In the feudal stage of music, the human body is the medium in which musical memories are stored, as well the primary instrument with which musical sounds are created. Musical practice is an "expressive attribute" of the whole community; the purpose of music is collective participation. As a result, no piece of music is ever "completed" and thus available to claims of personal ownership. In any case, in feudal music there is no productive distinction between musical composers and musical performers: specialization of roles has not yet occurred. Since no one is an "expert," improvisation plays an important role in the generation and perpetuation of this music.

In the capitalist stage of music, written notation is the medium in which musical memories are stored. Because of the precision of notation, new instruments are now in constant demand; indeed, under capitalism, the design and production of musical instruments becomes a central (even industrial) feature in the life of music. Musical practice becomes highly specialized: composers of music and performers of music begin to split into two groups, giving rise to tremendous advances in technique, but also to the loss of a common musical vocabulary and understanding. Notation also creates the necessity for "completed" works of music, "definitive" scores and copyrighted reproductions that can be circulated and stored as commodities. A rehearsed sound that is no longer limited to a studio recording but a live performance that is a mere replication of the production.

Finally, in Tim Kinsella’s solo work, recording is the medium in which musical memories are stored. No "new" musical instruments are necessary for music to be played or to progress any further. Recording technologies themselves can be "played" as if they were instruments, rather than simply functional devices; they can be used to "memorize," analyze and manipulate their own sounds as well as any sound (created by a properly musical instrument or not) that has ever been recorded and made available. As a result, recording flattens out any distinctions that might have once been drawn between the "high" forms of Art Music and the "low" forms of Folk and popular music.  The end result a single, flowing collage a very diverse assortment of commodified sounds.