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#12684 02/01/09 06:14 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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First of all, did I tell you that i'm right next door to you here in Virginia Beach? Just thought that was kinda neat. My question is about the audio chord wizard. I haven't learned music theory yet so when I write a song I do it all by ear. I've tried to get tabs from the internet and it helps but doesnt show the bar #'s or measures where the chords go. I've tried to research the chord wizard and have even watched a video on it and i'm still confused as to how it works. I watched the tutorial and went step by step with it using a song that I want to do. Some of the chords are right, but not all of them. It's a combination of not knowing music theory and not understanding the chord wizard i'm sure. Is there any way you can help me on this one? My dad also uses band in a box but he's legally blind and cant see to read the forums. Anything I learn in the forums I pass on to him. So you would not only be helping me but my father as well. Thank You.

-Brad-

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Hi Brad,

The Audio Chord Wizard sometimes makes mistakes in naming the chords. Sometimes it makes more mistakes than at other times, this can depend on the recording in use at the time, how "hot" it is or pehaps it is not recorded at such a high gain, also the content on the recording comes into play too.

Even given that, the ACW can indeed represent a great shortcut to laying out a BIAB song. For one thing, it usually will get the number of bars right for you, if not all the chord names.

As for the chords the wizard misnames, you may not know a lot about music theory right now, but often you can make a good eduacated guess as to what belongs where because of the OTHER chords that the wizard gets right.

Another thing you could try is the Chord Builder, after a song that is run through the ACW and you have at least nailed the first bar there and then exported to BIAB. With the Chord Builder you can hear the chord play as selected and with a good ear can sometimes get the right chord for those wrong bars.


--Mac

Mac #12686 02/01/09 08:14 AM
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Thanks Mac.....You've been alot of help.

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As usual Mac offers some very pragmatic suggestions. I've had similar problems when I just import a midi melody and let BIAB put the chords in. I've noticed that there are always some chords that differ from those in the particular fake book that I used. Of course it's easy just to change them to what you want. I've also heard some biab chords that just didn't seem to fit and no substitutions were offered. Again, you can change them, but you will have to listen and experiment. Now if I had ever learned to play the piano or basic chord structures, Iife would be a lot easier. Let your ear be your guide.


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