Cover - what is it in music? What is a cover version?

The variety of modern music allows everyone to find something to their own taste. However, it often happens that you like the melody, the words, but style and performance do not fit. Perhaps that's why there was such a thing as a cover (from an English cover), and this can be identified in a separate direction of musical art. Around this concept there are disputes and discussions from time to time, so it makes sense to understand whether the cover really has a right to life and sympathy of listeners.

Fashionable cover - what is it?

In fact, a cover is a different rethinking of a musical work, and not necessarily a song. There are a lot of versions of instrumental music performed in another arrangement and processing. Since in our time there are numerous possibilities for processing musical works, there were curious versions of the classics or vice versa, repetition of contemporary works in classical style. A striking example is the German band Gregorian, presenting the original interpretation of modern hits to the public in the recognizable style of Gregorian chants.

The new cover-music led to the emergence of many variations of songs and melodies, which are not always successful. The over-saturation of the musical space satiated the needs of listeners to such an extent that finally began to stand out clearly worthy variants of melodic interpretations.

Cover, remix or remake?

The question of definitions and the truth is important, otherwise you can get confused in the new Anglicisms, firmly included in the Russian language. In fact, what is a cover and how does it differ from a remake, is it possible to consider a remix and a cover version as equal versions of the work?

Indeed, a cover and a remix are particular variants of such a broader concept as a remake. In this case, do not confuse the cover and remix: despite the fact that they are fundamentally similar, there are significant differences. In most cases, remixes can be considered a DJ's processing of the author's musical work: superimposed special effects, all sorts of electronic processing options. Cover is more often a rethinking. This may include a new arrangement, but it can be saved.

Remake is any repartition of the famous hit, and the same is true for the re-shot movie. Especially fond of remakes of famous French and Japanese films American filmmakers. Now the time of the fascination with remakes is also experienced by the domestic cinema.

Is it possible to consider a cover version plagiarism?

The issue of copyrights can not be considered unimportant. On the contrary, the development of art is maintained on the observance of copyright, it is impossible to rely solely on enthusiasts who are ready to give the world the fruits of their creative activity for free . Hence the burning question, what is a cover version and how to perceive it precisely from the point of view of legislation?

If the author's composition is protected by copyright, then the cover artist must obtain permission from the author to use his work as a source material for his own purposes. However, there is an option in which, even in the absence of such permission, the author can not make any substantial claims. This is a confirmed lack of profit from the performance of a cover version. That is, if the performer does not derive material benefits from re-making a famous hit, then there will be no problems.

In doing so, it is worth remembering that the cover artist does not declare himself the author of the hit, that is, does not encroach on legal rights. Therefore, this is not plagiarism.

Best covers in the history of music

Various publications take the trouble to compose charts of the most famous covers of history, putting forward various performers. However, the "Phantom of the Opera" still retains the unconditional leadership. The famous aria was performed in different languages, in different processing, there were a lot of remixes and interesting arrangements, and the composition on hearing is almost everyone who is interested in music.

The famous Twist and Shout song does not belong to the Beatles group, it's a cover for the song of The Isley Brothers, and it was popular in both versions, thus collecting a lot of fans.

The song I Will Always Love You, which sang in the performance of Whitney Houston, is actually a cover, the original was sung by Dolly Parton before in two different versions, without being very popular. This once again proves that repartition can become much more successful than the original.

What are cover bands

Why do some musical collectives decide to perform, in fact, other people's hits in their own manner, is it really so difficult to make an effort and develop your own program? Far from always such a decision is associated with laziness or lack of talent, sometimes it is a successful management and the ability to make a program in such a way as to keep the attention of spectators on the right scale.

If the program includes a composition known to most viewers, and a favorite enough, it allows you to balance your attention. How in this situation to consider the cover, what is it - the desire to declare yourself or a delicate calculation? In most cases, it's just a desire to try your hand at an already proven melody, and creatively such an approach is fully justified.

How to create the popularity of a group using cover-versions

As already mentioned above, a cover sometimes happens more successful than the original composition, or it assembles its own audience. If the original was performed in a rock-n-roll manner, and the cover turned into a ballad, then on both and there are judges.

For a small music group, this is one of the ways to try pop. And there is an opinion about the melodies of the cover that this instills a good taste for young musicians. For a young team, the performance of cover versions can be an additional advantage if you skillfully use it.

The reaction of the authors of the original audio version

Not all the owners of the songs share their enthusiasm for the opportunity to hear the recitation. Some people have quite a definite opinion about the cover: that this is a violation of their copyrights and in general an unethical phenomenon. Nevertheless, the rules of good tone require the consent of the owners, and they have the right to not give such.

However, musicians, fully confident in their abilities, easily allow other groups to create cover songs. For example, the songs of the group "Picnic" are well known for the singer Utah: they have a completely different tonality, and the female vocals give the text a different color.

The meaning of cover music for art

If we consider art as a single space that accumulates wonderful manifestations of talent, then it is hardly possible to do without rethinking. How correctly to estimate such phenomenon, as cover? What is it in music - just a repetition of what has been done, or going forward?

Perhaps the correct conclusion is that for each person there is a direction of art. Everything that is created by human talent has the right not only to exist, but also to rethink, new interpretation, disclosure of facets. The performance of cover compositions allows to fully reveal the talent of performers, arrangers, and for melodies that have not been recognized, gives a chance for a second youth.

Self cover-performer

The beauty of cover compositions is that almost everyone can perform any songs for their own pleasure and as a test of their strength. Perhaps the most primitive form of this direction is singing for karaoke. As a training for a novice vocalist is quite suitable.

However, one can distinguish one completely special direction - acoustic cover. What is it, and how can this phenomenon be used? In fact, there are no secrets, the art of acoustic cover was familiar to many generations of homegrown musicians. To sing a favorite composition to the accompaniment of an ordinary acoustic guitar can afford anyone who learns at least simple chords. Many singers of the decade and hundreds of years ago sang for their own pleasure under an accordion or piano, when electronic instruments did not yet exist. Acoustics gives melodies a special charm, sometimes transforming the original beyond recognition.

The significance of cover versions should not be overestimated, but it is necessary to give tribute to people who are able to breathe new life into old melodies. This creative direction perfectly complements all existing genres and styles, allowing them to smoothly flow into each other, pleasing listeners with the variety and richness of the sound palette.