|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980 |
Here is my good friend and teacher, George Bellas chatting about Counterpoint. You can image how this can liven a party  . But it is all good when George picks up the guitar and plays. By the way, Guitar Pro is a great leaning application.  http://blog.guitar-pro.com/2012/08/learn-counterpoint-with-george-bellas/“In Classical Guitar Etude in A Minor I used the multi-voice feature in Guitar Pro 6 (video) to compose a 2-part counterpoint piece in an 18th century style. Measure one commences the piece with a tonic chord that is embellished with an upper neighbor tone in the lower voice and then imitated by inversion in the upper voice at a time interval of one quarter, followed by two passing tones in the lower voice on the 2nd eighth of beats three and four respectively. Measure three progresses through the supertonic, tonic, dominant and tonic, with the voice leading staying true to period resolutions; 7th resolving down and leading tone up by step in the soprano. At measure four we arrive at the neapolitan resolving regularly to the dominant which is then followed by an imperfect authentic cadence. Measures four through six proceed through a simple diatonic harmonic progression, and then on beat three of measure seven the secondary dominant of the dominant is used as a modulatory device to lead to the dominant key. In measure eight we tonicize the new key and then progress through a series of harmonies that revolve mainly around the tonic and dominant. In measure thirteen what appears to be a picardy third is functionally used as the dominant of the home key to modulate back to A minor. The second to last measure is to be played with a ritardando and alternates between the tonic and dominant before finally resolving to the tonic with a perfect authentic cadence.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I think that counterpoint is one word.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
You just had to counterpoint that out, didn't you? 
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366 |
And not at all pretentious.
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I don't know if it's good or bad that I knew what "supertonic" meant.....
Let's see if I remember.....
tonic
supertonic
mediant
subdominant
dominant
submediant
leading tone
tonic
Whew... that took some brain cell mixin'.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980 |
Quote:
And not at all pretentious.
Ya, I can certainly see how it can come across this way. Music theory (or any theory) at its extreme can sound like a real geeky thing. But what is one to do who has studied an art for their entire life to a level of mastery which few can appreciate or comprehend. And by the way, this guy has over 20 albums of his material on label (and he not only writes this stuff, but also plays it on multiple instruments).
So I know you are not dissing him, and I certianly don't have to defend him. I just post this as a example of how far out this stuff can go.
Aren't we glad we have our day jobs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980 |
Quote:
I don't know if it's good or bad that I knew what "supertonic" meant.....
Let's see if I remember.....
tonic
supertonic
mediant
subdominant
dominant
submediant
leading tone
tonic
Whew... that took some brain cell mixin'.....
I am still at:
do
ray
me
fa
so
la
te
do
...and not entirely sure I even got that right. it it do or doh?, ra or ray?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,629
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,629 |
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980 |
And just to point out, George is not the only one who speaks in musicgeek ; "..The submediant is also in the same relationship to the supertonic as the supertonic is to the dominant, resulting in a descending series of perfect fifths known as an extended dominant relationship. And for Submediant voice leading: the third may be doubled, while the submediant is usually preceded by the mediant, tonic, or dominant and succeeded by supertonic, dominant, or subdominant..." - a simple google search Which brings me back to the house party where a group of these guys are chillin. There are a million musican jokes which come to mind. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Like when the tourist lost in New York asked the jazz musician "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" and the jazz musician answered "Practice, man. Practice."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980 |
Quote:
Like when the tourist lost in New York asked the jazz musician "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" and the jazz musician answered "Practice, man. Practice."
This may be old, but always makes me laugh...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SURma5PlfGs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366 |
Quote:
So I know you are not dissing him, and I certianly don't have to defend him.
Dan. Didn't mean to offend, particularly if he's a good friend of yours. It's just that when someone talks way over my head I wonder if they believe that I understand, or if they know I don't but are trying to impress? Hence, pretentious.
Having said that, the guy's obviously talented and I am impressed!
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
Your folks are so far out, its simply a privilege to
read and listen to your conversations. And be a tiny
part of this bigger picture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366 |
Some twenty years ago, when I did work for certain universities, I found myself having lunch with a group of music lecturers and an eminent visiting professor. This in itself was unusual for me, because anything to do with Music Technology was regarded in the same way as something which might have got stuck to your shoe - to be got rid of quickly.
The conversation, which was way out of my league, concerned Schenkerian Analysis of a student's composition. After listening politely for about ten minutes, the visiting professor said, "But was it a good tune?"
At the end of the day, isn't this what it's all about?
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980 |
Quote:
...concerned Schenkerian Analysis of a student's composition. After listening politely for about ten minutes, the visiting professor said, "But was it a good tune?"
At the end of the day, isn't this what it's all about?
ROG.
Well yes, but! 
Yes, at the end of the day it needs to be a good tune, but the day is long and whats to do but study and analyze; WHAT good sounds like, and WHY does good sound - well good, and HOW can we make the next tune sound good.
I left the university many years ago, but a part of the academic approach still remains in my heart.
That is why I so appreciate the analytical study of music including the unique language (geekspeak) which is necessary to communicate between studiers of the art.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980 |
Quote:
... Didn't mean to offend...
No offense taken.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 191
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 191 |
Interesting read. Scarery, I actually understood and enjoyed reading the analysis,(better count me in as a "theory geek" as well).
Seriously though, I enjoy the analytical side, it helps me understand why something doesn't sound quite right. I try to encourage students to compose so it helps to know how a piece evolves. Their composition tend to sound better if the progressions etc are good ones.
All knowledge is good, although it's been a while since I was heavily into Bach's counterpoint & harmony. (The ol' brain gets rusty if not used). A lot of students these days seem get to about grade 4 or 5 theory before it gets "too hard".
It's all music and isn't it great!
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366 |
I know I come across here as a bit of a philistine, or the archetypal rock musician, but in truth this is only part of the story.
I think being able to understand how something works is great and I like to do it myself wherever possible, but I don't like to see knowledge being confused with talent. A colleague who was heavily into esoteric theories, used to write music which was considered by all who heard it to be unsurpassed in it's mediocrity. Basically, he became so involved in the process, that he lost sight of the end product. When he was being honest, even he would admit to not liking it.
I like to walk the middle ground. Use the theory to good advantage, but don't let it detract from why we learnt it in the first place.
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 430
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 430 |
Tonic?
May i have a Gin and tonic while you're busy?
I'm doing allright for Country Trash ....
I used to care, but things have changed (Bob Dylan)
BIAB 2026W + RB
M-Audio FastTrack C600, Rode NT2-A
Digitech VoiceLive 4
Epiphone Sheraton, Ibanez 12str, Washburn 6str, Cort 6Str Nylon
Yanagisawa Tenor Sax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 191
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 191 |
I suppose I can come across as being "pretentious" but it wasn't my intention. I teach theory so I guess it's a part of my mindset.
I do agree that, just because you know how it works in theory, it doesn't always translate to a great composition. It does help, but you still need to have the "talent" or the "gift" so to speak. You only have to look at Beethoven, knowledge and talent. Oh, if only...(sigh)
I went to a pre-exam meeting for teachers and the examiner for that year commented "just because a student can play a whole bunch of scales doesn't mean they are a good musician".
Says it all really!
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,303
Posts802,976
Members40,087
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean