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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8 |
I folks:
I'm relatively new to BIAB. I have BIAB2014, received as a gift. It came with a few Real Tracks and such. Not many mind you, but enough to make me appreciate how cool they are.
Anyways, I'm trying to make my first BIAB file. I wanted to take the sheet music for Vince Guaraldi's O Tannenbaum and make a BIAB file to use to play along as my band while I play on my upright piano.
Please understand, I'm kind of new at this. But I'm looking for some advice.
I created a new file and chose ZZJAZWAL.STY Jazz Waltz Style to get a 3/4 score going. (Took me the longest time to figure out time signature is tied to the style).
I edited my song settings to have (1) chorus. I really plan on manually creating the sheet music measures end to end, not really in a form of AABA or anything. Just plan on entering in all the bars manually for the whole song.
I've added the first 16 bars using chord notation in my BIAB file. WHen I play it, it kind of sounds bad.
So I was looking around at the Real Drums I got with my version. I Found something called 'jazz brushes' that seems to make it sound better. (it took me a while to figure out that most of my Real Drums are incompatible with 3/4 time).
Anyways, I guess it's a long winded way of asking if anyone has ideas for better Bass, drum, or other RealTracks (?) that might make the accompaniment sound better.
I have very few (maybe 6) basic Acoustic base RealTracks. Accoustic base simple and very simple work, but are boring. The four others just don't seem to match the feel of the song.
THe original Guaraldi version doesn't really have much more than drums (brushes), base, piano, I think.
But I was wondering if there's some other suggestions that might add some interest to the accompaniment? Maybe jazz guitar or something.
Anyways, this is just all for practice. It is my hope that I can use it to practice by.
I took a year of Jazz piano lessons and can kind of play the first 16 bars just by sheet reading. I never learned improv, but i"m hoping to be able to use this to eventually practice my own improvisations over the 2nd 16 bars, and conclude with a repeat of the first 16 bars.
This is just for fun, just for learning.
I'm a 49 year old jazz piano novice hoping to be able to play better and maybe learn enough to improve with this one song. THen on to the next!
I know I have years of practice in front of me. But this Christmas, I would really like to see if i can play this one all the way through and sound not half bad as a Christmas present to me. I've hacked this song for years and never really got serious about getting through end to end.
Thanks for reading (if you've read this far). I'd love to see if you have any ideas.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449 |
Hi. Welcome to BIAB and to this forum.
First, I want to compliment you on your attitude. Sometimes first posters get on here and rant about what they don't understand. You recognize this is an incredibly powerful program and we look forward to working with you as you improve.
You have part of the solution in your question: get more styles and RealTracks if you want more choices and versatility. We often find people come to that conclusion after working a little with the starter "Pro" version, which I assume you bought. It is likely more economical to upgrade to the MegaPak than to purchase individual RealTrack add-ons, and if you decide to do that, call PG Music Sales. They are most fair and will help you.
As to the specific song, a couple of ideas. First, yes, the style will set the time signature but that's not all there is to it. You can use a RealTrack designed for 4/4 and it will play in 3/4, simply dropping the fourth beat. The recording from A Charlie Brown Christmas moves from 3/4 to a nice easy 4/4 at 126 bpm. BIAB requires you start to with 4/4 and use the F5 key to alter each bar you wish to have a different time signature, including, in this case, bar one.
I assume you are looking for a straight-ahead "light" jazz waltz style to match the marvelous work of Vince Guaraldi. I compose jazz and I always use the BIAB RealTracks for bass and drums, but sometimes at higher tempos I prefer the MIDI piano. BIAB also has SuperTracks, which are also MIDI, and they can be amazing but sometimes need a little editing. Finally, in the menu where you choose a RealTrack, look for an option near the bottom that makes it a Simpler arrangement. The faster the tempo, the more you may want to invoke this option.
I love the jazz guitar sounds in BIAB, but I think your particular song would be better without guitar.
For your song, it's hard for me to remember what styles you have, as I've had them all for decades. If you get stuck, find a place to upload your song (like Dropbox), and you can place a link to it in a post here. We can then look at it and perhaps help. You will learn best by doing it yourself, but there may already be a BIAB version of that song already done by someone, if you are interesting in studying it.
That's probably enough, or too much, for now. Ask for any clarification you need, and just play with the program a lot; you never know what you will stumble onto.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8 |
Thanks for the quick response, Matt.
I will look into the mega pack. ANd in the mean time, I"m going to see if I can make it a bit better sounding for now to play along with.
In the Guaraldi tune, he's really doing all the magic. THe bass and drums (brushes) add wonderful support. I'm no Guaraldi. i can play the notes from the sheet music just fine in terms of the first sixteen bars.
I'll dabble a bit more with what I've got and just get in front of the piano.
Man...what a difference REalTracks and Realdrums makes compared to some of the other options.
I really need to get more style packs, though. THere's hardly anything in there 3/4 time in a Jazz Waltz.
Last: Matt, I stopped by and listend to your clips of Brazillian Wish. All I can say is wow! I normally don't like horns because they are often too bright and they hurt my ears. But the richness of the brass in those clips is just amazing! So wonderful and rich!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793 |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fh133ZO1AEMatt, got it right of course, that swing ain't 3/4! Nice rendition though. Good luck.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793 |
.. I normally don't like horns because they are often too bright and they hurt my ears. ...  hehe Merry Christmas.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8 |
Hey JazzManDan...
I didn't notice, but you are right, the the 2nd 16 bars starts at 4/4 time.
It also seems as if Vince is playing the first 16 bars kind of rubato. It's hard for me to hear the 1,2,3 ...1,2,3...while he's playing. But the sheet music ("A Charlie Brown Christmas") is definitely 3/4.
This is why I'm a student and he's a master!
Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't notice the time signature change.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449 |
Thanks! And yes, he plays rubato in 3/4, then a nice steady 4/4 swing at 126 bpm. That's why I gave you the tricks for how to do that.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8 |
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827 |
. . . It came with a few Real Tracks and such. Not many mind you, but enough to make me appreciate how cool they are. you could have a look here UserTrack List
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 174
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 174 |
Robert: Usertracks are a good suggestion for the time being and... you may want to wait till Dec ??, for upgrades as PG Music usually comes out with Xmas deals for BIAB.
Welcome to the club.
Cheers
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8 |
Thank you. I was wondering if they did have any holiday specials... 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,807
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,807 |
Nice paintings. Whimsical subjects considering what you are seeing when you look out your window in Elma this week.
Charlie
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8 |
Thanks, Charlie. You know, like with many things in my life, I paint to escape to places I'd like to be at, adventuring. Western New York can be pretty, as can central New York with the Fingerlakes. But I pretend I'm actually at that place while I paint, and then after wards, the completed paintings take me away again!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8 |
FOrgot to say thank you, Charlie. And, yes, the week was a tough one. We had six feet of snow. My wife and I live in the area that got hit the hardest. It was no fun, I tell you that much!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,733
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2002
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do you compose music to accompany your paintings
not that they need it but just a thought
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 8 |
That's an interesting idea...composing a tune for each painting. But no, I don't do that. I do listen to music while I paint. It's amazing how much a song can affect the mood of a piece. I have times when I listen to Jazz, and I have my usual collection of 80's rock / pop. ZZ Top, Cars, Sting, The Police, Madonna, Dire Straits, Billy Idol. I have to get some Pat Benatar and Heart and some Blondie Greatest hits to go along with that collection. I love to have rock/pop going as it gets the energy and vitality going while I paint!
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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.
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Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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