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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 65
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 65 |
[While listening to a tune on the User Showcase forum] I was puzzled by the 'microchord' concept, so I looked it up.
It's a musically redundant concept by PG Music, they are reinventing the wheel: you cannot have four 'chords' on a single beat, unless the tempo was VERY slow. These are not 'chords', they have been called 'passing notes' for about 180 years. They usually occur on a single instrument, or more if harmonized in thirds or sixths. You don't really harmonize these as triads. Once notes get past a certain speed, they are perceived as melodic tones, not chords.
Basic counterpoint stuff. In the end, we are all free to believe and do as we want, provided we don't do any harm to others. However, from a music theory point of view, the microchord stuff is completely unnecessary, it's just single passing notes that if are harmonized, they fool the uninitiated into believing they are 'chords'. They aren't. It's much simpler to say that the bar contains passing notes A,B,C,D harmonized in diatonic thirds (or sixths if the thirds are inverted) than saying it contains 'microchords' A minor, B diminished, C major, D minor. Who needs all that mouthful.
Anyways, feel free to completely disregard all I wrote: it makes no difference to me as it probably won't make any to you, I am writing it more for PG Music than anyone else. I have no intention in preventing anyone in the enjoyment of their music making. I wish you continued happy music making.
Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 11/14/23 12:24 PM. Reason: Moved to new topic from User Showcase thread
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,331
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Joined: Sep 2021
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Until now, I had never used microchords.
I would like to allow four chords or eight chords in each bar. And you can use inetr+shift to play each chord.
WIN10 20H2, AMD R4800H ,16G , 2T ,FOCUSRITE 2i4 MKII，Studio One,FL STUDIO
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
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There were many requests to PG Music to allow more than 4 chords per bar. 'Micro Chords' is the name of the feature that PG Music came up with to satisfy this request. I suspect that the 'Micro Chord' terminology is probably unique to BiaB.
I understand 'passing notes', but I think this is more than that, as these are actually 'passing chords' not notes.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
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"these are actually 'passing chords' not notes"
Audiotrack is right.
But it's more than that. They allow for unique musical accents. It's a hit or miss adventure, as you are working with real pre-recorded audio. Sometimes they, (M.chords)do wonders, sometimes just sound silly. All depends on style, setting parameters, tempo, specific track and a chance. Not theory compliant, sure, but can indeed make parts sound interesting. I do hope they expand on the concept.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 878
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 878 |
"these are actually 'passing chords' not notes"
Audiotrack is right.
But it's more than that. They allow for unique musical accents. It's a hit or miss adventure, as you are working with real pre-recorded audio. Sometimes they, (M.chords)do wonders, sometimes just sound silly. All depends on style, setting parameters, tempo, specific track and a chance. Not theory compliant, sure, but can indeed make parts sound interesting. I do hope they expand on the concept. +1
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Joined: Dec 2003
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"these are actually 'passing chords' not notes"
Audiotrack is right.
But it's more than that. They allow for unique musical accents. It's a hit or miss adventure, as you are working with real pre-recorded audio. Sometimes they, (M.chords)do wonders, sometimes just sound silly. All depends on style, setting parameters, tempo, specific track and a chance. Not theory compliant, sure, but can indeed make parts sound interesting. I do hope they expand on the concept. +1 +1 FYI - it is also a hit or miss with MIDI also.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 368
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2000
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I play mainly jazz and Bossa Nova, and have found Micro Chord a very usefull addition to BB. Before that I had invented to enter chords on a quarter note triplet, so one could have 5, or 6 chords in a bar. I use Micro Chords mainly on slower tunes and as a "run up" from the IV chord to the IV minor chord (e.g. i the key of C: Famj7/// to Fm7///, becomes Fmaj7/ Ebm7 Em7 to Fm7).
Tonnie
Last edited by tonnie; 11/19/23 02:33 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Not sure where the OP is coming from.
There's lots of examples of sheet music that show more than 4 chords per bar,
that is, they will show guitar chord diagrams to be played by the guitarist.
I guess if you don't like the label "micro chord" you can call them whatever your want.
Just my 2 cents (CDN) worth.
LLOYD S
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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For my music, it’s not about having four chords per beat. It’s about having more control about where I can place a chord. Remember that MicroChords allow chords or rests. It used to be impossible to place a chord on the and of beat 4 and also have a chord on beat 1 of the next bar. This is one example where MicroChords are useful.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I see it as another tool in the box. I have a huge selection of screwdrivers some are really thin and others super heavy. I still want more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Microchords, or whatever terminology you wish to identify them by, are extremely useful. Previously there was only a chord 'push' that could be used. This has added additonal flexibility.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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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.
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Happy New Year!
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Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
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Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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