Arranging a musical work
Type of use
If you wish to create new arrangements for an existing music work without modifying its integrity, you do not need the permission of the rights holders. However, if your arrangements alter the music work, you must obtain the permission from the rights holders. Normally, reinterpreting a piece with the addition of strings, or doing an acoustic version of a rock piece does not alter the integrity of that work.
However, suppressing parts of the lyrics or making substantial changes to the melody, or creating a mash-up, for example, do affect the integrity of that piece of music and must therefore be approved by the rights holders.
What To Do
- Determine whether your arrangement modifies the integrity of the work.
- If it does, please refer to the page on the modification of the integrity of a music work.
- If not, you do not need to obtain a permission for a simple arrangement.
Clarifications and cautionary statement
Even if you don’t necessarily need the permission of the rights holders to create an arrangement for a music work, the use you intend it for might, however, require such a permission. Please refer to this site’s sections on the use you intend to make sure of this.
Related uses
The material on this web site is provided for informational purposes only.