Is there any scientific study regarding the population of musicians (whether professional or amateur), bass players in particular, exists?
Is there any prove that the sales of “traditional” instruments is increasing /decreasing? What is digitalization of music is doing to us as bass players? I’ve always wondered these kinds of trends, even though a bit of worried, I still play and practice. So far I have only thought about getting into digital music, if you know what I mean, but deep in my heart I know I liked the orthodox way of music-making.
I did some search but didn’t find too many relevant threads. I’ve read some article saying that the only value left for we as traditional players in the future is playing live… that could be true in countries where bands/music is tightly bounded with entertainment and probably religion. I came from a place where these so-called “popular” instruments are not as deep-rooted as in the US and other countries in people’s daily life. Gigs are diminishing, whether popular or jazz; audience seemed care nothing but vocal music presented by premature young competitors on the TV shows. Sometimes I feel gloomy about these facts after suddenly awakened from the sheer love for bass and appreciation of incredible pieces many bottom-end heroes brought to us. Periodically I would fall into these kinds of thinking, and eagerly wanted to discover that how music is shaping into its next phase.
If you have some insight on what is going on, please enlighten me.
