Technology has come a long way in the past 50 years, and thanks to that, so has music. Cassette tapes died out a long time ago, and CD’s are hanging on by a thread thanks to iTunes. Even our phones are taking the place of iPods already. Our friends at the University of Florida and Ghergich sent us this helpful guide below to music history and how technology has changed it.
If you grew up before the iPod was invented, you may remember the decline of cassette players and record players, the latter of which is currently experiencing increased popularity as more people turn to vinyl for a revival of sound quality and the tactile experience of music enjoyment. This infographic maps the development of music technology and how it has taught us to interact with music.
Relics like the 4-track tape machine were used to record, play tracks reel-to-reel, and enjoy other people’s tunes. Now people can share audio and video on streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and SoundCloud, among others. They can even make their own music with digital audio workspace software like GarageBand.
In a quickly-evolving musical world, it is important to honour past inventions while anticipating future ones. Check out the infographic below for some inspiration, or use it as a visual when you are ready to delve into the world of music history. If you teach music then let technology help you teach better.
Interested in discovering new pedagogical practices and trends in music education? Discover the online master’s degree in music education from the University of Florida.
