The School of Feedback Guitar Blog

Here are some basic things a person needs to write and record pop music:

1. Instrument
2. Microphone
3. Recording Medium
4. Speakers/Headphones
5. Inspiration

Here are some basic things a person needs to write and record classical music:

1. Ensemble or solo instrument.
    a. If you know how to play classical music on it already, consider how much money it took to get lessons, education, etc.
    b. Or you can rent the instrumentalist(s)
2. Room Rental (especially in the case of the ensemble)
3. Microphone
4. Recording Medium
5. Speakers/Headphones
6. Inspiration

Ok, so I remember people in music school bitching and moaning about how classical music was dying. What do they expect? Their tools have not been democrasized, as pop music's tools are. It's easy for some kid to go to a friend's house, plug a microphone into a computer, and record something. It's just as easy to post it on the web, because they created it. No copyright problems. Do you want to save classical music? Democratize all the tools that a person needs in order to write it and/or record it, and you'll save it.

----

Much sincere appreciation to Chris Anderson and his brilliant book entitled The Long Tail. This entire post is based on his insightful observations.

I remember reading a quote about six years ago from a major label executive:

"Did you know that vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor? It sells more than any other variety. What I do as a major label rep is find the very best vanilla."

I hope you don't feel the same way. I consider vanilla to be pretty boring.

What's the alternative? Well, maybe first admitting that being different is scary. Maybe also admitting that being different may also bring the most rewards eventually. Nobody can say so for sure, but nobody will say that being different is boring.