“DJ Hit That Button”

Music making and leisure in the digital age are challenging and exciting for various reasons. For example, someone who may not be a specialist in music can create music, such as the laptop musician. This chapter explores why the amateur laptop musician participates in making music for leisure. The concept of the amateur musician, as well as the amateur laptop musician is examined. The appeal of amateur laptop musicians is considered: are they demonstrating their virtual music collection, or are they gaining a skill in making music? Music that has been composed and performed on a laptop has resulted in mixed reactions from the producers, consumers, and audience. Therefore, this chapter discusses whether the amateur laptop musician can be considered a serious musician and whether laptop music has changed our perception on music and performance in culture and society.