Althouse recommends including the following information: ( BMI) with the complete and accurate title and writer information.Ĭontact the copyright owner and request permission to make a derivative work. You can also contact the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers ( ASCAP) or Broadcast Music, Inc. Sometimes the credits on a CD label or liner will, too.” The copyright notice at the bottom of the first page of music. To be extra safe, ask for permission, and chances are you’ll get it.” How do you ask for permission?Īlthouse writes, “First, identify and locate the copyright owner. If you haven’t, then it’s difficult for you to claim a Fair Use exemption. assuming you’ve bought a sufficient number of copies for your group, I’d say go ahead and do it. Suppose you want to change just the last text line in a song to personalize it for your group. He adds, “Altering just a few words in a text is another matter. Jay Althouse, author of Copyright: The Complete Guide for Music Educators, says, “Any parody lyric or the revision of a lyric that changes the integrity of the work requires authorization from the copyright owner.” He gives an example of a choir writing new words to “Proud to be an American” to sing at graduation. Copyright questions are often tricky, and that’s why NAfME provides information for members on its Web Copyright Center.Īccording to “ The United States Copyright Law: A Guide for Music Educators,” “Music teachers can edit or simplify purchased, printed copies, provided that the fundamental character of the work is not distorted or the lyrics, if any, are not altered or lyrics added if none exist.” What does that mean? “Can I change the words of a song?” asked a recent poster on the NAfME general music forum.