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The Cabaret and The Music Hall: Origins of the Modern Popular Music Industry
Singers needed material. So, composers and lyricists, some with considerable formal training, supplied the music hall and cabaret performers with new songs resembling classical art songs but informed by familiar folk material. A professional songwriting industry was taking shape. The new musical material did not fit the description of either art song or folk song. Songs composed by professional songwriters for music hall entertainment became more popular than the traditional folk songs.
As well, a new middle class was emerging, better educated and able to purchase and learn to play instruments such as the upright piano. Literate urban dwellers demanded sheet music of popular songs and folk songs. This created a commercial market for mass-disseminated print music.
New music halls for the masses ... professional songwriters turning out songs for stage entertainers ... sheet music for sale to the masses so they could perform the songs at home ... it all added up to a new industry, the popular music industry.