How do we find the music we like? Recommendations from friends? Listening to the opening band at a live concert? Movies? Video games? Algorithms?
Music is everywhere. But (as of 2024), when more than 100,000 tracks are being uploaded every day to digital streaming platforms and Spotify gives us access to over 100 million tracks, the chances of encountering a piece of music become counterintuitively and surprisingly low. This course will explore the factors that influence our musical taste and how the industry monetizes our love of music. We will examine the latest research on music, media, and science, bringing awareness to our freedom, or the lack of, in our everyday decision-making. Topics include streaming platforms, algorithmic recommendation, human connection and community. We will also spend some time on the business side of music, including the recent history of the recording industry as well as real-life examples of contracts, productions, publicity, and other aspects of music production.
This course will ask a lot of questions. But there will be no right or wrong answers. Using music as the entry point, participants will be encouraged to think about what’s next. Please feel free to let me know of any accommodation needs.
Learning Outcomes:
- Using music as the entry point, become more aware of what influences our tastes and decision-making in everyday life.
- Learn how to question the status quo (because what we are presented may not be what is happening).
- Become more aware of the connection between ourselves, modes of communication, the market and the media.
- Learn about the recent history and practices of gatekeeping regarding access to music exposure and monetization, which can be extrapolated and applied to other industries.
- Learn some basics of contracts and publicity.
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 2
W 10:00AM - 11:50AM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 15
Course Frequency: Once a year
Categories: 2000 , All courses , Fully In-Person , History , Two Credit
Tags: AI , Country Music , Funk , Hip-Hop , Independent Record Labels , Instagram , Jazz , Music Business , Music Genres , Pop Music , Rock , Spotify , Streaming , Tik Tok , YouTube