KOCHI: Composer Aravind Chandrasekhar was quite disappointed when he had to cut short his guitar lessons. His passion to learn the instrument was too strong that he decided to pursue it no matter what. That’s when Aravind stumbled on a famous YouTube channel that taught guitar. He subscribed it, initially out of curiosity, but found it extremely useful that he started following it with interest. “It had basics, right from the number of strings to chords to complex lessons. It really helped and I think music students have benefitted a lot from technological advancement,” says Aravind.
Aravind’s words ring true and indeed a lot has happened over the last decade in the music industry. Digitalisation and software have shown analogue format the door and musicians could create songs from the cosiness of their homes. Composers started depending on softwares like Logic and Protools while music students migrated to mobile apps like Thanpura droid and Metronome. In fact, it is the surge of mobile applications like Smule, that aided in opening up the experience of music for all.
Debates might rage on about how technology has influenced music and its practitioners, but composers like Gopi Sundar vouch for it. “All the technological advancement has only helped the industry. Every software, including Auto-Tune, inevitably makes music better. Every tool available today has been directed towards bettering the output,” says the award-winning composer.
He is in favour of the democratisation of music industry. “Apps like Smule has helped people with talent to come to the fore. Spotting a talent gets easier for composers like us too,” says Gopi. However, it is students who benefit from the surge of mobile apps for musicians. Mathew Joy of Jam Music Conservatory, Kochi, says the emergence of music applications like Garageband and FL Studio Mobile has helped amateur musicians and students compose at their home studious. “They needn’t go searching for big studios. One can do it at home and more students are depending on such apps these days. In fact, this has also replaced electronic drum machines to a large extent.
The human intervention
Gopi Sundar thinks all these software would have been popular in yesteryears too, had they been invented then. “When we listen to many old songs, we can spot subtle errors. Even then, they were amazingly beautiful. What would the effect be if such technologies existed then,” he adds.But, the composer is quick to add that no amount of technology will aid one without talent. “Music happens in the brain. I can use these software as a medium to express it. But, the real process is in the head,” he adds.
Mathew Joy agrees. “These days, many depend on Skype, YouTube and similar apps media to learn music. But, it has to be seen how effective these are. What makes one a good teacher is not just knowledge but also the immense experience one gains from interacting with similar people and stage shows. Such apps can never replace humans,” he says.But, all of them, in unison, agrees that the changes have helped aspiring musicians and students.
The advent of streaming sites
The music streaming services in India is growing by bounds and leaps. With Gaana and Saavn leading the pack, Apple music is fast becoming a popular favourite. While Amazon Prime Music is the latest to join the fray, players like Wynk Music and Hungama are also a steady presence.
Popular Music making Apps
1) The Metronome by Soundbrenner
2) Audacity
3) Ardour
4) Sound trap
5) MuLab