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Question: I'm writing a song and the chord progression is similar to another song. am i violating the copyright?

(Posted by: syracusecadet on 2010-03-07 17:03:11)

Chord progression: C Am F G Similar to "crocodile rock " transposed up 5 steps. Melody is completely different. rhythym is different too. its just a similar progression. Haha and men at work got screwed. the songs aren't even that similar.

Posted by: hingehead on 2010-03-07, 17:17:04

Chord progressions are always repeated, there's not that many. Think how many less songs there would be if there was a copyright on 12 bar blues. Where you violate copyright is in ripping off a riff or a melody line. There are a milllion songs using a 1-6-4-5 chord progression, it even has a name, some people call the 1950s chord progression. See source, also checkout the YA question on songs with the same chord progression.

Posted by: Ashley on 2010-03-07, 17:10:16

If the Melody is completely different then you probably aren't. I'd be careful though, you don't want to end up like men at work.