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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
I play piano/keyboard strictly for my own enjoyment, but have always played from sheet music (both right and left hand parts). I understand how BIAB 2012 allows you to enter a chord progression from a Lead Sheet or Fake Book, and then generates a backing track based upon style and tempo. That's all pretty straightforward and works great.
My question is this: A Fake Book provides the melody (for the right hand) and a chord progression (which BIAB takes care of with the backing track). So, when you play along with the track generated by BIAB, what do you play with the left hand other than those same chords? I imagine that it takes some improv skills to add some interest to the left hand.
Assuming I have this right, exactly how do you develop that improv skill, and is it a good idea to develop that while using BIAB? Or is better to develop that skillset on its own first? (If so, how do I do that?) Or is there a specific way to use BIAB to help develop that skill? -- Or perhaps I'm off-base with this assumption altogether.
I hope that I've expressed this clearly. Any pointers to help me make better use of the left hand when playing along with BIAB from a Fake Book would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
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Biab is one of the best ways to improve your keyboard playing there is. First, the keyboard parts are displayed on the big piano keyboard across the top so you can see what is happening with the left hand as well as open the notation and see it as written notes. Just mute the piano part and play it yourself paying attention to your left hand and if you're not getting it unmute the piano and listen and mute it and try it again. This is great for people who can read some music and can recognize chord shapes from looking at someone playing a keyboard but just don't know what to play themselves.
Depending on your skill level perhaps you're not good enough yet to understand what you're seeing on the screen. Just copying the notes being displayed won't help you much if you have no idea of the theory behind it so if that's the case then you need some basic theory lessons as well. Biab is great in that situation, you're reading some online theory courses and as you go along it's simple to take what you just learned, load it into Biab and start working on it.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608
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Just google <left hand piano chords>. There's a wealth of information there. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Websearching using Google, or any good search engine, does indeed bring up plenty of good info, lessons. etc. on this subject.
Also, loading a BB style that has good piano accompaniment in it, a good reader can use the Notation View to learn plenty of LH chord comping skills.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
One thing to note is that the received wisdom is to not play the root note of any chord in the left if a bass player is playing. I would say first play block chords in root position, then vary the inversions to 'voice lead' that is to fit what's going on in the melody and keep them in the same 'register'. Once you get all that going then you can start adding extra notes, those within the scale/chord/mode, then those that are more dissonant. Above all, as is said above, never play a note you don't understand.
I first learnt the classical route, its like learning by rote, you can play back the notes, but you don't have to understand a single thing about there function. With impro you need to not only know that your playing a C# but also that this C# is the b6th or the dominant seventh of the chord. If you don't do this, you will widdle but not understand, your knowledge is not transferable to the next context.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
Quote:
Biab is one of the best ways to improve your keyboard playing there is. First, the keyboard parts are displayed on the big piano keyboard across the top so you can see what is happening with the left hand as well as open the notation and see it as written notes. Just mute the piano part and play it yourself paying attention to your left hand and if you're not getting it unmute the piano and listen and mute it and try it again. This is great for people who can read some music and can recognize chord shapes from looking at someone playing a keyboard but just don't know what to play themselves.
Depending on your skill level perhaps you're not good enough yet to understand what you're seeing on the screen. Just copying the notes being displayed won't help you much if you have no idea of the theory behind it so if that's the case then you need some basic theory lessons as well. Biab is great in that situation, you're reading some online theory courses and as you go along it's simple to take what you just learned, load it into Biab and start working on it.
Bob
Thanks for this tip! I wasn't aware of this capability in BIAB, but just checked it out and it seems like a good method to learn from. My skill level is high enough to read the notation and play it (albeit slowly usually). And I'm working my way thru a few Blues Piano books that include Blues theory.
Thanks to everyone else for their suggestions as well. I'll be sure to check "the Google". 
Last edited by newbert; 03/09/13 12:34 PM.
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 20 |
Ditto Newbert.
BIAB is amazing in so many ways. I've only been with it since Dec., using it mostly in conjunction with my violin playing. But I'm a pianist first and can see how much it will help me there.
Nice to have a forum like this!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897 |
Amazing what the current BIAB offers with the real time solo/accompanyment windows, into the thinking of other pro musicians. I have also relished information of standards and jazz arrangements and individual improvations available in fakebook/cd...very comprehensive as great archives you can listen to and study/copy and format...especially in training your ear and mind to listen to "the greats" playing their specific chordal/melodic/vocal hit recordings. To my mind, lots of bang for the buck...and it works for this inquisitive 70 year old mind. http://realbooksoftware.com/OrderForm.phpBIAB offers lots of feedback on left-hand-right-hand real time approaches. If you want to study the giants in whatever voices/harmony that's developed over the jazz age, these other compiliations are available for you.
Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.
Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157 |
Biab used to come with a Piano Masterclass series which will teach you how to play Jazz and Blues as well. Not sure if they still have those anymore?
Trax
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
Biab used to come with a Piano Masterclass series which will teach you how to play Jazz and Blues as well. Not sure if they still have those anymore?
Trax
PGMusic Master Classes and other learning software packages are available separately here:
http://www.pgmusic.com/products.win.htm
All of them are Great Stuff IMO.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
Quote:
Quote:
Biab used to come with a Piano Masterclass series which will teach you how to play Jazz and Blues as well. Not sure if they still have those anymore?
Trax
PGMusic Master Classes and other learning software packages are available separately here:
http://www.pgmusic.com/products.win.htm
All of them are Great Stuff IMO.
--Mac
Do these Master Classes tie-in to BIAB at all? (ie - either as a plug-in or with provided BIAB files as part of the lessons)? Or are they totally independent/standalone of BIAB (other than being provided my PGMusic)?
Thanks!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
I have several of those but not all of them. The ones I have, Jazz, Blues and Latin piano ones are all standalone programs with explanations of what each section is. The different sections are midi files. You play each one from within the program so no, they're not tied into Biab but as midi files they are listed in your directory under that programs name as 001.mid 002.mid etc. It's kind of awkward because of the naming but they're all there. You can take any of those midi's and open it up in either Biab or Real Band and then do whatever you want with them. If you make changes or rename them make sure to do a "save as" so as to not overwrite the basic lesson midi file.
Something else I have that is or was included with the UltraPak is called Essential Jazz Piano Licks and another one for Guitar and there are several other ones like Bluegrass, Classical and probably more I can't remember now. Those licks do open in Biab using the default ZZJAZZ style but I can change it to any style. These "Licks" are not the specific Master Classes. Those are the stand alone programs.
Biab has an absolute wealth of teaching aids and after about 10 years with the program I still don't know all of them. Separate from all Master Classes and in addition to all the Licks and other stuff we now have the Midi Artists Super Tracks plus all the Real Track Soloists in a multitude of styles and anybody can simply look at the notation for those and learn all kinds of cool phrases and licks. Guitarists have their things, keyboard players have their things and it's mind boggling just how much stuff there is inside this program to help you learn.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Some of them contain Standard MIDI files that can be opened and played in Band in a Box.
But I don't think that's the purpose of the programs, actually.
--Mac
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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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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!
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-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
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- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
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!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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!
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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 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!
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.
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!
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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