The ACTUAL Reason Why Music Is Getting Worse (A Response To Rick Beato)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- Rick Beato, a brilliant mind, youtuber and musician, posted a video discussing why he believes music is getting worse, and I wanted to have a little chat about it. Because I, respectfully, disagree.
Link to his video: • The Real Reason Why Mu... - เพลง
Rick is correct. You don't even need to compare different music eras. There are bands, in themselves, that just went downhill the moment they got access to better tools as they grew in popularity. They were no longer challenged by their restrictions, and as a result, creativity died while production quality supposedly went up.
Right. It seems that good art often comes from some kind of suffering, or at least life experiences or hardship. How else can you explain that so many of the greatest artists, be it in classical or in popular music, are broken somehow and end up under tragic circumstances, they are the ones who's music is often the most profound. You can not be expressive when you have never really had anything in live that affected you deeply.
Easy and efficient ways of music producing does not change that, it just makes it more probable that more people with only superficial desires of expression use it (mostly "wanting to be famous" somehow). And the result then is equally superficial.
I think you missed Rick's point.
This response makes Ricks point which is a generation gap.
Rick’s comment was more about recent *music* than about young *audiences* . Boomers expectations of the craft of Music have also fallen.
Regarding music-making tools in particular, I think Rick largely agrees that making music easier to produce is great, and even agrees with a lot of what you’re saying here. His concern is that these new tools are letting people who have not put in the massive effort to become superb Musicians produce mediocre music.
That's also kind of my take away in the video - I think Rick is largely correct in his observations, but his conclusion that the fact that music being too easy to make/consume is what is making music worse is, at the very least, misguided, if not incorrect :)
@@dyver123 all you've said is that there's good music if you go looking for it. You should have a chat with graphic designers, film makers, stand up comedians and photographers and you'll see what RIck is saying 100% is the problem for these professions too.
I used to be able to make decent money as a session guitarist. Now the gigs have dried up and the music these producers make is way worse. They either do it all ITB with samples/VSTs or correct their own shoddy playing.
Every single professional photog that I know is reduced to doing dog portraits and weddings because everyone thinks they can do it themselves. Even weddings have almost dried up now.
@@aps81x22 I think what happened is we moved past a sweet spot for some industries. Portrait painters used to do a surprising number of dogs, though that hasn't been preserved in galleries. There have (in some sense) been session guitarists since the invention of the guitar but I'm not sure it was much of a career for more than a couple of generations.
We _have_ adopted the Internet and the smart phone _very_ fast, without giving society time to adapt. Indeed, it was pretty clear from the first moment of the Web that it was being launched before being fully baked. Perhaps we're paying for that.
But I'm not sure it's ever a given that any particular profession will endure.
None of which is to say that I don't miss the days when I'd hear new music in my environment and be so excited that I found myself making an immediate trip to the record store and whistling it to the assistant.
It's generational. I grew up in the 70's listening to heavy metal music, our parents thought it was horrible and an aberration of music.
I think Rick’s point on the ease of making music wasn’t that it should be more difficult to ACCESS the means by which to make music, but that in many ways there are shortcuts to learning the skills required to make meaningful music.
You notice that this is a slightly odd thing to say, because another part of Rick's argument is that the music is thereby _less meaningful._ So the possibility that meaningful music _still_ exists but that the reason it is hard to find has shifted from scarcity of good recordings to overabundance of bad ones is super worth exploring. It's certainly what's happened to the market for ideas: it used to be hard to find a good book on a topic you cared about because the book might not ever have been published. Now it's hard to find a good website because the search engines want to send you to infinite reddits and tiktoks. The same number of good ideas are probably still out there in the world, they just hide by a new means.
what August is saying is that the problem is the record companies / the system that presents music that is easily sellable without much substance and that the younger generation is not to blame. I sense some cognitive dissonance. I believe the problem is both. you can present the younger generation as victims with no agency but if they would reject the music that was presented to them record companies would change. both are responsible for whats going on.
This guy just proves Rick's point.
The people in the comments don't even produce them selves. August knows what he is talking about as the system of mass production is mirrored on both the consumer and producer side.
Every music producer knows of the culture and demands placed on them that perpetuate the cycle of uncreative slop.
I think the ancient Romans had fast food? I know I've visited an archaeological site of, in effect, a Roman truck stop; and IIRC they didn't like people cooking in their apartments because of the fire hazard.
Most music has also been crap-no, let me be kinder, it's been of more value in the moment and to the participants than worth preserving in some way-for as long as we have been making it. I think Rick has forgotten all the music he has forgotten from past decades, and is just thinking about what was worth remembering.
Music, along with everything else _has_ become very easy to store and transmit. Opinions have become very easy to store and transmit. I'm not sure all of Rick's content is really worth the effort of consuming, either. No offence to his best.
Damn.. you didn't understand what he was saying and STILL posted this..
3:55 - _"our habits are the symptoms of the issue."_ I disagree. Our habits are the *_basis_* that makes the issue *possible,* even unavoidable, in the first place.
I do see your point, though (regardless of whether they are actually addressing Rick's conclusions or not - see below).
So take no responsibility but blame the system?
About two thirds of the way in you said that if "You're just willing to put in a little effort into looking for music; or if you're just willing to go slightly below the surface you will find an incredible depth of art."
You just proved Rick's argument! It's on YOU to put in the effort to find it! Don't blame "the system" for what is popular. If more people put in the effort, the incredible depth of art you speak of will get pushed to the surface instead of the mediocrity.
Music is too easy to make nowadays. People delegate key elements of the songwriting process to algorithms and software programs. You don't need a formal education to make great music, but the process of locking yourself in a room on a computer looking for chord progressions on a plug-in does not make quality art. I also find it impossible to truly know yourself in this consumer-driven hellscape. Looking inward is hard and necessary for art. It's missing nowadays and the music today is a reflection of it. Not to mention, thoughts and ideas are policed like never before in any group.
There is absolute fertile ground for making quality music, but I don't see many people doing what it takes to make that art.
I think Rick’s main point is that making an album used to be hard, so only the best music would be produced and consumed:
* Only studios had the means to make music, so studio time was very expensive, and you would only hire musicians who trained for decades so that they can consistently produce excellent-quality music, quickly.
* Music had to be distributed through complex distribution/sales chains, so only the best would survive.
* Music was expensive to buy and cumbersome to listen to, so you would only buy what you and people in general agreed to be really super.
Most of these “filters” are gone now, or are less discriminating, so the overall quality of music has dropped.
Oh come on. How many albums were produced when everyone was stoned or drunk. Beato is just an elitist and he needs his TH-cam views so he uses negative messaging and outrage to get the views so he can impress his aging musical guests so they can feel relevant.
I think you're actually proving Rick's point, not criticizing it. Sweat equity doesn't mean "you don't do anything to deserve it." Sweat equity is a well-used term describing how much time and effort you put into something. For example, let's take cooking since you brought that up. You could cook yourself dinner every single day, and never make a good meal. Why? Because you don't have the sweat equity. It's just like the saying "it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in something". Well, if I pick up a guitar, hold it on my lap, and just strum the low E string for 10,000 hours, am I going to be an expert guitar player? No. Am I going to be better than someone who took 2 hours worth of lessons? Probably not. I will have just wasted 10,000 hours doing and not learning.
In the context of creating music, taking the simplest approach will make the simplest music. Simple music isn't bad, in fact it's the basis behind pretty much all of pop music, but if all you can make is simple music, you're a very limited musician/composer. You're not a chef, but you can make a mean hamburger helper. Nothing wrong with that, but it just proves Rick right.
I do not think this video was that negative. I think you made some very good points. I agree with you both.
I don't think he's saying "you are the problem", he's just not addressing the "why" - question. It kind of goes without saying, maybe. He's saying the fact that music is so accessable (the system) makes it less valuable to us. And it's not just about your generation. I'm 45 and I've written and produced music for almost 30 years. I've adapted to the new era as well. I have a much shorter attention span than before and I don't feel music has the same value it did, even though I don't agree that music was much better before. I find new stuff that inspires me all the time. I just don't feel like I invest anything to discover it. Since I'm not investing in that artist,m I don't feel much ownership and that takes away a very important dimension.
From a producer's perspective I struggle with too many options now. My best and also most successful songs were written at a time were we had very little to draw from and we had to get the most out of what we had. Now, I have a myriad of options and I struggle with that. But that's mostly a me-problem. I don't want to back either. Options are wonderful, but can make it difficult to commit. :)
Thanks for sharing your perspective! It's always fun to read the experiences of people from other generations around this stuff :)
When I said that he is, essentially, saying that me and my generation is the problem, I meant that he is, whether intentionally or not, taking a fairly moralistic stance on this entire issue. Like I say in the video, I don't disagree that music is easier to both consume and produce, and I also don't disagree that this might have some negative effects on the quality of music. But I do heavily disagree that the solution to this issue is individual action - That's why I argue that we ought to criticize the system, not the individuals living in it ;)
He doesn't explicitly say that we are the problem, but if the solution, as he provides it, is for us to change our habits, doesn't that mean that he is also saying that our habits are the problem?
@@dyver123 Yes, if that's his solution, I agree with you 100%. Did he though? Haha. I have to re-watch his video now :)
Haha please "report your findings" - I might've misunderstood something as well lol
I don't know whom to blame, but .... on youtube over the last months you can find hundreds of "new" music videos using AI, presenting "overworked" Beatles songs (or whatever) - No Reply with Wall of Sound, Now And Then 1964 etc. ... it seems so easy to be done - instead of writing a new song with a fine melody - just like putting freezed pizzas into micro wave instead of cooking themselves ... programming midi- sounds instead of practicing an instrument for years - eating at McDonalds (with standardized tastes) and loving it ... instead of making a toast at home with fresh ingredients.
Music today has to be free, no fees, not even buying a CD ,(or LP), downloading on playlists, sounding like 100 takes the month before - the easiest way. ( whom to blame?)
Beato knows what he’s talking about bro..
"It's not us, it's the system". That is your defense? One of Rick's criticisms are that newer generations lack creativity and you proved his point with this warn out cliché.
bro you have to react to Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & the big steppers. there aren't many albums like this. huge influence of piano on that album.
Working on a Kendrick reaction currently, but will definitely check it out at some point! :)
@@dyver123 great. keep 'em coming
Every successive generation is getting further from the roots. It's like xeroxing a copy of a copy of a copy.
It is NOT the job of the "system" to provide people with ideal conditions to encourage the creation of art. A true artist will paint regardless of conditions because that's what they do. The 'eco system' that you use as an excuse, presented problems for the great musicians of yesterday. Did Frank Sinatra complain because he couldn't do an overdub? Hell, rock & roll was even legal in Britain an parts of America. Did that stop the Beatles? Let's all complain about the system! Your generation has excuses for everything. BTW: What is your excuse for kids never practising on their instruments?
Well yes but if you look at it that way, the 2020’s are far far better than the 70’s because theres more great albums by pure quantity. Both people are talking about the popularity of music, not if there is good music being created. It is obvious that good music is being constantly created
@@sfglim5341 Are you kidding or are you just really young? There were WAY MORE great albums in the 70's than today. Why do you think they call it the 'Golden Age of Rock?" You don't know what you don't know.
No, in a capitalist system the system's job is to make money at the expense of everything else. And that's the issue.
@@meattray6932 Then please explain to me why socialist/communist systems fail to turn out anywhere close to the number of great artists that we have in the west?
@@keithmoriyama5421 Probably because you've never heard any, because it wasn't sold to you as a commodity.
I watched half of your video (you're welcome, and please make sure you thank Rick for it) and after those five minutes I'm convinced you're missing the point, or you don't get how society works.
Once upon a time you and yr band HAD to be able to play your song REALLY well because studio time was expensive, and multiple edits, takes and digital trickery werent an option. Thus: HIGH standards of musicianship and greater standards of even getting the opportunity to get in a studio….so, yeh, BETTER and vastly more curated music.
The idea of pop music pushed by labels being relatively ‘dumbed down’ isn’t a new idea tho …that’s been going on since penny-a-piece sheet music.
Recommend reading Simon Napier Bell’s book on music business history.
Your criticism of Beato's video is extremely nitpicky. You agree with the substance of his argument, but not his tone? Really?
My criticism is not of his tone though, it's of his conclusions. I agree with his observations - Music is easier to make and consume, and that might even have an influence on the quality of music. But I do not agree that the core issue is the behavior he describes, which is what he concludes. If the fact that music is easier to make and consume has resulted in worse music, it's because of the system within which music is made. Not the behavior of the people interacting with the music. That's my core criticism of Beato's video, which is much more than tone, in my opinion :)
You missed the point. There used to be barriers to creating music and by and large (but not always) this resulted in only the better stuff being produced. There used to be barriers to consuming music, so people were more discerning and valued what they listened to. Rick is absolutely blaming the system, but of course because there's such a low bar people generally don't differentiate much between good musicians and bands, and the general dross that is being produced.
Oddly enough, your irritated slightly snarky response was probably pretty close to what Rick was hoping to evoke. I don't believe culture can be changed by outside influence however - except maybe in rare cases where the culture is looking for a change anyway. I suspect that popular music will continue to decline into a morass of sameness until it is pointless, at which point people will start looking for something better and actually, you know, start valuing talent and innovation. Then again, I could just be yet another old man yelling at clouds...
Incomprehensible. Even if one takes your capitalism "argument" seriously, young people are part and parcel of the market system. They are both the producers and the consumers of the "music". And by the way, there is good music being created but it mostly doesn't make it to the top. Just compare the Top 50 from 1969 and 2024. It ain't even close. Indeed, I would take songs 300-350 from 1969 and I know they would be better than the chart toppers of today. By a country mile.
I fink that this is not an easy fing.
i completely agree with you! Rick seems to not understand the mechanisms behind why music has gotten worse and then tries to treat the problem by saying its young people not caring enough. It’s recognizing a pattern but instead of trying to figure out why, he just says “generation issue, be more into music like the 90’s kids and the 70’s kids”
Zoomer yells at capitalism
You're lost man. You hear what you want to hear and base you arguments on points that aren't what the point is. Music is getting worse, the stakes no longer exist, people listen to 15 seconds of a song, decide it doesn't interest them and move on to the next song, they didn't pay to download so maybe they listen to the whole album, they listen to 6 songs the same way, it doesn't interest them and never listen to it again. Why? Because they'll just download something else because its free. The problem with bands and arrists is a whole different topic but I assume that you're already preparing a food analogy to prove some point that has nothing to do with what I said.
The fact that you are doing a video criticizing Rick’s points, sitting in your bathrobe and taking no part of the responsibility but blaming the system, says it all.
Great video, I love Ricks channel, watch a lot of the content.
But I really appreciate your response, thoughtful and interesting.
Nice work 🎉
Thank you! I agree, Rick is great - Which is exactly why I felt the need to make a response to him :)
@@dyver123 So much Butthurt in the comments 😆 I guess that's all part of being a TH-camr, Keep it up. good luck with the house moving.
If you don’t like the fact that technology makes things easier you may as well live in a cave.
Rick is right and you’re wrong. Btw food is getting worse.
Social media is all about faking it until you make it. You can listen to real musicians like Tony MacAlpine or Greg Howe. Or you can listen to social media influencers like Rick or yourself. You’re all posers.
Food isn't getting worse? Explain the obesity and metabolic disease epidemic...
You look funny on 144p
Ahahahaha I think functionally everything does lol!
When you say you respect Rick as an artist...Has he actually made any music of note?
You could give English lessons to Americans.
You mean on how to pronounce fink and fing?
Grow up kid!
Go away
"Whatever you want to argue on your weird alpha male podcasts..." - Attitudes like this are the reason why masculinity in men is plummeting. Believe it or not, it's actually a good thing for a man to be masculine and for a woman to be feminine. It's really not "weird" at all. As for the rest of this video, it's actually this guy who misses the mark, not Rick. It's actually this guy who comes across as the "condescending prick," not Rick. Like the "Fifth Beatle" George Martin said, "It's all about the song. If you don't have a good song, you have nothing." Modern songwriters/producers need to study the great songwriting of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s and not default to the generic drivel that is being pushed today. You and your music taste is the "product of the system you ere born into"? Wow. You really need to start thinking for yourself and stop blaming everyone else. Create what you want to create. Create what is inspired and inspiring and passion-driven. You're only a product of your own thinking. Like Dr. Wayne Dyer wisely said, "What you think about, you bring about."