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Is it plagiarism to copy a chord progression in a different key?
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i.e I wrote a song with following chord progression: A major, A major 6, A major 7, A major 6, throughout the verses.
However, I listened to the song, "I'm So ...show more
Best Answer
You can't copyright a chord progression.
There are only so many chord progressions possible.
If I play Em, G, D, Am, I can't copyright it and say no one is ever allowed to play those chords in that order without paying me. It doesn't work like that.
You could copyright a specific chord progression in combination with specific lyrics or a specific melody, but you can't copyright a chord progression on its own.
The fact that you aren't even playing the same chords means the Everly Brothers don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to a copyright infringement case.
There are only so many chord progressions possible.
If I play Em, G, D, Am, I can't copyright it and say no one is ever allowed to play those chords in that order without paying me. It doesn't work like that.
You could copyright a specific chord progression in combination with specific lyrics or a specific melody, but you can't copyright a chord progression on its own.
The fact that you aren't even playing the same chords means the Everly Brothers don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to a copyright infringement case.
Other Answers (1)
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A lot of songs actually will have the exact same chords but just change the pitch of it but i do know if you take something that is iconic to a certain song and then use it in your song you can get into some pretty serious trouble with copy right
Is it plagiarism to copy a chord progression in a different key?
i.e I wrote a song with following chord progression: A major, A major 6, A major 7, A major 6, throughout the verses.
However, I listened to the song, "I'm So Lonesome" by the Everly Brothers with the progression, D major, D major 6, D major 7, D major 6, with about the same harmonic rhythm (frequency of chord changes).
Otherwise, all the lyrics of my song are original and new chords are introduced in the chorus of my song, changing the progression.
But can I be accused of using the same harmonic structure as the Everly Brothers?
However, I listened to the song, "I'm So Lonesome" by the Everly Brothers with the progression, D major, D major 6, D major 7, D major 6, with about the same harmonic rhythm (frequency of chord changes).
Otherwise, all the lyrics of my song are original and new chords are introduced in the chorus of my song, changing the progression.
But can I be accused of using the same harmonic structure as the Everly Brothers?
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