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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Can BB be used to experiment with harmony for a melody. For example can I create a blank project; record in a midi melody; then tell BB to generate harmonies based on the notes entered? or do I have to enter chords myself. I want BB to suggest alternative chord harmony for my boring chord progression. I was at NAMM today and didn't get much help at the booth.

Last edited by Pastor Nelson; 01/25/14 05:18 PM.
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I'm not very proficent yet with BIAB but I'm reasonably sure the answer is no. BIAB creations are based around chords that are input by the user as well as styles the user selects. I don't believe it can turn that around and create chord progressions based on a medley. It does have a built-in harmony feature that can create harmonies from the musical notes a user enters in the melody track.


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Hi Pastor and Jim,

Under the "Window" menu on the uppermost menubar, there are a couple of functions that will help.



The "Chord Re-harmonist Dialog" is probably the one best suited to what you need.

Success will vary because often there are many possible chord progressions and the one that BIAB settles on might not be the one you are after.

That being said, it is always possible to save multiple files, make a note of the chords you like from each file and then compile the chords into a final progression.

Hope this helps,
Noel


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I'll give it a try. thank you. I'll post back later.

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The harmonizer is one of the best features in my oppinion. There are more than a hundred styles. One of my my favorites is Singers Unltd for vocal backup. I have also used it to create horn section brass parts. Try it first then come back. I suspect it will do what you are looking for and more!

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Uae of the MIDI Harmony feature, long a part of Band in a Box, can instantly create harmonies based on a single-note line entered onto the Melody Track.

Band in a Box can also do those harmonies in RealTime on the Thru track, so that if you have a MIDI controller instrument hooked up to the computer and recognized via the MIDI Input, you can play one-finger single-note melodies and they will play harmonies automatically as the song plays. George Shearing with one finger. Nat Cole/Art Tatum Dropped Two harmonies with one finger. Sax of horn section parts with single notes. "Supersax" harmonies. Trumpet and Trombone sections. Country music harmonies. "One Up and One Down" harmonies as used a lot in various Pop and Rock songs. Even Barbershop Quartet harmonies are available in the list.

For arrangers, this feature represents one of the fastest and easiests methods of obtaining good SATB voicings existent. Can be exported as separate tracks for MIDI and Notation, see the BB FAQs on how to do that. Exporting these autogenerated harmonies as MIDI to Music Notation program is very powerful stuff for the arranger.


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Just reading the excellent answers above, you have to realize it is a two stage operation. First derive the chords with the degree of complexity you require. Then harmonize using the style of harmony you want, or that suits the genre of music you like. Both functions are handled perfectly by Band-in-a-Box, as noted.


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