Transcriptions. Legislation, copyright etc...

AmundLauritzen

I have some solos figured out that I've thought about sharing, and I've pondered a bit about the format. I think I want to record an overdub with a closeup of the fretboard and then either have the tab on screen underneath or as a separate file.

The only concern is that this involves the playback of a recording of a song from start to finish. Even though I overdub it with my own playing, I would still practically distribute someone elses intellectual property.

So I wanted to ask if there are anybody here who have the overview of laws pertaining to these circumstances, keeping in mind that the videos in question are for educational purposes.
Does this involve obtaining legal rights for distribution in this format?

I could of course just tab out the solo and upload the tab. But I myself, and I think this applies to a lot of people, learn best when watching and copying. An overdub in two tempos, full tempo and a comfortable learning tempo, with tab on screen or separate, is a very convenient and motivating way to learn.

In my own learning, I find that I simply can not sit down with dry tablature and learn from that in isolation.
The circumstances have to be fun and motivating, which is why tab and playing along with a recording, video, or preferably both at the same time has proven to be the most effective in motivating me to practice consistently and effectively, as opposed to either of the aforementioned in isolation.

I'd appreciate to hear any thought of this, and i anybody have suggestions for other formats, then I am grateful to hear them.

For tablature, I own Guitar Pro 5, which could also allow me to release a gp file, which some people find convenient to practice with, but this closes the door for those who don't own that program.

steven_eire

I don't know about the legality of transcriptions, but can I suggest Soundslice as a cool way to show the tabs and video at the same time. Take a look at these examples to get the idea: https://www.soundslice.com/completed/ Plus It's developed by a regular poster on this forum Adrian

Bones

Lots of entire songs are posted on Youtube and I don't think anyone gets sued. Possibly since the fidelity is diminished???? Posting a vid of a you playing over a recording the original recording would be so much in the background and plus you are not selling anything so I doubt it would be an issue but I'm no lawyer.

Also, I think that there might be some free programs that open gp files but not sure so I'd need to check into that.

anthon_74

You won't get sued, although it's possible someone might make you remove the video. The thing is, if you're only playing someone else's improvised solo over some classic "standard", it's not their intellectual property, since, among other reasons, it's likely made up of dozens of licks and riffs that have been done and redone by many players over the years.

NOW, if you posted a video teaching someone how to play the original melody of a Cole Porter tune, it's conceivable that a rep from the Cole Porter estate might ask to have the video removed.

On a related note, I once posted a video of a student playing "hotel California" by the Eagles, and it was removed for copyright violations. He was singing it and playing it though, and the video title SAID "Hotel California".

Cheers

aNthony

adrian

AmundLauritzen wrote: »

For tablature, I own Guitar Pro 5, which could also allow me to release a gp file, which some people find convenient to practice with, but this closes the door for those who don't own that program.

You should definitely check out Soundslice. You can put any Guitar Pro file into it and sync the resulting file with a real recording (audio and/or video), including multiple recordings. And it does the animated fretboard thing, too. Here's an example: https://www.soundslice.com/scores/auld-lang-syne/?fretboard=1

Let me know if you have any questions on Soundslice. I make the software!

Adrian

rob.cuellari

how do you set up the fretboard on soundslice?

also, is there a way to download the tab files via api or any other method ?

I'm always worried because the YouTube videos are not mine!

*are these all for pay features?

-rob

adrian

rob.cuellari wrote: »

how do you set up the fretboard on soundslice?

also, is there a way to download the tab files via api or any other method ?

For the fretboard, you need a Soundslice For Teachers account. It's a completely different thing than the old/free YouTube part of the site. I also just added a piano keyboard view the other day. Lemme know if you have any other questions!

Adrian