For me if you can't get excited about performing in front of a crowd you're in the wrong business.
Hi Bob, If you're talking about the crowded restaurant, where the people are more interested in the menu than the set list, I've been there and done that and didn't find it at all exciting. But laying down some Rock & Roll in front of a crowd of kids who are all dancing - now that's a real buzz.... Maybe you never got to do the restaurant?
And I can imagine that being offered as a response to your questioner, one that doesn't treat her like a complete idiot for being naively enthusiastic.
I answered her honestly. Her feelings are not my concern or under my control. Nobody can make you feel bad but you.
For me if you can't get excited about performing in front of a crowd you're in the wrong business.
Hi Bob, If you're talking about the crowded restaurant, where the people are more interested in the menu than the set list, I've been there and done that and didn't find it at all exciting. ...................
That is exactly why we never took a class reunion gig. They could care less about music as most haven't seen each other in years and wanted to catch up.
OK, a random thought; Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
after youve been thru serious surgery like i have, i'm just glad to be around still doing my lunatic songs.
when i was in that hospital bed after surgery i must have said a million prayers to the big boss man in thanks that i recovered...and to get me back on my feet. and it worked. i'm still rocking, and after that experience i swore i would just enjoy every day, and take nothing for granted. a scary experience focuses a person on what is really important in life. for me its my wife and music.
whether pop music or any other genre, i always enjoyed the experience of the particular genre. whether a mini opera or a cathedral or a hard rocking band, i did my best and loved it. my motto is always think positive....and approach everything with gusto.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/30/2101:51 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Bob the point is this. You are a CPA right? You do complicated taxes and all that accounting stuff.
Tell me how ridiculous it would be if you posted on Facebook and said "Tomorrow I start working for a new client that says his taxes are a mess." And 25 people replied
"YES!!!!" with thumbs up and heart emojis.
Because you are going to WORK???
Funny nobody replies that way to "Yeah I am wrapping the new car wash in aluminum this week." or "Man, I snaked out a basement drain today that was just crazy clogged with tree roots!"
Music is just like any other job. My original comment was that music is nothing magical or mystical. It's just something people can do. People who are just so mesmerized because they CAN'T do make me shake my head. Why? Because they CAN do it! Anybody can learn how to do anything if they want it bad enough. IF accounting was something I found amazing, I would go back to college and learn accounting. I'd love to know how to weld. I could go to welding school tomorrow if I wanted it bad enough. None of us came from the womb knowing how to play instruments. It's an acquired skill. You said you've been doing it since 1964. I started with music in April of 1956. Rather that stand in front of the stage making goo goo eyes and wishing, take music lessons and learn how! THAT is what I am trying to say. Every show is exactly like the last was and what the next will be. Performing our 21 song set for different nameless faces. What is there to be excited about? It's just work.
The however here is this. My life has been an exercise in trying to maintain an even keel. Not everybody is like that. I avoid high highs because they tend to lead to low lows. Think about a football team. If you go into a game SO high on emotion thinking you are invincible and you make a lot of mistakes because of it, and you get beat 56-0, what does that do to your psyche? How about the team that goes into a game understanding that there will be a winner and a loser? If they lose 56-0, well, one team had to lose. Sure it's just a defense mechanism but the idea is to protect myself from letdown. So you go out and just do your job to the best of your ability and in a businesslike manner, trust that the other band members will do the same, the people will love you and you get money for it.
Tell me how ridiculous it would be if you posted on Facebook and said "Tomorrow I start working for a new client that says his taxes are a mess." And 25 people replied "YES!!!!" with thumbs up and heart emojis. Because you are going to WORK???
OK, I think I get this now.
You resent what you regard as inappropriate admiration because you think it denies you credit for the work you do to make the music you make.
If people type thumbs up and emojis, it means they think music is magic and you, the musician, are merely a priest privileged to be its conduit to others. It also means they think they do NOT make music only because they are NOT so privileged, not because they don't do that WORK.
If someone asks, "Are you excited?" before a show, it means they're thinking, "Are you ready to receive a gift from the universe that you will share with us?" and don't understand that good musicianship requires hard work.
Seriously. Something like that?
I recently ran into a weird personal thing with a friend who got cranky if I told her I admired her professional success in real estate. Eventually I understood that she felt my admiration meant I thought she was just "gifted" and so didn't have to work hard at it, though of course I never thought anything like that. Eventually I understood she really needed me to understand how much pain she had gone through to get where she was. What she never understood was that my admiring her success never meant thinking it was effortless.
I only ever payed a couple of restaurant gigs One with a keyboard friend And a couple with my lead guitarist buddy
Actually I enjoy playing mostly instrumental for a change Kick back mostly fun for us to play a elevator music as far as the clientele was concerned and jazz of our on making
I can not say I have been smart enough to never “work” but I have not been involved in much I did not find enjoyable
I have never really been driven just by money
Someone here said that if they were independently wealthy they would play for free
Some of the most fun gigs I have played have been for free
I am also sort of like Bob and get pretty excited about a really fu n gig
I agree about having a good work ethic but I don’t agree that playing music is just another job
Music requires a lot work and skill and a large amount of art
I also required a lot of business knowledge to make any money
Well I got moved out of the ICU to a private room about midnight I guess they assume I am getting better This is my first real trip to the hospital for anything serious sense Vietnam Pretty isolating due to COVID Makes you understand a bit more clearly you will no live forever Cheers Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
You resent what you regard as inappropriate admiration because you think it denies you credit for the work you do to make the music you make.
Well, the theory is buried in there but you chose to bathe it in condescension.
I don't think I (or anybody else who is in a band) deserve any more acknowledgement than anybody else who excels in their profession. A gig is just a day at work and no big deal. There is a vast difference between support and misplaced admiration. Music is no big deal. Everything you know how to do in life beyond breathing you learned. Breathing is implicit. You just breathe, and in fact you breathe in the womb. You breathe liquid, but your lungs are functional in the womb. But you learned to walk by seeing others walk. You learned to talk by hearing others talk. Those are not implicit skills. They are acquired. Somewhat subliminal, but acquired. ANYBODY can learn to play a guitar or a piano. Now, are you going to play guitar like Steve Vai? Doubtful. Are you going to play piano like Rick Wakeman? Probably not. Should that deter you from trying? Absolutely not. Point being rather than stand on the sidelines and admire people who are doing nothing more than the job they trained to do for years, take up the same skill and strive to pass them by some day.
Denies me credit? The point is that I don't deserve credit for just doing my job. I am nothing more than 1/10th of a unit that bands together to create something.
I can't recall how many times over the years someone would come over to me on break and say something like "Man I wish I could play keyboards like you do." My answer 100% of the time was something like "You can. Music is an acquired skill like any other. I can hook you up with a good piano teacher and you can start lessons right away. In a year, you can take my place."
Also, never believe that you can see inside someone's head to know or assume to know what they think.
Sorry about the condescension. I did try, and I wasn't being sarcastic. I guess I'm reacting vicariously to all the contempt that I do find baffling. As might be obvious, I tend to put myself on the audience side here.
"I don't think I (or anybody else who is in a band) deserve any more acknowledgement than anybody else who excels in their profession."
Fine, but that's kind of why I gave the real estate example. I don't think this is an "artists only" thing. Sometimes people react strangely to attempted acknowledgement, for the reasons I attempted to make sense of. I might have foolishly asked her something about being "excited" if she was doing a big fancy deal or something.
You analogize your music to the dullest kinds of things, like shoving spam in a mailbox, but there are less dull jobs people have. Over and over you say "it's just a job", but that doesn't really say much. There are jobs and there are jobs. Usually, when people say that, it means, "I couldn't care less about what I do and really hate it sometimes but I need the money." I wouldn't ask those people about excitement, but I don't think that's supposed to be your problem with your job.
You leave very little room for anything resembling praise, and I wouldn't want to be in the position of a non-musician trying to offer it. It's almost like anything a non-musician might say would get the slapback, "Well then why don't you do it YOURSELF?"
But people get to be non-musicians and still admire musicians, there's nothing intrinsically broken about that. A person might have absolutely no interest in learning to play guitar himself, at all, ever, and yet still really appreciate good guitar playing, and even say that to guitarist players. I see nothing wrong with that.
I do get the thing about the guy wishing he "could" play guitar like you. I can understand why hearing that enough might make you want to scream and say "I PLAY like this because I WORK at it."
"Also, never believe that you can see inside someone's head to know or assume to know what they think."
That's what words are for.
I have a feeling I shouldn't have jumped in here, but too late now, and deletes don't work. I do apologize if I have crossed any lines.
[............. A gig is just a day at work and no big deal. .............................
I respectfully disagree.
If this is how one feels then they should not be gigging!
It is a big deal to the audience and to those who are paying you, i.e. the bar owners, restaurant owners, party house owners, wedding party etc. YOU are there to make them happy.
I'm not denying that playing an instrument and playing in a band is hard work. But people don't see that preparation, all they see is the finished product.
To me playing a gig and having the audience enjoy what I or the band is playing is the ultimate high. YMMV
OK, a random thought; Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
And when I'm up there, that's exactly what I'm doing.
I enjoy myself and get into that place where there is no space, no time, no Bob, just the music flowing through me and the energy from the audience coming back to me.
It's not just another day at work, it's an opportunity to do what I love to do.
The only work involved is schlepping the gear. Semi-work is learning the new songs, it's not PLAYing but it's not really working either.
At least for me.
I love PLAYing music, and plan to do it as long as I can find an appreciative audience.
Notes
PS, IMO if you aren't looking forward to the next gig, and if you aren't having fun at the gig, you should probably get a real job with health insurance, vacation pay, paid holidays and sick leave.
Well, I can tell you one thing for sure I would rather be playing a guitar on skid row With a broken 6th string than be laying in this bed in the VA Hospital in Miami I be lucky if I don’t through one of theses sorry Xxxx Nurses off th 11th floor…lol
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
IMO if you aren't looking forward to the next gig, and if you aren't having fun at the gig, you should probably get a real job with health insurance, vacation pay, paid holidays and sick leave.
I have all that as a retiree!!
You guys starting to see why I retired from music until this band? It became a job. This band was fun when it started. Now it's like having 9 wives. I couldn't coexist with ONE wife, much less 9. All the drama, the whining, excuses to miss rehearsal, one is a spoiled rich kid who has had everything handed to him/her, one is even lazier than I am...
I expect (demand) that everybody work as hard as I do. That has not happened. The ones missing rehearsal are the ones making the same mistake every meeting. It's a bunch of people who think there is a "good enough" in music. There is not.
If gigging lost it's thrill for me and became work, I'd quit too. Fortunately, that hasn't happened (yet?).
To me, a successful life is having a maximum amount of fun and a minimum amount of misery or stress. Whatever you do, if you achieve that, I'd say you are a success.
We gigged last night and had a blast.
It was at a huge RV Resort. We play there often.
It's outdoors, the patio was full, so they set tables up in the parking lot. The crowd was enthusiastic, loving what we were doing and showing it, a friend who plays guitar in a Rolling Stones tribute band came by, and the 3 hours passed much too quickly.
My earliest favorite toys were ones that made music.
My father played violin, trumpet, ukulele, and later in life organ. I fondly remember my dad getting the uke out, opening song books and we children singing along with those old, corny songs.
Before I was eligible for school band, I got into the tonette and flutaphone (recorder) ensembles and learned how to read music.
As soon as I was eligible, I joined the school band. Pompano Beach, FL was a small town then so all the new guys got a practice pad and a pair of drumsticks. I learned the required rudiments quickly and learned to control the drumsticks.
Then the tenor saxophonist's family moved away, the sax rental was available, the band director asked who would like to try it, and I guess I was more enthusiastic than the others.
I took to it well, and was first tenor in the all-state band every year, and I also took section leader away from the default first alto.
My first professional gig was when I was in junior high school. I played in the school band, but after school, I was in this little rock n roll band. We were terrible, but so was everybody else back then.
We got the gig to play at a junior high dance. So there I was on the stage with my very best friends at the time. We were having the time of our lives, playing the top40 songs of the day to the best of our ability. I looked up and that cute girl who didn't even acknowledge my existence in English class was making eyes at me. And at the end of the night, they actually paid me money!!!
That night, I said, "This is what I want to do for the rest of my life."
I'm of retirement age and have no plans to do so. I still think gigging is the most fun I can have with my clothes on.
My father played violin, trumpet, ukulele, and later in life organ. I fondly remember my dad getting the uke out, opening song books and we children singing along with those old, corny songs
My best response to that is "Oh man, I only wish..."
My old school Slovenian father thought anything but polkas and waltzes was not music, and despite sending me to music lessons at age 5 and buying me a guitar for Christmas when I was 11, fought me tooth and nail when I wanted to make music my life's career path. He refused to accept that there are ways to make a living that did not require a time card and a lunch box. He constantly discouraged me, badgered me in fact, from trying to follow my dream. He died during his 73rd year, when I was 39, after telling me on his deathbed that I was an embarrassment to him, that he was disappointed in what I had become, and that he was ashamed to admit that I was his son.
That was the last thing he said to me. I have been carrying that around for 31 years now, and I think about that every day. It will never go away. That man that I revered, that man who shaped me and who by example instilled into me my strong work ethic, died disappointed in me.
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Norton Music
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean