Apparently there are more people involved in music-making now than ever before. Of those involved, a minority do it as a way of life. Of those who do it as a way of life another minority are contracted to the major league. They are the elite.

It is the major-leaguers who are currently most affected by copyright issues and the changes brought about by the new tech. It is not too much of an exaggeration to speculate that the elite's days are numbered. The future is likely to be fashioned from the values and experiences of the mass of professionals and amateurs in the minor leagues.

Whether or not this is a good thing is arguable. The majors are having their world torn apart just now and I have a feeling that when that world finally disappears something valuable will have been lost.

But that is the reality. The minors are in the ascendency. They have a stake in an alternative future and are well placed to embrace it with a happy heart.