Is plagiarism acceptable in music?

[blank_frackis]

I think it is, especially if you consider the limits placed on music when compared with writing for example (I'm talking about plagiarism in the music not the lyrics). If you consider a guitar, there are only 13 different notes you can play which limits things pretty drastically in comparison to writing - which is limited to an extent, if you call millions of words limited, not to mention the ability to create words, whilst you can't create notes on a guitar (though I guess you could play it out of tune, but I don't find that a feasible or a good way to make music). If you're talking about something like making a riff with power chords or something then you're getting ridiculously limited so it's inevitable as far as I'm concerned that you'll get songs with the same chord progressions and riffs.

In conclusion I think that plagiarism in music is acceptable.

[MutatedAnt]

I've always thought about this, just how many possible combinations of notes you could possibly make using a guitar or whatever. I don't think it's right to say that plagiarism is acceptable, if you're deliberately stealing from another song, that is wrong, whichever way you look at it.

[Field Hippy]

Nothing in music is new anymore so if you think about it they are all plagiarist to some degree wheatear on a conscious level or not. I hear stuff all the time and recognize riffs and stuff from other songs.

[panbient]

there may only be 13 notes on a guitar but there is more than one key and rhythm is indefinite. just because you're going to play G C D over and over again doesn't mean it has to sound like 'wild thing'

[Mr. GooZe]

Good point! But then again, once in time all those combinations will be done...

[Donan]

First of all, leaving octaves and microtones aside, there are 12 different notes on guitar and any other "Western" instrument, not 13. Some Eastern music is played using 1/4-step scales BTW.
Well, there are countless possibilities for how those 12 notes can be combined, melodically and rythmically. Not all possibilities sound well, of course.
Nowadays, it´s harder to be original in Rock/Pop as it was in the 60s, but there still are enough bands/artists around, who combine those notes in an original way.
Creating something "new" with power chords is almost impossible, I think. But there are so many interesting ways of experimenting with interesting chord voicings. Just take "Every breath you take" as an example. The basic chord progression is run-of-the-mill, however due to the added9-chords, it sounds pretty unique. Some other bands with interesting and "new" progressions/melodies, which come to my mind right now, are: Guided by Voices, Voivod (late 80s/early 90s), King Crimson, Nada Surf, and even Dream Theater.

[Reverend Rock]

To a degree it's inevitable. It's acceptable to a degree as well. But direct quoting of melodies and/or lyrics beyond a few notes or syllables is where I draw the line...as well as where copyright law draws the line.

[blank_frackis]

You are completely correct Donan, you'll have to excuse my inability to count. I was exaggerating the point a bit with the *12 notes on the guitar thing, there are obviously many many different combinations of chords, keys etc, you can come up with even if we just limited music making to a guitar. I would point out however, that though the limits on musical creation are not as large as I suggested, the majority of songs from your typical two guitarist, bassist, drummer and singer bands do confine themselves to simple chord progressions (even power chords for many bands) which are certainly very limited.

My main point was that you're a lot more limited when you attempt to make music than with writing yet we sort of judge the two by the same standards with respect to plagiarism.

[onop]

I don't know about plagerism, as long as credit is given then it doesn't gount does it?

Also, you have to think that some people draw so heavily on their inspirations that they plagerize without knowing it. I was fiddling with my guitar the other day, and I was trying to write a song for aobut ten minutes before i realized it was just Scar Tissue.

[Donan]

I would point out however, that though the limits on musical creation are not as large as I suggested, the majority of songs from your typical two guitarist, bassist, drummer and singer bands do confine themselves to simple chord progressions (even power chords for many bands) which are certainly very limited.

My main point was that you're a lot more limited when you attempt to make music than with writing yet we sort of judge the two by the same standards with respect to plagiarism.

I simply disagree with that point of yours.
You need to clarify what you mean by those "typical" bands. I know lots of bands, which come up with very interesting chord progressions. Furthermore, if you really want to combine the limits of music vs. the limits of writing (which already is a bit pointless to me) you can´t just stick to chord progressions, which you seem to do, but also consider melodies (first and foremost), hook-lines and grooves.
So, if you want some further discussion on this topic, which is pretty interesting, you should come up with some evidence and examples.