I`m wondering if anyone could help me put some chords to a song I`ve written.
I retired a while back and decided I`d like to try my hand at writing songs as I`ve always loved music, my problem is I dont play an instrument, so I`ve been using loops, and thats fine if you write the song to the loop, but if you create the song first its hard to find a loop that fits.
So, I`ve found bandinabox, and its terrific, no doubt about it, I`ve started watching all the help videos, but I`m a long way off the pace yet.
I`d like to find out what my song sounds like with some chords behind it.
Anyway thats where I am, and if someone has the time I`d really be very grateful.
I`m wondering if anyone could help me put some chords to a song I`ve written. ... I`d like to find out what my song sounds like with some chords behind it.
Firstly, Welcome.
Just to clarify, you've written a song, but currently it has no chords.
Does your song have a Melody that you composed?
Does your song have Lyrics that you have written?
Do you have a musical style in mind? Pop, Rock, Metal, Latin, Swing, Jazz, Hip Hop, etc?
What version of BiaB do you have? Pro, Ultra, and what year etc.
Give us a base to start from. There will be people here who can offer some suggestions to get you going.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Win 10 Professional, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
I`ve got the melody and the lyrics writen, I`ve posted them on Drop Box, I just did the first verse as there is no choras as such, I see it as contempory folk, maybe acoustic guitar, I`m using version 19.
record the melody import it into BIAB and have the Chord Wizard analyse it and offer chords... Not as easy as it was in previous versions of BIAB, for me, but since you'd be learning it 1st time you won't have problems with old way versus new.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
record the melody import it into BIAB and have the Chord Wizard analyse it and offer chords... Not as easy as it was in previous versions of BIAB, for me, but since you'd be learning it 1st time you won't have problems with old way versus new.
Thanks rayc, I`ll try that.
ps. Sorry about the number of same posts, they didn`t show up at the time.
Thanks rayc, I`ll try that. ps. Sorry about the number of same posts, they didn`t show up at the time. Dev
That's not an uncommon thing mate. If you know how you can actually record the melody right into BIAB. Record the melody where ever you can - even a phone but it's REALLY helpful if you can remove as much empty file from before your melody so that you're not going nuts trying to line things up...If you have a version of BIAB developed before 2022 you might find the Audio Chord Wizard a little less daunting. Best advice...record the melody and then re & reread the sections about the ACW...and be prepared to have a few goes learning how it works. Once you've sorted it you'll have something that will make your songwriting life much easier. oh, probably best to just record one each of your verse and chorus as if your pitch or memory wanders as you record it BIAB will reflect that. It's no big thing to copy verses and choruses in the chord or arranging window once you have the results of the ACW. Good luck.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I`ve managed to get the vocals into chord wizard but so far its playing the chords its suggested far to slow, and it wont let me change the tempo,but I`ve got the rest of the week-end to play around with it.
SO.... Using the ACW to figure things out when you are first getting started can be an exercise in frustration. I know the problems I have encountered trying to use it and I halfway know my way around BB.
try it this way.
Open a new project and select STYLES.... the style picker opens and you can then listen to the styles in BB in the demo mode. Use the filter for genre to limit the option to that particular genre..... Pop, Medium rock, Salsa, Easy jazz.... etc... whatever you think the song needs to be.
Once you find something you think would sound good and work for your potential song.... Select it.
Most songs have 3 basic chords... which are the 1 the 4 and the 5.... or in a key of say C major..... the C the F and the G. Knowing that... start with a C and add the chords necessary to fit what you're hearing in your head. You can easily change the tempo and the key if it works better in a different tempo or key. While you may not know much about BB now... or music theory... you will learn quickly and be able to create new songs quickly and easily using this method. Even now, I still start out pretty much this same way as I just described. Pick a style, and start entering chords.... add, delete, copy, paste, delete, and in no time I have a song that pretty much works. Once you get a verse...and a chorus..... use Copy/paste to quickly add the remainder of the verses and choruses. This saves a lot of time. Delete the measures/bars you don't need and hit the ending..... waaa laaa.... a song is born.
Ask more questions if you run into things you don't understand or can't figure out. Also.... watch the videos in the video support section of the PG music website. LOTS of good solid advice and information to be had in there.
Good luck
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Herb has you started off in the right direction and BIAB makes it REALLY easy to do what he just said, with Chord Builder. See attached screenshot. You get to it through "Edit" on the top of the menu. Or use Chord Builder icon at the near bottom right hand side of the screen, before the chord input bars start (just above User Tracks Icon).
This is all very simple, actually. Let me break it down.
1.) Yes, Herb is right. In Pop, country, whatever you basically have 4 chords--the I, IV, V, and VI minor.
In the Key of C, that would be C, F, G, Am.
2. There are approximately 24 "standard" chord progressions built from just these four.
For example, at one chord per measure in a fast song, the Verse chords could go:
C, F, G, C, or they could go C, F, C, G, or they go could C, F, C, F, or they could go Am, C, F, C
But at any rate, if you just "shuffle" your choices starting with the I, IV, V, or VI, you get at least 24 common variations--or more, depending on your variations. Try them all.
For slower songs, you would have 2 chords per measure, kinda sorta, but the concept is the same.
3. The non-fast but general "kinda sorta" rule is that you can't start the Verse and chorus on the same chord. This is not hard and fast, but the idea is, try to do something different in the chorus. If you start the verse on C in the Key of C, try starting on G in the chorus for a lift. If you started the verse on G in the Key of C, it might work well to start the chorus on C (the I). Try it.
4. Look at the Chord Builder. If you click on any chord you will heard it play and it will enter it for you. If you don't like that sound, pick another chord.
5. Once you do what Herb said and START the song by punching in some common standard version of a I, IV, V, VI minor you call THEN go to chord builder and look at all the chords on the top row that will work in that progression. Try them and see how they sound. The lower rows are for jazz. (But the slash chords are also critical for rock, folk and pop to build emotion. You must master them.)
So, Chord Builder makes it really easy to experiment. Really easy. Try it, use it, experiment. Have fun. That is what music is.
P.S. You also have to find your range before you put chord to a melody. For example, lots of baritones are most comfortable in the Keys Eb, E, F, G, Ab, A, Bb, B or C, in that order, where C contains the highest notes you would hit.
If you were to write a song in the key of G where the highest notes are above middle C in the Key of G, then a baritone would not be able to hit those easily. That is, some baritones cannot sing a high melody in the key of G unless it is shifted down a whole octave, and that doesn't sound right.
If you write a melody in the key of G with high notes, and the Baritone says, I can't do that, try the Key of C with the melody transposed down. If it still does not work, try Bb.
Hope this makes sense.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
I`ve managed to get the vocals into chord wizard but so far its playing the chords its suggested far to slow, and it wont let me change the tempo,but I`ve got the rest of the week-end to play around with it.
Dev
Well, That's sort of typical. I've rarely managed to get a great result but I usually get enough information to carry on with. If 'twere me... I'd copy the chord sequence...screen shot or similar Go back into the "normal" chord entry section of BIAB, Select a style & tempo that suit as a staring point Enter the chords playing around with things until I find I can sing along with it.
From there I'd tweak the arrangement etc. and then record a vocal TO the BIAB backing.
Last edited by rayc; 07/17/2210:33 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I`ve managed to get the vocals into chord wizard but so far its playing the chords its suggested far to slow, and it wont let me change the tempo,but I`ve got the rest of the week-end to play around with it.
Dev
Well, That's sort of typical. I've rarely managed to get a great result but I usually get enough information to carry on with. If 'twere me... I'd copy the chord sequence...screen shot or similar Go back into the "normal" chord entry section of BIAB, Select a style & tempo that suit as a staring point Enter the chords playing around with things until I find I can sing along with it.
From there I'd tweak the arrangement etc. and then record a vocal TO the BIAB backing.
Thanks again rayc, that certainly helps and I can get a working backing track, though I cant get the feel I hear in my head.
I`m also having some success with the advice from Guitarhacker and David Snyder, but again I cant pin down the feel I hear, I`m trying out some different styles so hopefully I find something I`m happy with.
Its fun though and I`m learning things I didn`t know!!
Thanks again rayc, that certainly helps and I can get a working backing track, though I cant get the feel I hear in my head.
I`m also having some success with the advice from Guitarhacker and David Snyder, but again I cant pin down the feel I hear, I`m trying out some different styles so hopefully I find something I`m happy with.
Its fun though and I`m learning things I didn`t know!!
Can you name a song that has a similar feel? If so type it in the song filter.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I've been following your thread, and reading all the excellent replies, but my advice to you is different:
Get yourself an instrument, and spend some time learning it. Guitar, piano, anything you can play chords on. Honestly, you can't learn music on a computer.
You can buy instruments for less than $500 that will help you learn. I'm not plugging anything, but Casio Privia's are a good place to start. You can get them even cheaper on the used instrument market. Even a guitar from Sears will be enough to get you started.
I've been following your thread, and reading all the excellent replies, but my advice to you is different:
Get yourself an instrument, and spend some time learning it. Guitar, piano, anything you can play chords on. Honestly, you can't learn music on a computer.
You can buy instruments for less than $500 that will help you learn. I'm not plugging anything, but Casio Privia's are a good place to start. You can get them even cheaper on the used instrument market. Even a guitar from Sears will be enough to get you started.
Best of luck, Dev!
Ken
+1000!
Byron Dickens
BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 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!
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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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!
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows 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 60 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 Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. 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 Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean