Newsgroups: rec.music.indian.misc
From: nuts@virginia.EDU (Nuts)
Subject: Plagiarism and Computerisation - a few views.
Organization: University of Virginia Computer Science Department
Date: Sat, 14 May 94 15:39:53 EDT
Lines: 86

Plagiarism and Computerisation - a few views.

Plagiarism
----------

Much has been said against music directors who  plagiarise  tunes
from either other music directors or from other styles, exotic or
otherwise. I know  that  lyrics  can  be  copyrighted  but  tunes
cannot.  That  is  probably  because it is difficult to copyright
tunes, but I feel that it is a good thing  that  they  cannot  be
done in the first place.

Tunes, ragas, taals, these essentials of a song cannot and should
not   be   the  property  of  any  single  entity.  While  it  is
understandable that ragas  and  taals  be  "public  domain",  the
discussion  about  tunes is open to debate. Agreed that a tune is
the creative outpouring of some poor soul who  agonised  over  it
for  ages  before  coming  up  with it. But such is the nature of
music  that  its  creation  must  be  tough  but   its   sharing,
imperative.   And  so it is that after the tune has been created,
it must be utilisable by anyone who cares to evoke the mood.

Eminent music directors have borrowed heavily from Western music.
Some  would  argue  that  there  are music directors who based an
entire career living off borrowed tunes. My perspective  is  more
liberal.  If a music director feels that a certain tune best fits
the emotion he wishes to convey, then I feel that  he  should  be
able to use the tune without fingers being pointed at him. I have
absolutely no grouse  against  Western  or  African  tunes  being
incorporated  into  Hindi  film  music.  Neither do I think it is
terribly wrong to use a tune by some other music  director  in  a
song.  Of  course,  as  is  true  with  most things, I believe in
moderation so don't bash me over the head with "Oh,  then  all  I
have  to  do to become a MD is copy tunes only!" - that is not my
import.

Somehow, its like cooking. I realise that the addition of certain
spices  to  the cooking of a certain vegetable makes an excellent
dish. That does not mean  that  that  combination  of  spices  is
"copyrighted" for that dish! If I feel that the combination might
work for something else, then I have the  liberty  of  trying  it
out!


Computerisation
---------------

Recently,  I  saw  postings  which   sought   to   downplay   the
achievements  of a new Tamil music director who has composed some
awesome music. I heard comments like "Oh, he  uses  computers  to
generate  music."  The  MD  in  question  later  came  out  in an
interview stating that he had not used computers but I still feel
compelled to make a point here.

The invasion of electronics into music has been extant quite some
time  now.  Keyboards  and  guitars  have turned electronic for a
while. I see no harm coming out of that. As long as an electronic
instrument  can  match  or  beat  the  range,  depth, feel of its
traditional equivalent, it should be welcomed into the sphere  of
music. With the acceptance of electronic instruments, the path is
cleared for the introduction of computers into  the  music  world
too.  I would view the computer as another instrument, which does
the bidding of the person playing it. If the computer is  capable
of  making  better music than any other instrument, then what the
hey! accept it and enjoy it.

Somehow it seems to me that the persons  against  computerisation
of  music  should  also be naturally against CDs and in favour of
LPs and cassettes. Having been fortunate to  listen  to  both,  I
would say that CD quality beats cassette quality and if it is the
digitisation that does so,  then  so  be  it.  If  digital  music
carries  the  same  or  better  quality than the more traditional
ones, then it is in the best interests of music lovers to accept,
nay, even welcome the fact!

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