Most by now have heard of open source software, aka GPL where in essence the software is free to obtain, edit and even redistribute, as long as you aren't profiting from some one else's work, and the actual author(s) get credit. Well, it seems other aspects of electronic media are finally catching on, and to think it only took 20 years!
Now you see an increasing assortment of either Creative Commons media, or my favorite, the pay what you want model. The musicians of today can quickly distribute their music, and a growing number of listeners can legally download music for free!
Of course if you don't like the product, don't pay for it, but if you do like it, then you really should do something to show your appreciation, and a click of a Paypal donate button to the artist is a quick way to do exactly that.
Even Hollywood is jumping onto the pay what you want model. I recently found a digital series on Youtube called "H+" and it was not at all what I was expecting. It's a full blown movie broken up into digestible 5 to 10 minute chunks. The special effects are right on par with any recent Hollywood release, not to mention it's a very well written story. Still the biggest clincher to me is, it was completely free to watch, other than the occasional intermission ad, which I could skip after a few seconds. I fully intend to donate something to the creators, it is simply "that good".
Maybe I'm turning into a socialist, or, oh my, possibly even a communist, but I think the pay what you want model will continue to become more widespread in everything from music, movies, books video games. You name it. We already have a pay what you want restaurant and a book store in my city.
As a musician, I've already found a few places someone like me with a home made recording studio can distribute their riginal music. Sites like Vibedeck make it easy to make your individual songs, or complete albums available for purchase.
I think using parts of the old school record industry model can still be applied. For example, lets say you have just recorded your master piece of an album. You might make one track available free of charge, eg; "The single". This is easily done these days with torrent software, Youtube or again sites like Vibedeck.
People that enjoy that single will be eager to find and hear more and since they already know they at least like one track, purchasing the whole album at a reasonable price is, well reasonable, maybe even likely.
Who knows, maybe the next Michael Jackson, or Metalicca will be someone recording in their basement just like I do, rather than the spit polished and groomed Barbie dolls we hear on pop radio today.
It is time to be creative !
It is time to donate to the talent directly and bypass the middleman.
It is time for open source music.
