LoneStaMusic Magazine


A preview from this issue . . . ASK MOTHER HUBBARD by Judy Hubbard Q: I recently started writing songs and I’ve been noticing that sometimes I use chord changes or word phrasings that remind me of tunes by other musicians. I guess it makes sense that I would emulate my influences, but on the other hand, I don’t want to be ripping off my heros. Is this a common songwriter’s dilemma. In Searchof Originality Austin, TX Dear Original, Under the fair use doctrine of the U.S. copyright statute, it is permissible to use limited portions of a work including quotes, for purposes such as comentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports. There are no legal rules permitting the use of a specific number of words, a certain number of nusical notes, or percentage of a work. Whether a particular use qualifies as fair use depends on all the circunstances. (You can read more detail about the Fair Use Doctrine at www. copyright.gov/fl s/ fl 102.htm.) Which I hope means I won’t get sued for ripping off this part of the answer from the US Copyright Office website. Whether or not your use of a song or sound recording is a fair use depends on many factors, such as how much of the work you use and for what purpses you use it. Contrary to popular belief the copyright law does not state a particular number of bars or lyrics have to be included in order to be considered infringement. Using two, four or eight bars from a song does not guarantee that your use is a fair use. Taking only a few words or notes from a song or a sound recording has been found to be copyright infringement in some court cases. It is ok to be influenced by your heros and that can show up in your style but if you write something and think it sounds too much like somebody elses’ work, then it probably does. xxx MH -Click Here To ask Mother Hubbard a question-		A preview from this issue . . . It’s an odd kind of sad song. There’s an inner peace to each of these tunes that only comes when you know you’re facing your last stroll on this mortal coil and there’s not a damn thing you can do to change it. If a strange sense of melancholy befalls you after listening to this set of tunes, we suggest you revel in it. Just make sure all garage doors are in their full upright position and stay away from gas ovens. Now on to the show… 1. “Sonora’s Death Row” – Robert Earl Keen Yeah, yeah, yeah. We know. REK has another song about a man facing his death, but it seemed wrong to lead off a list of sad songs with a tune that features the word “party” in the money line. Instead, let’s head south of the border for a mescal-induced murder. 2. “Don’t Take Your Guns To Town” – Johnny Cash When you’re young and your momma gives you advice, you better listen. Otherwise it might be the last advice you ever ignore.. . .