Musician Rights

[adamo_musica]

Does anyone know of any acts or laws out there applying to the rights of musicians? My school is trying to ban guitars and I'm trying to find out if they are even allowed to do that. It would REALLY help if it's Canadian too..but they don't have to know if its not. I know there is a law allowing musicians to have instruments on a bus, (which they've already banned). I'm hoping theres one for this too.

[ibanezrocks]

It'll be different from province to province I think, if you go to school in Manitoba then I'm pretty sure you have the right to keep a guitar at school, I don't know about any other province though, if I were you I would definitely fight that, a guitar is no different from any other instrument.

[notbradsohner]

here in ohio, they only allow instruments at school if you are in a school band. You might have to join jazz band or something.

[Outlaws]

Originally Posted by notbradsohner

here in ohio, they only allow instruments at school if you are in a school band. You might have to join jazz band or something.

Thats how it is in a lot of places. Some will "not notice" people so long as no one is making a scene (being loud and disturbing), but in the USA, rights in schools are not the same as walking down the street...and rightfully so in many cases if I might add.

[Zona Mona]

just keep bringing it, what's the worst they can do?
the school can't leaglly just take your guitar and keep it forever, or take it to a school board (or the canadian equivilent)

[Monsoon]

Is it a private school? Are you a minor? Both things might have an impact on what they can and can't do. Not following school rules - suspension or eviction a possiblity?

[mikeh]

Musicians have no rights. If you're a minor you have even less rights.

Does the school explain why guitars are banned? Is it considered a weapon? Are they concerned a guitar case could actually hide an Uzi? Are you jamming in the back of the class and causing a disruption? Do they think instuments promote some pagan drug induced lifestyle?

I don't know about Canada, but here in the States (where we have an attorney for every 1.4 citizens) we often see lawsuits brought against the school board, because parents feel their kids are being mistreated or denied some "right".

Your best bet would likely be to get your parents to back you (then perhaps other parents would get involved - and you can get a class action lawsuit!!!!!). perhaps we can then basterdize Canada with all sorts of frivilous lawsuits just like in the States!!!!

Damn I'm getting to be a bitter old man!

[Buck62]

Originally Posted by mikeh

Musicians have no rights.

Wrong... get a clue.

Originally Posted by adamo_musica

Does anyone know of any acts or laws out there applying to the rights of musicians?

www.ascap.com

[boingoman]

I'm thinking your status as a minor and a student trumps anything else, for the most part.

What hardship is being imposed on you by this? Can you leave it locked up somewhere during school hours? Is it essential for a school activity?

I'm betting this is more about you wanting to take it with you everywhere, rather than just having it at school for convenience.

[kragbax]

Originally Posted by mikeh

Does the school explain why guitars are banned? Is it considered a weapon? Are they concerned a guitar case could actually hide an Uzi? Are you jamming in the back of the class and causing a disruption? Do they think instuments promote some pagan drug induced lifestyle?

All of which are true of course

-Krag

[mikeh]

Buck,

I do have a clue. I am a member of ASCAP and have a rather complete understanding of the rights awarded under both Federal copywrite laws and performance society policies. I was also a union musician for many years and am fully aware of the limited (I would suggest non-existant) protection awarded to musicians through the union.

Clearly none of those rules, regulations or implied protected rights apply to the point of this thread.

My statement "musicians have no rights" was very much "tongue-in cheek" since a significant number of musicians (likely the vast majority) are not members of any organization, are not awarded the protection of any organization and accordingly take whatever crap club owners, booking agents and apparently schools choose to heap upon us.

In the case of adamo (and his right to carry his guitar in school) as a musician he has no right and as a student he likely has no right!!!

[ibanezrocks]

I highly doubt that a Canadian school is worried about somebody bringing a gun into the school with a guitar case. You have to find out if other people are allowed to bring other instruments, if they can, they you can, regardless of if theyre in school band or not, they can't discriminate against a certain musical instrument just because its not used in classical music, if they say you can't bring it because you're not in band, then tell them you'll join band and play guitar, which of course will be met with a response saying they dont need a guitar in a school band which you will follow by asking why. Trust me, theres no way that you can lose this argument unless your playing it during class. We don't stand for any discrimination against guitarists up here in Canada

[MrStitch]

I doubt you're gunna see anything good come out of this. Mostly because, it just "feels" like there is, or possibly, a good logical explanation involved.

A lot of things in life that seem stupid, are there for a good reason. And to win your case, you best not go ranting and crying, otherwise you sound like a baby. Which, if that happens, all hope of future success on this case would be lost.

The only true way to combat this is to ask questions. "Why has this issue come before the board?" "Is there sufficiant back up data that helps enforce the oppositions sudden action?" "How does this affect all other personal items brought to the school... i.e. Wallets, personal books, their own CAR, etc."

I think that if you look at the situation with an open mind, and create on honest objective opinion based on all the facts, then you just may be able to come up with a better solution. So not only do you get to keep your guitar.... but also look real good in the eyes of the school council..... which just may help you in the future (believe it or not, this stuff really does come back to you when you least expect it)

Whatever you do... don't lose your temper. That should be the last resort.

Good luck!

[MrStitch]

HAHAH.. I just realized something.

"Don't lose your temper. That should be......"

For my pic up there, i have Marvin the Martian - Well known for trying to blow up the earth for no reason at all.

[Atterion]

If your a minor, your best bet of fighting this will be through your parents, and the school board. Face it, you are a student. So your opinion on school policy means absolutely nothing to the people making the rules. But your parents, and preferably as many parents in the community could definitely get the school boards attention. Get your parents and community support and start campaigning. At the very least if you are registered with a music program through the school you should be allowed to bring it, even if it is not your primary instrument in band class. You could argue you aspire to be multi-instrumentalist, and often you get inspiration for your flute playing (or whatever instrument you may play), by jamming out on your guitar first. Or something along those lines. If you are not participating in a school music program, you'll have a hard time convincing them that music means that much too you.

[Atterion]

You could ask the music teacher in the school his or her opinion on it. Being a musician themselves they will probably give you a more reasonable answer to why the school is doing it. At least an answer (opinion) that is not clouded by political agenda.

[Sloan]

Do they allow the Holy Bible at school?
If so, then they can't ban your guitar for it is merely a tool to spread the gospel of ROCK.

[Atterion]

You could paint a big cross on your guitar, and wear it to school. I think it would be technically considered a crucifix. And you'd always be ready to play.

[Dani Pace]

Why take your guitar to school? Hasn't anyone told you that more musical instruments are stolen at school than all other places combined? Yeah I know, the chicks think you are cool but is it really worth the hassle?

[Sloan]

Originally Posted by Dani Pace

Why take your guitar to school? Hasn't anyone told you that more musical instruments are stolen at school than all other places combined? Yeah I know, the chicks think you are cool but is it really worth the hassle?

Have you gone mad?!
Of course it's worth it to spread the gospel of ROCK.