Music and musicians

[Redhead]

What will happen to musicians in a communist society? Many famous musicians today earns alot more money than they should, but would it be considered a "job" at all in this new society? And how would for example instruments be produced and sold? As a musician myself i know that mass produced factory instruments arent of the best quality.

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

Well, first of all, there's a dirty little secret about the music industry that most people don't realize:

Almost none of the money musicians earn comes from album sales. Almost all of it comes from touring or endorsement deals.

So musicians are often heavily exploited by the music industry. The exception are often popular musicians who own successful record labels (like P. Diddy), or are heavily involved in entrepreneurship (like Jay-Z).

[Bala Perdida]

Music will most likely be a hobby. Unless production is soaring, or machines dominate production, and you don't need to work. Then musician could be considered a 'profession' I guess. It all depends on what you and the rest in your society decide.

[Scheveningen]

There will be no 'jobs' in a communist society

Work will cease to exist as something in itself, separate from social life, and people will develop their talents and engage in various activities for their pleasure and the general benefit, not to 'make money'.

Production will be based on collective decisions, but not necessarily look anything like "mass production".

[Regicollis]

People in a post-capitalist society will still appreciate music and thus playing music will be considered a useful activity. Socialism will be a benefit to most musicians. While a few musicians make obscene amounts of money today, the vast number of professional musicians - even good ones - are relatively poor and have unstable incomes. Under socialism everyone - musicians included - will have free access to the necessities of life.

As for the instruments they are still going to be produced. Like today the majority of instruments will probably be cheap (resource and labour-wise) factory produced instruments designed for amateurs and students. However there is a potential that these instruments - like any other industrially produced product - will be of better quality since the incentive to increase the profit margin by cutting corners in the production process will disappear. Furthermore collective ownership of the factories will mean a large influx of innovation and creativity from ordinary workers who will now benefit themselves from finding a way to do things better or more efficient.

The more refined instruments, using finer materials and more detailed workmanship will still be produced. If anything the artisans producing these instruments will have better conditions as they can concentrate their efforts on building instruments instead of competing with the better factory instruments - and dealing with the bureaucracy involved with being a small business owner.

While anyone might be able to go to the warehouse and pick up a decent but ordinary instrument the production of high-quality instruments will probably never reach the demand. Like with other luxury items a fair way of distributing these instruments has to be found.

Good - or professional - musicians should have better access to instruments than the rest of us. The better you play, the better an instrument you can get. Alternatively the instruments could be distributed according to a system of lottery or a system of "luxury credits" that you could spend on hand-made instruments, fine wine, jewelry or whatever luxury item you preferred.

[Redhead]

There will be no 'jobs' in a communist society

Work will cease to exist as something in itself, separate from social life, and people will develop their talents and engage in various activities for their pleasure and the general benefit, not to 'make money'.

I think saying "There will be no jobs" is wrong to say. Yes, you are right, jobs, meaning selling your time and skills for money is abolished. But work, as in doing your skill and whats necessary for the good of the community will continue, and i think culture and entertainment will be one of these things.

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

I think a common misconception about socialism and communism is the idea that art will become some sort of dull 'collectivist' situation.

Individual achievements in art, music, etc. will still be honored and celebrated. The difference is that it'll no longer be a question of sacrificing one's artistic integrity in order to pay the bills.

[exeexe]

And how would for example instruments be produced and sold?

You will just produce them like they are produced now and they wont be sold, you just take them.

[Redhead]

You will just produce them like they are produced now and they wont be sold, you just take them.

But think about for example a Stradivarius Violin, worth millions. What is there to stop it from ending up at a guy who isnt a very active player, while a really good player get a cheap factory violin.