What is world music?

World music may be defined as something which is listened to and renowned globally. This could mean that it is music which is signed by major record labels and sold transnationally. This music could be indigenous to the country it comes from yet still signed and marketed worldwide; this therefore could classify as world music. The grasp that Anglo American music has on the planet and its link to cultural imperialism acts as a good case study for explaining what world music is. Being a dominant market, America supplies to the needy markets with its fashions and styles etc; these dependent nations therefore adopt part of the dominant origins culture. This ultimately sees a lot of music sounding the same; even indigenous sound fusing with Anglo American sound says Robinson. In the light of these facts world music can be seen as something produced for commercial purposes in the mainstream music market.

Is popular music a mass produced commodity or a genuine art form?

Popular music can in many respects be seen as a mass produced commodity instead of a genuine art form. It is argued that it accentuates similarity, simply selling records that are very similar to one another just because it is guaranteed high revenue. This is unlike european classical music for example which prides itself on having a harmony, melody and on top of this, diversity. Classical music was theorist Theodor Adornos' favorite genre; his opinion of popular music was that it was "standardized, even when when it attempts to circumvent standardization." It was not art to Adorno, merely  "symptomatic of the destructive nature of capitalization." Popular music is mass produced however you can always argue that somebody at some point is being artistic in order to write a song, even if this is not the person performing it; therefore an art form.

How useful is the production of culture perspective in understanding the birth of rock and roll.

The production of cultural perspective was created by Richard Peterson in nineteen ninety five; he made it in order to destroy the myths surrounding the birth of Rock and Roll by analyzing five different aspects behind it. These five different aspects included: Law, technology, industry structure, occupational careers and market. Through 'Law' its understood that due to radios' fallout with ASCAP in nineteen forty more black music was given air play. Not only this but RCA introduced 7 inch 33rpm vinyl records meaning music could be posted and therefore reach more people. 'Technology' Brought around the transistor and television in the late nineteen forty's; people could now watch and listen to music a lot easier. The weakness behind this is that Peterson doesn't care for the music itself, he only seems to be worried about the facts behind sound; the fact he is not interested in the music would suggest he cannot appreciate what maybe considered rock a roll which is significant .

Should Rock be considered male?

Is it reasonable to consider Rock music as gendered male?

Rock music in many respects, centers around the main instrument; the electric guitar. In a recent poll of the 50 greatest guitarists of all time it emerged that not a single woman was voted amongst them. This then raises the question as to why? A lot of the reason behind it is to do with the electric guitar, often seen as a phallic object in reference to the guitarists' body. Frith and McRobbie mention the idea of 'cock rock' in relation to the aggressive expression of male sexuality through their instrument. Other reasons to acknowledge are also the social roles both men and women have been brought up with. Boyton says girls learn how to be feminine where as boys learn to be masculine through environment; this transpires to the instruments they play. It may now seem awkward for girls to enter a guitar shop due to stereotype, this therefore sees rock remain in the hands of the male.