Consuming Music Together : Social and Collaborative Aspects of Music Consumption Technologies

Listening to, buying and sharing music is an immensely important part of everyday life. Yet recent technological developments are increasingly changing how we use and consume music. This book collects together the most recent studies of music consumption, and new developments in music technology. It combines the perspectives of both social scientists and technology designers, uncovering how new music technologies are actually being used, along with discussions of new music technologies still in development. With a specific focus on the social nature of music, the book breaks new ground in bringing together discussions of both the social and technological aspects of music use. Chapters cover topics such as the use of the iPod, music technologies which encourage social interaction in public places, and music sharing on the internet.

Prof. Dorothy Miell, (Open University) and Associate Dean (Curriculum ad Awards) in the Social Sciences Faculty, Milton Keynes, UK says: "A highly original and stimulating collection of contributions addressing aspects of our everyday music experiences in the modern world. The picture it paints of music as highly social and collaborative, yet deeply personal, is a rich and complex one which advances thinking about the many functions music plays in our lives. It is often the case that new ideas and exciting developments emerge at the boundaries between existing disciplines and bodies of knowledge, and in this text the editors have succeeded in bringing together work from music, technical and social science backgrounds to point out possibilities for researchers at these boundaries as they can be applied to a fast moving and exciting area of knowledge".

A valuable collection for anyone concerned with the future of music technology, this book will be of particular interest to those designing new music technologies, those working in the music industry, along with students of music and new technology.