Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#442114 12/02/17 10:27 AM
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
R
Rich35 Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
R
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19

Hi All
Just upgrade from BinaB 2012.5 pro to 2018 ultra and wow!
Anyways I am using it for backing tracks for playing my Chromatic Harmonica,s and learning Guitar any Ideas for learning guitar with binab ?
Thanks
Rich

Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,749
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,749
you may want to be a bit more specific about what you mean by "learning guitar with binab " as well as describing the system you are running the software on including the os and audio/midi interface you are using

a thread the may be helpful

http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=339132&Searchpage=1&Main=49476&Words=%22learning+guitar%22&Search=true#Post339132


Last edited by pghboemike; 12/03/17 01:17 PM.

Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
R
Rich35 Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
R
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
Hi
I am referring to how people use band in a box to learn
Guitar, as a beginning guitar student at 62 I am a old Boy learning a new trick ,Guitar and if others are using this product how do they use it ? Make backing for songs,putting down and trying to keep up with Band in a Box,etc.
I just recently,like this week bought 2018 ,I had 2012.5 pro edition now ultra plus 2018 ,and learning it also, but the question was for learning Guitar and band in a box uses for learning guitar
Rich

Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
Hi Rich. Guitar is foreign to me so I can't help there, but I have a suggestion: I think you want to reach the many BIAB users who do play guitar. They may not look at this forum very often (I don't). You posted here correctly, but I suggest you also place a post in the main BIAB User Product Forum for PC and / or Mac, brieftly state what you're looking for, and add a link to this post http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=442114&gonew=1#UNREAD


BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,869
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,869
Hi Rich,

I am a guitarist who uses BiaB in a number of ways. Here are a couple of ideas for you. I have used both of these many times.

1-If you can't read music then input the chords of a song you want to learn, pick a style, and play along.

2-If you do read music then you have a couple of options. One would be to input the chords, pick a style and read the music. If you are using MIDI you can slow down or speed up the tempo and it will still sound good. Realtracks are good but only withing a certain tempo range.

Another option is to look at Note Norton's site, http://nortonmusic.com/
and check out the fake discs. If you find one that you like then order it and buy the corresponding fake book. The disc will point to the page in the fake book that the song is on as well as load the chords for said song and suggest a style. These are MIDI styles so the above tempo suggestions work perfectly. But you can use any style that you have, MIDI, RTs or a mixture. I use this method to practice my site reading.

I hope this helps and good luck.

Ps - also look at the guitar tab option in BiaB. It shows you the guitar's fret board and what notes are being played. You don't need to read music to use this option.


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Hi rich

I use the Biab songs all the time. They have loads of public domain songs on the disc (or I think you can purchase them separately if you don’t have them). The nice thing about these songs is that they are generally well known plus they have the melody already in them.

Just pull up one and start playing along. Try and pick out the chords and the melody. If you can read music you can follow along on the score. Start with a very slow tempo and gradually increase speed. Try loading different real styles in with the songs and soloing the guitar parts and pick up the strumming or picking pattern of the realtrack. If you know your scales you can improvise along. Try changing the key of the song. Try transposing on the fly by using a capo.

Also I have a youtube channel where I have scollling chords and lyrics so you can play along.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL73jwH9WpDNR0DXMzBK4FMaZgzrXo15Bk


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
R
Rich35 Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
R
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19

Thanks All for the input,And Joanne Your first song with band in a box,is the reason I bought band in a Box 2018
Thanks
Rich

Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,287
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,287
I'm teaching one of my daughters to play guitar. I can quickly create a practice track for the chords we happen to be working on, and adjust the tempo to whatever she's comfortable with.

When my son was learning to play bass, I'd queue up the songs that we'd be doing that week in the church choir. We'd start at half-speed (or slower) and then slowly move up to speed.

Obviously, BiaB offers a lot more than that. But simply having something to play against is a lot more fun than playing with a metronome.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Originally Posted By: Rich35

Thanks All for the input,And Joanne Your first song with band in a box,is the reason I bought band in a Box 2018
Thanks
Rich

Wonderful rich! So glad to hear that!


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 16
G
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
G
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 16
Originally Posted By: JoanneCooper
Hi rich

I use the Biab songs all the time. They have loads of public domain songs on the disc (or I think you can purchase them separately if you don’t have them). The nice thing about these songs is that they are generally well known plus they have the melody already in them.

Just pull up one and start playing along. Try and pick out the chords and the melody. If you can read music you can follow along on the score. Start with a very slow tempo and gradually increase speed. Try loading different real styles in with the songs and soloing the guitar parts and pick up the strumming or picking pattern of the realtrack. If you know your scales you can improvise along. Try changing the key of the song. Try transposing on the fly by using a capo.

Also I have a youtube channel where I have scollling chords and lyrics so you can play along.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL73jwH9WpDNR0DXMzBK4FMaZgzrXo15Bk


Well Thank You!
Im a new player also, this will surely help, nice songs also.

Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 892
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 892
I am a guitar player. 40+ years now
I use biab primarily to build backing tracks for instrumental guitar work.
Mostly covers, a few originals.
I also use it extensively for selecting, practicing and building the repertoire.

A couple of biab features that make it great for working up the repertoire for performance.

the ability to test different styles and tracks quickly is great.
its nice to find a slightly fresh take on a well worn standard.
A reggae version of "Autumn Leaves" .... perhaps.

The ability to modify tempo is very important for learning a new piece.
You really can't play it fast if you can't play it slow.

I slow down the tempo till i can play the piece correctly 4 times through.
There is no doubt it makes learning a tune faster and correct.
It sticks better

At present I'm working on a flat-picking tune by russ barrenburg and the fingering is odd for me.
Slowing it down allows me to get the fingering right. Makes the song sound better

At a slow tempo I can begin to find little fill opportunities or experiment with the melody in sections I have down. I normally improvise at least a chorus or two in performance.

Finally the loop section. 4 or 5 tricky bars 1000 times at 50bpm till you can play them correctly.
Ok, a little exaggeration, but you get my point.

For a guitairst, expecially an instrumental guitarist, biab is the best tool I have found.


biab2026(Mac) Latest Build
Mac OS (Latest)
Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram
Logic Pro (latest or pretty close)
Blue and White Sea Star
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,869
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,869
Originally Posted By: mrgeeze
...........................

For a guitairst, expecially an instrumental guitarist, biab is the best tool I have found.


Got that right! I agree completely.

PS - I know where you are coming from wink


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,591
E
Expert
Offline
Expert
E
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,591
Same here, without a doubt.

Ray Charles said, "If you can count, you can play,"
I couldn't think of a better way to hone counting skills.
BiaB is the metronome on steroids. Like any tool,
you have to use it, not let it use you.

Last edited by edshaw; 02/15/18 09:17 AM.

Link: www.soundcloud.com/ed_shaw (Feel Free to Use)
https://www.Rumble.com/edshaw
Biab for WIN 2020 -- Win 10 64bit -- Reaper/Audacity
Zoom R-16 -- Tascam DP-03-SD -- SoundTap -- Crescendo --
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!

Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,413
Posts804,583
Members40,120
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
asanford576, King Terry, Jt54, John Steer, therichestplat
40,119 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 128
rsdean 98
DC Ron 95
WaoBand 81
vicarn 75
dcuny 70
Today's Birthdays
Ingar R Henden, isidro1
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5