I understand how to change the backing track key from concert to Bb in order to have my Tenor sax play in tune. I would like proper instructions on how to do the reverse without transposing the chords.
As it stands, I enter the intended chords one note below what I intend to play in order to have what I intend to play appear when the key is changed and the entered chords transposed after selecting the "chord display" button. That's taking the back door to get to the front yard though.
I am entering chords from my Jazz Patterns book and Jamey Abersold books and would like to enter them as written and have the backing track play in the appropriate key for Tenor sax.
I tried once entering the chords and changing the signature key from concert to Bb on the BIAB dash wihtout transpose but it did not turn out the way I expected.
If someone knows the proper direct approach please guide me.
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.
That's the area that I goto for the forward process, by setting the default concert selection, as well as changing the dashboard Key to read the Key of C, then I proceed to the same drop down menu after entering my chords one note lower (concert, that changes to intrument (Bb) to get the track to play in the proper key, actually so that I'm playing in proper key relative to the track. The problem is I have to enter the chords one note below what I intend to play before doing the above.
What I want to do is just the opposite process but with the same in-key result as if the Tenor sax was concert and I was changing everything to be in key with it.
Basically type in my chords and then press a button to bring the track into proper key with my entered chords and sax. I want the track to dance to my tune.
As you can see, that drop down menu does not give an option for non transposing of the entered chords.
Yes, I understand what you mean. There are a number of horn players in the Forum, one of them may know if there's an answer.
Incidentally, welcome to the neighborhood!
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.
I play some Bb instruments and I've answered this question a few times in the past. Where we sometimes miscommunicated was based on exactly how the song was entered.
You said you are reading an Abersold Bb book. Did you enter the song exactly as in the book, and did not use BIAB to transpose? If yes, I can talk you through it. One other question: did you enter the key of the song into BIAB? Or just leave it as C, the default? And, what is the key of the song as it appears in the fake book? If you can answer these questions, I or others will give you the steps so it looks and works correctly.
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.
I play some Bb instruments and I've answered this question a few times in the past. Where we sometimes miscommunicated was based on exactly how the song was entered.
You said you are reading an Abersold Bb book. Did you enter the song exactly as in the book, and did not use BIAB to transpose? If yes, I can talk you through it. One other question: did you enter the key of the song into BIAB? Or just leave it as C, the default? And, what is the key of the song as it appears in the fake book? If you can answer these questions, I or others will give you the steps so it looks and works correctly.
Hello Matt and thanks for your offer to help. The subject does tend to get a bit merky if not careful.
To make it a little clearer, the Jamey Abersold series is no real problem considering it also lists the chords in concert key which can be entered as such and then transposed into the appropriate chords for the Tenor sax.
The Jazz Patterns book is in concert only and it's important for me to be able to enter and keep the chords in BIAB as typed in correspondence with what is in the book in the event I have a track playing in the absence of BIAB and am reading from the book.
Also if I decide to enter various chords and scales I am having trouble with independent of any book, I need to be able to have BIAB play in the proper key relative to Tenor.
Initially I set everything to default concert, including the key signature next to the Tempo on the permanent BIAB dash which was set to "C". I would then enter my chords as written in the book, click on the key signature and select change key signature to Bb without transposing the chords. I only tried it once or twice but noted the track was not in the proper key when playing.
I arrived at the chord display icon after further reading and although I could not keep the entered chords unchanged when transposing, it did produce the proper key in the track.
Now, let's take one song from the Abersold Bb book. Pick one and tell me what the key signature is in that Bb book.
Footprints by Wayne shorter
No key designated in the Abersold book songs, however it is based on a concert setting. All chords and all notes for the concert sheet are one note lower than for Tenor chords and notes on the same song.
Example:
First 4 chords for concert: C- C- F- C- (This is what I enter and transpose to below). For Tenor: D- D- G- D- (I want the ability to enter this as written and change only the track key instead of having to enter it in concert and convert)
There are no designated keys in the signature, just notes and chords.
Concert first three notes: Bb and Bb throughout the song except where cancelled. Tenor first three notes: C (This might suggest the key of F for concert, but there are no F#s indicating a corresponding key of G for Tenor here.
I did notice at the bottom of each page a reference to C- pentatonic scale for concert and D- pentatonic scale for Tenor version of the song.
Great song, know it well. Played it at my last concert.
And great forum user name too!
I would have called that the key of Cm (concert) as it starts and ends on that key. Dm for tenor sax. But I know the Abersold series prefers to use the scales and modes approach. So you are telling me the Bb fakebook has a key signature of no flats or sharps for the tenor part, and I assume the concert pitch book would also have no sharps or flats. As such, it's not a good example for this question in BIAB. I would like you to assume the song is in Cm concert.
OK, let me work on the steps...
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.
One of the first things to do entering any song into BIAB is to set the key, assuming you know it. ____________________________________________________________________
Set the style and tempo. [I chose AF68MOD.STY and a tempo of 105.]
Click on the Key icon and set the key to Dm using the left-hand column of the choices (assumes BIAB 2015 or 2016) [If you have already entered the song without doing that, see below]
Enter the chords (Dm for the first 8 bars etc) out of the tenor sax fakebook
Enter the melody notes (four Cs, then D etc.)
