As usual I'm not thinking too straight. I already started one of my long rambles on this topic and deleted it. It's tough to put music and creative arts together with money.

One of the very exciting things to me about the Internet is how it is both a read and write medium.

Generally when people talk about the Internet for developing countries the tendency is focus on the read part and not the write part. For lots of reasons I find the write part far more interesting to talk about.

Of course one of the big challenges in developing countries is that electricity is scarce. This really is a challenge at both ends: read and write. Paper is obviously one way to move stuff from and electrified online computer. Digital cameras, UBS sticks, and MP3 players are also ways to interact between devices. MP3 players are quite cool. And one way that I believe they can be especially effective connectors between the Web is that a tiny radio transmitter can be attached so they can be played on any radio. Also a microphone can be attached to many models so they can be recorders as well.

I've also been impressed with the sound and video quality of these new toy videocams.

One of my friends has several old radios. I've enjoyed listening to his MP3 player on a variety of his radios. One of the most fun times was sitting in his backyard around a fire listening through an old miniature transistor radio.

The point of this is we tend to think about music publishing in the broadcast model--you know the next Beatles or something like that. But even in the West the music publishing model is changing. And I believe it does pay to look at the longtail.

It's possible with computer software for amateurs to create programming without a mixing board. Most bands nowadays never see the insides of the studio but publish recorded music for others to hear using their home computers.

I can envision micro-local "radio" programing distributed via MP3's where there's a mix of music and information presented. And with a mike on the MP3 the potential for interaction. For example a salon or other venue might have a weekly program, or churches might.

Where is the money? Well there are some approaches, nobody will get rich, but they might sustain them over time. But in the main the content will be created for the love of creating and sharing.

My thoughts aren't very straight, and I'm old enough that I should have learned by now not to run my mouth.

Tonight I watched some YouTube videos of Sacred Harp music. An example here. Sacred harp is also called shape note singing. It was named that after a book of music written in the mid nineteenth century. The music is noted with shapes--sometimes four shapes (fa sol la mi). It's an interesting musical form and practice (those links may be reversed).

What interests me is that I think this music could jump borders. Generally the first round is sung using fa la sol mi and then the second round the words. But singing without the words is handy for cross language and even cross religious purposes. Words could be added to the tunes by locals. This type of singing is just for fun. It's a popular recreation in some circles. Of course the great thing about sacred harp is no electricity or instrument are needed.

Here is a very beautiful example of sacred harp sung by a small ensemble, Wonderous Love.

Edit: fix link