Hi hink,

Welcome to the fun!

The one thing about Band in a Box that no other music making program I know emulates is that BiaB is much more like picking up a musical instrument that is new to you than any of the rest of the programs.

If you view the program in that fashion, then all the same caveats apply. A person brand new to a brand new guitar is not going to be very likely to sit down and rip off "Giant Steps" on their new flattop guitar, but they may indeed be able to memorize three basic open string chord patterns and strum along to accompany the singing of a simple song. As they practice daily, perhaps take some lessons or at least study using printed materials and the internet, of course their ability with the instrument should improve.

Band in a Box is an instrument.

When first confronted by the program, the ease with which one can get something up and running belies the fact that it will take some time exploring and experimenting with the program to become someone who can bring the best out of it.

Don't get in a hurry and don't get discouraged.

One of the best things a new user can do is to open up the Stylepicker, pick any style that interests you at the time, for whatever reason -- and use the Play Demo Song button to load the pgmusic supplied Demo songfile for that Style into the main chord grid and then watch BiaB perform while listening to the song. A very good way to see how things like Shots, Holds, Rests, Fills, Repeats, First and Second Endings, Choruses vs "One Long Song" (durchcomponiert), and many other things are implemented.

And always keep the sessions short enough that you can enjoy Peter Gannon's infamous BiaB motto:

Have Fun,


--Mac

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