- Nov 26, 2008
- 3
- 0
- 1
THANK YOU, ULTIMATE METAL COMMUNITY
Below are the results of a survey that started on Nov 25, and went until Nov 29 on this forum. This was done for a college project, in which I was to study a cultural group. I chose metal listeners. I would like to thank all contributers to this survey, as it was a great success! All of your extra commentary greatly helped me developed my ideas! Thank you for being so open and helpful!!
SURVEY RESULTS BELOW with commentary from surveyer M. Shaner (contact: metal.ethnography@gmail.com)
THESE SURVEY RESULTS, INCLUDING M. SHANER'S COMMENTARY, MAY BE USED AND REPRODUCED FOR ANY NON-PROFIT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE USE. QUESTIONS? PLEASE E-MAIL!
37 people responded (calculated 12am PST, Nov 29, 08)
Percentages are listed from highest to lowest.
Categories “No preference,” “Other,” and “Don’t know” are all listed at the respective bottoms.
A. True/false section
A.1. Are you over the age of 25?
73% False
27% True
> Comment: From this most Americans would say that metal listeners are mostly a younger crowd of children (age 17 and below) and young adults (age 18 to 25). This seems to reflect the media's portrayal of metal listeners as teenagers.
A.2. When you first heard metal music did you like it right away?
77% True
23% False
> Comment: This shows that metal is not an aqcuired style of music. Metal can be enjoyed on the first listen, and seems to have an immediate connection with the listener. This is interesting because the media portrays metal to have an irritating or bad sound, which suggests that it's listeners acquire the musical taste. But this is found to be mostly not true.
A.3. Would you want metal music to go mainstream?
64% False
11% True
...25% No Preference
> Comment: This shows that there is something special about metal, and perhaps all music, that is not too familiar or popular. This could indicate that metal listeners look for more explorative and creative music rather than something familiar and expected. Many were torn between caring about the bands and caring about the music. Some acknowledged that the creativity of the music is often damaged by conforming metal bands into the mainstream. But others just seemed to appreciate the music and wish the best success for the bands. It seems this is a difficult subject for metal music.
B. Multiple choice section
B.1. What do you like most about metal music?
75% Themes/feelings/emotions
8% The energy/speed of it
8% It provides an escape from life
3% It's just something different
0% Lyrics
...6% No Preference
> Comment: This shows that metal listeners want to relate to their music more than they want to be influenced by it. Lyrics are too straightforward for metal listeners and the actual words aren't very important. Rather, it seems that vocals act like just another instrument. Words are just sounds, which contribute to the overall feeling behind the music. This feeling is what the participants cared about most. Some were annoyed by the idea of politics becoming involved with metal music. This reinforces the idea that it's not about the words, and more about the feeling.
B.2. What theme/feeling/emotion do you like most in metal music?
28% Loneliness
25% Rebellion
19% Anger
3% Fear
...25% No Preference
> Comment: Many had no preference when it came to themes in metal music. Some didn't like the choices I listed, which I thought were widely accepted themes in metal music. They did not like how all of the choices were "dark," or "evil." This is interesting because the obvious overtone of metal music is dark and evil. So, metal listeners must be interested in undertones, or smaller parts, of metal music. It seems metal listeners see something within metal music that is beyond the basic appearance of dark and evil.
The interest in the theme loneliness shows how some feel towards the depth of their music. General society doesn't understand the undertones beyond metal music like the listeners do, so metal listeners could feel socially separated by their musical taste. Metal listeners wish they could share their music with others, but other people don't understand it. This puts metal listeners in a difficult spot.
B.3. What is your level of education?
31% High school and under
31% Some college
18% Bachelor's degree
14% Master's degree
6% Non-American degree
0% Doctorate degree
> Comment: This shows that metal listeners are motivated to educate themselves. Only 31% have no college education, and 75% are below the age 25. This shows that, even as young adults, many metal listeners are already educated. Given that they have started learning young, it seems there is a lot of potential for these metal listeners to move on to further education. This shows a strong relation between metal music and education.
