|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,129 |
I love hearing my songwriting 'idols' talk about their process. Also, idols or not - people just into the art of songwriting. Also, what inspired particular songs.
As always - thanks in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Song exploder
Sodajerker
Tuner (this one is analysis only )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,866
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,866 |
Inspiration comes from a lot of places. The only limit is your imagination.
All it takes is someone to say something or for me to hear or see something that makes me think or brings a certain idea to mind....and I have the beginnings of a new song. Sometimes people send me ideas and partially written song verses and I can take some of them and finish them one way or another. And sometimes, the ideas seemed good but languish in my computer and mind for a long time. Ask David. He sent me the basics for Whiskey for Breakfast..... I don't think that was the name of it... and in a short time we had a finished song. A few days at most. Then there's the other idea he sent..... I think that one's still on the back burner after over a year..... maybe I'll get it done eventually.
A recent short story/example. In a facebook group I'm in, there's a planned 2nd reunion of the folks who were active in the business of music back in the 70's and 80's in a certain military town we all lived in. This group includes the store owners, the bar owners, the musicians, the tattoo shop artists, and even the police officers who were in the midst of it all. Musically, the town was extremely active with dozens of places hosting live bands. There were at least a dozen full time or part time bands in that town at any given point over that time frame. Everything from the disco bands to the rock and roll bands to the country bands. I was asking about a certain hole in the wall we played a lot when our band was getting started. It was a cowboy hangout. Some of the guys there were active rodeo participants with the buckles and scars to prove it. From that memory, I came up with the idea for The Road To Cheyenne. I have written several other cowboy rodeo songs in the past, but there's always room for another.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
Their inspirations are likely no different from yours, Joe. Every song starts with an idea. Whether it's Todd Rundgren, Sting, Roger Waters... they all started with an idea. Make a habit of always having some way to commit your ideas to paper or phone recording. You may get a line that would make a good hook, an event of the past that pops into your head, someone who broke your heart, or taught you something, or as is often the case, both. I think a lot of us have one thing in common, and that would be napkins, envelopes, the back of receipts and such with a lyric phrase. I did a throwaway song about 3 years ago (meaning I wrote it, hated it, and jettisoned it) based on someone posting a meme on Facebook that said "Now would be the time". That grew into "if we're gonna fall in love, now would be the perfect time". That sat in a text file on my computer for over a year, and slowly I added lyrics to make verses, came up with a chorus with that hook, and then decided it was a pile of crap and just killed it completely.
BUT... that's how inspiration starts sometimes. With an offhand comment, some catch phrase that pops into your head.... There's really no magical moment that is any different for the big time songsmiths and the little time songsmiths. The big time songsmiths just have paths for their songs to find artists that we don't have. Those Nashville writer types in the jeans, boots and blue blazers who sit in cubes and churn out songs that sound the same all day (from 9 to 5, and every song exactly 3:34 in duration) just have their toes in elite water. We don't. We have the muddy "crick" out yonder....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,921
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,921 |
Those Nashville writer types in the jeans, boots and blue blazers who sit in cubes and churn out songs that sound the same all day (from 9 to 5, and every song exactly 3:34 in duration) just have their toes in elite water. We don't. We have the muddy "crick" out yonder.... There are no "cubes". Nobody sits 9 to 5 churning out cookie cutter songs. And it's not "who you know" either (the other sour grapes line of Nashville disrespect). Everybody writes when they want, where they want. Sometimes that is in the offices that some publishers provide - which are most often rooms in big, old, "Main Street style houses" - with sofas and coffee tables (and often a piano). Often, it's simply getting together at each other's house for a couple of hours. They earned their way there through hard work and an understanding of how the craft of songwriting works. They are very good at it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
No cubes? Man, that just can't be true.  Regards, Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
There are no "cubes". Nobody sits 9 to 5 churning out cookie cutter songs. And it's not "who you know" either (the other sour grapes line of Nashville disrespect). Everybody writes when they want, where they want. Sometimes that is in the offices that some publishers provide - which are most often rooms in big, old, "Main Street style houses" - with sofas and coffee tables (and often a piano). Often, it's simply getting together at each other's house for a couple of hours. They earned their way there through hard work and an understanding of how the craft of songwriting works. They are very good at it. That was a metaphor for people who churn out songs like a worker in a sheet metal factory stamps out parts on a press. At least give me the jeans and the boots.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
I listen to songcraft and also BBC 4 mastertapes (unfortunately a little inconsistent)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,038
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,038 |
I listen to songcraft and also BBC 4 mastertapes (unfortunately a little inconsistent) I'm just getting into BBC-4's +++ Mastertapes +++ program. It's a great show to listen to Joanne! I hope you don't mind me sharing a link to it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
I listen to songcraft and also BBC 4 mastertapes (unfortunately a little inconsistent) I'm just getting into BBC-4's +++ Mastertapes +++ program. It's a great show to listen to Joanne! I hope you don't mind me sharing a link to it. Thanks for the link, Jim. Some cool stuff on there. Bob 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
There are no "cubes". Nobody sits 9 to 5 churning out cookie cutter songs. And it's not "who you know" either (the other sour grapes line of Nashville disrespect). Everybody writes when they want, where they want. Sometimes that is in the offices that some publishers provide - which are most often rooms in big, old, "Main Street style houses" - with sofas and coffee tables (and often a piano). Often, it's simply getting together at each other's house for a couple of hours. They earned their way there through hard work and an understanding of how the craft of songwriting works. They are very good at it. Thanks for the insight, Floyd. Love to hear you talk about what it's really like in the pro songwriting "biz"...and from a man who's actually been there. Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Thanks for the Mastertapes link
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,038
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,038 |
I listen to songcraft and also BBC 4 mastertapes (unfortunately a little inconsistent) Joanne, it took me awhile but I finally narrowed it down to +++ SongCraft.com +++. Is that the first podcast you referenced?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936 |
I listen to songcraft and also BBC 4 mastertapes (unfortunately a little inconsistent) Joanne, it took me awhile but I finally narrowed it down to +++ SongCraft.com +++. Is that the first podcast you referenced? Hi Jim Yes! That is the one. Thank you for posting the links. You are a star!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007 |
There are some really great suggestions here that I can't wait to check out. Thanks for sharing, guys!
Cheers,
Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,201
Posts801,900
Members40,067
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean