With the rise of Internet, many music industries predicted that the industry was headed for impending doom and a dramatic loss in sales. However, as the digital age has fostered the creation of new musical platforms, it has also made music increasingly accessible and expanded the ways that individuals can use music.
One of the downsides of the expansion of online platforms is the abuse of copyrights. According to the U.S. Music Industry Statistics and Studies, revenue fell from $25 billion in 2002 to $17 billion in 2012. The downfall is thought to be attributed to illegal downloading. “Sharing music is one thing, but if you are not purchasing music, that is causing problems in the music industry,” says music teacher Troy Davis.
However, it seems that nowadays, fewer consumers are deciding to acquire music files illegally. From January 2012 to 2013 the total unpaid acquisition volume was down 32 percent, possibly due to the rise of relatively inexpensive, legal, online music streaming services like Spotify.
Popular platforms such as Spotify garner around 20 million tracks and third party radios like BBC PlayLister. Junior Jeanna Joseph says, “I like Spotify. The music [offered there] helps me destress. I like to look for music that allows me to express whatever emotion I am feeling at the time.”
However, artists are beginning to avoid mainstream platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play. Except for Pandora, both singers Taylor Swift and Adele keep their newest albums off all mainstream platforms. According to a report from the Recording Industry Association of America, during the first half of 2015, online streaming grew to 32 percent of all music sales in the United States, making up for shrinking purchases of CDs and digital singles.
Junior Mitchell Vaynberg prefers a less popular musical platform called Free Wire. “I like the platform because it is free. I don’t have to pay any monthly subscription for music,” he says. “The features are less complicated, and the site is easier to navigate. There are other easy places to find free music like YouTube, but the quality of music is better, and YouTube only allows you to listen to musical videos.”
However, Davis prefers YouTube due to its easy access. “I put links to music for reference when we are studying music. I’ll have music in my [YouTube] archive that I can share with my students,” says Davis. “YouTube is the most accessible to all my students at home. If we are learning about the lineage or history or comparing three different recordings of a song, we can find the different eras and styles that the music went through, which only YouTube allows easily.”
Newer platforms such as SoundCloud have enabled users to record and share their original music on a global audio platform.
Aragon’s men’s acapella group September uses this platform. “We just love the ability to share acapella music with everyone in the area. It gets our name out into the world, and it lets us record and make great music for CDs and online music,” says junior Gabe Igtanloc.
Through SoundCloud, September is able to reach out to the public for music suggestions. “We wanted to just record. Nothing inspired but the idea that our name could spread and people could listen to us without going to [our] concert. We of course have standard rep and barbershop but also pop and rock music,” says Igtanloc.
Despite the popularity of different musical platforms, Joseph is ambivalent what specific platform she streams. “I like any platform that there is a lot of variety in the artists and music featured. I also like that I am able to create playlists that are perfect for any occasion, such as a holiday music playlist or a studying playlist. It doesn’t matter where I create it, just that I can access it.” Joseph says.
