a Q about creating a composition on a theme by someone else?

Yeah, the title says it all! But is there any rules? I have started a come, created on a theme by a know composer, the piece is a "Hit" and the theme symbolizes the Norwegian culture. Everyone knows this theme.. Is it the Wrong to take this theme and build a composition on it? Im not steeling it, pretending I created the theme myselfe..

And another thing, its actually how the Harding-fiddle is tuned, so if you pluck the strings in order, you get this theme!

But yeah, anything I should know before I continue the composition?

well, normally you can use any theme you hear without copyright violation as long as it's not over a certain number of bars. I think you can't have more than 3 bars of the same theme from a composer? I could be wrong so you might want to double check. I don't think there's anything wrong with using a little bit of someone else's theme as long as you can come up with some newer original content to expand the piece with.

PS. what you could even do is add notes inbetween the main theme of the composers piece, that way it would be different

Admin Andrew wrote:well, normally you can use any theme you hear without copyright violation as long as it's not over a certain number of bars. I think you can't have more than 3 bars of the same theme from a composer? I could be wrong so you might want to double check. I don't think there's anything wrong with using a little bit of someone else's theme as long as you can come up with some newer original content to expand the piece with.

Okay. Yeah, I also read someplace that you can have 7notes in a row that is =, but if the 8 is same as well, its a violation on the copyright. But this piece is written over 100 years ago, so there isnt any Copyright on it anymore, (79years and the Copyright ends?! Something like that) so I wasnt really thinking of that aspect.

I was thinking more if it was, sort of disrespectful, steeling ect, and you answer that as well. I know Liszt created pieces on other themes All the time. I just read that Liszt created ALL of his Rhapsodies on folk-themes he heard local fiddle-players played in Hungary! And we got his pieces on a theme of Paganini(?!) ect

So, yeah, and as you say; As long as I can create something to expand and take the theme further its okay I want to try a REALLY big project this time. Cause I have now "ended" 2 composition without managing to finish them(A lyrical piece and a prelude)...

I have given myself 6months to create this piece. hehe... Its going to be a Rhapsody - So if you got any places other then Wiki that gives away some theory on these types of pieces or analysis of any piece, that would be great I have to go really solid into it so I dont just end up creating a joke! And this is of course a test to see if I can create a good and solid structured piece that last almost 10min. The only thing I really know about Rhapsodyes it that they should have a Improve-feel to them!

Its easy to create things that lasts 2 min, but for a 10min piece, the structure and evolution* must be creative and interesting and deep! Or else the interest will fade fast and no one would want to listen to the full piece hehe