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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99 |
Hi and Merry Christmas,
Just got my new hard drive in tonight. Upgrade from 2013. Amazing, delivery on Christmas eve!
I plan to use this for creating backing tracks for live settings. My question - is there a preferred method to do this?
Right now I get the chords from a tab website. Not knowing the time or tempo, I am guessing at where the chords go. Not knowing is it swing or even, 4/4 or 6/8, is the tempo best set at 70 or 140, etc. One chord for measure, two, four? I guess it's easy to see I am not a music scholar. I mainly fingerpick and play chords. I read tab and chord charts and never had any music classes. Is there hope or or did I just make a mistake in my purchase?
I mostly want to create stuff for church. Some of the Christmas songs seem to be the hardest.
Would using the auto chord recognition help to determine some of these parameters? Is there an easy way? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Marty
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
.
Try googling "Xmas biab" or "hank williams biab" or something like that. A little experimentation will reveal that there are thousands of Biab songs ready to go available on the web.
to the right of the tempo window there are two buttons marked 'tap.' Put the mouse there and then tap four times on the mouse button with your finger. BiaB will figure out what your tempo is.
Study the songs that come with BiaB to learn more about how these things work. Look in the folder called "50SONGS" in your c:\BB folder. Load the demo songs from the style picker.
> Here is a post about 'Swing' vs 'even' from another thread >
Here is a way to divide beats into groups of two:
"Gran-Pa-John-ny, Gran-Pa-John-ny, Gran-Pa-John-ny..."
These are called eighth notes in America.
Here is a way to divide beats into groups of three, called triplets:
"Gran-pa-pa Jon-a-than
Gran-pa-pa Jon-a-than
Gran-pa-pa Jon-a-than..."
The first pattern would be called "even" eighth notes. An idea of "swing' can be had from the second pattern. In place of "Gran-pa-pa Jon-a-than," try saying only the first and third syllables:
"Gran * pa Jon * than
Gran * pa Jon * than
Gran * pa Jon * than"
...leave out the second syllable of "Grandpapa" and "Jonathan" to get a "long-short, long-short" pattern.
Now try some of the styles marked EV (even) and some marked SW(Swing) in the style picker. Listen to how the beats are divided into two-part and three-part divisions. Try chanting "Gran-pa-pa Jonathan" in the two ways described here and see what fits.
(Note that my description of "swing," above, is OK for beginners, but not quite perfect. Its a jazz thing.)
Last edited by flatfoot; 12/24/13 08:28 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
Enthusiast
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|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99 |
Perfect. I did not know there were demo songs or songs on the web already made. That's great. I guess I can start with an already created song and experiment to learn more.
I appreciate the music class. That's a big help. That really does clear things up.
I have never listened to jazz and find it quite challenging. The chords are really different than many I have ever played. I am trying to learn more about it since it helps to broaden my limited skill set. I am in my mid-fifties and it's never too late to learn something new. I can imagine I am in for a huge learning experience as I get more into BIAB.
Thanks for your willingness to share your knowledge. This forum is a big help and I read from it each day.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,142 |
Go for it Marty! Flatfoot gave some good tips there. Don't be too reserved to get your hands dirty on something new, (especially Jazz, he he)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
I can imagine I am in for a huge learning experience as I get more into BIAB. Yup, there is a learning curve here. Fortunately, you have the most effective music learning tool on the planet in front of you - and the most fun one. Its a tool that every musician needs and is used by very many music teachers. Start with the songs that you know. Play with them until you get whats going on with chords, structure etc. If the blues are not already your strong suit, work with them before tackling the jazz tunes. And please say some more about your experience, skill level and the music you like.
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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.
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Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
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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)!
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The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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