Is this wrong?

Coutts_is_god · #1 10-25-2005, 06:33 PM

So I'm playing bass and I come up with this bass line. It is in the key of Em and Am. As I'm playing it I realise it sounds like another song. Played by a real band. So I study this song and realise it sound simliar but in a different key. It is played differently but has the same mood as the original song. Am I a bad person for using this bassline now?
I need to know where to draw the lines when it comes to sounding like someone else. Well with out getting sued

Groove Reaper · #2 10-25-2005, 07:30 PM

I've done this before (unintentionnaly) on at least three occasions...it's kind of frustrating because I come up with a cool bassline and simple guitar riff to go with it all on my own that I think are pretty happening and it turns out I'm "ripping off" someone else's work. it sounds very similar but it's not at all the same especialy the bass. you won't get sued as long as it's different but other people will call your credibility as a composer into question if you do deside to use it which is bullcrap. If you wrote it you should be able to use it but be prepared for people saying you ripped it off.

**cheezewiz** · #3 10-25-2005, 07:52 PM

I play in a cover band. I play ripped off bass lines 3 hours a night. It ain't wrong.

C-5KO · #4 10-25-2005, 08:23 PM

Hey,

Maybe it has something to do with being Canadian.

I had a dream, and in this dream I was playing this amazing song. When I woke up, I remembered the lines and chords changes, so quickly I wrote them down. A couple days later I realized that I just ripped of Herbie Hancock's Dolphin Dance.

Bushfire · #5 10-25-2005, 09:32 PM

I know of five songs that share the same chord progression, two of which are in the same key!

invader3k · #6 10-26-2005, 06:32 AM

It's not wrong, as long as it's not exactly like the original. As long as you're playing it a little differently or using a different key, it's ok in my book.

Then again, look at how many songs in the '50s use the same chord progression. As an example, the progression of "Oh Donna" is exactly the same as at least three other songs I can think of...

Coutts_is_god · #7 10-26-2005, 01:24 PM

Well back in the days of rock and roll. Didn't they use only like E,G and A?

I don't think anyone would ever put two and two together withh this song. Its not like a AC/DC song or Zepplin or anything. Its just apart of that long road. That road is called 'the finding your own sound street"

harley_ou812 · #8 10-26-2005, 01:46 PM

[quote=invader3k]It's not wrong, as long as it's not exactly like the original. As long as you're playing it a little differently or using a different key, it's ok in my book.

QUOTE]

To paraphrase Vanilla Ice...there not the same man theres goes DO DO DO DODO DO DO, DO DO DO DODO DO DO while my song goes DO DO DO DODO DO DO CHICK DO DO DO DODO DO DO CHICK. See mine has that little Chick in there ENTIRELY different.

Not busting on ya man just reminded me of that when you said about playing it a little differently.

B-NoteCowboy · #9 10-26-2005, 05:51 PM

Am I a bad person for using this bassline now?

Yes. You are a very bad man. Shame be upon your house.

**bassman314** · #10 10-27-2005, 01:01 AM

meh.. there's a limited number of useable chord progressions...

whil they are in different keys, Stairway and Watchtower both have VERY similar progressions... actually the Dylan version of watch tower is in the same key... and the feel isn't sooo far off...

Also I heard of a band from over in Europe... I think they are bpretty big.. have been so since the 60's.. their lead singer is known for a certain part of his anatomy that is somewhat full.. anyway, quite a few of their songs are direct rips from R&B guys in the 50's...

Incidentally, the theme to the Flintstones is the same chord progression and feel as "I got Rhythm"...

hmmm...

JimK · #11 10-27-2005, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman314

Incidentally, the theme to the Flintstones is the same chord progression and feel as "I Got Rhythm"...

...as is about a 1000 other tunes(e.g. "Oleo").

Early Boppers 'borrowed' the chord changes from existing 'Pop' tunes & made them their own with a new, re-invented head/melody("Indiana" = "Donna Lee").

Later-
"So What" = "Impressions"

How 'bout The Blues? How many times has a 12-bar Blues in "E" been played with a similar feel only with different lyrics?

...was just re-reading a Paul McCartney interview from an old Guitar Player mag; he sez the bassline from "I Saw Her Standing There" is a direct 'lift'(ripoff) from a guitar line used in a Chuck Berry tune. Mac sez it was obscure enuff a tune that their fan base wouldn't have recognized it. That's how you steal!

buzzbass · #12 10-27-2005, 06:33 AM

George Harrison is laughing at you from the grave as we speak

Coutts_is_god · #13 10-27-2005, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

...was just re-reading a Paul McCartney interview from an old Guitar Player mag; he sez the bassline from "I Saw Her Standing There" is a direct 'lift'(ripoff) from a guitar line used in a Chuck Berry tune. Mac sez it was obscure enuff a tune that their fan base wouldn't have recognized it. That's how you steal!

I will now only rip off abscure songs.

JimK · #14 10-28-2005, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzbass

George Harrison is laughing at you from the grave as we speak

He's so fine?

How 'bout John Fogerty's ex-Record Co. suing him on account his then-new stuff sounded too much like his old stuff?!

Aj* · #15 10-28-2005, 05:19 AM

It's happened to me at least twice, both times with songs I'd never even heard of until my brother or my guitarist played me them. Neither were exactly the same but we scrapped them to be on the safe side.