Did I accidentally copy someone else’s music?

[Paul M. Grenon 82]

I made a song and I really like it, but before I continue with it I want to make sure that I didn’t accidentally write something that already exists. Other composers on this site might sometimes have the same issue, so I thought I might as well make it a topic.
 

As for my piece, it takes inspiration from Jerry Goldsmith’s music for Star Trek, but I still feel it is its own thing. However, I don’t have much knowledge of songs that are from outside of my personal tastes. I thought I might ask if I may have copied something by mistake. Ignore the roughness of this arrangement, only the first 30 seconds are properly arranged.

 

 

[Cameron007 101]

Sounds fine to me. Always nice to see aspiring composers here. Keep up the good work!

[Paul M. Grenon 82]

Thank you! I’ll probably save this song until I get a scoring project it fits.

[TSMefford 1,600]

5 hours ago, Paul M. Grenon said:

Thank you! I’ll probably save this song until I get a scoring project it fits.

 

Lol My hard drive is full of so many of those. It is very satisfying when something comes along though. I've had a main theme for something get pulled right out of an old demo (rearranged of course)

[The Score Cleaner 8,806]

32 minutes ago, TSMefford said:

 

Lol My hard drive is full of so many of those. It is very satisfying when something comes along though. I've had a main theme for something get pulled right out of an old demo (rearranged of course)

It's very encouraging to read this lol

[Naïve Old Fart 12,248]

17 hours ago, Paul M. Grenon said:

 

 

 

This is awful! How dare you. You've obviously ripped-off BITCHES BREW!

[Jay 44,244]

Why do you refer to this film cue-esque composition as a song?

[Paul M. Grenon 82]

13 hours ago, TSMefford said:

 

Lol My hard drive is full of so many of those. It is very satisfying when something comes along though. I've had a main theme for something get pulled right out of an old demo (rearranged of course)

I’m working on a short film and literally it is purely based on two main themes both of which are ones I came up with in the past and are completely different sounding now.

13 minutes ago, Jay said:

Why do you refer to this film cue-esque composition as a song?

Good point. I don’t know why I did. I should have said score or even track, or theme, although I personally don’t call my songs themes until they actually become one.

[Mr. Hooper 7,205]

1 hour ago, Paul M. Grenon said:

Good point. I don’t know why I did. I should have said score or even track, or theme, although I personally don’t call my songs themes until they actually become one.

You did it again! 

 

There are three rules here:

1. Do not let Jay get wet.

2. Do not expose him to bright light.

 

And, most important...

 

3. Never, ever refer to film music as "songs."

 

Or else...
 

 

 

 

[CatastrophicJones 83]

What scoring libraries did you use out of curiosity? 

[karelm 3,239]

On 14/09/2025 at 9:43 AM, Mr. Hooper said:

You did it again! 

 

There are three rules here:

1. Do not let Jay get wet.

2. Do not expose him to bright light.

 

And, most important...

 

3. Never, ever refer to film music as "songs."

 

Or else...
 

 

 

 

 

I thought our three rules were you do not talk about jwfan club.

 

[Paul M. Grenon 82]

On 15/9/2025 at 1:33 AM, CatastrophicJones said:

What scoring libraries did you use out of curiosity? 

It’s all Musesounds. I mostly use Musescore for my music, though I also use Logic Pro for times when I need more synths and stuff. Plus I use Logic to layout the cue with tempos, measures and stuff.

[Paul M. Grenon 82]

I have another song that I’m unsure on if it is original or not. I think it is, but I wanted to make sure. It takes inspiration from The Great Escape and a little bit of Chicken Run (mainly for that score making me listen to The Great Escape again). The arrangement is a little strange as it is hopefully going to be played by my school’s band. I attached the Musescore website link and the audio file in case Musescore doesn’t work.

 

https://musescore.com/user/37707162/scores/29246786?share=copy_link

 

 

[bruce marshall 1,959]

Is "'Paul Grenon" an alias for John Williams?😎

[Paul M. Grenon 82]

12 hours ago, bruce marshall said:

Is "'Paul Grenon" an alias for John Williams?😎

How did you know?

[The Score Cleaner 8,806]

15 hours ago, Paul M. Grenon said:

I have another song that I’m unsure on if it is original or not. I think it is, but I wanted to make sure. It takes inspiration from The Great Escape and a little bit of Chicken Run (mainly for that score making me listen to The Great Escape again). The arrangement is a little strange as it is hopefully going to be played by my school’s band. I attached the Musescore website link and the audio file in case Musescore doesn’t work.

 

https://musescore.com/user/37707162/scores/29246786?share=copy_link

 

I don’t hear any direct similarities to anything, there is a bit of a hymn/50's movie song feel (Old Yeller etc.) and a tad bit of Williams fanfare march. Especially the bit at 0:6-0:10

[bruce marshall 1,959]

3 hours ago, Paul M. Grenon said:

How did you know?

Once A Thief....