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.


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