A 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 the style and performance are not suitable. Perhaps that is why a phenomenon such as a cover (from the English cover) appeared, and this can be distinguished in a separate direction of musical art. Disputes and discussions arise around this concept from time to time, so it makes sense to find out whether the cover really has the right to life and sympathy of the audience.
Fashionable cover - what is it?
In fact, a cover is a different rethinking of a piece of music, and not necessarily a song. There are many versions of instrumental music performed in a different arrangement and processing. Since in our time there are numerous possibilities for processing musical works, there are curious versions of the classics or vice versa, re-chucking of modern works in the classical style. A vivid example is the German group Gregorian, presenting to the public an original interpretation of modern hits in the recognizable style of Gregorian chants.
Cover-music that has come into fashion has led to the emergence of many variations of songs and melodies, which are not always successful. The oversaturation of the musical space satiated the needs of the audience to such an extent that finally worthy variants of melodic interpretations began to stand out distinctly.
Cover, remix or remake?
The question of definitions is really important, otherwise you can get confused in the new Englishisms that have firmly entered the Russian language. In fact, what is a cover and how does it differ from a remake, can a remix and a cover version be considered equal versions of a work?
Indeed, a cover and remix are private versions of such a broader concept as a remake. At the same time, you should not confuse a cover and a remix between each other: despite the fact that they are fundamentally similar, there are significant differences. In most cases, a remix can be considered a DJ processing of an author's musical work: superimposed special effects, all kinds of electronic processing options. A cover is more often a rethinking. This may include a new arrangement, but it can be saved.
A remake is any re-recording of a famous hit, and the newly re-shot film also applies here. American filmmakers were especially keen on remakes of famous French and Japanese films. Now the time of hobby for remakes is going through and domestic cinema.
Can the cover version be considered plagiarism?
The copyright issue cannot be considered immaterial. On the contrary, the development of art rests on the observance of copyrights; one should not rely on enthusiasts who are ready to give the world the fruits of their creative work for free . This raises 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 source material for his own purposes. However, there is an option in which, even in the absence of such permission, the author cannot present substantial claims. This is a confirmed lack of profit from the performance of the cover version. That is, if the performer does not derive material benefits from re-singing a famous hit, then there will be no problems.
It is worth remembering that the cover artist does not declare himself the author of the hit, that is, does not infringe on the legal rights. Therefore, this is not plagiarism.
The best covers in the history of music
Different publications take the trouble to compose charts of the most famous covers of history, putting different artists in the first place. However, unconditional leadership is still reserved for The Phantom of the Opera. The famous aria was performed in different languages, in different processing, many remixes and interesting arrangements were released, and the composition was heard by almost everyone who is interested in music.
The famous Twist and Shout song does not belong to the Beatles, this is a cover of the song of The Isley Brothers, and it was popular in both versions, thus gathering a lot of fans.
The song I Will Always Love You, thundered by Whitney Houston, is actually a cover; the original was previously performed by singer Dolly Parton in two different versions, without gaining much popularity. This proves once again that re-singing can be much more successful than the original.
What are cover groups
Why do some musical groups 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? Not always such a decision is associated with laziness or lack of talent, sometimes it is a good management and the ability to draw up a program in such a way as to keep the attention of the audience on the right heat.
If the program includes a composition known to most viewers, and quite beloved, then this helps to balance attention. How to consider cover in such a situation, that it is a desire to declare oneself or a delicate calculation? In most cases, this is simply the desire to try your hand at an already tested melody, and creatively this approach is fully justified.
How to create group popularity with cover versions
As mentioned above, a cover is sometimes more successful than the original composition or collects its own audience. If the original was performed in a rock and roll manner, and the cover turned into a ballad, then there will be connoisseurs of both.
For a small musical group, this is one way to try popularity. And there is an opinion about cover tunes that it instills good taste in young musicians. For a young collective, playing cover versions can be an additional plus if you can use it skillfully.
The reaction of the authors of the original audio version
Not all owners of the songs share the enthusiasm for the opportunity to hear the rehash. Some have a very definite opinion about cover: that this is a violation of their copyrights and generally an unethical phenomenon. Nevertheless, the rules of good form require the consent of the owners, and they have the right not to give such.
However, musicians who are completely confident in their abilities easily allow other groups to create cover songs. For example, the performances of the songs of the Picnic group by the singer Utah are well known: they differ in a completely different tone, and the female vocals give the text a different color.
The value of cover music for art
If we consider art as a single space, accumulating beautiful manifestations of talent, then it is hardly possible to do without rethinking. How to correctly evaluate a phenomenon like cover? What is it in music - just a repetition of what has been passed, or a movement 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, reinterpret, uncover faces. Performing cover songs allows you to fully reveal the talent of performers, arrangers, and for melodies that have not received recognition, it gives a chance for a second youth.
Self cover artist
The beauty of cover songs is that almost everyone can perform any song for their own pleasure and as a test of their strength. Probably the most primitive form of this trend can be considered singing under karaoke. As a workout for a novice vocalist, it’s quite suitable.
However, one completely special direction can be distinguished - acoustic cover. What is it and how can this phenomenon be used? In fact, there are no secrets; the art of an acoustic cover was familiar to many generations of home-grown musicians. Anyone who can master at least simple chords can afford to sing their favorite song to the accompaniment of a regular acoustic guitar. Many performers decades and hundreds of years ago sang for their own pleasure under an accordion or piano, when electronic instruments did not yet exist. Acoustics gives the melodies a special charm, sometimes transforming the original beyond recognition.
The value of cover versions should not be overestimated, but people who are able to breathe new life into old tunes should be given credit. This creative direction perfectly complements all existing genres and styles, allowing them to smoothly flow into each other, delighting listeners with the variety and richness of the sound palette.