|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86 |
Hi all,
I'm at a point with jazz tunes where I can pretty much play the chords, and I can read and learn the melodies (with some practice).
Are there any free/shared BB/RB file collections that include the actual melodies of songs from "The Real Book" rather than just the chords ?
Also - when it comes to improvising, I can find the keys and where they change, and I know the positions of major and minor scales throughout the fretboard. I could use the melody as a base and improvise by ear within the key using the scale shape...where I'm stuck and overwhelmed is the idea of creating phrases that target particular notes in each chord. I almost need to write out and compose lines, which is like composing a classical piece, rather than "improvising" in real time. Is there a structured approach to learning this ? I suppose even if there is, it's a daunting task and many, many hours of practice to reach this level.
BB/RB 2025
Windows 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,662
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,662 |
I mostly create them myself from the PDFs the band send me, partly because we have some unusual numbers and our own arrangements. I do have some that I obtained from the web and I've sent a pm as I think I'm not allowed put that information here in the thread.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,700
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,700 |
Joe, there are BiaB Real Book files with melodies in the public domain as well as some pay source. Here is a recent discussion. For some people, jazz improvisation is easy and intuitive. I'm not one of those people. I'd recommend learning as much jazz theory as you can, understanding the essential jazz cliches, and listening to improvisations that you like and figuring out why you like them and how they get that effect. Then you can start to build an improv vocabulary. But it all goes back to YOUR ears though, and not repeating a string of cliche licks. It is a journey, but can be an enjoyable and rewarding one... Good luck!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 892
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 892 |
Its important to know a few heads when you show up for a jam. Those you can get out of the Real Book. Close enough. Listen to a few versions to find a few embellishments on the head you like. If its a vocal tune listen to singers play it. Ella, Frank, etc. Tony Bennett is something on a lot of Jazz tunes.
One exercise I use is playing the 4 note chord arpeggios across the changes. 1,3,5,7 are the tones you are looking for.
Adjust major,minor,diminshed,dominant as necessary. For the time being dont worry too much about the 9ths,11ths 13ths.
You'll get there
As you advance You can add passing tones (diatonic and/or chromatic) to them to spice it up.
Hammer ons and triplets add a nice rhythms to phrases.
When going from chord to chord try landing on the 3rd of the chord. Pivot arpeggios will help you on this.
Passing tones help here also
Listen to the players you like. Not trying to imitate them, just trying to get a sense of their phrasing.
Knowing what to play is important as is Knowing how to play it,. The true lifelong journey.
Above all Be brave, don't worry about a clam here and there.
Play with others everytime you can.
Finally, If you're the best in the room, you're in the wrong room
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,203
Posts801,925
Members40,067
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean