Comments on: Plagiarism…Getting Mine From Thine

By: DarthKoala

DarthKoala — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:19:05 +0000

This is a fine article, and it points out that people have been ‘stealing’ music and songs throughout the ages. It’s only relatively recently that this remixing has been made illegal. Basically, I agree with Pete when he says that lawsuits about plagiarism are nothing more that ‘mine’s bigger than yours’ pissing matches: you know what you compose will probably have been composed by someone else in part before. Should you therefore stop creating? Of course not. Create and enrich peoples lives. Remix. Add hot peppers. Stir. Build upon those that came before you so you may too stand on the shoulders of giants.

By: Catself

Catself — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:18:53 +0000

Another very obvious example: “What’s Going On” by No Doubt sounds almost like Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” with different lyrics.

But isn’t that how many songs become hits. People react to what sounds familiar to them because listening to something new takes more effort, maybe? And these copied songs become hits. Like “What’s Going On” – a very boring song.

By: Pieps

Pieps — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:02:37 +0000

Cool Blog Pete ,

and I’m sure we can add a lot of songs to this blog . All Along the Watchtower is half of the chords of Summertime . And Riders On The Storm is quite identical to Summertime .
When I’m busy making a “new” song I always start with Summertime and Goodbye Pork Pie Hat … mix it up … change some minor or major chords for 7th or 5th , and voila ; a “new” song is born .
O , and there is also the E-A-B blues thingy that always works . Just make sure that your song has a different “feel” than Summertime … give it a 7/8 beat , put in a frigging Δ maj 7 chord … hehehehe , there is nothing wrong with stealing … just steal from the best ( Gershwin , Downland , Mingus , Miles Davis ) , and bend it your own special way . And besides that ; I love to put little , very recognisable , themes in solos … like Coltrane’s A Love Supreme or Miles Davis’ Jean Pierre … even the Flinstones’ theme will do . And I don’t consider this as plagiarism … it is just refering to … saying Hi !!! to the rich history of melodies .

HAVE FUN !!! yours Pieps