C. Free answer section
C.1. List your 3 most favorite kinds of music other than metal.
15% Classical
11% Folk
9% Jazz
8% Ambient
7% Progressive Rock
7% General Rock
6% Classic rock
6% Punk
5% Electronica
3% Pop…21% Other [Genres less than 2%]
> Comment: Classical, folk, and jazz music are associated with "higher" culture, which are assumed by society to be more important than unfamiliar music. Metal listeners apparently appreciate music on a lot of levels. Metal music is unfamiliar. And classical, folk, and jazz are familiar. This shows that metal listeners are very diverse in their musical taste. The dramatic and theatrical aspects of metal were noted to relate to classical and traditional music. Metal listeners seem to appreciate this, while most other people probably don't understand the connection.
C.2. List 3 of your hobbies other than music.
16% Reading
15% Video Games
7% Movies
7% Sports
6% Art
6% Writing
4% Internet Activities
3% Cooking
3% TV
…33% Other [Hobbies less than 2%]
> Comment: This shows that, while metal listeners enjoy everyday hobbies like video games and movies, they also have a great interest in what are assumed to be the "finer" things in life. Reading, art, and writing all show that metal listeners have an appreciation for art in all its forms. This could show that metal listeners see something artistic in metal music that others do not. This also reinforces metal listeners interest in educating themselves. Perhaps they seek education and books in order to gain person recognition for their ideas.
C.3. How does metal music influence other parts of your life?
30% Strong influence
Notable reasons: Attitude, clothing, appearance, perspective, social associations, provides escape from life
21% No influence
19% Medium influence
Notable reasons: Social associations, clothing, personality
16% Small influence
Notable reasons: Clothing, entertainment
…14% Don't know
> Comment: This shows that many metal listeners think more of their music than just being entertainment. Some found motivation in it, and some found solace. Most found that the music was something they could relate to as they moved through life. This could show that the nature of metal music is a by-product of our modern lifestyles, and it is used as an outlet for anxieties. Some participants noted that they did not like the idea of being defined by their music. Metal music only defined one part of their personalities. This shows that, depending on how one relates to metal music, it can be used to guide one in many ways, or simply relate to one piece of one's life.
ORIGINAL SURVEY PROMPT BELOW:
Hello, thanks for reading! I'm just a metalhead college student trying to make it. I was assigned an ethnography (a study of a cultural group) for my english class. So I thought, "What better subject than the often misunderstood metalheads like myself?" As a metalhead, I know that metal means more to me than the "trash" that the media makes it out to be. But I want to hear what YOU have to say!
Please take this 5 minute survey. There is a true/false section, a multiple choice, and finally a free answer section. But, there are only 9 questions - 3 to a category! This is completely non-profit, and the results will be absolutely anonymous*.
*If you wish to remain anonymous even to this forum, please e-mail your filled out survey to: metal.ethnography@gmail.com
What you get out of this: By filling out one survey you earn one copy of the collected survey results, sent to any e-mail address you request. It will be short, interesting, and very metal. Thanks!
(I will also post results on this forum.)
NO FLAMING ANYONE, this will be purely statistical.
Survey begins here:
- True/false section
1. Are you over the age of 25?
Your answer:
2. When you first heard metal music did you like it right away?
Your answer:
3. Would you want metal music to go mainstream?
Your answer:
- Multiple choice section
1. What do you like most about metal music?
A. Lyrics
B. Themes/feelings/emotions
C. The energy/speed of it
D. It provides an escape from life
E. It's just something different
Your answer:
2. What theme/feeling/emotion do you like most in metal music?
A. Rebellion
B. Loneliness
C. Fear
D. Anger
E. Other (please type):
Your answer:
3. What is your level of education?
A. High school and under
B. Some college
C. Bachelor's degree
D. Master's degree
E. Doctorate degree
Your answer:
- Free answer section
1. List your 3 most favorite kinds of music other than metal.
Your answer:
2. List 3 of your hobbies other than music.
Your answer:
3. How does metal music influence other parts of your life?
Your answer:
YOU'RE DONE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
If you want the collected survey results to be e-mailed to you.
