Music Listening Habits 2012: survey says...

I recently conducted an online survey in order to get a sense of people's habits these days regarding "consumption" of music. Here is a summary of the results: 

• Just under 70 respondents participated.

• The majority of respondents were between the ages of 30 and 59.

• Women respondents outnumbered men by a ratio of more than 2:1.

• The most-listened-to type of music by this group of respondents is Classical (80%). Pop/Rock (68%) and Jazz (56%) are the next most popular types of music for this group.

• The  majority of respondents attend live musical performances slightly often, moderately often, or very often.

• The mp3 player is the device of choice for listening. CD players, YouTube, & iTunes are also used quite regularly.

• Music is not being purchased in digital format very often, especially considering that the mp3 player is used so extensively.

• Physical CDs are typically purchased slightly often.

• When said physical CDs are purchased, this is largely at actual CD shops or at concerts. 

• Nearly as often as the purchases made at CD shops is the amount of  purchased downloads through iTunes.

• By a slight majority, music is consumed through online streaming more often than not.

The main understanding I have gleaned from this data, which confirms my suspicion, is that we are still in a transition phase regarding listening habits and recording purchases.  As I prepare my next recording for release I was hoping to gain a more decisive picture as to what format to focus on, CDs, downloads, or what...but we live in an era of multitudinous choices. It goes without saying that the question of how artists are to be fairly compensated for their recorded work is a concern, given this reality.

Please join the conversation on this matter through commenting or tweeting.

Many thanks to all the participants in the survey! (The massive consolidated playlist is still to come, btw.)

1. What category includes your age?

17 or younger		6%
18-20		11%
21-29		12%
30-39		11%
40-49		18%
50-59		30%
60-69		11%
70 or older		1%

2. What is your gender?

Male		31%
Female		69%

3. What are the types of music you typically listen to?

Classical		80.3%
Jazz		56.1%
Pop/Rock		68.2%
Country		24.2%
HipHop/Rap		19.7%

4. How often do you attend live musical performances?

Extremely often		6.2%
Very often		23.1%
Moderately often		46.2%
Slightly often		20.0%
Not at all often		4.6%

5. What is the device you use most often for listening to music?

CD player		33.3%
mp3 player (eg. iPod)		51.5%
Radio		39.4%
Computer (iTunes)		33.3%
Computer (YouTube)		33.3%
Computer (other)		21.2%
Other		4.5%

6. How often do you purchase music in a digital format?

Extremely often		7.6%
Very often		10.6%
Moderately often		19.7%
Slightly often		19.7%
Not at all often		42.4%

7. How often do you purchase music in a physical format (CDs, records, cassettes, etc.)?

Extremely often		6.1%
Very often		9.1%
Moderately often		25.8%
Slightly often		33.3%
Not at all often		25.8%

8. Where do you purchase music for listening?

At concerts		36.4%
iTunes		51.5%
CDBaby		1.5%
Amazon		16.7%
CD shop		54.5%
Other		19.7%

9. How often do you stream music online?

Extremely often		20.0%
Very often		6.2%
Moderately often		26.2%
Slightly often		16.9%
Not at all often		30.8%

(please note that for questions #3, 5, & 8, respondents were free to give multiple answers)