Four Fields of Music Making

Participatory

"Bridgewater" - Sacred Harp

The above video demonstrates a participatory music style.  This means that all present parties are taking part in the music making, and there is no distinction between artist and audience.  In "bride water" everyone, even the conductor, is actively participating by singing.  Potentials for such a style include an intense feeling of unity and togetherness, as well as a simple, interactive, and fun way to entertain one's self.  There is no limit to the number of people involved in the music making and everyone is an equally important contributor to the group.  However, limitations may include willingness to participate, as well as varying skill levels.  In reality, the limitations to participatory music are minor compared to the potential of the music style.

Presentational

"King Without a Crown" - Matisyahu (Live at Stubb's)

Presentational music occurs when one or more artists performs for one or more audience members.  In other words, a basic concert or show would classify as presentational music.  This video is one of rapper/reggae artist Matisyahu performing his song "King Without a Crown,"live at Stubb's in Austin, Texas.  Matisyahu is able to spread his wings and take advantage of his artistic freedom, as he is not responsible for audience participation.  Some limitations of presentational music include keeping the audiences attention and interest, as well as not necessarily being able to stray from pre-rehearsed musical sets.  Potentials include being able to connect with an audience and move a group of people, and getting into a flow as a performer.  Presentational music is a very popular and well-liked style because no two performances are ever exactly the same.

High-Fidelity

"Both of Us" - B.o.B. feat. Taylor Swift

This video captures the music style known as "high fidelity."  It is a recorded track being played, acting as an index to a live music performance.  Studio production is evident, given the quality of the sound.  Much of the control over the final product of a high fidelity track is in the hands of sound engineers.  This may be viewed as a limitation of high fidelity music.  The sound engineers are in charge of piecing together all the layers of a song.  Another limitation may be that high fidelity music may not always sound as natural as participatory or presentational music.  On the other hand, a potential of high fidelity music may be that songs can be very crisp, and sound nearly flawless.  It's also nice to have a recorded product that can be shared all over the world.

Studio Audio Art Music

"Bass Head" - Bassnectar

Finding a song to fit under the umbrella of "Studio-Audio Art" seemed to be the easiest task of all.  The music that this style consists of has a very unique sound.  Studio-audio art is recorded with no expectation that it should, or even could, be performed in a live show.  "Bass Head" can be associated with electro-acoustic music, suggesting it belongs in the studio-audio art music style.  This music style has a few limitations, including very little human interaction, as well as a product that simply cannot be performed.  This music is also viewed as abstract, so opinions as far as meaning may vary greatly.  A crisp, unique sound is a definite potential in studio-audio art.  Another potential is that artists have maximum control over the finished product.