Your e-mail address:
Below are the results of a survey that started on Nov 25, and went until Nov 29 on this forum. This was done for a college project, in which I was to study a cultural group. I chose metal listeners. I would like to thank all contributers to this survey, as it was a great success! All of your extra commentary greatly helped me developed my ideas! Thank you for being so open and helpful!!
SURVEY RESULTS BELOW with commentary from surveyer M. Shaner (contact: metal.ethnography@gmail.com)
THESE SURVEY RESULTS, INCLUDING M. SHANER'S COMMENTARY, MAY BE USED AND REPRODUCED FOR ANY NON-PROFIT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE USE. QUESTIONS? PLEASE E-MAIL!
37 people responded (calculated 12am PST, Nov 29, 08)
Percentages are listed from highest to lowest.
Categories “No preference,” “Other,” and “Don’t know” are all listed at the respective bottoms.
A. True/false section
A.1. Are you over the age of 25?
73% False
27% True
> Comment: From this most Americans would say that metal listeners are mostly a younger crowd of children (age 17 and below) and young adults (age 18 to 25). This seems to reflect the media's portrayal of metal listeners as teenagers.
A.2. When you first heard metal music did you like it right away?
77% True
23% False
> Comment: This shows that metal is not an aqcuired style of music. Metal can be enjoyed on the first listen, and seems to have an immediate connection with the listener. This is interesting because the media portrays metal to have an irritating or bad sound, which suggests that it's listeners acquire the musical taste. But this is found to be mostly not true.
A.3. Would you want metal music to go mainstream?
64% False
11% True
...25% No Preference
> Comment: This shows that there is something special about metal, and perhaps all music, that is not too familiar or popular. This could indicate that metal listeners look for more explorative and creative music rather than something familiar and expected. Many were torn between caring about the bands and caring about the music. Some acknowledged that the creativity of the music is often damaged by conforming metal bands into the mainstream. But others just seemed to appreciate the music and wish the best success for the bands. It seems this is a difficult subject for metal music.
B. Multiple choice section
B.1. What do you like most about metal music?
75% Themes/feelings/emotions
8% The energy/speed of it
8% It provides an escape from life
3% It's just something different
0% Lyrics
...6% No Preference
> Comment: This shows that metal listeners want to relate to their music more than they want to be influenced by it. Lyrics are too straightforward for metal listeners and the actual words aren't very important. Rather, it seems that vocals act like just another instrument. Words are just sounds, which contribute to the overall feeling behind the music. This feeling is what the participants cared about most. Some were annoyed by the idea of politics becoming involved with metal music. This reinforces the idea that it's not about the words, and more about the feeling.
B.2. What theme/feeling/emotion do you like most in metal music?
28% Loneliness
25% Rebellion
19% Anger
3% Fear
...25% No Preference
> Comment: Many had no preference when it came to themes in metal music. Some didn't like the choices I listed, which I thought were widely accepted themes in metal music. They did not like how all of the choices were "dark," or "evil." This is interesting because the obvious overtone of metal music is dark and evil. So, metal listeners must be interested in undertones, or smaller parts, of metal music. It seems metal listeners see something within metal music that is beyond the basic appearance of dark and evil.
The interest in the theme loneliness shows how some feel towards the depth of their music. General society doesn't understand the undertones beyond metal music like the listeners do, so metal listeners could feel socially separated by their musical taste. Metal listeners wish they could share their music with others, but other people don't understand it. This puts metal listeners in a difficult spot.
B.3. What is your level of education?
31% High school and under
31% Some college
18% Bachelor's degree
14% Master's degree
6% Non-American degree
0% Doctorate degree
> Comment: This shows that metal listeners are motivated to educate themselves. Only 31% have no college education, and 75% are below the age 25. This shows that, even as young adults, many metal listeners are already educated. Given that they have started learning young, it seems there is a lot of potential for these metal listeners to move on to further education. This shows a strong relation between metal music and education.
C. Free answer section
C.1. List your 3 most favorite kinds of music other than metal.
15% Classical
11% Folk
9% Jazz
8% Ambient
7% Progressive Rock
7% General Rock
6% Classic rock
6% Punk
5% Electronica
3% Pop…21% Other [Genres less than 2%]
> Comment: Classical, folk, and jazz music are associated with "higher" culture, which are assumed by society to be more important than unfamiliar music. Metal listeners apparently appreciate music on a lot of levels. Metal music is unfamiliar. And classical, folk, and jazz are familiar. This shows that metal listeners are very diverse in their musical taste. The dramatic and theatrical aspects of metal were noted to relate to classical and traditional music. Metal listeners seem to appreciate this, while most other people probably don't understand the connection.
C.2. List 3 of your hobbies other than music.
16% Reading
15% Video Games
7% Movies
7% Sports
6% Art
6% Writing
4% Internet Activities
3% Cooking
3% TV
…33% Other [Hobbies less than 2%]
> Comment: This shows that, while metal listeners enjoy everyday hobbies like video games and movies, they also have a great interest in what are assumed to be the "finer" things in life. Reading, art, and writing all show that metal listeners have an appreciation for art in all its forms. This could show that metal listeners see something artistic in metal music that others do not. This also reinforces metal listeners interest in educating themselves. Perhaps they seek education and books in order to gain person recognition for their ideas.
C.3. How does metal music influence other parts of your life?
30% Strong influence
Notable reasons: Attitude, clothing, appearance, perspective, social associations, provides escape from life
21% No influence
19% Medium influence
Notable reasons: Social associations, clothing, personality
16% Small influence
Notable reasons: Clothing, entertainment
…14% Don't know
> Comment: This shows that many metal listeners think more of their music than just being entertainment. Some found motivation in it, and some found solace. Most found that the music was something they could relate to as they moved through life. This could show that the nature of metal music is a by-product of our modern lifestyles, and it is used as an outlet for anxieties. Some participants noted that they did not like the idea of being defined by their music. Metal music only defined one part of their personalities. This shows that, depending on how one relates to metal music, it can be used to guide one in many ways, or simply relate to one piece of one's life.
ORIGINAL SURVEY PROMPT BELOW:
Hello, thanks for reading! I'm just a metalhead college student trying to make it. I was assigned an ethnography (a study of a cultural group) for my english class. So I thought, "What better subject than the often misunderstood metalheads like myself?" As a metalhead, I know that metal means more to me than the "trash" that the media makes it out to be. But I want to hear what YOU have to say!
Please take this 5 minute survey. There is a true/false section, a multiple choice, and finally a free answer section. But, there are only 9 questions - 3 to a category! This is completely non-profit, and the results will be absolutely anonymous*.
*If you wish to remain anonymous even to this forum, please e-mail your filled out survey to: metal.ethnography@gmail.com
What you get out of this: By filling out one survey you earn one copy of the collected survey results, sent to any e-mail address you request. It will be short, interesting, and very metal. Thanks!
(I will also post results on this forum.)
NO FLAMING ANYONE, this will be purely statistical.
Survey begins here:
- True/false section
1. Are you over the age of 25?
Your answer:
2. When you first heard metal music did you like it right away?
Your answer:
3. Would you want metal music to go mainstream?
Your answer:
- Multiple choice section
1. What do you like most about metal music?
A. Lyrics
B. Themes/feelings/emotions
C. The energy/speed of it
D. It provides an escape from life
E. It's just something different
Your answer:
2. What theme/feeling/emotion do you like most in metal music?
A. Rebellion
B. Loneliness
C. Fear
D. Anger
E. Other (please type):
Your answer:
3. What is your level of education?
A. High school and under
B. Some college
C. Bachelor's degree
D. Master's degree
E. Doctorate degree
Your answer:
- Free answer section
1. List your 3 most favorite kinds of music other than metal.
Your answer:
2. List 3 of your hobbies other than music.
Your answer:
3. How does metal music influence other parts of your life?
Your answer:
YOU'RE DONE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
If you want the collected survey results to be e-mailed to you.
Your e-mail address:
