How close to copy? TAXI # D080129SR

[leejohnson]

Here is a listing I am interested in writing, recording and pitching for. I have a few questions posted below the listing for anyone who has done some of this type of dispatch listing:SOUTHERN ROCK SONGS a la Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See" are sought by a Music Publisher with tons of film/TV placements for a film currently in production. This song will be used as a replacement track for "Can't You See", so the lyric vibe should be similar. Musically, you can also reference The Outlaws, Charlie Daniels Band, Barefoot Jerry, Grinderswitch and Black Oak Arkansas. Broadcast quality needed [excellent home recordings are OK]. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS ONLY - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. For ground submissions, please enclose a S.A.S.E. if you would like a response. As always, we will notify everyone via e-mail, whether your submissions have been Forwarded or Returned. Submissions must be received no later than 4:00 pm, Pacific Standard Time (California time), Tuesday, January 29, 2008. TAXI # D080129SRI am VERY familiar with the style and tune mentioned, played it for years in cover bands etc...grew up listening to these and other related bands. I also teach guitar and just last week had the pleasure of writing this tune out with all melodic riffs and motifs, note for note for a student. It seem like this opportunity is made just for me. The question is, "how close can we copy original versions?"Can we make guitar licks that are very close? How close? Are melodic phrases copywritten? Lyrically and melodically how close do they want? I feel like I could make a track that is right and just not sure how close I should be with melodic motifs, licks and overall lyrics. They say "same vibe of lyric"...can anyone help me hone in on specifically what this means? I mean I get it, but how close can we be? Talk about going south on a train, never coming back? Or is that too close? The chorus...is a great example of what would be returned by todays standards...no melodic lift to a 5th up, same chords, same rate of change of chords etc...so no sectional contrast. Do they want this same "vintage" vibe for real? Or will they say my version has no sectional contrast? Lyrically, there is not much to the original example...should I keep it simple also with some similar thought...like "don't you know" instead of "Cant' you see" or something???They say musically referenceing all or some of the bands mentioned...so i get that part more clearly. Thanks for any help, this will be fun!Lee

[chrisbee]

Hi LeeIn general, I can tell you that libraries are after the "vibe" of sample tunes they list, not the melodies. They wouldn't want it to be too close because they can get sued along with you. Think about matching the energy of those tunes and be yourself.Legally, you can do 6 notes of a melody before copyright infringement occurs, as far as I know. But why get that close? Be yourself and think of matching vibe, instrumentation and energy. Considering this listing actually says they are looking for a "replacement" for "Can't You See", - if I were sending a tune in, I would feel I could get a bit closer than I normally would - so I'd try to stay around that same tempo too.Good luck, bro!!cb

[matto]

Lee,The simple answer is, not so close that you could be sued for copyright infringement. I would not rely on the "6 notes" theory, as far as I know that's nothing but a persistent old wives' tale...the copyright law says the song can not be "substantially similar"...which of course is an unfortunately subjective yardstick.Since they have the song in question temped in, you should match the tempo and groove of it, the mood/feel (major vs minor, upbeat vs subdued) and the overall sound (instrumentation and production). Those are going to be your most important factors, if any of those is considerably off, it will hurt the pacing and emotion of the scene and the song will usually be rejected.Now, with all these factors being similar, you'll want your melody, chord changes and lyric to be substantially different so as to avoid the danger zone. Lyrically, I would shoot for a similar theme and tone, but stay away from any specifics contained in the original lyric. You want to have the same "essence", basically.HTH,matto

[leejohnson]

Hey thanks for the replies. Your help is appreciated!

[leejohnson]

Well, I missed out on the "light breezy" thing because I got so engrossed in this "Can't You See" tune. I had a version that was most likely too close of a copy, and thanks to the suggestions I got here, I took the music, chords and melody in a modified direction, maintaining the lyrical message. I believe this is what the listing was asking for when it said (to the effect), lyric vibe should be similar because it's a replacement track, music can reference several other roosty southern rock bands from the 70's. I still don't know how to paste in the little link for the song...if anyone wants to be so kind as to teach me that, I'd be grateful. If you are interested to hear my "Can't You See" song, please visit my taxi page at www.taxi.com/leejohnson and listen to "Yes I'm Free".After 79 revisions, many hours over the last 4 days, I have to call it done. I think it captures the vibe of the replacement song really well, as I watched 3 versions on youtube as homework. Thanks for all input and suggestions. I learned a lot, got antares auto tune, and also this months recording mag had an article on how to automate mixes in Protools so that was cool too. One little step at a time. Cheers, Lee