|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
I am doing FAWM this year and they had a one-hour "song-skirmish" on Sunday afternoon. The rules: You were given a song title at 1:00 and you have to write, record and post a new tune by 2:00. Here's was my thing. I could have done it just on acoustic guitar, but "how boring!" The song title handed out at 1:00 was "YES" Wow! was I nervous! I didn't sing the first chorus correctly -- no time to fix!!! 15 minutes for the lyrics 15 minutes to pick a reggae/jazz demo song in Band-In-A-Box and change the chords (make them easier) and turn it into 16 bar verse /16 bar chorus. Save all the tracks as WAV files and imported them into Sonar. I used the "New Day - =KingdG.Sty demo" 20 minutes to record vocals, then guitar (guitar's not mixed right). 9 minutes to create MP3, load to site and fill in FAWM song info. The vocals were done in one shot as was the guitar. The vox mixed OK, but the guitar was too low. I didn't get to practice enough to hear anything in my mind on this one, so I think I just plunked around in some kind of pentatonic scale. I think it was the G maj pent. Hmmm, the songs in F with a Gm7 chord -- no wonder it sounded funny (ha, ha). Got everything down with a minute to spare!! MP3: http://www.jkt9000.com/html/yes.mp3Kevin ***************************************************************** Yes! (v1) In a world full of rules and No! never anything fun, just whoa! well it looks like you're making a mess Do you think you're right or just flexing your might well it's time we heard yes (chorus) Just say yes it's not that hard to do just say yes don't try and think it through just say yes and you'll start to feel much better (chorus) Just say yes it's not like it's work just say yes it won't even hurt just say yes it's these moments we'll treasure (v2) I seem to remember a time when everything was just fine but then the rules starting piling up It hurts the brain makes us all insane Time to stop and just say What? (repeat chorus) Kevin: Vocal, acoustic guitar BIAB: drums, bass, piano, muted guitar
Last edited by Kemmrich; 02/22/10 07:28 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 79
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 79 |
This is very nice, Kevin.... and in an hour! A good demo of what BB can do. I wouldn't worry too much about not hearing your acoustic guitar... unless you feel guilty about how good a partner BB is.... He he.
Daisy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,730 |
Fun we tried to do this on my site a year or so ago with two hours, and no one but myself was able to get it done. BiaB was the seqwet weapon!
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 193
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 193 |
Kevin,
That was incredible. When I sit out to write a song it takes me many, many hours to get it to even sound like a song.
Steve
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484 |
Kevin, Jazz/Reggae. Man, I have heard it all! That is too cool! Reggae drum with Jazz piano, vocal & guitar. Your idea sent me looking for some neat ideas like this.
Frankly, it would take me 20 days and not 20 minutes to write a lyric. I would have to say, it is a benchmark for your gifts as both songwriter and musician.
Did you win?
RickeG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,523
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,523 |
It’s all been said.
The only thing I can add is maybe you should always write songs in an hour as this is really really good. Plus it has a lot of energy that may have been taken out with tinkering with it, i.e. polishing it until it’s dull!
GREAT song and vocal!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 676
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 676 |
Good lyrics (you are a very good songwriter), but the reggae just doesn't work, IMO. It's actually distracting. If you didn't have that mixed in, I would say your song almost has a bluesy-jazzy country style, a la Lyle Lovett. If you went more in that direction, I think it would be a better song.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
Daisy: Thanks for stopping by. BIAB is a great tool, isn't it? I do feel guilty -- or is it envy? The "real" players are all way better than me!!!!
Robh: I believe it! However, I think at least 30 or so folks did a song in an hour (there were a few other BIAB users in there!). Some of the folks that didn't use BIAB were AMAZING!! Blew my effort away, totally. Thanks for listening.
retake: If you can write a song in many, many hours -- then you can write one in an hour. You just have to force yourself to try. Of course, you have to write a lot of songs so you get experience. I've written about 100 (with lyrics) in the past three years or so.
RickeG: Thanks for the props -- but I am way down on the songwriting totem pole (ha, ha)! yea, check out that "New Day - =KingdG.Sty demo". Just so you know, I have a reggae song and a gospel song written (or semi-written) for FAWM so I had some of these style already in mind. When I did my BIAB search The KingdG.sty was the first one that popped up! Lucky me!
MarioD : Yup, yup, yup -- you should always write songs super fast -- and then take whatever time is required during the re-writing process. It was a lot of fun, but I really was nervous, like I was performing on stage or something!! Thanks for stopping by.
DanL: LOL! 10 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 year -- it doesn't really matter how long (or short) it takes. It is all about the final result! Thanks for your honest opinion -- I will never fault someone that has an opinion. Now, I disagree with you (ha, ha) -- I think the vibe I chose works very well, but I respect you taking the time to listen and comment.
Kevin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,311
Members40,015
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean