|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,151
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,151 |
And in answer to Peter's question, yes, I do transcribe licks that I find interesting. I write them out. Then I figure out where they're coming from, that's the important part.
I mainly listen to and transcribe licks that negotiate certain progressions. V7-I's and III-VI7's in particular. When I learn how a certain player is negotiating those changes it gives me ideas and makes my vocabulary a little more fluent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,975
PG Music Staff
|
|
OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,975 |
Aloha,
Yes, that's what I do. I categorize them based on the relative note of the scale that they start off with. I write them out, and file them away like that. So that all II-V-I that begin on the minor 3rd of the II chord are in the same place. Then, when you are soloing, and find yourself approaching a Fm7 chord (ie a Fm7 Bb7 EbMaj7 coming up), and you are around the Ab note (the minor 3rd of the Fm7 chord), it is easy to recall a bunch of phrases that begin on the minor 3rd, and you can compare them while you practice them.
Of course you don't end up playing the whole phrase, might just use part of it, but at least you don't completely forget phrases that you spent the time to transcribe and learn, just because you never see them again.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 622
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 622 |
Playing licks on a sax (or any horn actually) is a lot different than doing it on a guitar. We don't have the advantage of positional changes making the same lick "transportable" across keys. Some theorize since Coltrane studied with Sandole (a guitarist) he didn't realize what was easy on a guitar was horrendously challenging on a tenor and did it anyway.
So, I guess I am a proponent of learning licks on a "per key" basis. Some might transpose to 2-3 other keys easily, but many will just "lay" right in 1-2 keys.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,151
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,151 |
Playing licks on a sax (or any horn actually) is a lot different than doing it on a guitar. We don't have the advantage of positional changes making the same lick "transportable" across keys. Interesting but........wrong. Playing in different keys on a guitar isn't just a matter of moving a few frets up or down. It isn't practical to do that, especially in jazz. Guitar players need to be able to play in all positions. If we're transposng from Db to F we're not just "moving everything up" 4 frets. Check Martino out. He plays licks in every key within a span of 4 -5 frets. The guitar is a strange beast in that anyone can pick up a guitar, learn three open chords and call himself a guitar player. But it goes much deeper than that. Just my opinion, but I've been around for a while.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303 |
it's really pretty simple, just memorize the riff. A riff is just a motive, if one can't memorize that, he should work on ear training.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,568
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,568 |
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129 |
I'm very much enjoying and learning from this topic. Being a person that can't solo well over chord progressions (I'm working on it with BB/RB right now), I'd love to hear and see (e.g. youtube) some of our more experienced players 'jamming' with BB/RB in real time, maybe trading 4's with the soloist...and possibly adding a voiceover to discuss what's going on 'under the hood' so to speak. Also, for a guitar player as myself, seeing the hands of another guitar player is really helpful for me to recognize scales and chords - real hands even more than a fretboard with notes lighting up  but I'm in the process of getting more used to the latter. If anyone knows of some learning links in this sort of format, please share the links. Thanks for the great discussion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610 |
I know (just an example) the lead solo for 'Hotel California' by heart and I get through about half of it without a problem. They say the more you practice having arthritis, the easier it gets and the looser you get with you hands/fingers. That's not true for me on that particular solo. BUT, I never give up. On the bright side: I really don't gig anymore, so I don't have to do covers. I only do originals and when I slip a note or two here and there, I can claim "that was the idea". 
Cheers, Mike My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,605
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,605 |
I'm not trying to argue with Lee, but I see what you mean PhyillyJazz.
There is a lot more correlation on guitar than most horns. If the voicing doesn't work on guitar you may need to change a few fingerings, but with horns every key causes a whole new set of fingerings for almost every note.
That's what I meant by learning things differently. Learn by the intervals, and even more so if you play a horn. Once I have an instrument I play in my hands, I'm a lot better at 'going up a third from where I am now' than I am at thinking 'I know this song in G concert, and I'm on a trumpet so I need to transpose to A and then add another 5th for the key we're playing in now .. because we're doing this in D so I need to be in E .. and I started in G so .. umm'
If you are talking improvisation, that is much different than the topic started out. The topic started with learning melodies (I think). Then I started seeing posts about pasting different licks together. That's the next step after learning the licks in my mind.
However, I personally think if you learn to think in intervals for melodies, when you do want to recall a certain lick this method helps a lot; you may be improvising in key of 'X' and you originally learned it in 'Y'.
Confused yet?
/I can have that effect on people
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897 |
YEAH...I REMEBER THAT CHICAGO BEE HIVE GIG...OR WAS IT A "A SCHOOL OF SORTS IN FRETFULLY UNIQUE ALL-POSITIONS-TOGETHER"
PLAYING...WITH A FRIGHTFULLY APPARENT KNOWLEDGE BY "JOHNNY"!
THAT WAS THE EVENING MANY STAFF CHICAGO GUITARIST, WALKED OUT INTO THE CHILLY EARLY MORNING AIR..JUST SHAKIN' THEIR COLLECTIVE HEADS.
I WALKED OUT WITH JOHNNY BETWEEN HIS WIFE AND I...
CALL IT "THE LOST TRIO...OR LOST TRIAD....
AND JOHNNY FOUND THEM ALL....BY PRACTICE AND DETERMINATION,
WITH A LITTLE TRUMPET-PLAYING EXPERIENCE TUCKED AWAY IN ANOTHER COMPARTMENT OF HIS RIGHT-SIDED BRAIN...
ASK STAN GETZ WHO LOVED PLAYING WITH JOHNNY AND HIS FRETLESS JAZZ GUITAR...AT LEAST WHEN STAN GLANCED OVER AT HIM WHILE THEY WERE BOTH "EXPLORING THE GALAZIES OF IMPROV"...HE DIDN'T THINK THE AX HAD ANY FRETS OR "POSITION MARKERS"!
SORRY PETER...AS A GUITARIST WHO STARTED WITH A GIBSON 125, LIKE WE DID...JUST PRACTICE AND PLAY TRUMPET TOO!! "CHROMATICALLY JIVING" AS THEY SAY... "
Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.
Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 175
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 175 |
it's really pretty simple, just memorize the riff. A riff is just a motive, if one can't memorize that, he should work on ear training. I agree with ear training. Still a 'riff' for some of us is a challenge, despite having well trained ears. It is never just a succession of notes. It is also a specific feel, emphasis etc. That is where I have challenges copying another. In fact I can play competently, but cannot copy others well in the least. I just don't have anybody's else's natural phrasing. I have done this with success a few times, but it never sticks in muscle memory. I have my own natural phrasing that is so embedded that any riff I learn becomes a variation of the original. I know some players who can 'note for note' other players. It can be impressive and I can deeply respect the talent and yet it doesn't actually excite me. Cheers!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac 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 100 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 Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. 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 Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,202
Posts801,904
Members40,067
| |
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