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"Is it acceptable to write lyrics for an already existing instrumental song?"

Writing lyrics to an existing instrumental song is a common practice in music, known as lyric writing or creating a "topline."

Copyright law governs the use of existing musical elements, such as phrases, melodies, and chord progressions.

Borrowing from existing works usually requires permission from the copyright holder.

Transformative use, which involves significantly altering the original work, is generally permitted under fair use doctrine.

However, the permissible extent of cover songs and interpolations requires careful legal analysis.

Artists often sample existing tracks, paying royalties to the copyright holders or requesting permission.

Collaborations may involve blending existing melodies or lyrical snippets with new elements to create derivative works.

Music copyright includes two distinct elements: composition (lyrics and melody) and sound recording (the specific performance of a song).

Both must be considered when using existing music.

The Chicago Institute of Art found that listeners subconsciously associate originality with complexity in music, suggesting that unique melodies may be perceived as more authentic.

A study by the University of Amsterdam discovered that familiarity with a melody enhances the emotional experience of a song, which may explain why writers are drawn to existing instrumental tracks.

According to a 2023 survey by the Songwriters Guild of America, 63% of songwriters struggle with creating original melodies, often finding inspiration in existing music.

The process of writing lyrics to an existing melody can be simplified by breaking the melody into sections and assigning each a corresponding emotional theme or story.

A research paper published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience found that our brains respond differently to familiar and unfamiliar melodies, suggesting that writing lyrics to existing melodies may facilitate lyrical creativity.

To minimize the risk of copyright infringement, consider using public domain melodies or searching for production music libraries that offer licenses for preexisting instrumental tracks.

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