|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
https://soundcloud.com/andyandersonmusic/mothers-dayMy first submission here. I wrote it (no co-writers) about my mother who died from Alzheimer’s complications in 2014. It was horribly sad, but at some level was a relief as dementia had finally consumed her. The cover photo is her in 1936. She has a little flower in her hand that I find so sweet.... Home studio. I’m a real novice here, not formally trained in music (can’t read it, a decent guitarist), and technically challenged, most DAWs beyond my capabilities. I used MixPad. I did not track the instruments, but here’s what I came up with. The song is all mine, Copyrighted prior to this BIAB version, vocals are all mine and all instruments are BIAB. 84 bpm in G. 518 Elec Bass, 1947 Mandolin, ShakerEven8ths, 2336 Viola, 1761 Acoustic Guitar (Strumming), 1728 Acoustic Piano. You are welcome to suggest any different instruments. Mother’s Day Written by Andy Anderson © On Sunday afternoon I leave my house and take a drive out to see my mother at the home where she resides It’s a very pleasant journey when the weather is OK and I rarely fail to visit on that day I arrive just after two, check-in at the desk where they tell me how she’s doing, as I sign in as a guest The staff there is so friendly and they know me every time They remark on my devotion and I tell them I don’t mind (Chorus) I gather all my courage, as my hopes come crashing down Prayers and pleas, and what-could-bes... Shattered on the ground I amble down the corridor and pass the large dance hall where the residents take their meals, and the staff observes them all I wonder if the bingo cage was spun the night before and if anybody…. ever really danced…. on that floor I come to room eleven, catch my sweet old mom gazing out the window, at robins on the lawn As lightly as I can… I rap my fingers on the jamb, she turns and smiles, and asks me…… who I am….. I tell her I’m her son and let the sadness fade away I ask her how she’s doing wish her Happy Mother’s Day She tells me all about a choir who came last night children singing Christmas carols…little faces… shining bright Though I’ve heard this many times.. I act as if it’s new and hope she cannot hear…… my heart break in two I nod and I envision children singing for my mom Unaware, she’s the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come (Chorus) And next week I’ll return To see my mother in her room Someday I’m gonna miss these times together… on Sunday afternoon.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,335 |
Andy, My mother also had Alzheimer's and passed away a couple of years ago. No doubt that it is a devastating disease for all that come into contact with it. Anything that can draw attention to compassionate care and possible cures is a good thing. Not only does this song act as therapy for your soul but it also helps keep the conversation alive. It is exactly what happened to me. I made those same walks down the hallway. It was tough. The mix sounds good. A couple of minor production nits. The vocal sounded dry. Needs a touch of reverb. I also would have edited the mandolin around the vocal rather than letting it play on through. An excellent write and a fine first post. Welcome to the forum. See ya around, Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
Thanks, Tom. I'll give that a try.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 408
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 408 |
Hey Andy, great first submission to the forum. Thanks for dropping by and sharing with us! This is a really beautiful song about tragic event. Kudos to you for being able to handle it with such grace and strength.
Last edited by Will B - PG Music; 10/04/16 07:10 AM.
Will - PG Music
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
Thank you, Will. I've been playing it for a couple years. I'm OK now at home, but on stage it's hard to sing without tearing up, especially if I see anyone else tearing up. I get a lot of comments about it, sometimes a few people stand in line to tell me their story. It's a real a connection.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,256
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,256 |
Beautiful song. Loved the vocal and lyric. Wonderful tribute to your mother
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,449
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,449 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
Thank you, Scott and David.
Last edited by PacoAlpha; 10/04/16 11:16 AM.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357 |
Beautifully measured lyrics that could only come from personal experience- I think you`ve done well to sing them with feeling (but not letting emotion get too far outfront).
I agree with Tom that the mandolin is a bit obtrusive in some places.
A great first song to post!
Robert
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
Good deal. Thanks for the feedback. I'm tweaking it. About a thousand times. I've gotta get away from it for a while. Can't 'hear' it right now.
Last edited by PacoAlpha; 10/04/16 05:12 PM.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,471 |
Hi Andy,
Welcome to Users Showcase and congratulations on such a fine song. Dying and death are never easy topics to broach in songs. You've done it very well.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,836
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,836 |
Andy,
A truly powerful song. Well written, well performed.
"I gather all my courage, as my hopes come crashing down
Prayers and pleas, and what-could-bes...
Shattered on the ground"
Well done. Heart-wrenching.
Nice use of tracks.
(Welcome to the Showcase - heck of an entrance).
floyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
Thank you, Floyd. Greatly appreciate you taking time to say that.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
Thank you, Noel, and thank you for all your previous help with the technicalities of BIAB. (*I swear I research the probs before I post asking for help, but if the answers are there, I can't find them, or a search turns up hundreds of threads; too many to read thru all them.)
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079 |
Andy, What a dreadful subject sung with love. Well done with the lyrics, must have been so hard. I hope you don't mind but I have passed the link to 2 friends whose other halves are in various stages of this horrific illness. I second what floyd wrote (Welcome to the Showcase - heck of an entrance). take care Alyn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
I'm honored, Alyn. Thank you.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312 |
Andy - what a powerful first-song-post! This is a beautifully written song, and so emotional (glad I have tissues at my desk!) - the instruments you've chosen are perfect for the whole feel of the song. Thank you so much for sharing it here with us.
This is the "Hot Forum Topic" for today.
~Callie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
Thank you, Callie. That is so kind of you to say.
Thank you PG Music. BIAB has really been a life changing event for me.
Last edited by Andy A - USA; 10/05/16 02:47 PM.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052 |
Very touching song! Powerfully written. It is so hard to watch your parents age and pass away. My dad passed away in Feb of this year, and my mom has cancer-extremely difficult time. Really enjoyed this beautifully crafted song. Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 260 |
Thank you, Greg.
You are really going thru some things right now... It is hard. I think until it actually happened, I still had that kid's naivety about how my parents would die, or wouldn't ever die.
My best wishes to you, Greg, and to your mom and to your family.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra
Windows 8 and 10
Scarlet 18i8
Reaper and Mixpad
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. 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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
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
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,940
Posts797,954
Members39,987
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean