|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 368
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 368 |
In two recent issues of Down Beat (December 2011 & June 2013). There are articles on “poly chords”.
Two chords stacked one upon the other, e.g. Cmaj7 plus Dmaj7.
This can be written as Cmaj7/Dmaj7, however not in BB as the slash is used to indicate a desired bass note (e.g. Am7/G).
Of course if one spells out the notes of Cmaj7/ Dmaj7: C, E, G, B, D, F#, A and C# one could use the tertian terms (for the Dmaj7 chord tones): 9, #11, 13, #15. This has however some unlucky consequences in BB, as #11 will alter the G in the C-chord and #15 is not recognized.
Has anyone a suggestion that will work around these two problems?
Please let me hear from you.
Tonnie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 138 |
Hi Tonnie. Interesting question. I've had the same issue making backing tracks for Kurt Rosenwinkel numbers and other modern stuff.
I'm not sure a programme like BIAB, amazing as it is, will ever be able to cope with really wierd note-stacks.
For example, just putting a C triad over a Db triad (a fairly common modern jazz harmony) gives you:
Dbmaj7(#9 b5) (Notes: Db F Ab C E G)
I only have experience with BIAB RT's, but my approach is:
a) listen to what I'm trying to emulate
b) listen to what BIAB does with different options, especially given the chord that comes next.
In the above example, I might end up writing C/Db, or Dbalt, or Db7#9.
Have you found other workarounds? Best - Andy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 138 |
Sorry Tonnie - I meant to comment on your Cmaj7/Dmaj7 example.
The central problem, I think, is that you have a 7th and a major 7th in there (C & C#). No standard chord system I've come across (including BIAB) will find that easy! (btw, there's no #11 Ab, I think).
I'd experiment with things like: Cmaj7/D; D13, D69 and see what fits best....
After all, no comp-er includes every note in the harmony! Best again - Andy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,272
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,272 |
I will admit upfront that I know very little on this subject. However, would it not be possible to put RealBand into the process?
Could you not put the first set of chords (say with the Cmaj7 et al) into BIAB then export all the tracks to RB?
Next, do the same song with the alternate chords (say with the Dmaj7 et al) in BIAB and export only those tracks that would be affected by these new chords? You could omit the drums and perhaps the bass.
Would they not all play the way you wanted them to in RB?
Good luck!
LLOYD S
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,514
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,514 |
For a work around in BIAB, do one chord, freeze the track, then change to the other chord. All the chord tones will be heard.
The problem is that many of the resulting notes will be in the wrong register.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 234
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 234 |
i believe they're used for keeping your parrot on his perch
Andrew Lloyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
This can be written as Cmaj7/Dmaj7, however not in BB as the slash is used to indicate a desired bass note (e.g. Am7/G).
Hi Tonnie, I'm a proponent of using the "pipe" to indeicate the Polychord in fake notation, rather than the slash. That way, the slash is always indicative of the ostinuto or pedal bass note, the pipe indicates the Poly chord. Cmaj7|Dmaj7 Fake notation is a living language, it is not uncommon to find printed amterials where the slash is used instead of the pipe. At this moment in time, BiaB does not recognize the Polychord. I have, however, come up with workarounds that can sound okay if not look good in the notation. Depending upon the tune at hand, one might try entering Gmaj9/C for the above Polychord, for instance. That would yield the C as bass note, plus the G, B, D, F# and A. But there are quite a few workarounds for these, actually, that won't play every note in the given stack, but can be used to play the "important" notes in most cases. The pieces where the really dense sound of every note in the Polychord, though, I've found difficult to reproduce by just entering chords in BiaB. For those I've had to resort to playing in the part via my MIDI keyboard on the Thru track and leaving it saved as a static part on the Melody or Soloist track. Then, adding BB autoaccompaniment, Bass, Drums, sometimes guitar, as appropriate, can yield the target song in sound if not in chord sheet. But I do encourage you to make a post on the Band in a Box Wishlist Forum so that development can assess the amount of interest in such, it might just end up as a New Feature some day. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,569
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,569 |
Tonnie, Another work around is to use Matt’s freezing suggestion then bring the tracks in your DAW to arrange the notes in the order that you wish. This of course will only work with midi.
Good luck,
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 138
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 138 |
Agree with Mac 100%.
I so wish the pipe could become the universal standard.
For Cmaj7/Dmaj7, it's clear.
But often I've assumed Cmaj7/D meant D note in the bass... and only later realised they meant Cmaj7|D (ie D triad).
Best - Andy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 716
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 716 |
For it to be a true polychord the register has to be separate otherwise it becomes an added note voicing.
Obviously you can move the chord track to a melody and soloist channel and then transpose one of them by the requisite amount of semitones.
The other way which is one I do quite a lot isn't so much a polychord as an added note voicing which will give you the dissonance level but without the separation of register. (It's a moot point as to whether you hear a polychord as two distinct chords anyway or one large chord tied to the root)
to achieve it find the nearest voicing to the combined chord using an inversion over a bass note. Move it to a spare melody channel then use the 'low root' voicing in the melody harmony feature moved up an octave or to to add any missing note from the voicing. The problem with this is that you'll have to enter the note as a single note chord in a new chord sheet to get the melody harmony to add it, meaning a lot of cutting and pasting two sets of changes.
A third way is to find a really sparse left hand chord style that outputs only 3 or four notes max. Enter the first of your two chords and use the same method as above but this time use a 3 note melody harmony to get the other chord.
HTH
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,089
Posts800,059
Members40,031
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean