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The Phonograph History

Decent Essays

There is no genre of modern music that it is not intertwined by the roots of classical influence. In fact, it is quite a marvel to sit back and listen to how music is evolving so swiftly,however, remains very coherent in its classical influence. By simply listening to different decades of music, it is immediately apparent that certain patterns, rhythms, and instruments are constantly replicated to explore new creations. One of the tools that has presented these changes for years is the phonograph. The phonograph, similarly to music, has evolved as well, displaying multi-faceted capabilities. The adaptability of the phonograph is an amazing achievement. To understand this achievement of adaptability, it will be important to understand; the history …show more content…

DJ’s often use them to show off their mixing skills to the crowd, which stimulates more partying. This is not a coincidence. Our younger society has become obsessed with partying and attending clubs for years now. So, manufacturers of the turntable understood this phenomenon, and exploited it. What once was a simple recording and reproduction device, has now become a staple in the clubs. SImilarly to the unique sound that old phonograph produces, which is what makes it so likeable. The contemporary turntable relishes in its ability to produce a unique customized sound at the hands of a DJ. That is why the turntable is so unique, it has capabilities that cannot be ignored with time. Whether you’re an old man, like my father, seeking the vintage feel, or a young adult partying to the mixes of a DJ, the unique values is what make is so special.
Now that I have briefly explored why the phonograph has been able to adapt, I feel it is important to express the influence that the phonograph has made on our cultural. All of these influences constitute where we are now in contemporary …show more content…

Jazz music was dominated by African Americans. The social discrepancies towards African Americans at the time lead to the mocking of african american jazz music. However, what was originally deemed as “coon” music, has “helped bridge the gap between the two groups. From the 1920s, when the first recordings of black jazz artists appeared on records, through the rap music of the present day, sound recordings have transferred musical culture between these two groups”(Recording History). This means that music that was originally excluded from being played over networks or in phonograph stores, was now accessible to all to individually obtain. This ability to find the music on your own and listen to it, allowed for social barriers to be broken. This illustrates the idea of cultural imperialism, which takes into account the impact that music has made on our cultural awareness. The author says, “the mass production and distribution of Western music has been seen as a form of "cultural imperialism," spreading not only music but with it, U.S. and European values to other parts of the world”(Recording History). Now, I understand this is a very bold statement, but think about it. The phonograph is the essential background for not only cultural influences that are present in music, but also record sales and music sharing platforms. No, the original production

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