Stories with Tag Musicians

• The Book (2021)

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  Posted: 2025-03-28 16:39:10

  Verbose tl;dr

  "The Book" (2021) podcast episode from 99% Invisible explores the history and cultural impact of The Real Book, a collection of illegally transcribed jazz lead sheets. Starting in the 1970s, this crowdsourced anthology became ubiquitous among jazz musicians, providing readily available arrangements of standards and lesser-known tunes. While copyright infringement plagued its existence, The Real Book democratized access to a vast musical repertoire, fostering improvisation, education, and the evolution of jazz. The episode examines the legal grey areas, the dedication of those who compiled and distributed the book, and its enduring influence on generations of musicians despite the eventual availability of legal alternatives.

  The 99% Invisible episode, "The Real Book," delves into the fascinating and complex history of The Real Book, not a singular, officially published volume, but a series of illicitly compiled and distributed anthologies of jazz lead sheets – simplified musical scores containing melody, harmony, and lyrics. The episode meticulously traces the genesis of these clandestine collections back to the 1970s, a period where obtaining accurate transcriptions of popular jazz standards was a significant challenge for aspiring musicians.

  It elaborates on the painstaking process undertaken by a collective of Berklee College of Music students, who, driven by a shared passion for jazz and a desire for accessible learning materials, embarked upon the ambitious project of transcribing popular jazz compositions by ear. These transcriptions, often derived from recordings rather than official sheet music, were subsequently collated and photocopied, resulting in the first iterations of The Real Book. The episode underscores the collaborative and somewhat rebellious nature of this undertaking, highlighting the fact that these books were created without official permission from copyright holders, existing in a legal gray area for decades.

  The podcast meticulously explores the multifaceted impact of The Real Book on the jazz world. It acknowledges the book's undeniable contribution to the dissemination and preservation of jazz standards, providing generations of musicians with invaluable access to a wide repertoire. It also analyzes how the readily available, simplified arrangements within The Real Book influenced the way jazz was learned and performed, potentially leading to a homogenization of playing styles and a decreased emphasis on individual interpretation and improvisation. The episode grapples with the ethical complexities surrounding copyright infringement and the delicate balance between accessibility and artistic ownership, presenting the varied perspectives of musicians, publishers, and legal experts.

  Furthermore, the episode discusses the evolution of The Real Book over time, from its rudimentary, hand-copied origins to later, more refined editions featuring improved accuracy and a broader selection of tunes. It touches upon the various legal challenges faced by the creators and distributors of these unauthorized compilations, and the eventual emergence of legally sanctioned versions of The Real Book that sought to address copyright concerns. The narrative also considers the impact of digital technology on the distribution and accessibility of sheet music, and how this has impacted the continued relevance of The Real Book in the 21st century. Finally, the episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring legacy of The Real Book, acknowledging its complex and often contradictory role in shaping the landscape of jazz music and education.

  • Jazz
  • Music
  • fake book
  • real book
  • sheet music
  • Copyright
  • improvisation
  • lead sheets
  • Chuck Sher
  • history of jazz
  • jazz standards
  • musical notation
  • DIY
  • Underground
  • Community
  • Musicians
  • performance
  • transcription
  • arrangement

  Summary of Comments ( 1 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43507404

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss the ubiquity and impact of The Real Book, a collection of illegal jazz lead sheets. Commenters share anecdotes of its use in learning, performing, and teaching jazz, highlighting its role as a shared resource and common language among musicians. Some debate the ethics of its copyright-infringing nature, acknowledging the creators' lost revenue but also the book's contribution to jazz accessibility. The discussion also touches on the evolution of "fake books," the challenges of transcribing complex improvisations, and the book's occasional inaccuracies, with some commenters recommending newer, legal alternatives. Others share specific memories associated with The Real Book and its importance in their musical journeys. The practicality of the book, particularly its portability and spiral binding, is also praised.

  The Hacker News post titled "The Book (2021)" linking to a 99% Invisible podcast episode about "The Real Book" has generated several comments. Many discuss their personal experiences and perspectives related to the Real Book.

