With a click of a button or a tap of a finger onto the newest touchscreen computer, almost anyone is able to gain access to music electronically.

From iPods to Zunes students can access any genre of music and can listen to it at anytime. Whether they’re downloading music illegally, purchasing it online or at the store, music has become apart of their lives.

“I download my music from Piratebay,” Christian Tiratira, 19, criminal justice major, said. “It’s just like Limewire, only the source has a less likely chance of getting in trouble because so many people leech off of it.”

By downloading music illegally, students have access to downloading the music of their liking for free as opposed to waiting for albums to be released for purchase.

However, music does not necessarily have to be downloaded illegally. Some students choose other methods of obtaining music such as checking out websites that offer music that can be legally downloaded for free.

Morgan Cole, 21, communications major, said a few of the songs that he keeps were downloaded illegally. He said the rest of the music that he listens to was downloaded for free or came from albums that were never sold.

“Whenever I download music, it mainly depends on which website has the type of music or artist that I’m looking for,” Cole said.

Some websites and programs, like Pandora and Spotify, give listeners the option of streaming music on their computers or computer tablets for free. They also recommend different artists and albums that are in the same genre of what the listener likes.

“I listen to KCRW, which is a radio station run by sponsors who run underground Indie music,” Kristina Soriano, 18, aerospace major, said. “I also go to Pandora.com which is an online source that presents different artists that play similar music that you listen to.”

While methods of listening and transferring music into portable devices may vary, so does the music that students enjoy.

The trends in music are constantly changing, and many students find what they consider to be underground music the most appealing.

“I listen to a lot of happycore, which was introduced to me by my friends,”Cole said. “I was raised on classic rock and Gaelic folk music which is Irish music.”

Happycore is a genre of music known for its fast tempo and upbeat lyrics. It is just one aspect of music in the new rave scene.

“I know that there is a new movement with rave and techno music,” Caitlyn Lombardo, 18, business major, said. “Even Britney Spears is adding techno into her music.”

Whether online or through friends, one may be introduced to various genres of music as well as experience some of the latest movement in music.

“I listen to Indie, alternative, and classic rock, mainly because it is different,” Soriano said. “It’s more meaningful and not as annoying as the music that is on the radio.”

While some may pay attention to the latest changes in music through the radio, others prefer to listen to their own music with portable devices that allow them to adjust or create playlists to their liking.

While the list of portable music devices grows, some students are concerned about prices as well as what the different portable device may offer the listener.

“I don’t really listen to the radio,” Tiratira said. “I just ordered a Sansa, which I think are better than iPods because they are cheaper and have almost all of the same functions of an iPod.”

Tiratira said the Sansa offers the ability for the listener to adjust the equalizer as well as hold more memory for a more affordable price.

Students are not only using portable devices to listen to their music, but portable tools such as speakers.

“I use whatever is available to listen to my music,” Cole said. “I use portable speakers as well as speaker headphones.”

While most students may think that listening to music electronically allows them to become closer to the genre and style, there is much more that music has to offer.

“I listen to music electronically, but I still think that playing the instrument is better than just listening to it,” Clarence Chatman, 18, music major said.

Chatman said playing an instrument shows accomplishment and allows individuals to become more in tune with the music as opposed to just listening to it. He said playing music is completely different from just listening to it.

“I think that playing instruments is more effective,” Chatman said. “You can get an understanding of the rhythms and you often find yourself analyzing the music that you are listening to even more.”

Chris Mello, guitar instructor, said that music affects people emotionally and allows them to connect through the experience of listening to it.

“As a musician, I can’t imagine listening to music in any other way,” Mello said. “Listening to it is a powerful medium which can change millions. However, being a musician allows you to experience emotions as well as share messages to other people.”

Cole said not only do a many people listen to music electronically, but they are playing Guitar Hero rather than the actual guitar.

“With music being more computer generated, electronics are making it harder for acoustic artists,” Cole said.