How interactive theory tools (e.g., musictheory.net) provide foundational knowledge for free [2].

While the traditional music industry once relied on major labels to decide what was heard, free platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube have shifted power to independent artists and global audiences [17]. Key Points:

Here are three distinct paper "pitches" you can use as a starting point: 1. The "Democratization" Angle

The social impact of high-quality music becoming accessible to lower-income demographics. 2. The Economics & Ethics Angle

Comparing royalty payouts between "free" tiers (ad-supported) and "premium" tiers on services like Spotify or Deezer [23, 27].