The way music artists are getting heard has changed quite drastically over the years.

New technology and social media are allowing artists to share their music to a much bigger audience all at once. Social networking sites like SoundCloud, Facebook and Twitter are used as outlets by many bands to get their voices heard.

The Internet creates a broader demographic for artists to do this. For example, if a band had a Facebook page and put its songs on it for people to listen to, then their friends would hear and share it with their friends, who would then post it on someone’s wall.

Even liking the song would post your actions on everyone’s homepage. They can receive honest critiques from people because they aren’t speaking face to face. People tend to be more honest online; therefore, you can easily find your weaknesses in order to make your music stronger.

Before social media technology, musicians had to travel the country and tour to promote their music, as well as sell CDs or merchandise. Sometimes they went so far as to sell CDs out of their trunk or perform on the streets. They had to go out to get their fans.

The more bands expanded themselves the more likely they’d be to make it big. Now all of that can be done at home on a laptop by making a Facebook page or a website. Some would argue social media is making it easier for anyone to make it big, but those who actually use the technology to spread their music beg to differ. They argue the struggles are still present, just in different ways.

For example, they still have to get their music heard. And that can be difficult if your demographics are not reached, which can happen with inexperienced artists. Others argue it’s affecting the music as a whole. They’re saying it’s just not the same.

One could say in older music, the struggle and emotion is more powerful and is alive in the lyrics — you can feel the effort to make it. Some say now it takes little talent to make music because technology is more efficient and does more work than the artist, which shows in the finished product.

I feel there is some truth to all of the ideas about the way new artists promote, but I don’t think the struggle is that much easier or the music is that much affected. The struggle is coming up with a new sound, something that has never been done.

Plenty of great artists came before bands, and it’s difficult making your own sound without copying the ones who paved the way for you. Your opinion is your own, and no one is more right than the other.