A Bull Market in Music Making

Last week's LA Times synopsis of the annual NAMM show, the annual confab of those who make musical instruments and gear, was incredibly encouraging. One of the biggest questions hovering behind the digital music revolution is whether it would encourage a more passive or a more active attitude toward music. Here's some powerful evidence that the latter is winning out. Here's one exciting quote from the story:

The biggest market demographic is young adults. The NAMM musical industry group, which sponsored the convention, contracts with the Gallup Organization for a poll every three years. The most recent found that the number of instrument players ages 18 to 34 grew from 24% in 1997 to 32% in 2006.

It also found that last year about half of American households had at least one person who owned a musical instrument, up from 43% in 1997. The instruments of choice: piano, 31%; guitar or bass, 28%; and brass, 27%.

All of this has helped propel unprecedented sales of musical instruments and related items, from guitar picks to sheet music to computer interfaces.

One of String Theory's articles of faith is that music appreciation and music participation go hand in hand. The idea that so many amateurs are playing, composing, recording, mixing, posting and distributing their original work all but negates the soporific effect of commercial radio playlists, major label fear, and big-box music retail. The people are picking, and that's good news to start the week.

Comments

[George]

Recognition needs to be something worth achieving. One shouldn't be given national recognition by virtue of the fact that one is playing an instrument. That is merely the first step.

I have yet to meet a musician of any age (From Taylor Swift to George Jones) who didn't want to be included on a radio station playlist, promoted by a major label, or in stock at a big box record store (perhaps with a display in the window). Sure, they can record and release the music themselves, but recognition is something to which artists aspire. And the fact that artists aspire to achieve higher goals is also good news.

[string theory]

George, I've appreciated your comments on the blog. I wonder if here we're talking about two different things: the aspiring professional versus the dedicated amateur. I don't think any random flute player in Oklahoma is worthy of national press, unless there's other compelling story to be told about her. And there's nothing at all wrong with aspiring to be appreciated widely enough to make a living at music. I'm just not pleased when pro entertainers with modest talent are regarded as somehow more in touch with music than talented amateurs. Music's a human experience as well as a commodity. That's all I'm saying.