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Recently I started playing around with one of Mozart's chord progressions and, as a result, this song grew. I had no previous song-ideas that I wanted to develop, so I simply entered the chord progression into BIAB, selected the style _DREARY.STY and just kept playing the progression over and over until the opening phrase "Give me happy, give me hope" sprang to mind and settled into place. I chose _DREARY.STY because it is a 12/8 style and Mozart's chord progression was in 6/8, and the 12/8 style sat comfortably with it. Coincidentally, the name of the style also influenced the lyrics for the bridge since the word "dreary" led my lyrics to a place that was in direct contrast to the ideas of happiness and hope  Here is where Mozart, BIAB, the thought "Give me happy, give me hope," and the word "dreary" took me... I hope you enjoy the journey! --Noel P.S. I'll cover Mozart's chord progression more thoroughly in the next post. BIAB BandGuitar: RT 827 Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Country Waltz Sw 110 Guitar: RT 2054 Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryWaltzBrent Sw 110 Baritone Guitar: RT 3719 Guitar, Baritone Acoustic, Rhythm AmericanaSwingWaltz Sw 120 Mandolin: RT 3369 Mandolin, Rhythm OldTimeyWaltzAndy Sw 090 Mandolin: RT 3379 Mandolin, BackgroundSoloist OldTimeyWaltzAndy Sw 090 Bass: RT 1122 Bass, Acoustic, CountryWaltz Sw 110 Drums: RealDrums NashClassicWaltzSw^1 Production InfoVocals: Synthesizer V with the "Liam" voice, processed with iZotope Nectar 4 Final output: iZotope Ozone 11
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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More about Mozart's chord progressionThe idea to use a chord progression of Mozart came from a post by @floyd jane in my previous song "This Tree". Floyd noted that the backing of This Tree had a classical-music flavour, and he asked if it was due to Mozart's influence. Floyd's comment got me thinking that Mozart could definitely be a treasure trove for songwriters. So I began experimenting Mozart's Piano Sonata K331 in A major is one of my favourite piano works. I learnt it many years ago and have always enjoyed playing it. I manually transcribed the chord progression and typed it into BIAB. Because this work of Mozart's is rather lengthy, I only used the first part of the chord progression up to the section that is labelled "Var. I". The progression up to this point is a variation of AABA format. Since the AABA format is one of my personal favourites, I stayed with it. The song was originally in the key of A major (the same that Mozart used). As I played around with it, though, I changed chords here and there and put it into a 3/4 time signature. I also transposed the song to C major so that it sat more comfortably for a male tenor. If anyone is interested listening to my original BIAB chordsheet in A major, it can be downloaded using the link below. Please feel free to use it if you wish to. Mozart Piano Sonata K331 - chord progression
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Very nice, good news tracks are always welcoming.
Donny
Donny G
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Noel, very nicely done! Like the subject a lot, and the acoustic arrangement sounds quite nice. Love the melody you've carved from the progression, too. The vocals are very strong and clear. I'm going to GUESS it's a synth vocal just based on the overall dynamics. But there are also quite a few cool "human" touches that gives me pause. So it could just be a very talented vocalist. At any rate, this is an outstanding song, expertly performed and mixed. Great job!
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Really sensitive Noel, lots to like about this, warming and thoughtful.
The mandolin break slotted in really well, and I like the way the rhyming works, with nested phrasings. Sweet.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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Really enjoyed the use of BiaB instrumentation in this song. The beautiful mandolin solo fits the theme perfectly.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Noel, this is stunning. This could be your signature track, in the sense that it epitomises what your music is about ... real positivity, even in the face of adversity. Many positive people sound contrived, to me ... you don't. I don't know how you do it, but there we are ... I believe you, with every line and every verse, and I end up smiling, no matter my previous mood, and no matter what song of yours I listen to. Well done ... it's 7:06 in the morning, here, and you've just put a grin as wide as my face on said face, together with a feeling of optimism for the day ahead. Loved your singing, too Oh, and: if you hadn't mentioned the Mozart chord progression, I would have never guessed the source of your inspiration. This is you, all the way, for me. Hats off, BRAVO.
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Noel,
This is very inspired piece...
An amazing and beautiful production. The mix is excellent. Your sound is so identifiable.
Magic!
Bob
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Brilliantly creative approach to writing this gem of a waltz, Noel. Cheery for sure. The mando solo was the perfect choice. Excellent and happy vocal. "Give me happy; give me hope." What a terrific write.
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That's such a killer hook right out of the gate: Give Me Happy. I would never have guessed this was Mozart. A really great song, loved the positivity (your forte) and the way it flowed. Great work, Noel!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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A Mozart chord progression, a synth vocal, and a BiaB style, who would have thought it would come out so good. Brilliant work Noel. Loved those lyrics and instruments. Super mix.
IMHO your best to date.
Last edited by MarioD; 10/31/25 02:58 PM.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
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Hi Donny.
Thanks for passing through the thread and having a listen. Much appreciated.
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Noel, very nicely done! Like the subject a lot, and the acoustic arrangement sounds quite nice. Love the melody you've carved from the progression, too. The vocals are very strong and clear. I'm going to GUESS it's a synth vocal just based on the overall dynamics. But there are also quite a few cool "human" touches that gives me pause. So it could just be a very talented vocalist. At any rate, this is an outstanding song, expertly performed and mixed. Great job! Hi Ron. It's good to see you. Thank you for dropping in. Your guess is correct. I hadn't got around to posting that additional bit of information before your visit. The voice is "Liam" from Dreamtronics. These days, when I use the vocaloids, I spend a lot of time working with them and try my best to model the exact way that I sing the song. This involves me singing phrases and sections and then working within Synth V to replicate what I hear. I also process the lyrics the same way that I process my own vocals. It takes a while to create the final product. My hope is that this approach assists with enhancing the 'realism effect'. --Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Hi Noel!
An interesting idea for a source and you turned it into something completely different. I wouldn't have known if you hadn't mentioned. The result has turned out really well.
About 12 months ago, I had toyed with the idea of using the implied chord progression from the first part of Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy to see if anyone would recognise the source - not for deceit but as an experiment, because the chord movements sound very distinctive. I guess I've ruined the surprise of that idea now, so I will hold off for a while.
Anyway, you saw yours through to fruition with a good result - well done!
Andrew
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Beautiful, I love everything about your song. And all your work with the Synth V singer really paid off - beautiful, warm, and authentic vocals. And thank you for describing your process in such detail. I just LOVE reading these "behind the scenes" notes ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
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Love this, Noel!
"Whatever arises
Whatever surprises"
Absolutely uplifting song carrying a message I needed right about now. I suspect others are in need of it too.
Thanks.
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Really sensitive Noel, lots to like about this, warming and thoughtful.
The mandolin break slotted in really well, and I like the way the rhyming works, with nested phrasings. Sweet. Hi Trevor. It's always good to see you. Thanks for dropping in. I really appreciate your comments --Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Liam is in fine vocal form. I can't believe there's emotion in a synth voice. Your song lends itself well to the folksy acoustic arrangement. Lovely melody..
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Hi, Noel. Nice - upbeat and easy on the ears. You did a nice job with Liam. The lyrics reflect your language, but the melody didn't have quite the unexpected bits that are your signature - at least, not until the end.  It's interesting how working with different material can influence the result. Excellent work, as usual!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Noel,
You are the most positive songwriter I've ever met.
We might declare this "The Noel Adams Theme Song". It has it all.
Nice band. A cool vocal - very human sounding. Nicely mixed.
I hope your world remains magical.
fj
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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.
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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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 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.
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
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