I don't know if such a feature has been requested before (or if it's already possible and I just haven't discovered it yet): I would like to have a simple function that would allow me to generate a melody line over the chords of a song from guide tones - i.e. only alternating the 3 and the 7 of a chord - adapted to the beat and chord change respectively as half notes for whole bar chord changes or as quarter notes for half bar chord changes. This would certainly help many users learn to improvise over jazz standards.
Last edited by Brille; 08/06/2203:18 AM.
Biab/RB latest build, German Language Pak, Win 10/64 Pro, 1 TB SSD, 32 GB RAM. Notation SW Finale, StaffPad, SmartsScore – Playing Double Bass, Guitar, Piano
Sometimes I do this manually on complex jazz big band charts when I’m a guest soloist. It helps me hit the ‘right’ or ‘essential’ note when I don’t really know the chord progression by memory yet. I just did this in a concert last week. It’s a useful technique that I could see would be helpful in BIAB.
+1
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What is the expectation for guides tones to work with a song having four chords per bar? Are guide tones useful for songs in 3/4 time? Are guide tones just a "jazz thing" or are they useful when practicing music from other genres?
+++ THIS +++ website suggests 10 guide tone patterns. So would having just the single pattern suggested by Brille be enough?
Note, I'm not for or against at this stage. I haven't heard of guide tones so I need to know more.
Yes, that link shows what I think is being requested here. The link gives simpler examples.
I realize this won’t apply to many here, but if you work with contemporary big band jazz charts, some current composers / arrangers seem to have adopted a bad habit of over-writing the chord progression. I play the jazz trumpet chair and see this a lot. I look at the chart, say to myself ‘What were they thinking’, and analyze and rewrite the chord progression to leave only what’s important. You don’t want to blow over three different chords per measure in an uptempo jazz waltz - that’s just stupid. Then I identify any ‘must hit’ note and write it in. This might be a #9 or a b9 or the 13th or 11th, for example.
Of course, everyone composes songs differently and the more usual way is to start with a melody and harmonize that. However, I often write a chord progression first and then improvise a bit to find the ‘right’ melody notes, and construct the full melody from that. So this Wishlist request makes good sense.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Jim, Basically it is correct, there are different guide/target tone concepts, but the 3-7 concept (possibly extended by #/b option tones) is sufficient for playing solos. With the third and the seventh, the core notes of each chord are described as targets - this gives a good basis to build up your own solos with then some complementary notes. In addition, chord extensions (like #9) are often relevant, because they are usually also significant tones of the original composed melody of the song. I could think that it might be possible to create a custom Soloist file in Soloist Maker that does just that - but I'm not familiar with it - and I don't see any relevant options in the Soloist Editor input screen either. In addition, although many parameters can be set in Soloist maker, the result is rather random. The controls are also rather tricky to use. A simple button would be nice: "Generate 3-7-Lines on Soloist track" – may be with an option "Use #/b chord extensions".
Biab/RB latest build, German Language Pak, Win 10/64 Pro, 1 TB SSD, 32 GB RAM. Notation SW Finale, StaffPad, SmartsScore – Playing Double Bass, Guitar, Piano
Since there can be multiple guide tone patterns what do you think of the idea to having "build custom Guide Tone pattern on Soloist track" and "load custom Guide Tone pattern on Soloist track" selections in the Soloist menu located at the top of the screen?
As I envision it, invoking the "build custom Guide Tone pattern on Soloist track" selection would open a two bar piano roll window. The two bar piano roll window would be used to (1) enter a two bar guide tone pattern and (2) select a MIDI patch to be used during playback.
Invoking "load custom Guide Tones pattern on Soloist track" allows the user to load a previously saved Guide Tone pattern onto the Soloist track.
+ 1 on this feature. We need guide tones / chord tones generator.
+1 Certainly gets one thinking. Guide tones are a great idea Also could see a having the arpeggios - root, inversions, pivot, on a set of changes as a useful shedding tool.
Perhaps evolve to an improvisational bootcamp with additional capabilities. Chromatic enclosures, Diatonic lead ins. Approach from above/below, etc Might be getting ahead of things.
Anyway, good ideas
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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!
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!
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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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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.
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