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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2011
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I have last years full version of BIAB and haven't used it (long story). I only want something simple like the at the YouTube link below. It's a simple piece, and I don't know whether it's me or the program but it's slow going --- too slow. I chose a swing tempo and the song isn't bad but it's not good – with a capital G. I want this song done as soon as possible so can somebody tell me the steps I should do to get this job done? I want the song done yesterday, so to speak. I'm a professional sax player and would like to record the song. Any advice? Thanks for your help! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWH6wR0Um...&playnext=2
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Quote:
I'm a professional sax player and would like to record the song.
Any advice?
I suspect you can do this better than I, but here is what I hear and would do.
First you have to disect the song:
So I assume you have the chords? I hear a 10 bar vamp somtthing like this:
\Bb Ab \ Gb F \ Bb Ab \ Bb Ab \
\Bb Ab \ Gb F \ Bb Ab \ Bb Ab \
\ \ Gm7b5
Its got that Brian Seltzer Stray Cat Strut sound. But I don't think it is really swinging. More 4/4 with heavy backbeak (beats on 2 and 4).
I would enter these chords, then start auditioning a style:
Is this what you are looking for, or am I off base here  ?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Musica, If it's going slow, that suggests that the tempo is not set correctly. What I did was to listen to the Youtube clip and to tap the little button that's highlighted by a red circle in time with the music. This gave me a tempo of 120 beats per minute.  Once the tempo has been identified, simply click on the tempo box and enter the tempo. The style _LAZYJAZ.STY might be a good starting place for this song, too. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Posts: 12,896
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Quote:
If it's going slow, that suggests that the tempo is not set correctly.
Oh my, is that what you meant when you said it was "slow going"? 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Dan, At least one of us will be right as to what "going slow" means  Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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he, he, the suspence of it all!  Unfortunately, I have to go to bed and will have to wait until I awake to discover the true answer. Have a nice night Noel. Good Luck and Oh by the way, welcome to the forum.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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./
Well there is a learning curve to BiaB. You can get outstanding results, but it will take time to get control of all the wonderful things that BiaB can do for you.
Please be more specific about what you have tried and what is not working.
There is a chance that you might get lucky. Try this: click on "STYLE' on the left hand edge. In the window that opens up, read the column all the way to the left. Scroll down so that you can see the choices on the bottom of the list. You might see something that looks like what you want. If so, click on it, then click on "Load Song Demo" near the top center. Then click OK.
If you like the sound of what you get, change the chords to fit. If not, try again.
And remember, "Getting the song done yesterday" is NOT on the list of new features.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
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OP
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Thanks for the chords! I saw a few versions but they didn't sound too good when I plugged them into BIAB. Will try it asap. Quote:
Quote:
I'm a professional sax player and would like to record the song.
Any advice?
I suspect you can do this better than I, but here is what I hear and would do.
First you have to disect the song:
So I assume you have the chords? I hear a 10 bar vamp somtthing like this:
\Bb Ab \ Gb F \ Bb Ab \ Bb Ab \
\Bb Ab \ Gb F \ Bb Ab \ Bb Ab \
\ \ Gm7b5
Its got that Brian Seltzer Stray Cat Strut sound. But I don't think it is really swinging. More 4/4 with heavy backbeak (beats on 2 and 4).
I would enter these chords, then start auditioning a style:
Is this what you are looking for, or am I off base here ?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
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OP
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Hi Noel, What I meant was that the project was going slowly. I know there's a debate going on about the answer to this question but I thank you for taking the time for your answer! Fortunately, I know a few things about BIAB but still lack a lot. I'd love to know how to make a phrase repeat ... or let's say the first 16 bars or whatever, but I haven't gotten through the "how to" section of BIAB Everything Pak. So much to learn! Will try your suggestion of LAZYJAZ.STY and see what happens. Thanks! Debb Quote:
Hi Musica,
If it's going slow, that suggests that the tempo is not set correctly.
