Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of individual aspects of globalized music production. When discussing globalization it could be useful to begin with an analysis of the transnational music industry. This industry is the main force in global music distribution, deploying mass communication technologies, especially sound carriers, satellite broadcasting and the Internet, to reach markets all over the world. The record industry has of course recognized that there is a profitable global demand for music with local color. But this process has also been boosted by movements beyond the transnational music industry. Two different research areas are connected in the analysis of the globalization of music. On the one hand, the transnational music industry, its worldwide structure and the resulting conditions of music production is concerned. On the other hand, the diversity of consumption and production on a local level is of great importance.