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Music copyright is complicated and there are certain rights that attach to each performance vs. the music. If I sit down and play Bach that recording cannot be copied without my permission but you can sit down and record your own performance of Bach.

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But if you wrote something today and recorded

I would need a license to print your words.

A license to use your exact song if longer than 7-15 seconds.

A license to perform a cover if it sounds the same.

And you'll also need a seperate synchronization license to play the song with any visuals. Music rights are ridiculously convoluted.

But can you sit down and record your own performance of Dragonforce?

Yes, compulsory licencing and royalty sharing applies. Also, if the recording is made from a performance in a venue, the owner must obtain a blanket licence from the music rights organisation.

The above is true for a couple of jurisdictions.

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