|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 958
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 958 |
Because I'm playing organ on this tune, I want to let you in on the dirty little secret behind the Hammond B3 and its practitioners. You all know that the B3 has bass pedals, and when you listen to the great players - Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, Dr. Lonnie Smith, our own RealTracks B3 zilla Mike LeDonne - you hear that kickin' bass going on. The fact is, except for occasional ballads, the aforementioned never go near the pedals even though they may be tapping them. In the video of Dr. Lonnie Smith, you see him at first really playing one note on the pedals, then you see him push the two pedal drawbars all the way in, turning them off. His left hand takes over the bass part. You'll see the left-hand bass in the next three videos: (1) Dr. Lonnie Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Zopa63VBs(2) Jimmy Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGLj45GMuog(3) Joey DeFrancesco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaZbejCykigHowever, there are at least two great B3 artists that really do play the pedals. The first is possibly Germany's greatest Jazz musician, Barbara Dennerlein. Watch her feet - with high heels, yet - dancin' on those pedals and try hard to believe your eyes: (3) Barbara Dennerlein https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60ut7yIuCEYBarbara is fairly young, but one of the real old-timers did it too. You must see this if only to see Milt Buckner define Jazz in just 11 words (1:38-1:47): (4) Milt Buckner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjCg7o1quAQNow that we've straightened that out, left me confess that I play left-hand bass. There's one RealTrack here, provided by drummer Rickey Lawson. Yours truly on Latin percussion, horn arrangements, guitar. OK, let the FUNK commence: BLUES FOR PAT, THE CAT WITH THE BLACK HAT https://soundcloud.com/aleckrand/blues-for-pat-the-cat-with-the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,727
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,727 |
Aleck
Sweet! Cool playing - organ AND guitar (and horns?)!!! A truly enjoyable tune! If I had a hat like PAT's, I'd take it off to you. (Actually, I DO have a hat like Pat's - I may have to copy his avatar!)
More Mr. Rand, more!!!
floyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Aleck, first of all I want to thank you for the title, since thats the closest association my name will EVER have with a piece of original music this cool! Your song contained most of the things I listen for , and it omitted all the cliches. Blues especially have fallen into a black hole of commonly accepted "BLEH-ness.." to the point that I don't usually seek out the genre on Pandora. Specific things I liked about this song: 1) Instead of using the horns to add accent chords, you used them to add an interesting and unexpected motif. I liked that a lot. 2) Although RealTracks are up to the task of performing all the parts, I still like to hear how live musicians integrate their own playing. And you rewarded my ears royally in this song by playing several instruments, all of them VERY well! 3) one advantage of playing more than one instrument is that you can weave a theme that is shared by all of the instruments in their time. I noticed right off that the bass and the organ were talking back and forth. Likewise the bass + guitar and the horns + guitar. Very cool. 4) regarding the idea of intruments talking back and forth: At different points in the song I had the impression of being at a therapy session for band instruments (hey, it's blues!) and getting to hear their group discussion about the meaning of life (or in this case, the meaning of the song) 5) As a guitar player, I especially liked your performance on that instrument. You are a true pro in every way. Whereas most of us on the forum are hobbyists or weekend musicians, you are simply in a different class. I respect what you bring to the forum, even if I sometimes don't understand what you're doing enough to appreciate it fully. 6) one element of a good composition that is often missing from hobbyist recordings is the effective use of white space. Your framework was so minimal that each of the instruments got to create its own mood during its time in the spotlight. It was almost like several unique songs as opposed to one song in which several instruments solo. That kept the song interesting and fresh. 7) the ending! This is another thing that is as rare as well-documented Bigfoot sightings. Partly because the PGMusic products don't provide endings that are as automated as the rest of the song, they rarely get included. Its not uncommon to get a fade or a synchronized stop of all instruments... but this ending was cool for the following reasons: a) it extended a few notes past the logical stopping place b) it was a joint effort of the bass, horns and organ c) it used the same horn motif established earlier, almost like foreshadowing in a novel. 8) I liked the sections where the percussion had center stage. 9) bonus points for somehow avoiding all of the cliches that have made me tired of the blues. Far from being boring this was something I could listen to for extended periods. 10) mostly because alzheimers makes it sound like I never heard it before In summary, it isn't that you did anything new and undiscovered at all.. but it's the mark of a pro to add the finishing touches that an amateur hasn't mastered yet. I'm duly impressed. And, thanks for granting my request. I'll stop being a pest now. 
Last edited by Pat Marr; 05/31/13 12:31 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,031
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,031 |
Nice laid back tune! Pat's already sucked the air from the room with his (as always insightful) comments , but I'll also mention the ending was a wonderful WT* moment, despite reading Pat's spoilers. And thanks for the insight on organ pedals!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 958
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 958 |
Pat,
It was a pleasure creating Black Hat - I was aiming at things that I thought you might like, but your list of accolades blows me away. I accept them with deep gratitude.
And as far as that b.s. about "being a pest"? As they say in Brooklyn, "fuggedaboudit." As a recovering jazz musician I've needed all the help I can get in finding new directions that will work in this Forum, and so far no one has surpassed your guiding insights.
Aleck
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
OK, now I'd like to hear how a person sets out to create a song like this. Unlike the average song heard here that was generated by BIAB, and has one cohesive theme throughout, there's NOTHING about this song that remains constant from start to finish.
Where do you begin? Is it a cohesive idea to begin with, or the result of several iterations in which you systematically add the various conversations between instruments?
I would ALMOST guess that you started with a drum track and introduced instruments at different times (literally.. as on different days, so your musical mood didn't carry over into all the instruments)... but the fact that even the drum track does not remain constant makes me question that theory.
Please, teach me how to start with a blank sheet of manuscript and end up with something like this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Nice job of funkin' on a blooz change there.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888 |
Hi Aleck,
I always like to read your insider information and visit
the links.
As a candy I grant myself listening to the actual song.
It has worked again. I was blown away and had
a very interesting time.
Great job!
Especially liked the percussion part.
Guenter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,844
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,844 |
If I could play solos like those I'd obnoxiously be camping out on certain folk's door steps demanding an audience. They've all said it. Janice says it gives her "happy feet." Uber cool.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,495
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,495 |
Hi, Aleck !
My cats don´t wear hats (lol) but they
are sweet nonetheless as was your tune
allthrough !:) I enjoyed this one very
much !:))
Cheers
Dani
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,669
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,669 |
The judicious use of BB tracks along with a live player is what takes this to the next level.
While BB is an amazing program.....no way could BB do all that by itself..... loved the syncopated percussion, and also the way you ended this. Both are outside of the normal BB parameters.... Then I read you played the LP... ah-hah!!
I liked it.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085 |
Nice job of funkin' on a blooz change there.
--Mac + 1 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Here's another band, lesser known, but one of my favorite jazzy/funky bands that is an odd 3-piece: Drummer Guitar player B3 player that also plays bass on keys. Soulive I swear I've seen him play pedal bass, but in this video it's clearly his left hand on a synth - see roughly 7:26-on where the camera is on the keyboard player. These are some very funky cats and the bass is held down by the B3 player - on all of their albums and live stuff as well. Here's another where the left hand is clearly laying down the funk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAylejJtUNI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,377
Posts791,428
Members39,867
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean