Ringtones Vs. The Music Industry
Ringtones find their humble beginnings in a practical place. Designed initially as a simple way to indicate an incoming call, in the same way that a household land line might, cell phone ringtones have, however, surpassed their domestic counterparts in variety, quality and in the amount of heated media coverage they have incited. Courting opinion of many colors from a wide base of social and business sectors, there is perhaps no group with more to say about these cell phone tunes than the original source of many of them: namely, the music industry.
Ringtones, in their original incarnation, were comprised of simple ditties based upon the traditional ringing sound that we associate with the now, perhaps, old fashioned domestic phone. As technology advanced and the audio capability of cell phones improved, ringtones seemed the ideal way to personalize any individual phone, and a new breed of tones and tunes proliferated, more sophisticated than before. It is with the advent of polyphonic ringtones that phones began to ring to the tune of the latest chart hit, and that an entire industry grew up around providing cell phone users with ringtone versions of this cutting edge music.
It was with the further development of the audio quality of cell phones that the line between ringtone and legitimate music became blurred, much to the dismay of many in the music industry. Many critics despaired when the infamous ?crazy frog? tune became a worldwide chart hit, lamenting the impact of this artist-less tune upon the esteem in which the industry as a whole was held. Others, however rightly or wrongly, pointed out that this same industry has long been subject to artist and song combinations of dubious merit with the furthering of such engineered acts as The Archies and Milli Vanilli.
Others fear that the availability of music in ringtone format will undermine the music industry financially, as consumers will cease their purchase of CDs in favor of obtaining their favorite tunes as ringtone downloads. Others still point back to similar arguments that were made upon the advent of the MP3, and how, despite the calamitous fears of many, the music industry thrives on.
It would seem that the best way forward is for the worlds of music and ringtones to exist side by side. Though they tout the same wares, the employ different mediums, and as long as the two purposes remain ? the use of music for pleasure and to alert a cell phone user to an incoming call ? it seems to matter only insignificantly if their paths cross slightly every now and then.
article writen by Ted Belfoure.
Sprint ringtones - Cingular ringtones - Verizon ringtones - Motorola ringtones
Related Articles:
Warner Music Executive Payments
"In human life, art may arise from almost any activity, and once it does so, it is launched on a long road of exploration, invention, freedom to the limits of extravagance, interference to the point of frustration, finally discipline, controlling constant change and growth." Susanne Langer (1895-1985)CommentaryIn these times of major record label mergers, downsizing, the slashing of label rosters, and thousands of record company jobs being lost over the last three years--not to mention the enormous sea change and seismic shifts that technology has wrought--comes one of the most disturbing reports we have come across.
Native American Music Award Winner Arvel Bird Makes Debut Appearance in Santa Fe, NM August 17 - 20 With Two Bands
Native American Music Award-winning fiddlist/ flutist/ storyteller, Arvel Bird (Paiute/Me’tis), is making his first appearance in Santa Fe, NM August 17th through 20th with a member of his One Nation Band and with Ananeah.
Rod Burton Music and iPodJuice Reach Sponsorship Agreement
Rod Burton Music announces tour sponsorship will be supported by iPodJuice for 2008.
New Moonlight(TM) Spa Music System From Hot Spring Spas Bathes Listeners in Audio from Virtually Any Source
Wireless transmitter/receiver, floating remote, weatherproof spa speakers bring sensational sound to the spa experience.
StringTunes Announces the CD Release of Dawn of a New Day by Classical Music Composer Don Rath, Jr
StringTunes announces the official CD release of Dawn of a New Day, a twelve song music CD of original instrumental music, Classical/Orchestral, by classical music composer Don Rath, Jr. Lush string arrangements and flowing melodies make this CD a must have for all of those who enjoy modern classical instrumental music.
Front Door Key: Palestinian Protest Through Pop Music
Doc Jazz, Palestinian singer-songwriter in the Netherlands, has released his new CD "Front Door Key", produced by Forrest Thomas (world hit with "Rock the Boat" in 1983) and also featuring an array of predominantly American musicians living in Europe. The title refers to the front door key of their original home in Palestine, that remains a tangible symbol of return for many Palestinian refugee families. The music features a rhythmical and jazzy pop sound, with thought-provoking lyrics about life, love and war from the Palestinian perspective. This ground-breaking album, with its catchy sound, is unique in its way of calling attention to the painful history of the Palestinian people. The songs can be streamed online, an...
Christmas Sheet Music - A Family Tradition
Back in the days when television didn?t reign supreme, music played a much larger part in the entertainment of family and friends. So much so, that every home had a piano and more often than not at least one member of the family could play it. That?s certainly the way it was in our family. And, for me as the designated pianist, I can honestly say that it was a pleasure to do it, even though I didn?t act that way sometimes.
Independent Music Promotion on the Web: 3 Steps to Success
Let's face it, the wildfire spread of web-based portals designed to introduce independent music to the world has created a bewildering array of opportunities and costs. So where do they all balance out? When does the cost of signing up to yet another music promotion service yield results? What results are we looking for anyway?The key is to make your web promotion targeted, systematic and rich.
Music City Hotels
Nashville is known as a major hub of music, particularly country music This fact attracts several tourists and has led to the presence of several luxury hotels in the city
Musync Helps Indie Musicians Pre-clear Music, Expose Music, and License Music For TV, Film and Video Games
The story of how Musync, a music licensing company in San Francisco, helps indie musicians make money from their music by licensing it for television programs, TV and radio commercials, movies, video games and more. Musync has over 3,300 clients who use music every day and they're always looking for more. Musync has a growing catalog of over 15,000 tracks of pre-cleared music and wants to find more great tracks to add.
Stay Safe with Music Downloads
Music downloads is the peoples choice for using the Internet all together! Rather your Internet connection moves like a turtle in mud or a Jet Ski in Colorado, you can enjoy the benefits of music downloading. With new state-of-the-art software, you can now even transfer your favorite songs to iPod and other mobile devices.
Electric Pocket Teams with Last.fm, World?s Largest Social Music Network, to Add Auto-scrobbling to LobsterTunes
Last.fm, the world?s largest social music platform with over 20 million active users, is now accessible through Electric Pocket?s award winning LobsterTunes MP3 player for Windows Mobile. The company has just added auto-scrobbling support to LobsterTunes, which means that when a tune is listened to, the name of the song is sent to Last.fm and added to the listener?s profile.
Ohio Alt-Country Singer Featured in New Music Video
Diesel Movie Werks, an Ithaca, NY based film Production Company announced this week the production of two new music videos for Youngstown, Ohio's B.J. O'Malley.
CharlotteMusician.com Launches Internet Radio Station for Local Music
CharlotteMusician.com launched Charlotte Indie Radio, an Internet radio station playing Charlotte area original music. The station went live on January 1st of 2007 and can be heard twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week from www.CharlotteMusician.com.
New Land Music Inks Exclusive Distribution Deal With Recording Artist Tina Malia
New Land Music is proud to announce they have signed a two-year distribution deal with multi talented Amida Records recording artist Tina Malia for her newest release The Silent Awakening.