  Several commenters reminisce about their own usage of the Real Book. One shares a story about using a spiral-bound version during their high school jazz band days, highlighting its prevalence and importance for learning jazz standards. Another recounts using a legal-sized version, noting the inconvenience but acknowledging its comprehensive nature. Others mention their experiences with different editions and formats of the book, showcasing its evolving nature over the years. The difficulties of sight-reading complex arrangements are also touched upon.

  The legality and copyright issues surrounding the Real Book are a recurring theme. Some commenters discuss the ethical implications of using unauthorized copies and the challenges musicians faced before legal versions became available. The transition from hand-copied versions to printed and later digital copies is also mentioned, reflecting the book's evolution alongside technological advancements. One user points out the irony of musicians relying on an illegal resource while simultaneously advocating for stronger copyright protections for their own work. The discussion touches upon the complexities of copyright in the context of jazz, where improvisation and interpretation are key elements.

  A few commenters delve into the musical aspects of the Real Book, discussing specific tunes and the challenges they present. The importance of transcribing solos and the role of the Real Book in learning jazz harmony and improvisation are highlighted. The curated nature of the collection and the inclusion of different styles and composers are also mentioned.

  The conversation extends to alternative resources for learning jazz standards, including other fake books, online databases, and legal sheet music sources. The availability and accessibility of these resources are discussed, contrasting them with the Real Book's historical significance and continued popularity. One commenter specifically suggests the iReal Pro app as a modern, legal, and highly functional alternative.

  The lack of composer royalties is mentioned again, with one commenter pondering on the potential lost earnings for composers due to the widespread unauthorized use of the Real Book. The discussion touches upon the balance between accessibility for musicians and fair compensation for creators.

  Overall, the comments section provides a rich tapestry of personal experiences, ethical considerations, and musical insights related to the Real Book, reflecting its enduring influence on the jazz community.

• Ghost artists on Spotify

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  Posted: 2024-12-19 14:12:05

  Verbose tl;dr

  Liz Pelly's "The Ghosts in the Machine" exposes the shadowy world of "fake artists" on Spotify. These aren't AI-generated music makers, but real musicians, often session musicians or composers, creating generic, mood-based music under pseudonyms or ambiguous artist names. These tracks are often pushed by Spotify's own playlists, generating substantial revenue for the music libraries or labels behind them while offering minimal compensation to the actual creators. This practice, enabled by Spotify's opaque algorithms and playlist curation, dilutes the streaming landscape with inoffensive background music, crowding out independent artists and contributing to a devaluation of music overall. Pelly argues this system ultimately benefits Spotify and large music corporations at the expense of genuine artistic expression.

  Liz Pelly's Harper's Magazine article, "The Ghosts in the Machine," delves into the shadowy world of "fake artists" proliferating on music streaming platforms, particularly Spotify. Pelly meticulously details the phenomenon of music created not by singular, identifiable artists, but by often anonymous individuals or teams working for production houses, sometimes referred to as "music mills." These entities churn out vast quantities of generic, mood-based instrumental music, frequently categorized into playlists like "lo-fi hip hop radio - beats to relax/study to" or other ambient soundscapes designed for specific activities.

  Pelly argues that this trend represents a shift away from the traditional conception of musical artistry. Instead of focusing on individual expression, innovation, or personal narratives, these "ghost artists" prioritize creating functional, commercially viable soundtracks for everyday life. The article suggests that this commercially driven approach, facilitated by Spotify's algorithms and playlist curation system, incentivizes quantity over quality and prioritizes algorithmic discoverability over artistic integrity.

  The piece further explores the economic implications of this system, suggesting that while a select few production houses may be reaping substantial profits, the actual creators of the music often remain uncredited and poorly compensated for their work. This anonymity further obfuscates the origin and true nature of the music consumed by millions, raising ethical questions about transparency and fair compensation within the streaming economy.

  Pelly paints a picture of a musical landscape increasingly dominated by commercially driven, algorithmically optimized soundscapes, created by unseen individuals working within a system that prioritizes passive consumption over artistic engagement. She posits that this trend represents a fundamental transformation of the music industry, where the traditional notion of the artist is being eroded, replaced by a nebulous, often anonymous production process that favors quantity, algorithmic compatibility, and commercial viability over artistic individuality. This, the article implies, could have long-term consequences for the future of musical creation, potentially stifling innovation and further marginalizing genuine artists struggling to compete in an increasingly saturated and algorithm-driven marketplace. The rise of these "ghost artists" ultimately reflects a broader trend within the digital economy, where automated processes and algorithmic curation are increasingly shaping cultural production and consumption.

  • Spotify
  • Music Streaming
  • Ghost Artists
  • Music Industry
  • Digital Music
  • Streaming Services
  • Music Production
  • Royalties
  • Music Copyright
  • Musicians
  • Artists Rights
  • Algorithmic Playlisting
  • Music Technology
  • Fake Artists
  • Artists' Rights
  • Payola
  • Streaming Manipulation
  • Music Distribution
  • Digital Distribution
  • Music Economics
  • Playola
  • Music Labor
  • Digital Labor

  Summary of Comments ( 383 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42461530

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters discuss the increasing prevalence of "ghost artists" or "fake artists" on Spotify, with many expressing cynicism about the platform's business practices. Some argue that Spotify incentivizes this behavior by prioritizing quantity over quality, allowing these artists to game the algorithm and generate revenue through playlist placements, often at the expense of legitimate musicians. Others point out the difficulty in verifying artist identities and the lack of transparency in Spotify's royalty distribution. Several comments also mention the proliferation of AI-generated music and the potential for it to exacerbate this issue in the future, blurring the lines between real and fabricated artists even further. The broader impact on music discovery and the devaluation of genuine artistic expression are also raised as significant concerns. A few commenters suggest unionization or alternative platforms as potential solutions for artists to regain control.

  The Hacker News post titled "Ghost artists on Spotify" linking to a Harper's article about the prevalence of ghostwriters and algorithmic manipulation in the music industry generated a moderate discussion with several insightful comments. Many commenters engaged with the core issues presented in the article, exploring different facets of the situation.

  A recurring theme was the tension between artistic integrity and commercial pressures. Several commenters expressed concern that the increasing industrialization of music production, exemplified by the use of ghostwriters and algorithmic optimization, was leading to a homogenization of sound and a decline in artistic originality. One commenter poignantly described the phenomenon as creating "musical product" rather than art. This sentiment was echoed by others who lamented the loss of the "human element" in music creation.

  Another key discussion point revolved around the exploitation of musicians within this system. Commenters acknowledged the difficult position many artists find themselves in, forced to compromise their artistic vision to chase algorithmic trends and secure a livelihood. The opacity of the music industry and the power dynamics between artists and streaming platforms like Spotify were also highlighted, with some commenters suggesting that artists are often left with little bargaining power and inadequate compensation for their work.

  Several commenters also discussed the role of algorithms and streaming platforms in shaping musical tastes and trends. Some argued that the algorithmic curation of playlists and recommendations reinforces existing biases and promotes a narrow range of sounds, further contributing to the homogenization of music. Others pointed out the potential for manipulation, where songs are engineered to appeal to algorithmic preferences rather than artistic merit.

  The ethical implications of ghostwriting were also debated. While some commenters argued that it's a legitimate form of collaboration, others expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and the potential for exploitation, particularly for up-and-coming artists. The discussion touched on the issue of authorship and the value placed on originality in artistic creation.

  Finally, a few commenters offered alternative perspectives, suggesting that the use of ghostwriters and algorithmic optimization is simply a reflection of evolving trends in the music industry and not necessarily a negative development. They argued that these practices can help artists reach a wider audience and that ultimately, the listener's enjoyment is the most important factor.

  While there wasn't a large volume of comments, the discussion offered a nuanced and thoughtful examination of the complex issues surrounding ghostwriting, algorithmic manipulation, and the changing landscape of the music industry. The comments highlighted the challenges faced by artists in the digital age and sparked a conversation about the future of music creation and consumption.