Here is a simple question or NOT - "When is it OK and NOT OK to use bits and pieces, or 'quotes' from a previously arranged piece of music?" At what point can this be considered plagiarism?? if at all? For many musicians, they can easily replicate a lick, a motif or an idea from a previously performed piece...sometimes without even realizing it....

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  • Now that I think about it, maybe all arrangements should have a references section or like a musical bibliography, or synopsis that credits any influences, arrangers, arrangements. This way, listeners could be introduced/expose to even more music and vice versa...

    Well not every single new piece of music, but maybe those on the grand scale e.g. a Panorama entry, or a festival piece of any sort...
    • There is nothing new under the sun.
  • Jazz musicians do this all the time. While developing their individual styles, most musicians listen to and are influenced by musicians that came before them. Approaches, licks, and chord structures may be replicated and redeveloped. Its almost like taking what someone else did and making it your own. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as the borrowed ideas are "reimagined" in some kind of way. Taking something that's already been done and turning it into something new is fine.
  • I find it a tremendous learning tool to replicate as many licks and passages from the more seasoned arrangers and performers...so as a matter of learning/education, I feel it is ok.
    • From a learning perspective there is nothing wrong with that.
  • It's never okay to copy unless it's part of a dedication to that arranger.
  • Kurleigh,

    that's a very good question man, I don't think any one arranger can lay claim to a phrase or lick, etc., you hear arrangers using chromatic patterns all the time and it's ok. But if an arranger uses a passage of music that was taken right out of another composition, that "might" be another matter and I say "might" because I think it will have to be determined in a court of law if it's plagiarism or not. Just recently, I wrote a song for pan (I know, I know...try not to laugh too hard, lol) and someone recognized part of it from a popular tune. Of course I had to rewrite it, but it was something from my sub conscience mind, that I wrote without realizing...this is why is so important to have other people listen to your music before you copyright it and record it.

    ps.
    I was thinking in terms of compositions with this response, but I think the same can be said of arrangements.
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