22-02-2017, 15:57
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/obs...ng-louder/
The research and findings are described in more technical detail in the Scientific Report, from which the article draws - "Measuring the Evolution of Contemporary Western Popular Music":
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep00521
This paragraph summarises the findings, and is worth quoting in full:
In other words, it seems to say what I and lots of other people have been saying for years - that the 1960's were a period of musical creativity that has never been surpassed, and by and large, popular music has been becoming less imaginative and less interesting ever since.
He acknowledges the possible existence of the "test of time" bias, i.e. the fact that an old song that had "quality" (whatever that may be, is more likely to be remembered and to be included inthe "Million Song Database" than an old song that was no good. Even so, he says the trends he identifies are evident even over relatively short time periods, suggesting that the test of time effect is small.
Discuss.
The research and findings are described in more technical detail in the Scientific Report, from which the article draws - "Measuring the Evolution of Contemporary Western Popular Music":
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep00521
This paragraph summarises the findings, and is worth quoting in full:
Quote:After peaking in the 1960s, timbral variety has been in steady decline to the present day, the researchers found. That implies a homogenization of the overall timbral palette, which could point to less diversity in instrumentation and recording techniques. Similarly, the pitch content of music has shriveled somewhat. The basic pitch vocabulary has remained unchangedâthe same notes and chords that were popular in decades past are popular todayâbut the syntax has become more restricted. Musicians today seem to be less adventurous in moving from one chord or note to another, instead following the paths well-trod by their predecessors and contemporaries.
In other words, it seems to say what I and lots of other people have been saying for years - that the 1960's were a period of musical creativity that has never been surpassed, and by and large, popular music has been becoming less imaginative and less interesting ever since.
He acknowledges the possible existence of the "test of time" bias, i.e. the fact that an old song that had "quality" (whatever that may be, is more likely to be remembered and to be included inthe "Million Song Database" than an old song that was no good. Even so, he says the trends he identifies are evident even over relatively short time periods, suggesting that the test of time effect is small.
Discuss.
