Copyright on Rock'n'Roll melodies...

[alikus]

Many of the rock'n'roll songs have pretty much the same melody and arrangement. Does anyone know anything concerning the copyright on melodies or smth?

The question might sound obscure, but I'd appreciate any info on this account.

[mahlzeit]

I suppose most chord progressions, like standard blues (C-F-G), are free, because they are so common. Melodies, on the other hand, are unique to a song, hence protected by the song's copyright.

For the copyright on specific songs, see: http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/training/Hirtle_Public_Domain.htm

(IANAL)

[alikus]

I suppose most chord progressions, like standard blues (C-F-G), are free, because they are so common.

thank you so much! very valuable info :) Any chance you know where to find the documents with rock'n'roll progressions online?

Thanks a lot again!

[mahlzeit]

How about your local public library? They no doubt have many books that will teach you how to play certain music styles. For example, I have a book called "Building Bass Lines", which has many examples of how to create bass lines for blues, rock, jazz, funk, latin, soca, R&B, ska, bebop, and reggae. :) Most of these music styles simply follow certain patterns (that is, of course, what makes one style different from the other). There are plenty of these books and your library has them for free.

Alternatively, get some music practice software. I think "Band in a Box" has many prefab chord progressions built in. There are other such programs, too.