Nice to hear back from you, Russ. The view from the top certainly looks different from down here in the trenches!

I've always thought of the music 'industry' (as opposed to the 'art') as a pyramid. For every one who reaches the peak, there needs to be a broad base of aspirational musicians, studying hard for the summit and waiting their chance. And while they wait, they make lesser works, they do jobbing work, work with little NEED for creativity and excellence. You might have done some of those on the way up!

What's most disturbing I feel about AI generated music is that, while AI currently can't compete with the very top of the pyramid (but it's scary how fast it's improving! Compare AI music this year to just two years ago...) it's more than sufficient for those 'jobbing' works that currently provide the apprenticeship and experience to those on the rise.

And destroy the base, how high can the human pyramid rise..? If everything other than Fortune500 companies transition to AI music, where's that apprenticeship coming from? Commercial music isn't just an art, it's a BUSINESS. And one that takes a long time to master. Who's going to get the opportunity to learn on local business jingles etc when those local businesses are going to go 'The AI jingle is 'good enough' for us and a fraction of what a studio jingle's going to cost!'

You don't start at the top! But the top might be the only thing left.

I think what is most worrying is just how optimistic and accepting some of us HERE are. Admittedly, not exactly a hotbed of professional success, but I'm a bit disappointed that few recognize the PACE that AI is improving. Let's be honest, NOBODY was listening to fully fledged AI acts on the Billboard Hot 100 even a year ago, let alone two!

If anyone thinks it has peaked, think again! Any estimate of AI's impact tends to look at only what it has CURRENTLY achieved, and seldom extrapolates the pace of current improvement then factors in the EXPONENTIAL speed of improvement over even that..!

A discerning ear can pick AI out this year, what about in two? Take AI graphics. It used to be child's play to spot. Too many fingers, or too few. Dead blank expressionless stares. Visual elements popping in and out. A child could spot it. Today, half of what you see on Facebook is AI. A LOT of those same Fortune500 companies are using AI generated ads, or at least their art departments are rapidly transitioning to it.

I know that AI won't stop people making music, but we may be facing FAR sooner than some expect an almost obliteration of the commercial music scene. Now me, I don't really think that's a BAD thing, I'm not a fan of where the scene that makes old fashioned MONEY on pop music has gone! Yes, we can all point to talented youngsters making great music out of their bedrooms, yada yada yada, but none of them are buying Ferrari's or mansions with the proceeds (got to love the 70's!💰💰💰🤣).

Which brings me back to my original point. If there's ANYTHING good about AI, it might be that it FORCES talented youngsters that might have otherwise disappeared from sight making jingles, commercials, industrials, training films etc., and all the associated ephemera of commercialism, to actually use their talents to CREATE something utterly original for the rest of us to listen to. More Jacob Colliers, etc..

Buckle up, everyone. I don't think you realize this is all coming far sooner than you expect...

I wish you continued success, Russ. I think you're in the right place and at the right age to not worry about it all. But honestly, if you were leaving music school today, would you think commercial music was a career with a bright future? 🤔🎹❤️

I share your sentiments Diki.

I think the keyboard manufacturers would be compelled to respond to the growing demand, interests and acceptance of AI driven features from their user base in order to stay competitive.

Allow me to present two recent Facebook posts on what the customers wish to see on the next generation Pa5X Arranger Workstation:


1.
The "AI Co-Creator" Model for the Korg Pa6X

Imagine a dream workflow on such a keyboard, where Sound AI and Performance AI work together.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/207058019634032/posts/2548805788792565/



2.
Introducing the Future of Arranger Workstations: KORG PA6x-Ai Powered by Advanced AI Technology.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/4938375032882554/posts/25849681634658589


No, the image does not depict a real product. It is a wish list. It paints the evolutionary pathway for Arranger Technology.

Imagine if Korg did succeed in introducing a few AI features in the Pa6x model. Yamaha would be scrambling to pay catch up and vise-versa.

Make no mistake. This is a race for survival and superiority. The AI race permeates all technological sectors.

The links sum it up exactly, people no longer want to put the effort in to learn, but instead want everything done for them, which means little talent is required.

So what's the point, you may as well just pick a track from a streaming service and make it look like you are playing, rather than actually playing. (Easy play features on organs morphed into arrangers so you no longer needed to learn lower manual and pedals, now (Or shortly) you don't even need a keyboard, hence arrangers are a dying breed)

Bill

Hi Bill,


I share your apprehension on the proliferation of AI into the musical landscape. AI is not only affordable and readily accessible, it is also surprisingly effective. As you mentioned, if Arranger Workstations become fully AI powered where the player needs to do very little to sound like the original studio recording, then why not just stream the track and pretend to play!



Here is a stunning recreation of Woman in Love using 100% AI. The model, the voice the orchestration is picture perfect.


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0BgaguP0bp4


Here is the version by Lucy Thomas that redefines the classic. She holds the iconic note for 10 seconds at the 2:08 mark. Impressive feat. No AI, no Auto Tune, just pure divine talent and natural beauty.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7Fwvy71ndE


Here is the original version by Barbra Streisand that became a timeless masterpiece.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQLGCX8D-1Y


I find myself appreciating all three.

While I admire the advances in AI technology that could deliver such an audio visual impact today, I wonder how the landscape would reshape itself in 10 years.

Would the masses prefer to entertain themselves with the picture perfect AI versions or would real singers and studio musicians still be able to thrive and make a living?

That's a pretty low bar for 'perfect', guys... Technically 'perfect' but if you're not hearing the lack of soul and humanity, I can't help you, folks!

Maybe it's simple comparison to what WE can do? If you don't play that well, if you can't play something with soul and passion and feel, all this AI crap sounds pretty damn good, doesn't it..?

We need to stop comparing AI with our limited skills, and compare it to the BEST that humans can do. Music is so much more than technical perfection. Maybe you can't play it, but at least you should be able to recognize it when you hear it (or more importantly, DON'T hear it!)...