Systems of Articulation, Logics of Change: Communities and Scenes in Popular Music

Straw, Will. 'Systems of Articulation, Logics of Change: Scenes and Communities in Popular Music,' Cultural Studies, Vol. 5, No. 3. 1991. 361-375.

Will Straw’s journal discusses importance within music in processes of social differentiation and interaction.  He discusses the enforcement of boundaries between musical forms, the marking of racial, class-based and gender differences, and the maintenance of lines of communication between dispersed cultural communities are all central to the elaboration of musical meaning and value (5). Straw talks about music tastes and consumption patterns with relation to categories of social identity.

 This journal has some resemblance to Stahls journal in the sense that they both discuss the semiotic and social value that is associated within particular scenes. In saying this, the two journals are also very different because Stahls explores semiotic and social value within a music making scene, in a particular country over a certain time period. This journal however, discusses these in relation to how they play different roles in distinguishing individual scenes.

 

This article has helped me realise that not only are scenes just different musical practices developing within a given geographical space but, has allowed me to take into consideration the historical heritage of its musical community. This should prove to be helpful to me when I apply this to my chosen subculture of Grunge.

Will Straw- Systems of Articulation, Logics of Change: Communities and Scenes in Popular Music.