I decided to learn how to play bass (already play e guitar). I have BIAB UltraPak+ , so wondering what would be the best way to use this program to learn bass. Obviously I can pull up any chord progression and style and mute the bass part to play along...so there is that, but I am also wondering what are the best resources in this software package for learning bass lines and grooves (which I can then later mute the track and play myself)
I see there only a couple of instrument studies for bass. That's a start, but there are only a couple. Generated bass style bass parts tend to be kind of simplistic, but obviously I could just look at the notation for those and attempt to learn to play those...
Are there any other good sources of good bass playing in the band in the box universe and what would be the best way to go about learning bass (in addition to being able to mute the bass part and experiment play along).
I also am a guitarist whom also plays bass. A guitarist learning bass can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. While playing bass you MUST think like a bassist, ALWAYS in the pocket with the kick and snare, and not like a guitarist, who has liberties to do as he wishes when it come to timing and phrases.
I would start with MIDI styles as the bass lines will always have notation. A lot of RT styles also have notation, look for the line under bass. Start with simple songs even though you may not like the genre. Later you can get into more complicated styles. Of course this assumes that you can read music.
As a 4 string bass notes' names are identical to the bottom 4 strings of a guitar, only one octave lower, you probably already have some guitar lines you can convert to the bass.
Knowing how to read music and have at least some knowledge of music theory can help. Even if you don't know theory but you know that the notes C-E-G make a C major chord you already know what bass notes will always work for a C major chord. The same works for any other chord that you know the note names.
I hope this helps and good luck.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
You may find the Bass Fretboard Window useful. You can access it by using the menu of Window > Guitar Window or the keyboard shortcut of Ctrl+Shift+G. Once the window is open select the Settings button and select the Bass fretboard.
If you play guitar I assume you know the relationships of root, 3rd, 5th and octave. If you know the box those live in then I'd suggest just using the chord chart for stuff you've done in BIAB and start with just playing the root until you get your timing & groove, then add the 5th and re-establish the timing then use the 3rd to sketch out SOME walks n runs. BIG clue, as mentioned, don't think like a guitarist - particularly a lead player. Keeping the bass "in service of the song" means using it to set a foundation with drums, to reinforce the rhythm, to help describe the chord and to poke out when it suits. OH, get some foam to stuff under and in front of the bridge to reduce strings ringing...muting strings with palm and fingers is a little harder but even more necessary than with guitar. ALL of that being said...do your own thing...AND get a Behringer BDI21...a superb Sansamp clone that'll give you tone, colour and DI VERY cheaply.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Consider 4-5 lessons with a local bass teacher first. Learn the significant difference between playing guitar and playing bass from someone who plays this new instrument
You'll start off on the right foot. It may also help convince you the bass is not for you
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What I would add is: 1. Build yourself a nice little BiaB song, maybe just a "2-chord wonder" to start. 2. Mute the bass in this song and Save Special as an MP3 file. 3. Import this file into your DAW. 4. Play along with the BiaB song while recording your bass. 5. Mix the BiaB song and your bass recording, save as MP3 if you need to. 6. Compare the groove from Step #1 and your groove from Step #5. (Most likely you will hear issues in your playing such as timing, length of notes, fret buzz, sour notes, too simple, too busy, etc. You may also find that you think you sound good while you are playing but conclude differently once you listen to your recording) 7. Repeat Steps 4 thru 6 until you are happy with your bass recording. 8. When happy, increase the complexity of the BiaB song and/or change the genre/style and repeat the entire process.
Note: This can be applicable to other instruments as well and always remember you have 2 "legs"
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
I KEEP forgetting about this. This is the way I learnt to navigate bass and chords when I 1st started playing in 1974 or so. The simplest walking bass of 12 bar blues n rock was something I was taught and learnt as rote applying it every & anywhere I could. Eventually I noticed the relationship of the notes to each other & the chord being played. Light bulb light up & blew a fuse at the same time. From the relationships lots of note options for a chord become easily available, almost under the fingers and easy to reach. It can be moved up n down the neck and be based on the E or A strings without any modification.
Last edited by rayc; 06/27/2212:11 AM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
With these two scale positions alone, the "G scale" position and the "C scale position" moved up and down the fretboard you can play any song you want.
Get someone to show you how scales in each key relate to standard pop chords in each key.
It is worth a lesson or two. Trust me.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
I also am a guitarist whom also plays bass. A guitarist learning bass can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. While playing bass you MUST think like a bassist, ALWAYS in the pocket with the kick and snare, and not like a guitarist, who has liberties to do as he wishes when it come to timing and phrases.
Unless you are in a Prog Rock band.
Seriously though..... if you play guitar even reasonably well, you should have a basic understanding of the bass. It's simply one octave lower and yes..... you do need to think differently and have the mindset that you are one half of the rhythm section of the band. Your job is to provide the foundation.
That said.... once you have the foundation aspect and keeping the pocket and groove is second nature, there are still a lot of things you can do to embellish the bass lines and provide interest to the song. Tasty fills and runs are all part of a good players repertory.
Listen to and watch the bass in this video. Notice the way he follows the kick drum. Notice the fills and runs.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 06/29/2204:28 AM.
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The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
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Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
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Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
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New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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