Findings of my Independent Study

The Music Industry is changing. That is an undisputable fact. However, whether this change is negative or positive is highly debated due to the accessibility the internet provides. Although, even with the insecurities piracy can instill in any artist, I feel the internet has had a greater positive influence on the Music Industry thanks to its networking powers, simplified distribution, and overall possibilities.
This topic interested me because I am a musician hoping to pursue a career in Music Business. So, needless to say, the way the music industry has changed and will further change in the coming years is very important to me. Everyone should care about this topic because everyone listens to music, but very few understand how an album makes it way to their ears; whether it be illegally downloaded, purchased, or burnt from a friend. Personally, studying this topic made me a bit more hesitant to download an album illegally.
When I first approached my independent study, I was expecting to find nothing more than an endless list of negative consequences, but was surprised to find an equally as impressive array of advantages the internet has presented. Among these positive effects I found were how easily one could distribute their music. Before modern technology, an artist could not distribute their works to the masses unless signed to a major label that could get their albums into retail stores. According to a Neilson SoundScan Report, 81.87% of the entire music industry was controlled by 4 major record labels in 2005. However, the networking simplicity of the internet has made these record labels somewhat superfluous. Peter Spellman, an author and expert from Berklee, said, “While the record labels used to have a lock on distribution, the internet has made it very accessible to any artist”. The possibilities the internet presents to small artists hoping to get their music heard are overwhelming. I know this first hand, being an amateur musician who relies heavily on networking sites like Myspace and Facebook as a means of distribution.
However, with every great thing, there are always problems or disadvantages. The largest and most obvious negative consequence to the internet’s opportunities is the dramatic increase in piracy. When an artist uploads anything onto the internet, they are taking the risk of having that work stolen because the internet has made it so easy for anyone to access your content. However, as Peter Spellman also pointed out, “an artist’s income does not come from music sales; it comes from live shows and merchandising”. According to a 2005 RIAA Consumer Profile, only 15% of albums make money. So, even if people are stealing your music illegally, they are still listening to it, and you are still building a larger fan base. So unless you are an artist on a major label like Hilary Duff, you will not being able to make a great living off of your music, but you will still be known, and if you are like myself, or several of my musician friends, its not about the money; its about passion and connection with your fans. Overall, I believe the internet has had a greater positive effect on the music industry.
In conclusion, the internet has greatly simplified distribution due to its remarkable networking abilities. Also, it has allowed for listeners to find music that is no longer available for whatever reason, and can provide listeners with an opportunity to build more varied tastes. However, piracy is always a concern, and there is nothing more terrifying to a musician than having their heart and soul stolen. But in the grand scheme of things, an audience is an audience, and piracy usually leads to more wide spread knowledge of your music. More wide spread knowledge leads to more fans at your shows, which means more people buying your merchandise, and more money overall.

Facts from:
http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/02241/pros.htm

Quotes from:

Peter Spellman (M.A., MEd.) the Director of the Career Development Center at
Berklee College of Music and the author of several handbooks on music career
development.