EDM Week1 Blog
The copyright laws have been an issue that I must say I don’t always understand. The EMDT program has made this issue a lot clearer in my mind. The first section of this weeks “reading/Videos” made it clear of what the basic concepts of the present copyright laws are. I always knew that if it was a fixed work, such as a book, play, or music then you could not use it with out permission. Now having said that, did I always live by that rule.
Some of you know that I am a barbershopper and I have been singing that genre for 31 years. Barbershop music is one of the four original art forms, so its roots come from as far back as African slave music. As the genre came into full swing, the music was about songs that were simple and were known to everyone. The harmonies are based on 7 chords, so were arrangements always written down? NO they were not, and those that were, many were passed around. I started in 1979 and that was still going on, not because we did not respect the arranger and composer, it was the urge to make it better. Now all of that has changed, and arrangers/composers are there to help you. They arrange for you, and give you permission to sing their songs.
The whole music scene in Brazil!! I had no clue that was going on, I had to watch it twice so I could fully understand what was going on. Perhaps it is my age, but I did not know anything about the remixing of songs. It makes sense after watching the video twice, and with laptops like a Mac Pro it is clear how it is done.
The concept of Fair Use really seems to be something that I am not sure that I want to cross that line. The opening is very small. I love how the video said that if you can teach the lesson with out the copyrighted material then don’t use it. I can see using small clips here and there, but in the end I would be more comfortable having permission. The eye opening moment for me was seeing historical videos that are not available any more because of the copyright laws. Part of our history is lost, and I think that is a shame.
Where should we go with all of this copyright talk? The section on Creative Commons makes perfect sense to me. It gives the creator the flexibility to share the work on his/her terms. Sharing allows for more to be created from anyone, and the original can get better and better. It is a win, win situation if you ask me.
David, you being up such an interesting point, regarding the use of your music. In my mind something like barbershop music should be exempted from the copyright rule. You have to wonder how many other grey areas like that exist? I love how the music is passed around not to steal it from each other but to make it better. Isn’t that what music should be about, working together to make it all sounds better?
ReplyDeleteI love love remix music, there is so much of that on youtube today. Here is a video you can check out (it’s a recent one that went viral) it’s a remix someone did using Obama’s words and having him sing the “ Sex and I know it song by LMFAO.” I usually just find remix music funny and just a good way to get people to laugh. I can see that it could have educational benefits I just haven’t found a good educational remix yet to use in my environment.
http://youtu.be/OWgO9-AIROI
HI Katie,
ReplyDeleteOk I guess it there is a generation cap here when it comes to remix music. I still love listening to the oldies!!! I will take a look at the Youtube video when I get home.
David
Let me know what you think! :)
ReplyDeleteThe video was very funny! That kind of stuff is fun, and I see a place for it for sure.
DeleteYour post really got me thinking about your art form of Barbershop. The harmonies and arrangements are very similar for all songs, so are they still copyrighted? I found “The Barbershop Harmony Society” has an article titled,” Copyright Basics for Barbershoppers”.
ReplyDeleteIt can be found at the following link:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:N-6_0lHaFm0J:www.barbershop.org/document-center/category/8-copyright-legal.html?download%3D68%253Acopyright-basics-for-barbershoppers+Copyright+Basics+for+Barbershoppers&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgy9wlm6ERXyzIjbeOGG4M_42VvsVdC1RvJ8JqSGcdYusggU0X-Bd_eY1vMn_U0Ev7xiLbQj7VjGYgrU00NGhr5e8Y5E5fHw5koCncWStWHcdsyMg88Rv6IKuwVjnnw1sp7Noat&sig=AHIEtbQsTw1wjBmfcDVqREBjtYR-k-DYNw
The statement that jumped out at me was: “Violations could result in a substantial fine. Examples of violations include arranging, selling an arrangement, or photocopying without permission. Penalties can range from $20,000 to $100,000 per copy, so it behooves all Barbershoppers to abide by the copyright statutes.”
All I have to say is be careful my friend! I am curious how you get the music you use in competitions. Is it purchased or do you compose it yourself?
Well they are a lot stricter now. When it comes to competing we have to register the song, the arrangement before we can sing it. We have to pay the arranger if there are fees. There a lot of arrangements that the Barbershop Harmony Society owns, and we can compete with those at no charge. We still have to register them. So do we share arrangements now some, but most of the time we are contacting arrangers to get permission to use them. People do make changes to ending of songs (called a tag) or change notes in places to make the arrangement fit the chorus or quartet. Most arrangers are ok with that...sort of remixing it LOL
DeleteGreat overview and summary of the subject. Wonderful insight based on your own interest and expertise in barbershop music. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete