Hi all, I'm looking for software that displays music in the form of "chords over lyrics" - the kind typically found in Ultimate Guitar and used by Songbook pro), and also prompts and highlights the lyrics synced with the song - like an LRC file.
You can also think of it as the Apple synched lyrics but with the chords on top.
I used to memorize words to a song and chords later, but my current thought is it would be easier to see and memorize both at the same time. Yeah - you can just display the chord chart with lyrics, but then you don't hear the music (out loud, at least). And memorizing the sound/feel of the song is also important.
[Intro] Am D7 G La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la, la C F La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la, la Dm E Esus4 E La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la, la-la, la
[Verse 1] Am D7 G Now that I’ve lost everything to you C F You say you wanna start something new
Ahh - it loses the correct chord positioning with respect to the words, but this is the format I'm talking about. The standard apple lyrics playback, or general LRC files are exactly what I'm looking for, but with the chords on top of the correct words, and a view that allows complete verses and choruses to be displayed on one screen so I can really see the whole progression on one page.
I believe that you are looking for OpenSong freeware. Half the members of my praise bands can't read music so I investigated this but found it faster just to type those charts up in Word.
Quote
Ahh - it loses the correct chord positioning with respect to the words, but this is the format I'm talking about.
Hint: by using mono-spaced fonts (all Courier typefaces and a few others), any changes in resolution will preserve spacing.
There's also this guy trying to reinvent that wheel: ChordsOverLyrics
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
Brian, Mike - do those play the mp3 (or backing tracks) after opening the file - that's what I'm looking for. Plenty of software lets you enter and manage the music, but I would like the song to be played (and auto scrolling done so you don't have to change pages) as the song or backing track is playing.
I find Songbook Pro has a recent feature that allows this, but it's a little difficult for me to load it up. And you have to enter all the songs first. One incredible feature of Songbook pro is it lets you search for the chord/lyrics files from Ultimate-Guitar, which has almost all of them already entered....much better than OnSong from what I've heard of it.
Just drop the file into SMP and it will analyze the song for the chord structure. You can have it play from from the tracks (mixer), chord table or the Song Sheet View (similar to what is asked for above) Song Sheet View
It rolls ie follows the song as it plays no need to change the pages.
It can search and download Lyrics from the web.
Importing Lyrics ...... "Lyrics come in two flavors: synchronized and unsynchronized. Synchronized lyrics have a timestamp associated with each line of the lyric that is used to match it to the time the lyric is sung in the song. Unsynchronized lyrics are just the text (they don't have a timestamp). Song Master works with both types, however, of the two, synchronized lyric format is preferred"....
It seems to work smoothly as long as it can find synchronized tabs for the song otherwise one need to manually line up the lyrics or if not found at all manually enter the lyrics and line it up.
They have trail versions just do download and check it out. SongMaster Pro
BIAB 2025, Studio One 7 Pro, Song Master Pro, Win11 Home. i7-9700K CPU, 32GB, ESI MAYA44eX, ZOOM UAC-2, Guitar Pro 8, Transcribe, (EZKeys2, EZD3, SD3, EZBass, EZMix3) Amateur: fiddle, guitar, vocal, beginner on bass.
Well - thanks for your replies - in addition to Songbook pro doing this, so it seems OnSong and Songmaster Pro can do this. But I think OnSong and Songbook run on phones and ipads, which is more convenient. And Songbook is way less expensive. Does BB or RB do this well and could replace the function of these apps ?
Is anyone using any of these apps with backing tracks and autoscrolling of the chord sheets for live performance ?
Now - I don't get paid to perform, and though I would prefer to have all my songs memorized, I often forget a chord here and there. That's a stress I don't need in my life lol These apps are really great
Regardless of whether you use these for liver performance, what a wonderful tool for sharing music with the other members of your band during rehearsals and introducing new songs. Believe it or not, easily sharing music with others has always been an obstacle for me. I tend to have one printed chord sheet page for each song with lots of highlights and markups that nobody else could read lol
Hi Why dont you just use BIAB with lyrics and export a video? I export my songs as a video and then use VLC on my iPad to play the video. Just be aware that BIAB video export creates a very big file so I usually convert to mp4 before uploading to my iPad. I have loads of ready made backing tracks here https://band-in-a-box-files.com/
[vide:youtube]He Aint Heavy He's My Brother: A Fun and Easy Band-in-a-Box play along with chords anf lyrics [/video]
Hi Why dont you just use BIAB with lyrics and export a video? …
That.
If mp4 export gives you files that are too large, there are apps for Windows that can make them smaller. Quicktime does this as well and is part of the macOS.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
Why dont you just use BIAB with lyrics and export a video?
Thank you Joanne - for the suggestion and backing tracks.
I realize that I have a LOT of trouble memorizing lyrics to entire songs, and I need a format where I can easily see the words that rhyme underneath each other, bars that match the musical structure, and lyrics that show the 'pauses' by the way they are placed on different lines.
While I don't object to reading from an ipad during performance, I do have the goal to commit as many to memory as possible - and the format I described is much more friendly to my memorizing process.
Hi Joe I play at a farmers market every Saturday and have over 150 videos on my iPad.
Personally I don’t try and memorize all the lyrics and chords. I simply enjoy playing (using the video with backtrack and lyrics). I have found that the iPad is very unobtrusive and after playing a particular song a few times I really just need to glance at the chords.
I always add at least two new songs every week and the first time I play a song it is always a bit shaky. But the more I play it, obviously, the easier it gets. For example, on Saturday I tried playing “Gentle on mind” which has quite easy chords but lots of lyrics in quite interesting places. So it was not good, but if I simply play along with the videos at home first it gets infinitely better when I next try to play it at the market.
It has done wonders for my sense of timing. People don’t even know I have scrolling chords and lyrics as my iPad is off to the side.
Hi Joe I have a love/hate relationship with my acoustic guitar. Recently I have started playing bass with my backing tracks and I much prefer it. I think it gives the backing track more "space" to fill in the wonderful guitar realtracks which I have no hope of ever replicating. So I think bass is my new instrument of choice.
That said, there is nothing (now) that I battle to play on bass with the scrolling chords and lyrics and backing track, even if I just play the one and five and some basic bass runs. The problem comes in with some of the songs is the singing. Like I really battle with some of Elton John's stuff like "Rocket Man". It simply does not suit my style. What type of music (or artists) are you looking to play? If I have any I can send you an SGU and you can try out the video thing, Having the lyrics above the chords just takes a bit of getting used to but it doesn't take long.
read rhe rb manual re lyrics...also some tricks you might find usefull. eg in rb tracks view which displays chords you can also have lyric view.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 06/10/2509:07 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
I love your videos - they are excellent for learning the chords and words while taking a walk. Ok - the format doesn't separate verse, chorus, solo, etc into a 1-pager where you could really see the structure and review it quickly at a high level, but that's just the nature of the BB chord view.
Thank you for sharing - I never would have looked.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
![[Linked Image from joannecooper.co.za]](https://joannecooper.co.za/files/1353455/chatgpt-image-jun-11-2025-04-06-48-pm.png)
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean