Overview
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Trends, progressions, and interesting aspects
In the United States, legislation has recently been passed raising the prices on Internet Radio (see Pandora below). In the case of Pandora, they can no longer afford to offer free Internet Radio to listeners outside of the U.S. Legislation continues to be made to "protect" the artists, the Napster case comes to mind, and in many ways I believe this effort to be valid. However, I personally have purchased more songs from iTunes as a result of the new music Pandora has brought to my attention. It seems the major artists are obviously being protected, but quite possibly at the expense of some lesser-known or local artists.
Possible connections or extensions
Tools like Smithsonian Global Sound (see below) offer classroom opportunities in World Cultures and Ethnomusicology to learn about music from around the world. The site offers podcasts and other educational opportunities that can help put teachers and students in touch with global artists. In consideration of informal learning opportunities, a mandate of most museums and the Smithsonian in particular, simply visiting the website provides a learning opportunity not offered in many other places.
Specific examples
