|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86 |
Looking back on my musical learning, and being primarily a hobbyist (or "professional student") as I like to call myself, I've had a couple of areas of growth that came "late" - or much later than they could have. Perhaps sharing some of these experiences can help others.
For me, one personal challenge I've had is being able to remember the chord progressions for pop and rock songs. I have a friend who just seems "naturally" better than me at this - he can seem to hum the melody to himself and his fingers almost "naturally" move to the right (or close enough) chords. When I try to do the same, it's almost like a 'trial and error' approach, where my fingers will go to chords that sound nothing even close to the chord that turns out to be the right one. What I've finally come to realize is that I just have not committed enough different songs to memory. Period. I've recently put aside ALL other aspects of playing to ONLY work on learning to memorize favorite songs and deeply understand the key / (nashville) number of the chords in each song. What I don't yet do (in the interest of time and to avoid confusing my muscle memory) is to transpose the songs to different keys.
What musical plateaus are you guys working on, or have at some point gotten past, that were challenging to you ?
TIA,
Joe
BB/RB 2025
Windows 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,826
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,826 |
Well, there's that debilitating stroke I suffered in 2009. Besides the loss of functionality in my left arm and leg, my short term memory went away for about 10 years.
I found new ways to play the bass one-handed and resumed performing within a year. Learned to drive again and was back at my music industry day job 5 months later — having to use a database to keep track of everything for many years allowed me to do that (you may have spoken to me about a complicated contract for hours the day before but I wouldn't have remembered any of that; every detail would be in my notes, however). Working from home proved to be quite beneficial to myself and my employer till I retired.
My short term memory is back to normal for someone my age but I'm unable to memorize new music. If I knew a piece before, I can still sing it cold and now conduct with my right arm (good exercise!). Sight-reading was one skill that never deserted me. I'll never walk longer than short distances nor play my stringed instruments except bass live again. I do play guitar/banjo/mandolin one-handed for records but there's a lot of re-tuning between chords so that I can edit my playing into a performance.
BIAB has been a big help. I never do a song out of the box but I've become adept at importing the tracks into a DAW and editing them into the performance I had in mind. I write, consult on music matters and on AI projects for (insert NDA here). The PROs have all learned that I am in the wind and those short term gigs supplant my retirement quite nicely.
The iPad hadn't existed yet in 2009 but it turned out to be quite handy when it became available Jan 2010, then GarageBand Instruments 22 months later. Could I get by without the Apple universe tying my devices together? Sure but I am grateful that I don't have to. I travel, often by myself, but it costs more for me than most. I perform on stage again but cannot memorize new music so I stick to roles that I learned between 1969–2009. I do a ton of voice over.
The struggle? 1. Stay on top of new tech and use it to my advantage. 2. Try to work more quickly—everything I do on a computer is one-handed, including typing this, and that takes time. Lots and lots of time.
I am way past being ready for grandchildren.
BIAB 2024 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 570
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 570 |
I commend you Mike, I love hearing stories like this. A lot of people would just hang up their hats and quit doing what they once loved. You have been blessed indeed.
BIAB 2025 Ultrapack- Studio One Pro 7 Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385 |
WTG Mike! I'm impressed and happy for you.
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86 |
Mike - yours is truly an inspiring story of amazing resilience. I wish you continued progress at an amazing rate.
Also - just picked up on one of your comments about typing - perhaps, if your voice allows it, you can make increased use of speech to text.
BB/RB 2025
Windows 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,275
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,275 |
WOW Mike you have been through a lot.
I am glad that you persevered and have accomplished as much as you have thus far.
You are an inspiration to all of us.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,492
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,492 |
Mike, you highlight there some of the things that make a stroke so tough. I know others who've had similar struggles to get back as close as they can to their 'old self'. It's hard, both physically and mentally ... it's as frustrating as Hell.
I have a little idea of the challenges after a serious concussion that left me unable to speak properly and a few other challenges, but I personally had no physical challenges as such(*). Learning to talk properly again took a few years and, in truth, I'm still not quite back to where I was and it's now 28 years since the damage.
You have my utmost respect, notwithstanding the occasional friction between us.
Edit: (*) Not quite true ... for some years even the slightest bump on the head would have me squealing like the proverbial stuck pig. Incredibly sesnsitive; incredibly painful.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 11/28/24 05:19 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,705
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,705 |
That's quite a journey you're on, Mike! Thanks for sharing so many details of your challenges, struggles and successes. That's really inspirational, as others have said. Wishing the best for you and yours this holiday season! Ron
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,826
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,826 |
Also - just picked up on one of your comments about typing - perhaps, if your voice allows it, you can make increased use of speech to text. I have a clear speaking voice, perhaps overly-articulate from spending so many years on stage. My issue with text-to-speech is that I spend more time editing than I would by typing one-handed. Singing again took years. With half my body paralyzed, that included vocal cords (pitch & range) and my diaphragm (power and stamina). How this video showed up on a Russian web site ten years later is still unclear. Anyway, this production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore was my first public performance, 4 1/2 years after my incident, surprised as hell that I passed the audition. I had to rehearse my breathing just to sing—I hadn’t figured out that I was singing with only one lung and I’m a bit pitchy. My cape was designed to cover my lack of movement and is a repurposed velvet theater curtain that made me feel like Scarlett O’Hara. The cane with the skull is a traditional prop for Roderick and is the one I’d used twelve years earlier with the skull reinforced so that it could bear my weight. One thing I always enjoyed about G&S is that the bass normally shows up in the second act. My lines starting at “Beware, beware, beware…” are part of the role as I had done it twelve and thirty-eight years earlier (migawd, that was 50 years ago!) but the page before was cut by Gilbert from the original production and added to this. Every night, I was studying that page before it was taken from me as the screen revealed my presence and I started to sing. I wasn’t going to post this but it’s an enjoyable production of a show that most don’t know. Lyric Theatre’s 2013 “Ruddigore” Eleven years later, I move no better but I no longer have to think about my breathing as I now have some lung function on the left side—pitch isn’t great but I can blame some of that on being 70. Frustrating being able to hear the right notes and know that I don’t always hit them. My memory has improved so that I could memorize that first page if I ever sing the role again. I do occasional small roles and am conducting a Christmas choir that includes some of the folks from that 2013 show—this is done from a wheelchair. Standing is a lot harder on me than walking short distances.
BIAB 2024 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,705
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,705 |
Very cool video, Mike. That was a lively production! Never would have guessed that the tall, distinguished actor with the big voice was singing on half a lung. Well done!
For those who want to skip to Sir Roderic's scenes, they start at about 1:40 and 2:08.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179 |
My biggest hurdle I remember was that I got a scholarship to one of Michigan' s nicer Fine Arts camps one summer.
I was in my last year of Junior High, but I tested at High School level, so was assigned there.
About a month before going I got braces (teeth).
That made playing at the level I was used to extremely difficult (and painful).
I was also in with other students that were Junior/Seniors in H.S., so socially it was also a miserable experience.
*May have contributed to my distaste for Buddy Rich and my admiration of Victor Borge, both of who were clinicians that year.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,383
Posts778,537
Members39,641
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean