikun said you have to put yourself in the artist shoes, before downloading using programs like Limewire.
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ReplyDeletePersonally I do download, and I feel that yes in some ways downloading causes record companies to lose vast amounts of money, however downloading also helps artists have higher concert sales. I have downloaded a song before that I have loved and that download was the reason I bought the concert ticket. Also If I find myself downloading more than three songs by one artist I will buy the cd.
ReplyDeleteHowever, with that said, downloading is illegal. As tempting as downloading is people should limit their indulgance.
Music stores should also have a machine of some sort where you can pay a base fee and they make a cd with songs that you choose. That way you can have a mixed cd with all the songs you choose and the artist can recieve money (base fee) for their work.
I agree with becca on the use of itunes for your personal music. All in all 99 cents for a song is worth it, and sometimes itunes has a sale or discount on songs, or a feature song that you can download for free. Also,Itunes does not give you computer viruses like other free download sites!
ReplyDeletein response to chelsea, I think, I have had that experience where you buy a band's cd and find you only like one song, which is why I suggested the mix cd idea and Itunes is a way you can preview songs and pick an choose which songs to download. By downloading on itunes you can pick and choose what songs you like, AND the artist gets the credit at the same time!
ReplyDeleteIn response to sarah's original comment, I too am guilty of using limewire. The more I use it the more i realize the viruses my computer is receiving which is slowly limiting my use of limewire. However I'm looking at my ipod thinking, if I bought all 900 songs on itunes, there goes 900 dollars. What to do??
ReplyDeleteI agree with many others who have stated that music downloading is unethical. Like the commercials say, you wouldn’t steal a car or a DVD, so how is music any different? Many of us have admitted to be guilty of illegal downloading but we do feel justified in doing so. There doesn’t seem to be an obvious solution to this issue because, as Abbey pointed out, downloading songs the legal way can be ridiculously expensive. One idea to combat this issue is lowering prices to make music buying more affordable. Lower CD and iTunes prices would motivate people to buy more music instead of acquiring it illegally, I agree with Colleen in this respect :) (also! when you buy from iTunes you get the album cover picture, definitely a plus!!)
ReplyDeleteFor those who simply use music downloading to sample different genres and broaden our musical horizons, those are not bad motives but do you believe restrictions should be put in place to ensure that the system is not abused? Would it be possible for everyone to use a tool like this in moderation?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily. I don't see anything wrong in downloading a song to see if you like it. However, downloading shouldn't be the main way people get music (unless they are paying for it, like through iTunes). I like how on iTunes you can listen to a song for a bit before you by it. Since not everyone has iTunes, if they could create a way that you could download for free to hear a bit of a song, that would be alright. Then, if you like it, you can buy it, and if you don't, you didn't have to buy it. As long a there are restrictions, free downloading could be a useful tool to figure out what bands you like.
ReplyDeleteI download music all the time using limewire. It has become something so easy and convenient that you forget it is even illegal. I feel that in order to lower the downloading rate, the convenience level has to be lowered some how for music to be downloaded. The harder the process, the more people will quit.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with abbey...bands and artists make their money through concerts!! Even if i don't buy the artist's music I will go to their concert and drop hundreds of dollars...also some people didn't get limewire for free. It costed my $50 to download the program..so it isn't totally free.
ReplyDeleteSarah and Abbey have a good point. Concerts are probably how artists make most of their money. And especially with all of the t-shirts and other stuff you buy when you're at a concert. People already pay a ton for concert tickets but a lot of people spend at like $30 while they are at the ticket, buying other things that support the artist. All of the money artists make at concerts probably offsets some, if not all, of the money they lose from illegal downloading.
ReplyDeleteTo continue on Sarah and Abbey's point, I also agree that artists make most of their money from concerts and stuff. However the only problem that we are not considering is that most of these concerts we go to are successful artists. They have made millions already and the music downloading doesn't really effect them much. The ones that are hit hard are the new artist who are trying to make a name for themselves. In order for this to happen they need all the money they can get.
ReplyDeleteJust because artists may not make the majority of their money from concerts does not make it OK to download music. Artists, especially new ones, need to have an income to keep working. Most artists do not have concerts all year round. They will make a large sum at the concerts but they need income for the rest of the year. Also, on the topic of reducing cost of CDs. The record companies are the ones who jack up the prices. Reducing the price on iTunes is strange. It costs a dollar for a song or ten dollars for an average album that is pretty close to the cheapest legal way of buying music.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of the points made on here... While I do download music from limewire, I always feel bad doing so, but sometimes the prices (some cd's but mainly from itunes because when my computer crashed, all the purchased files were lost for a while) can be a bit unreasonable. Both limewire and youtube are great for exposure, and if used in moderation, I don't see the problem, but again, that's in MODERATION... In my opinion, people are more likely to purchase an album once they have heard a song or two from it to ensure that it is what they would actually enjoy, and they won't usually hear these one or two songs without the limewire/youtube exposure.
ReplyDeleteI am also guilty of downloading tracks off of limewire. I agree that is is probably causing the artists to loose money, but I know that if I like the music that I download, I go out and buy their CDs. So that is making them money. With a website like youtube, I don't think that it can be considered downloading music. Especially if the artist themselves have put up the music.
ReplyDeleteI realize that downloading is causing artist to lose money, but in the long run, if people are like me and they download to sample the music then it is gaining them money.
I also agree with Andrew that if a stop to illegal downloading is going to happen, then the they need to make it harder for the general public to access programs like limewire. If it wasn't so accessible then less people would download, and therefore the artists wouldn't loose their money.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the other point that was brought up that well know artist generally make the bulk of their money from concerts. In saying that I agree again with Andrew, that the people who would be hit the hardest are new artist who are trying to get themselves know.
Commenting on Abbey's point. Downloading is a much cheaper way to go, but (commenting from Emily) I don't think that iTunes, as an example could lower their prices any more. Also if you buy CDs then the price is generally less then $1 per song. But I agree that CD prices probably could get lowered and that would help with stopping illegal downloading.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fact that artists make more of their money off shows then they do off of CD sales the money from CD sales goes mainly to paying for the making of the CD and the people who are involved in the making of it. Yes illegal downloading hurts the artist who records but they get money off concerts and live shows but if you are downloading all your music where are the record labels and all its employees making money. The music industry is booming almost at a peak more so then it has ever been but the recording business is at an all time low because of illegal downloading. The recording industry is a huge market as well and when you download you put those people out of business maybe not the artist but the hundreds of other people involved. And when i say illegal downloading is illegal I'm not being redundant I'm using the figure of scheme known as repetition to get my point across.
ReplyDeleteTo add to the point Ashleigh said, after I download songs, it is not like im not sharing it with my friends. There are many songs that i have shared with friends and through them the popularity of the song will increase dramatically. Though we might be costing the artists some money, we are also promoting the song more and this would later on give them more profit.
ReplyDeleteThe part about new artists not making very much money because people are downloading their songs and getting them out of business is actually not as bad as the big famous ones getting downloaded. When it comes to CD sales the band doesn't make very much in royalties until the recording costs are paid which usually means you have to sell a tonne of CDs. The newer bands aren't the ones that are going to go multi-platinum and sell millions of copies to make tonnes of royalties its the big famous people who are doing that. Newer bands love the internet because no one is going to buy the CD of a band they never heard but they will listen to it free on YouTube or some other internet sites. These bands rely on people doing that so they don't have to rely on a record label to get their music out there and then pay the record label. They do make probably about 99% of their income off the shows they play not off their CD sales so if you illegally download their music and you like it then you tell your friends and they tell your friends and then 12 of your end up going down to that tiny little venue and pay a door fee of $15 each and then the band has made more money off the show then you downloading. So its the already established musicians who have already gone platinum multiple times before and know they could do it again and make all that royalty money again so they are the ones that are against illegal downloading. New artists are the ones prospering off downloading because it is infinitely easier to break into the music scene than it ever was. It use to be you had to be amazing to get out there but now moderate bands can get their name out internationally a lot faster than they used to which means they can get their careers going which means they make more money than if they weren't on the scene at all. So illegal downloading is good for newer artists.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Abbey that bands and artists can definatly benefit from sales. If you did not buy their CD it is highly likely that they'll probably make money off the concert. Concerts are a great way for artists to make money. And many people will pay lots of money, just to see that person live, and listen to how they sound live. It gives you such a better experience, rather than listening from the CD.
ReplyDeleteThe main problem here is that many people in society do not think as we do. Many people follow the school of thought that " If I can get music for free, and it's easy to access, why should I go out and buy it?". I hope no one here follows this. It seems to me that most of the people here will sample from Limewire and if they like it they pay for it. I believe that society needs to move away from the illegal downloading majority toward the minority who pays for all their music. This would be in the future rather than now. For now I think the middle ground is acceptable.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a little late and no one is probably going to read this but still it is a topic that could affect me in the future.
ReplyDeleteDownloading music is illegal, just like shooting someone, sad but true. Your taking something that someone has put alot of hard work into and taking it for free for you own personal enjoyment. I'll admit that i've downloaded music off of limewire but the only reason was because there are no drum tabs on the internet anymore that are for my style of music (metal) and if I need to learn how to play a song for an upcoming show I learn it by ear. Yes it's stealing but when we play the song at a show we introduce the name and who the artist is. By doing this we hope that for people who already know the song they will enjoy the show that much more, but for the people that haven't we hope that it will make them want to go find out more about the band and it's true! We have had people come up to us after a show asking "who was that song by that you played?" By doing this I feel that I have done something good for the band and don't feel as guilty for downloading the song (although I will sill feel guilty)
But for everyone who said that they download music so they can hear new bands or your friend told you about them and you decided to listen to a few songs that's great cause your thinking right, but still it's kinda like sitting on the fence and if you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem. I'm suprised this hasn't been brought up yet but if you want to get to know a band and what they sound like there's an amazing website called myspace!!!! I know amazing eh? With facebook everyone has forgot about it. Now it is mostly for bands and they use it for the sole reason of letting people who havent heard of them get to know them and hear what they sound like. You can get tour dates, write on blogs that they have made, look at merchandise that they are selling, look at pictures and videos of them, and your favorite; listen to their music for free and have it not be illegal.
But for the I only like one of the songs excuse and I don't want to buy the whole cd; well how do you know, if you havent heard any other songs or you have only listened to other ones by the artist once or twice then you still have no excuse, music grows onto you and it takes time for you to enjoy it. You can't just listen to something once then judge it because you probably didn't take in everything that happened in the song, take it from me.. metal didn't just instantly click with me... and be honest did you even listen to the whole thing? Or did you just not give it a chance? If you like the one song then the artist will give you similar things in the other songs but they're all different and unique in their own way.... unless if you listen to crap music like Usher.. for all of you who probably hate me right now lets look at why i said that. Lets look at the lyrics for "love in the club": I wanna make love in this club, yea, in this club, in this club.... wow give him a million dollars, as I was saying if you like the Artist and the one song then your bound to like the other ones.
And for anyone who loves satire there is a very funny south park episode that involves this topic.
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