- We tend to live in two different worlds, sometimes three
- As a student-athlete, this idea has never been more real for me. In the morning I’m in class, studiously taking notes and completing assignments. In the afternoon, I’ll be at cross country practice, constantly trying to improve my time. Finally, in the evening, you can find me in orchestra rehearsals or the practice room. To put it simply, we have a lot on our plate and tend to feel like we are being pulled in a hundred different directions all at once.
- Time -management is crucial
- With so much to be done, the only way to accomplish it all is to constantly schedule. And even then, it still feels like there is no way to fit everything into 24 hours. Musicians are greatly familiar with the idea of pushing one’s limits and what hard work really is. If the history homework isn’t done, the practicing won’t get done. If the practicing doesn’t get done, rehearsals will be a struggle the next day. It can all create a downward spiral very quickly, so staying on top of things is key.
- “Birds of a feather flock together.”
- Like a sports team, we tend to stick together in social situations. Needless to say, creating music is a bonding experience. Like a sport, a ton of behind-the-scenes work goes into the performances we present to everyone every few weeks. In orchestra and band, a lot of time we get the chance to have a stand partner. Therefore, we spend a lot of time working with one another and having more personal conversations.
- We can tend to be quite spontaneous people
- Half of the time part of our brain is in class while the other half is repeatedly rolling over the melody we just played in rehearsal. We are big on multitasking and often have an inner dialogue going on. We also can be randomly inspired quite often. We may be in chemistry and suddenly think of a line of lyrics that we’ve been struggling with for days. This can then spark that urge to get in front of a piano and quickly write down our thoughts and melodies before we lose them.
- We feel our efforts sometimes go unnoticed
- Not every musician is the star soloist or the principle player of their section. Once and a while it can be difficult to understand why you play what you play or why you sing what you sing. This is especially true if you are participating in the orchestra for a musical. Rehearsals may only be three hours long, but the amount of practice time that is put in outside of those rehearsals can quickly bump up that number to 6, 10, or even more. In addition, sometimes (depending on the school or the program), it may feel like the orchestra hardly gets any recognition for what its members do. Many people who are not musicians are often not even aware of this, as they sat back and truly enjoyed witnessing the beauty and various gifts of the players.
- You’re taught how to be humble
- In the world and industry of music, you will quickly learn that it is rare that you will always be on top. Yes, there will always be the exceptional musicians we aspire to be like. However, the old saying, “There will always be someone better than you,” works well here. You may be the best player in the orchestra. But there is always a present potential that you might have a bad audition and be placed in the last chair. You could also get frustrated at the idea of why you’re singing in a choir to begin with if no one can even hear you. Does you being there really matter? This is the moment that defines for many musicians why they do what they do. For the love and art of the craft.
- It can be hard for us to enjoy less complex music
- I cannot count the number of times one of my orchestra friends has cringed at an acapella concert or found it difficult to listen to pop music where the same line is repeated a dozen times in a row. As musicians, accuracy and being in tune (intonation) is incredibly important and crucial to the success of the piece that is being played. Most of us playing at the college level have “musical ears” that have been developed for years. If something is off by a ¼ of a step, most likely, a musician who is listening in the crowd, will notice it.
- We tend to be very “in tune” with ourselves
- Being a musician tends to mean having a lot of alone time, giving you the chance to very be raw and honest with yourself. Music is a part of who we are deep down as individuals. If we are not feeling well that day, it’ll show in our playing. We are highly connected to what we create. This is a therefore a process that enables one to truly get to know his or herself.
- We can tend to be very emotional people
- Almost any musician will tell you that playing music can be an extremely emotional process. For most of us, it is a central, intricate part of who we are. Without it in our lives, we would probably be very different, less likable people. It is what gives us meaning and purpose. It is where we can be the most vulnerable yet confident version or ourselves. We are able to use both sides of our brain and engage in something that expresses who we are and what we feel. From there we are able to communicate that message to other people so that they too are emotionally moved and inspired. Music is a force that has great power.
- No matter how true the stereotype of “music kids” may be in most cases, it can get frustrating
- Like anything else, not all of us are the same. Yes, many may find it odd when they see random groups of guitarists sitting in the middle of the quad just jamming out and having a good time. And yes, some of us may be so confident and in love with what we do that it comes off as cocky or vain at times. Perhaps we are all viewed as slight or complete perfectionists. But I urge you, reader, to look past the stereotypes that are placed on individuals. Dare to venture past them and discover that for many of us, music is what makes us tick. It’s what makes us feel, emote, communicate, and understand the world and people around us. Like a spirited and committed athlete, artist, or even biologist, many of us are just completely enamored with what we do. Every individual has potential inside them to accomplish something great. And for musicians, it is a path of constant self-discovery and love for the art and power of music.
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
StableDiffusion
The Illusion of Creativity
AI-generated music is often marketed as “artistic” or “educational.” But what does it really teach?
- That style can be replicated without understanding.
- That emotion can be simulated without feeling.
- That effort can be bypassed with a prompt.
For young creators, this sets a dangerous precedent. Why learn to play guitar when an algorithm can do it faster? Why study harmony when AI can generate chord progressions in seconds? The risk isn’t just laziness — it’s the loss of depth, discipline, and the tactile joy of creation.
I have listened to several AI-generated music covers. My initial reaction was one of considerable impressiveness, particularly regarding the reimagining of classic pop hits in diverse genres with novel arrangements. Here is one good example a-ha — Take On Me
However, after engaging with several such Ai generated song covers, a sense of emotional detachment emerged, attributable to the perceived absence of human artistry and genuine sentiment, resulting in a technically flawless yet ultimately soulless auditory experience.
Copyright in Crisis
What does the copyright law say about AI generated music, especially in field of music covers. Who is liable for copyright in this case, AI developers, people who used AI to generate music or people who published it on music platforms?
Recent lawsuits show that the music industry is pushing back hard:
- Universal, Sony, and Warner sued AI music platforms Suno and Udio in 2024 for allegedly training their models on copyrighted songs without permission Ars Technica The Lyon Firm.
- They’re seeking up to $150,000 per infringed song, arguing that the AI outputs resemble famous tracks and voices (e.g., Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson).
- These lawsuits target the developers of the AI tools — but they raise broader questions:The legal gray area is training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use Sites at USC.
But who’s liable?
Role | Legal Risk | Why |
AI Developers | ✅ High | For training on copyrighted material without licenses. |
Users | ⚠️ Moderate | If they intentionally recreate protected works. |
Publishers/Platforms | ✅ High | For distributing infringing content. |
The grey area lies in training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use. Meanwhile, AI-generated works themselves aren’t eligible for copyright unless a human provides substantial creative input — leaving them in legal limbo.
The Educational Mirage
Some argue that AI music helps people learn genres, production styles, or vocal techniques. But this “education” often lacks context. It’s like learning to paint by watching a printer — technically impressive, but creatively hollow.
True musical education involves:
- Struggle and iteration: Learning through mistakes.
- Emotional connection: Expressing what words can’t.
- Cultural lineage: Understanding the roots of sound.
AI shortcuts bypass all of this. And in doing so, they risk flattening the rich terrain of human creativity into a sterile landscape of algorithmic mimicry.
Why This Fight Matters
This isn’t just about music. It’s about the future of art, storytelling, and human expression. If we allow machines to dominate creative spaces, we risk turning culture into content — optimized, monetized, and devoid of soul.
We must ask: Do we want a world where art is made by machines, or one where machines help humans make better art?
5 Key Takeaways
- AI-generated music blurs the line between innovation and erosion in the creative arts
- AI-generated music raises questions about copyright, culture, education, and artistic expression
- AI-generated music can replicate style without understanding, simulate emotion without feeling, and bypass effort with a prompt
- AI-generated music sets a dangerous precedent for young creators by potentially leading to a loss of depth, discipline, and joy of creation
