Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#215650 09/21/13 07:23 AM
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
I havew been reading for years but have come across a notation symbol which I dont know. It's in the preat section of a real book chart 'Bewitched'. It looks like, or 'is' a forward slash.

There is a chord D7 then a space then the forward slash, then there is two further chord symbols G7 A7b9.

Maybe it means 'or'? Meaning you can either play a D7 for the bar, or play the other two chords?

Zero


Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Try it as a sub for the D7 and let your ears tell you if that is appropriate.

--Mac

Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 958
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 958
Hi Zero,

I'm looking at Bewitched in my old copy of the Real Book. I see nothing like you describe, so I think you're seeing a typographical error.

The D7 occurs over the phrase "bothered and be ..." followed by "...wildered" G7 and then (C7) as an optional entry chord into the first ending. A7b9 is a better choice as a substitute for C7.

Most importantly, Real Book chords are wrong 50% of the time, or, if not wrong, merely bad. Just my opinion Real Book fans.

Aleck

Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 216
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 216
The slash simple indicates a beat. The measure you are referring to is:

| D-7 / G7 C7 |

(which is the 2nd ending; in the 1st ending it's | D-7 / G7 Ab7b9 |)

That means to play the D-7 for two beats and the G7 C7 for one beat each. (Note the D-7 is a D minor 7 chord spelt D F A C not a D7 chord spelt D F# A C).

You're looking at the newer Real Book, version 6 that made some "corrections" from the version 5, I suspect Aleck has version 5.

Regarding the accuracy and statements like 50% of the chords are wrong. There are some tunes were people will argue over the correct chords but it's no where near half the chords. Also, who is to say which version is the definitive version. Different artists will choose different chords and even the same artist will sometimes play the same tune differently from performance to performance. A song like Summertime, there are so many ways to play that tune. Few play the Gershwin changes, Miles certainly didn't. And there are so many ways to play Rhythm Changes (I've Got Rhythm).

The person who transcribes and notates these tunes could pick from one of many recordings all with different changes or just use his own favorite changes. I have tunes where I write up my own changes that are variations from what you might find in the Real Book and aren't based on anyones recordings.

If you want to see something interesting, compare 'Round Midnight in the 5th vs the 6th edition. Very different. I can dig them both. Or compare the turn around on Footprints, 5th vs. 6th editions. In this case I much prefer the 6th edition (but turnarounds are kind of a musicians playground anyways, one can take liberties).

However, there are a few tunes that do bother me.

All Blues is an example. The first chord change from G7 to C7 really screws up a lot of bass lines. So many take the bass line and move it up a 4th at the C7, while on Miles' recorded version the bass line stays constant over those changes. Instead of the C7 the could have said C7/G or Gm6 or Gm7, all of those would have pointed the bass player in the right direction. In my experience most bass players get it wrong. In a sense the Real Book has changed the 'standard' way this jazz standard is played. But who am I to say it's wrong, moving the bass line up a 4th creates a different effect, but they both sound fine.

Last edited by Frankp; 10/26/13 09:06 AM.

Frank

Some tunes from me and my collaborator: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGqM6ktMW5ltTnyit1KWPg/videos


Band-in-a-Box Ultrapak 2019, Windows 11, Reaper, Behringer u-phoria UMC404HD, Kali LP-8
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,206
Posts801,939
Members40,069
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Allan63, brekkea, isledge, Gtrplr66, Mando Kat
40,068 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 116
zedd 110
DC Ron 101
rsdean 89
Noel96 79
Today's Birthdays
mike5256
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5