copying riffs

if I replay a melondy I hear, is that the same as sampling

Example
I like this small string section in a black eye peas song, if I play that in my song can I be sued

http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=27859&highlight=interpolation

interpolation is the name for this. Check that thread & do a search for that word.

if I play that in my song can I be sued

Possibly, but how many people are likely to hear it?
If you are just experimenting in your home studio ...... don't put any restrictions on your learning process. Go ahead. Copy anything. Sample anything.
If you are a signed artist or producer ...... you shouldn't be asking a question like that.

The only time i think it is appropriate is if you are not biting. Biting as in, copying another hiphop artist.

Granted, you are sampling............so technically some people consider it stealing....but thats differant.

I wouldnt interpolate a black eyed peas song, cause thats biting. But if you interpolated a white stripes riff. It would be okay.

Biting in hiphop i think has to do with biting from within the genre. you can even sample a current song, so long as its from another genre. Feel me? The reason i used the white stripes example is because both those groups are current. If you said you copied the whitestripes, id think it was a good idea(as long as you turn it into hiphop). But copying another hiphop artist constitutes as biting.

Im also assuming that you are interpolating or sampling one genre then turning it into hiphop or have that idea in mind. NOT interpolating a whitestripes song and turning it into a blues/rock song! unless you are doing a remix or a cover.

I still think that you should try to go a few years back though, no matter what you sample or interpolate.

Now, on another note, Saying you want "dr.dre ......type strings" isnt biting, so long as you are refering to a type of string sound, but create it on your own. ya know? Or "i want to make a dr.dre type track" that wouldnt be biting so long as its still is your own work.............but, this will only get you so far, you should try to come original no matter what. Even if you sample, you still have to rearrange, chop, and come original and creative with it.

Basically, you judge whether you are biting. If you used the same preset string sound just blaze used but did a completely differant composition, thats not biting, but its intention has to be original. your intention has to be towards creating something of your own regardless of where you get your inspiration from, or if you sample a song, or interpolate a bassline-this usually means taking something and putting it into a differant context-your intent.

I hope this makes sense as its difficult to explain...........some people might not agree. But this is what i go by.

cyrus wrote:
I wouldnt interpolate a black eyed peas song, cause thats biting. But if you interpolated a white stripes riff. It would be okay.

Biting in hiphop i think has to do with biting from within the genre. you can even sample a current song, so long as its from another genre. Feel me? The reason i used the white stripes example is because both those groups are current. If you said you copied the whitestripes, id think it was a good idea(as long as you turn it into hiphop). But copying another hiphop artist constitutes as biting.

Peep out Apathy's "It takes a Seven Nation Army to hold us back".

Good sample from the White Stripes "Seven Nation Army". Track is ill, Ap rips it, as usual.

Yeah ill check that out. I luv the white stripes. He **** rocks. I think anybody, whether you are a hiphop fan, country, classical, punk, rock, folk, whatever..........you should learn something from the white stripes.

so simple its genius. Sorry for rambling.

peace.

markusv3000 wrote:Example
I like this small string section in a black eye peas song, if I play that in my song can I be sued

Wanting to replay a BEP song is a crime in itself.
I think you get 18 with a 12 for it.