r/Composers

Legality of commissioning an arrangement of non-PD song?

Hi all, I imagine not many lawyers here but I'm hoping for some advice. Does anyone know the legality of commissioning a composer to create an arrangement (e.g. "to sound all medieval and stuff") of an existing song (e.g. KPM's "Heavy Action") that is still under copyright?

The resultant arrangement would only be for personal use and would not be performed or sold or included as part of another medium.

Is that a non-starter without a license from the holder? Would someone be better off just asking a composer for an original composition that is reminiscent of the copyrighted song?

reddit.com
u/torien7 — 2 days ago

Nocturne in C# Minor

Hey everyone; this is the first time I am sharing a composition here. I have composed a nocturne in C# minor and would love to get your input on the melody, emotion and structure of the composition.

I named this piece “The Storm”. I wanted to express an internal, emotional storm. The main melody is the expression of grief bursting out, while the mid-sections introduce an emotional buildup. I’d love your opinions and feedback.

youtube.com
u/AlivePiccolo4940 — 4 days ago

I just finished writing my first piece, come and roast/toast it! :D

I've been playing piano for years and just finished my first piece. My next task is to learn how to play it (again)! I'd love any feedback, and particularly on where the notation is clunky/could be improved. Enjoy, and thanks for listening :D

reddit.com
u/ars61157 — 6 days ago
▲ 2 r/Composers+1 crossposts

I made a song for piano and bassoon

This is a composition made by me, I hope you enjoy it, please give me your feedback thanks 😄

Op. 4 "Appassionata" - Capriccio No. 2 for Bassoon and Piano

youtu.be
u/DavidLopezLlopis — 7 days ago
▲ 9 r/Composers+2 crossposts

Feedback on string quartet

This is a string quartet i've composed for 2 violins and 2 cellos.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRqtIw7oTw4

I've written it specifically to play myself and record in layers. So it's not written for live performance, unknown players or the typical string quartet instruments.

It's my first proper composition. I played strings at school and have only just come back to this as an adult for fun. I wrote something that combines elements of what I find most enjoyable to play which has influenced this. I'd say that's largely the simplicity of Jenkin's Palladio with the driving cello and D minor throughout, and also lots of Vivaldi.

The current audio is from the midi score and a lot of the volume related dynamics were needed to get the midi to match closest to what is in my mind, which wouldn't necessarily be the same when I get to recording it myself.

I'd appreciate any feedback please, especially on how it sounds as a whole, more so than notation conventions, since its meant more for me to play and record.

u/Responsible-Poem-686 — 9 days ago