Save the song as "Footprints Bb" or "Footprints Tenor", or something like that; make up a convention to follow
Click on the Key icon and select Cm (one full step lower than whatever the tenor sax key is) in the left-hand column
Save the song as Footprints C or Footprints Concert ___________________________________________________________________
Note that we did not use any of the several transposition functions in BIAB. We could have, but this way is easier, by using only the Key icon, and saving the song in two keys. If you use the transpose function, you can forget it is on! Trust me on this, I play instruments pitched in F, G, A, Bb and C.
Also note that, if you want to remain faithful to Abersold's non-use of key signatures (which I do not recommend), you can just use the Key icon on either version you saved and change the key to C using the right-hand column (which will not transpose). This is a bad idea in BIAB, though, because BIAB uses the key signature to make many decisions about harmony and accidentals.
If you have already entered the song as written in the Bb fakebook, then before converting it to concert pitch, just click on the key icon and select Dm from the right-hand column.
Questions?
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.
One of the first things to do entering any song into BIAB is to set the key, assuming you know it. ____________________________________________________________________
Set the style and tempo. [I chose AF68MOD.STY and a tempo of 105.]
Click on the Key icon and set the key to Dm using the left-hand column of the choices (assumes BIAB 2015 or 2016) [If you have already entered the song without doing that, see below]
Enter the chords (Dm for the first 8 bars etc) out of the tenor sax fakebook
Enter the melody notes (four Cs, then D etc.)
Save the song as "Footprints Bb" or "Footprints Tenor", or something like that; make up a convention to follow
Click on the Key icon and select Cm (one full step lower than whatever the tenor sax key is) in the left-hand column
Save the song as Footprints C or Footprints Concert ___________________________________________________________________
Note that we did not use any of the several transposition functions in BIAB. We could have, but this way is easier, by using only the Key icon, and saving the song in two keys. If you use the transpose function, you can forget it is on! Trust me on this, I play instruments pitched in F, G, A, Bb and C.
Also note that, if you want to remain faithful to Abersold's non-use of key signatures (which I do not recommend), you can just use the Key icon on either version you saved and change the key to C using the right-hand column (which will not transpose). This is a bad idea in BIAB, though, because BIAB uses the key signature to make many decisions about harmony and accidentals.
If you have already entered the song as written in the Bb fakebook, then before converting it to concert pitch, just click on the key icon and select Dm from the right-hand column.
Questions?
Much appreciated Matt. I'll apply the procedure you described above when I get a chance later today.
The Jamey Abersold books are a sidebar since they come with their own background music. My main purpose for needing to be able to do this is for application to other practice materials that address technique and familiarity of scales and chord variations and therefore except for scales have no key signature posted. Coincidentally I already have the syle you posted selected.
This would be so much easier if there were a title on the dash that read "Track Key". I could simply set it and go.
Great. About the 'simpler' request, there are several ways to transpose in BIAB. Sometimes you want the pitch the same but the part transposed for play along. Whatever it is, BIAB can do it, but having options makes it more complicated.
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.
I tried the steps you listed and it was a no go. Starting from all default settings, I set the key on the menu/dash as directed, entered my chords and saved the song. Play back was out of tune.
I guess I have a lot going on as of late, as I realized I had already accomplished what I asked about here. By selecting transpose to Alto in the chord display drop down menu (forgot that I left my Tenor at a different location) I had already met my goal because after that action, whatever chord I typed in after the fact would have accompaniment playing to the tune of whatever instrument I selected (in this case alto) which was the case. Of course I didn't type the notes intended for Tenor during setup.
Thanks again for your help and comment on the screen name, I don't have any loose "screws" but I tend to fixate on tasks from time to time so it fits.
So far Ernie Watts plays my favorite version of Footprints here at time marker 2:01.
When you say playback was out of tune, I suspect now that you might have been asking about the 'other' transpose options. I thought your original intent was to produce a correct chart for concert pitch, given a Bb Facebook. If you want to try again, and describe exactly what you want to do, I'll certainly give it another try.
My brother was at Berklee with Ernie Watts. Great player. See if you can get hold of a tune called One Thousand Watts by Brazilian pianist (now in LA) Rique Pantoja.
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.
When you say playback was out of tune, I suspect now that you might have been asking about the 'other' transpose options. I thought your original intent was to produce a correct chart for concert pitch, given a Bb Facebook. If you want to try again, and describe exactly what you want to do, I'll certainly give it another try.
My brother was at Berklee with Ernie Watts. Great player. See if you can get hold of a tune called One Thousand Watts by Brazilian pianist (now in LA) Rique Pantoja.
Sorry for the confusion, I meant play a long instead of playback. My main focus right now is my Jazz Patterns book which is loaded with chords and therefore great for building technique and chord familiarity.
My intent is to use BIAB to provide the play-a-long music for the patterns book to create something similar to the JA books as well as use it in place of the JA CD tracks. I would be reading from my books while BIAB served as my play-a-long CD.
So for now I would only be entering chords from the book, no notes although that's in my plans for later.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean