'The Times - they are a changing'...Bob Dylan was and is right. However, the times are always changing...it's just a question of how fast are the changes happening - the rate of change. Any historian - indeed anyone who has a sense that the 'past' (as recent as yesterday) was not the same as today will testify to that. Plenty of things have and are driving the changes - not all for the better; and indeed, it is easy to confuse 'change' with progress in the sense of improvement. But one thing we can all agree on is that change has happened...and will most likely continue.
Arguably the most important thing for YOU is to adapt to these changes - either because they are deemed a good thing; because resistance is futile and/or there may be a price to pay in not keeping up with the changes. For all of these reasons and more, we are engaged in a never ending pursuit of keeping up with the changes; or perhaps even trying to get ahead of the changes like the smart individual you are. You know the sort that have to have the latest technology...they are amongst us!
And if I think too hard about all of this and where it may end up, my head feels like exploding. This compulsion to keep running with it...because of its impact...even if we end up running over the edge of the cliff. Well, you could always live under a tree...or in a cave; except that caves are probably real estate these days...
Before I rant too much..allow me to steer this conversation towards music. Today we are experiencing the greatest democratisation within the field of music that we have ever known. Like a lot of things, it has a plus...and a minus.
I fear that music is becoming devalued in some sense. Perhaps as a consequence of things...change....progress? Recorded music has little monetary value now; and it is possible that live performance will go the same way. During the lockdown period, a great number of minds have been focussed on how to adapt to the new reality. Musicians have not been an exception - if they cannot gig...then they will bring it to you via a live stream...from their bedroom if necessary. And we'll do it for free if we need to...er yes, that means it will be free. Gee, what would pay for this stuff - it's ten a penny! Of course, collection agencies like PRS for Music have a different take on it, with a view to protecting both theirs and their composers/songwriters income streams. So you may end up paying for the privilege of performing for free from your home. But that's just how it goes.
Mind, I cannot imagine anyone really doing that - if you are charged for live streaming your performance; then you will be looking for some kind of reimbursement. And so on and so on...
Perhaps the game is up - the idea of having a musical career, a music business...or whatever. Huge numbers piling onboard - the mass democratisation of musical matters. The creaky ship is perhaps sinking. I'm not sure it is all good and I feel conflicted - between what is good for humanity and what is good for me.
Perhaps you are wondering where this monologe is going? Well, nowhere really...
