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I've done a little research on what the new 'Natural Arrangement' option does to MST harmonies, using the notation function.

Two findings so far: First, MSTs are considerably affected by the NA option. Second: NA can radically alter the harmony.

I've tested alts, because of the number of alterations (b9, #9, b5, #5).

The piano MSTs I've tested use #9 & #5 for alts. I've not found b9 or b5 included so far.

With NA enabled, lots of 9ths & 13ths suddenly appear - a very different harmony.

Interested to hear if any other nerdish types are looking into this.

Best - Andy

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Yes, that makes sense. The idea is that the same thing would happen if you handed a real musician that lead sheet. If you were playing with Herbie Hancock as your live piano player, you wouldn't be surprised when "lots of 9ths & 13ths suddenly appear" in Herbie's playing, that's considered normal (or natural as we call it).

Similarily, if you gave Herbie this leadsheet...

(#1) | Gm7 Gm9 | C13 c7b9 | FMaj13 F6 | F69 |

.... he's likely going to look at it, and think "

(#2) | Gm7 | C7 | FMaj7 | |

... that's what the natural arrangement feature does. So you hear nice phrasing and smooth voice leading when the player is freed up to play something natural like the simple II-V 1 (#2)

If you told Herbie "no, you must play the chords exactly as written in #1" - he'd do it, but it's likely that what he played wouldn't sound as good as if you let him play #2 (because then he could think of good phrases to play. This is what Band-in-a-Box 2017 does. (of course you can configure this option to be on/off for songs/tracks/globally etc. It defaults to ON for Jazz styles. You can turn it off in Prefs-Arrangments globally, or for the song only in Song-Settings.

It works for RealTracks and MIDI SuperTracks.


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Thanks, Peter. This is helpful information.


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Yes. Definitely helpful. Thank you.


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Thanks Peter.

Indeed, it's certainly helpful to know what's going on with NA's.

In your example, Gm7-C7-Fmaj7 works perfectly well over the original changes.

But if the lead sheet says Calt and the backing harmony has become C13, the soloist is going to wonder why things sound a bit odd.

But no problem: next time Herbie drops by to sit in, I'll have a word with him...

Best to All - Andy

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Andy,
Yes, that's true. We plan to add an option to disable it for a certain chord,so that you could type C7alt! And the exclamation would mean "I'm not kidding!", and then you'd be sure to get that chord.


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There you go. As a composer I want that control. I was thinking of making this suggestion when things from the new release calmed down.


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Aha. Starting to understand this. Presumably, you can turn it on and off at a song level as well?


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Originally Posted By: lambada
Presumably, you can turn it on and off at a song level as well?

Yes, it's easy. Right-click in the Chordsheet and bring up Song Settings. At the bottom of the upper-right quarter, look for the Natural Arrangements pull-down.


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If we can put an ! in the chord grid to force that chord, that would be cool.

Bob


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Bob's suggestion: +1


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Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
Bob's suggestion: +1


Another +1


It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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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