Original composition melody question.

[Steve Bolander]

Fellow music composers,

Is there an app or website where you can determine if the melody of your self-written song is, in fact, original?

Obviously I don't want to inadvertently steal someone else's creativity. So, how can I tell if the melody line to my song is actually from my brain, as opposed to being something that I subconsciously heard and remembered from some other artist/composer before?

With all the A.I. technology that's out there that can identify a song and artist on the radio by merely "listening to it" (i.e, Shazam, SoundHound, etc.), there must be something that can hear just a simple recorded melody line and tell a composer if it's been used before.

 

[Old No7]

Gee, I don't know...

But my first thought was that if any website got a hold of your melody, they would take/use it as their own. *

Old No7

* ps: I am not a pessimist, just an optimist with a lot of experience!

 

[happyrat1]

Three are only 12 musical notes and at least 100 million songs in the world.

There was a project started a few years ago to copyright every possible permutation for public domain but I can't find the link any longer.

I wouldn't worry about it unless Milli Vanilli sends you a cease and desist order.

 

[Steve Bolander]

But my first thought was that if any website got a hold of your melody, they would take/use it as their own.

Yep, that was one of my first thoughts as well. But I still want to find a way of confidently feeling that my melodies are my own rather re-doing something that I might've heard elsewhere. Kinda like coming up with an idea for a fantastic invention, and then thinking this is such a great idea that someone else must've also thought of it.

 

[Rayblewit]

I created a melody of about 10 bars to begin with piano sound at around the third octave.
I added some chords at various parts and played it in key of G. This became my verse.
But it sounded familiar to a well known tune.
Anyway I added some more bars moving up and down between the 3rd and 4th octave.
that became my chorus. This part of my tune sounds nothing like anything I know.

Intrigued as to figure out what tune my verse sounded like, and it suddenly dawned on me.
ii sounds like Andrew Lloyd Webbers - "no matter what"
Unbelievable!
I searched for his score to compare and noticed his is in a different key and uses different chords.
But what an amazing coincidence that they sound the same.
Makes me think that little old humble me could have been a famous composer ha ha ha!
Ray

 

[Steve Bolander]

But what an amazing coincidence that they sound the same.
Makes me think that little old humble me could have been a famous composer ha ha ha!
Ray

But, how do you know that it was a coincidence that your composition and Andrew Lloyd Weber's were so independently close in content . . . . or did you compose your piece based upon what you already had in your head from previously hearing Weber's song?

But, one can't help but wonder how Weber knew that his song was truly original when he wrote it. Which begs the question, how do all of these popular/successful songwriters confirm that their compositions are really original at the time of writing them?

I guess it's just hit and miss as you wait for a copyright lawsuit from some other composer who claims their idea came first. Oh, well . . . .

 

[Rayblewit]

, how do you know that it was a coincidence that your composition and Andrew Lloyd Weber's were so independently close in content . . . . or did you compose your piece based upon what you already had in your head from previously hearing Weber's song?

That is a good point.
However, that song was made famous by Boyzone. To tell the truth, I am no fan of boybands. That song was never on my play list.
Subconsciously, my brain may have heard it one day and remembered the melody perhaps? But I doubt it. Coincidence still prevails in my mind.

But, one can't help but wonder how Weber knew that his song was truly original when he wrote it. Which begs the question, how do all of these popular/successful songwriters confirm that their compositions are really original at the time of writing them?

Another good point Steve. But he is a genius composer. Always inventive with chord progressions and clasy melodys. He is peerless. But I can see where you are coming from. Subconscious brain waves of memory are probably lurking within everyone.

Ray's BS
Cheers

 

[Steve Bolander]

But I can see where you are coming from. Subconscious brain waves of memory are probably lurking within everyone.

Well, the best that I can do is write a great song and hope that Andrew Lloyd Webber or anybody else don't come looking for me with a copyright lawsuit.

 

[Incremental]

I can already tell you your melody has been used before. Before I've even heard it. Worse still is if it goes to court, those bodies almost invariably decide in favour of the biggest star. Or at least the party that shows them the most respect by throwing the largest amount of money at the case.

Best approach is write your song how you feel it and if someone tells you it sounds like song X, work out why that is and whether your song can still sound good without the plagiarism.

It can be as simple as moving the hooks around.

 

[leandrusi]

Check these to check for mainstream songs:

Identify Songs Online - Music Recognition Online

Identify songs online. Upload & recognize music in audio & video files, submit direct URL or Youtube URL of media, or identify songs by recording online.

www.aha-music.com

Music Identifier

Discover music at the speed of sound – doesn’t matter how popular

song-identify.com

https://www.shazam.com/ (app based)
(Theres LOTS of recognizing apps for phones)
and good ol Google Assistant → "Hey Google, what’s this song?" and humm or sing your melody

Also, for "classic" or alternative music you can check

Musipedia: Musipedia Melody Search Engine

 

[jmemcse]

I wouldn't let it worry your creativity. If you step on someone's material you'll hear about it. I think there's a lot of leniency involved though. I posted a solo cover of "Something " by the Beatles on YouTube. The Beatles organization contacted me thru YouTube, and said I could keep it up, but they owned all monetization rights. I'm good with that.
Don't worry - stay creative.

 

[keyboardkev81]

As I understand it there are music police around that come calling if you end up copying or being similar to a song.

WHATEVER by oasis was deemed to be FREE TO BE AN IDIOT . In that case even the lyrics were similar.

George Harrison MY SWEET LORD is a famous case. Incredibly the guitar solos in oasis SUPERSONIC infringed on MY SWEET LORD solo so again Oasis had to pay something.

 

[leandrusi]

I like how he got like a dozen replies with advice, thoughts and anecdotes but no one cared to actually give him what he asked...
wich was a way to check for his song!! lol

 

[keyboardkev81]

I like how he got like a dozen replies with advice, thoughts and anecdotes but no one cared to actually give him what he asked...
wich was a way to check for his song!! lol

Don't think it's possible.

THE YOUNG ONES
DREAM LOVER

Those songs not the same??

 

[leandrusi]

Don't think it's possible.

THE YOUNG ONES
DREAM LOVER

Those songs not the same??

yes it is, theres engines to do exactly that but no one cared to name any lol
But Its more like:
OP: Whats 5x4?
-I think maths are hard
-I believe math is overrated
-Nah math is absolutely necessary
-Music is math
-Oh yes, you can find math in everything
-Yeah, I remember that one time I got a A in math...
-I liked geography better

 

[happyrat1]

My experience is read the terms of service contracts you activate by using the software.

At the time you could be supplying the arrangement for the next big AI Interweb hit.

My take on it is, be grateful for any chance your music is worth stealing in the first place and let the lawyers fight it out in court.

 

[happyrat1]

BTW Steve, correct me if I'm wrong but IIRC your style is more C&W and Country Rock than techno so in those particular genres chord progressions and rhythms get passed around like Suzie Creamcheese at a Who concert.

Musically, the similarities of the genre far outweigh the differences and your biggest worry about originality rests with the lyrics sheet.

Dissect any song to it's individual notes and using the public domain library is what kept the Beatles out of copyright court for decades.

They took a bunch of public domain songs from the turn of the century, jazzed up the arrangements and had a gay old time collecting the royalties.

More than likely if your tune did get played before you wrote it, up until the DMCA you would have been safe up to 1950.

Now you have to work with the same generation of music that John, Paul, George and Ringo worked with.

 

[keyboardkev81]

BTW Steve, correct me if I'm wrong but IIRC your style is more C&W and Country Rock than techno so in those particular genres chord progressions and rhythms get passed around like Suzie Creamcheese at a Who concert.

Musically, the similarities of the genre far outweigh the differences and your biggest worry about originality rests with the lyrics sheet.

Dissect any song to it's individual notes and using the public domain library is what kept the Beatles out of copyright court for decades.

They took a bunch of public domain songs from the turn of the century, jazzed up the arrangements and had a gay old time collecting the royalties.

More than likely if your tune did get played before you wrote it, up until the DMCA you would have been safe up to 1950.

Now you have to work with the same generation of music that John, Paul, George and Ringo worked with.

I thought public domain was 70 years after the artist death? So we would have to wait till 70 years after sir Paul passes for Beatles ones to be a free for all.