What I did was to listen to the Youtube clip and to tap the little button that's highlighted by a red circle in time with the music. This gave me a tempo of 120 beats per minute.
Once the tempo has been identified, simply click on the tempo box and enter the tempo.
The style _LAZYJAZ.STY might be a good starting place for this song, too.
All the best,
Noel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2011
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I must say, "You're a great group of folks here!" Helpful and smart! Slow going referred to the project, not the tempo, but it's easily confused. Thanks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Musica, Quote:
As for using a midi backup or MP3,I was told the arranger or people
who made recording (?) owns the rights which is why I want to do it
on my own. As a last resort I might have to ask someone
to do it for me although I'd much prefer to do it myself.
I can’t offer legal advice, but I will say that it doesn’t matter who records a cover of the song, … whether it’s you or someone else, … they must have legal permission to do so. Other legalities also apply.
Quote:
Oh, and one more thing. I'm now listening to the MP3 you recommended and it is outstanding. Do you think it's possible for BIAB to do the background as well as it is on this tune?
No, I don’t. Those are studio musicians playing a specific song from sheet music for that song. Even if a computer program could replicate it, the same legal ramifications would apply.
I was simply pointing you to a possible source for your own use and edification.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
... it may be what you're looking for. I've never purchased tracks from these guys, but they look promising. I think jazzmandan may have since he mentioned them on another thread.]
Yes I have and I highly recommend for both value and quality. If you simply have to have the backing it sound just like the recording, this is the way to go.
Quote:
If you (or anyone else in this forum reading this message) knows about the rights of the arranger and using backing tracks to record and possibly sell, please let me know.
This song appears to be old! "...published in New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers (1901) by John Wesley Work II and his brother, Frederick J. Work. "
That gives it a good shot for Public Domain.
Quote:
Oh, and one more thing. I'm now listening to the MP3 you recommended and it is outstanding. Do you think it's possible for BIAB to do the background as well as it is on this tune? Something tells me it's very doubtful.
I'll let Bob, handle this one, he is better at taking the heat then me! he he
Oh, and before I forget, no one has mentioned, "don't you just love, Eva" 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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"Wade in the Water" is indeed a very old song and very much in the public domain. The arrangement heard in the youtube page above may be copyrighted, however.
This is a good reason to make a new arrangement in BiaB. The owners of PG Music have made it very clear that a new arrangement created in BiaB is the property of the user.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
\Bb Ab \ Gb F \ Bb Ab \ Bb Ab \
\Bb Ab \ Gb F \ Bb Ab \ Bb Ab \
\ \ Gm7b5
All those Bb chords are Bbm (Bb minor) chords.
For jazz version with sax, I might choose to play the Ab, Gb and F chords as 7 chords or [possibly even 9ths in places. Certain of the Band in a Box Jazz styles may just do that anyway, emulating what a Jazz Pianist might do. If the improv soloist leans towards blues scale stuff, as the Trumpet p;layer in the Eva Cassidy performance posted as example, the use of 7 and 9 chords can work very well.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
All those Bb chords are Bbm (Bb minor) chords. --Mac
Good ear, Mac. Thanks.
Can you comment on the rhythm. Are they swinging or is it pretty much straight 4/4 - ? I would appreciate your experience to help tune my ears.
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I heard it as SW feel.
The clue for that is when the quarter note beats are easily found to be divisible by 3's and not 2's.
Rep;lay the given example and count each beat as a triplet in your head along with her and the band. That's Swing Feel.
Swing Feel is when the notes written as standard 8th notes are actually played like tied triplets over one beat, with the first 8th being the one with the two tied notes in feel.
"Doo-bee, Doo-bee, Doo-bee" kinda thing, rather than what we call "straight 8ths).
And, you were dead on by calling Stray Cat Strut, also divisible by threes, denoting the SW feel.
Being as the performer was Eva, well, she played just about *everything* she possibly could with Swing Feel...
--Mac
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Got ya, thanks!
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