Technology and Music — a bit of history and what’s next?

TulipAcid

Off topic as it has to do with my participation in the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra, but has relevance to performers on any musical instrument.

Next Thursday we’re performing at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. I’m on tap coordinating an unofficial exhibit to accompany our performance consisting of memorabilia from the “golden” era of mandolin orchestras, some antique instruments and the like.

Few people have heard or even heard of mandolin orchestras. And yet, in the late 19th and early 20th century they were hugely popular. In the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, there were DOZENS of orchestras!!! If one looks at the “society” pages in newspapers of that era, there were MULTIPLE reports of mandolin ensembles performing at various soirees, weddings, civic gatherings…

WHAT HAPPENED? Where are they now? Why is it mandolin is primarily associated with Bluegrass??? Or Rod Stewart’s Maggie May intro???

As I understand it, a confluence of change in musical tastes (jazz, big band) and technology (recording leading to radio and records.) I would argue some psychology was afoot. Young, musically oriented people had less incentive to take up an instrument unless they were somehow fashionable, and even then it was at best a hobby or pastime. Many might aspire to be the next big rock band nationally or just locally…few make it.

Suddenly, we are confronted with yet another massive change … AI with the capability of producing music.

How will that change the world of the future? Will more humans simply give up producing music, art and writing?

What can we do as people with musical passions offer to encourage young people?

TulipAcid

Re: mandolin orchestras now

There are a number of active mandolin orchestras in North America. Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra is the oldest. At the moment, I think the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra is the largest in North America, apart from the en mass orchestra put together at the annual Convention of the Classical Mandolin Society of America (hosted here in the Twin Cities this November!)

There are many in Europe. Several in Australia. They are HUGE in Japan. That’s all I know.

This isn’t a pitch, but if you want to know more, check out the CMSA’s website.

https://classicalmandolinsociety.org/

TC3

I have no scientifically verifiable information on this topic, and am merely speculating wildly. 😃

I teach undergrads, mostly traditional age. On average, I'd say they love AI for reading and writing -- or should I say, NOT reading and writing ... ahem ... However, they really seem to push back against "AI slop" in arts and entertainment. It even sounds like it may have rekindled some interest in seeing live music, just so they can make sure what they are hearing is from real human beings.

I'm very curious what AI will do on the professional side of things, especially in terms of mixing, mastering, etc. I've heard (no citation ... ) that AI is actually quite good at mastering, something I'm lead to believe is quite difficult for people and demands very high fees from experts. If that's right, it might make mastering a lot easier for up and coming musicians to afford, but perhaps put some professional out of work.

TulipAcid

TC3

Your remark about seeing live music is a great one!

The next level of greatness is to learn an instrument, join a band/ensemble and make their own music. Art, writings, movies, what have you!

I, for one, would love more live music performed in small, intimate venues. And more small venues that host such performers!

TC3

TulipAcid I hope so. I remember speaking with a student quite a while back, probably at few years before COVID hit. He was learning how to play guitar, but couldn't find any peers who were interested in learning and instrument, forming a band, etc. Apparently everyone wanted to be a DJ / compose EDM ... I should ask my students about this during my philosophical aesthetics class this semester, perhaps interest in playing an instrument is on the rise again.