Lack of creativity in music industry

Discuss about the Creativity and Innovation for Talented Musicians.

The issue that needs to be analysed is the problems related to the music world. As stated by Jones and Baraka (2017) creativity and innovation can be provided in music as it helps to bring about peace within an individual. However, in the modern world there have been instances, which have shown that music, have not been able to inspire people as it used to. This may be because of the lack of talented musicians in the entertainment industry or due to the growth of dependence on technology (Green, 2017). Unlike the yesteryears, music in the modern generation is heavily dependent upon technology.

I believe that the musicians tend to create music by using filters that mask the original voice of the singers and prevent any type of flaws from being detected. Different creativity techniques can be analysed to understand the creativity that can be implemented in the music world. Another problem that can be the reason for hampering of the creativity is the fact that the tools used for creativity may not be reliable (Henry & Mayle, 2016). I can analyse the problem by using a variety of tools such as mind mapping, brainstorming, idea box, six thinking hats and scamper techniques. The results of the analysis of the techniques are provided in the assignment. 

The starting challenge in choosing the problem was that exploring the entertainment industry requires huge analysis. I have experienced that the entertainment industry consists of more elements than just music and based on this analysis the creativity and innovation can be implemented. The challenge is to identify the type of music that is to be analysed so that the effective solution can be provided by the use of proper problem solving tools. I agree with Amabile and Pratt (2016) one of the main challenges of music is the fact that it needs to be original and need to address the people. Thereby, the challenge faced while undertaking this assignment is the fact that originality of the music used in the modern world needed to be analysed.

This required a vast analysis of the music around the world and come up with ways to provide idea of creativity and innovation. At the same time Sarooghi, Libaers and Burkemper (2015) stated that gaining knowledge about music in the world require analysis of different culture of the world. This is because the innovative ideas that need to be provided must align with the culture of the world. Hence, I faced these challenges while selecting the research on music. At the same time, I have established application of proper methods is also established that help in defining the problems.

Problem-solving techniques for musicians

The methods that can be identified to define the problem can be used to provide appropriate solution. Some of the methods that I implemented include mind mapping, brainstorming, idea box, six thinking hats and scamper techniques. According to Perry-Smith and Mannucci (2017), these techniques are useful to understand the level of creativity that need to be applied and the innovative techniques that need to be adopted. For example, application of the brain storming session can help in identifying the best music and imply it for strengthening the position of the business. At the same time, the application of mind mapping can help in visualising the information provided and gain more ideas by linking the relationship with one another.

Dawson and Andriopoulos (2014) stated that idea box could help in gaining additional comments from the intended audience. In my opinion this can be achieved by providing a demonstration of the creative music and gaining feedback from the audience. The six thinking hats technique is a group discussion technique that can be used to systematically manage the creative process. Whereas the scamper technique helps in thinking in a unique manner and is considered as an unplanned method used for developing questions, so that challenge can be provided to the competitors. Hence, the application of these techniques can help me in finding a proper solution to the problem that exists in the entertainment industry. 

The focus of the project is on the problem that is faced by the people working in the entertainment industry so that it can maintain the satisfaction of the customers. My aim is to provide creative ideas to the music so that it can be implemented in the business and ensure that customers do not complain about the quality of the music. I have analysed the problem to show that some of the issues that are faced by the music industry mainly originate from the lack of creativity (Helfat & Martin, 2015). The application of the creative and innovative tools may provide the solution required for conducting the problem. For example, it can be said that the application of the benchmarking method can help in gaining inspiration from the best in the business.

This can provide musicians with an idea of changing the manner in which the music is made in the industry. At the same time, idea box can be useful as it provides opinions from different group members. The satisfaction of the customers can be maintained by gathering feedback of the type of music that is preferred by them. For example, rock music can be created with the help of providing some rap lyrics so that it can appeal to the customers preferring hip-hop music (Serrat, 2017). Therefore, I can say that the idea generation techniques are useful to ascertain that the music in the entertainment industry continue to develop.

Implications and recommendations

Mind mapping: The mind mapping technique can be created around a single concept to which associated representation of ideas can be implemented. According to Grimm and Brandert (2016), mind map can help in visualising the data and process it in a manner that can be useful to establish relationships with the main topic and sub-topic. The technique can be used to generate ideas based on images. I have seen that the music developed can be written down in the form tunes and various branches for its implications can be discovered. This can give the musicians a clear idea about the type of song or music to compose and its application.

Brainstorming: This is the most popular technique that is used to gain inspiration from the best in the respective business. The brainstorming technique can inspire an existing business to be creative for the development of proper ideas. I agree with the opinion of Paulus and Kenworthy (2017) that with the help of the brainstorming technique it is essential that the musicians identify the best quality music. For example, inspiration from trending rock music in the early 80s can be used to compose modern music for movies or soap operas.

Idea box: In my opinion, this is the most traditional as well as effective manner of creativity. The idea box combines the ideas of various group members and ensures that creativity can be maintained. The group members can provide various ideas about the manner in which creative designs can be implemented for securing satisfaction of the customers. I believe that the traditional implementation of generating ideas can help in identifying the best quality of music that exists. Hence, the application of the idea box can bring out suggestions from different people that may help in improving the quality of the music.

Six thinking hats: The six thinking hats technique provides a systematic approach in generating creative ideas. It is a type of parallel thinking that provide group members with an opportunity to come with various types of solutions (Henry & Mayle, 2016). I believe that thinking together in an effective manner can help in the effective development of solution. The six thinking hats can help in the systematic generation of ideas. For example, while drawing inspiration from rock music and applying it to a softer tone can be done using this technique as the steps required for the conversation can be generated from the application of the systematic six thinking hats method (Sloane, 2017).

Scamper techniques: I have seen that scamper technique is a structured way of approaching creativity and innovation. It develops questions that can help in impromptu designing of business and creative ideas. The results of this particular technique can be similar with the thinking hats technique as it also conducts a systematic approach. However, the uniqueness of the technique is that it provides a structured approach towards innovation. 

The findings identified after the exploration can encourage the music makers to continue with the business. This is mainly because one single person does not compose music. As stated by Edwards-Schachter et al. (2015), although most of the times it is seen that certain compositions are created by one person, the launching of the music require support from other musicians as well. Therefore, I believe that any glitch in the music can be identified and sorted so that creativity can be provided to the audience. In this regard, it can be said that the application of the creativity tools can help in the effective conduct of music, it is necessary to identify the proper technique that can help in the composition. For example, a single artist can take the help of the benchmarking method to gain inspiration. The benchmarking tool can be in the form of identifying performances made by other artists of same or different country. At the same time, Hon and Lui (2016) stated that musicians performing in groups could adopt either the six-hat technique of the idea box to help them continue their innovative manner of playing music in the entertainment industry. I can analyse the results of the analysis separately.

Mind mapping: The results of the mind map can be that creative music can be implemented while working together in the entertainment industry. This can help in ensuring that visual aid is provided and the creators can understand the music that is being and the level of creativity in it.  

Brainstorming: The results of the application of this technique can help in the development of quality music. This is mainly because brainstorming develops a sense of competition than the existing trend (Ahlin, Drnovšek & Hisrich, 2014). Therefore, I can recommend it technique as an effective way to bring provides entertainment to the people.

Idea box: The idea box can be used for generating from various groups of people. Hence, the effective application can generate positive result but at the same time may provide a glitch in the team spirit as application of every idea is not possible in every song. At the same time, I can provide a statement that un-used ideas for music can be applied to other music. Hence, this can also be recommended as a method of creating effective music.

Six thinking hats: The systematic approach of the technique can help in generating quality music but at the same may be slow at its development. Therefore, application of this type of innovation cannot be recommended for idea generation.

Scamper techniques: Similar to the six thinking hats technique, this application can also be slow in the development of the music. However, the structured manner in which the music can be developed can help in the effective creation of music (Kendal et al., 2016). 

The strengths and limitations of each of the technique can be analysed to understand its effectiveness in the music world.

Table: Comparison

(Source: Created by author)

Reference

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Dawson, P., & Andriopoulos, C. (2014). Managing change, creativity and innovation. Sage.

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Green, L. (2017). How popular musicians learn: A way ahead for music education. Routledge.

Grimm, B. L., & Brandert, K. (2016). How Does an Individual’s Innate Preferences Impact Innovation and Creativity?. Journal of Leadership Studies, 10(1), 34-36.

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Jones, L., & Baraka, A. (2017). Blues people: Negro music in white America (p. 106). Blackstone Audio, Incorporated.

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Serrat, O. (2017). Harnessing creativity and innovation in the workplace. In Knowledge Solutions (pp. 903-910). Springer, Singapore.

Sloane, P. (2017). The Leader’s Guide to Lateral Thinking Skills: Unlock the Creativity and Innovation in You and Your Team. Kogan Page Publishers.