Quote:

Yes, chord progressions usually are not copyrighted.

But there are some progressions, like Matt pointed out, that are dangerous to use in this perspective: Just say that the opening riff of "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple is not copyrighted and you might be wrong -- even if it is just a couple of power chords.




BUT the opening rift in “Smoke on the Water” is a lead line with a harmony. Thus it is copyrighted.

Ps – a so-called power chord is a note with a harmony i.e. the tonic and the fifth usually. A chord consists of three or more notes.


I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware