|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007 |
I do think it's a very helpful idea. It can apply to any art form, really. I think it's a good way to practice more then anything else, but maybe that's just me.
Thanks for the share.
Cheers,
Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,491
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,491 |
I agree with the practice part.
I am of mixed minds on this. When I am writing the concept of a song, I try and go into the "zone" and try just writing something real and authentic, without giving one thought to whether someone else might like it or not. I have thousands of such ideas and sketches in a DAW that are parked somewhere for a better day.
Once I find something I LIKE, however, I start to take it more seriously, and I am not sure "worry" is the word--but a lot of CARE goes into the process at that point.
For example, if I think it will help to figure out and then record the chorus melody as a violin part so I can sing to it to get a more accurate vocal, I will take the time to do that, though it adds more time. And so on with a lot of other things.
So, I guess in the beginning I don't worry when I am just coming up with song sketches, but when I land on something I want to be pleased with, I get OCD as hell.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Wow - I can really get behind the message of this article. I myself have fallen to that same thought process before. Sometimes just not caring is the best way!
Cheers,
Deryk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685 |
Don't worry, be happy l.o.l.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
I guess in the beginning I don't worry when I am just coming up with song sketches, but when I land on something I want to be pleased with, I get OCD as hell. Me too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007 |
Don't worry, be happy l.o.l. Basically the gist of the article.  Just summarized!
Cheers,
Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,582
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,582 |
I guess in the beginning I don't worry when I am just coming up with song sketches, but when I land on something I want to be pleased with, I get OCD as hell. Me too. Same here. For me the early part of writing lyrics is about getting something down to work with. I'm not all that fussed because whatever I get down is just a starting place. Once I have something, I then use the writing tools that I've picked up over the years and work on making my lyrics cohesive and as engaging as I can. With music, I often work on music and lyrics side-by side. So, when a lyric changes, my melody (or chord) may or may not also change. Again, with music, I firstly aim to get a melody in place that fits the rhythm and syllabic stress of the lyrics. Once that's done, then I modify it to make it more interesting. Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,491
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,491 |
Did anyone not see my copyright and trademark on this comment???? Just kidding!!!! Great minds think alike.  Originally posted by David, quoted by Josie (a David collaborator) and then re-arranged by Noel (another David collaborator) as: I guess in the beginning I don't worry when I am just coming up with song sketches, but when I land on something I want to be pleased with, I get OCD as hell. Me too. Same here. For me the early part of writing lyrics is about getting something down to work with. I'm not all that fussed because whatever I get down is just a starting place. Once I have something, I then use the writing tools that I've picked up over the years and work on making my lyrics cohesive and as engaging as I can. With music, I often work on music and lyrics side-by side. So, when a lyric changes, my melody (or chord) may or may not also change. Again, with music, I firstly aim to get a melody in place that fits the rhythm and syllabic stress of the lyrics. Once that's done, I then I modify it to make it more interesting. Noel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,133
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,133 |
I equate song writing to kidney stones. It’s protracted and painful. I wrote but a small handful of songs during my 30 years of playing in bands. When we discovered BiaB in 2012 I realized other than the public domain I was gonna have to write to post. I have deep admiration for those prolific writers who crank out good material on demand and for those who participate the various write a zillion songs in X days scenarios, etc. I can’t fathom it. My objective is to write something passable and then let Janice bail me out with her vocals and/or or let a co-writer make me look good! Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,007 |
I equate song writing to kidney stones. It’s protracted and painful. I have yet to have this particular experience (kidney stones) and hope to never go through that, even if it's only over writing a song. 
Cheers,
Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
I have passed two kidney stones that caused near mortal pain, and many more that were downright unpleasant. If songwriting is that unpleasant, stop doing it for all that is pure and holy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,133
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,133 |
I have passed two kidney stones that caused near mortal pain, and many more that were downright unpleasant. If songwriting is that unpleasant, stop doing it for all that is pure and holy!
OK, OK, I was a bit hyperbolic But writing ain’t easy for me! I’ve been through the stones thing twice. My doc said it was the closest a man could come to the pain a woman experiences in childbirth. Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
One of my coworkers in the past had several children and kidney stones as well. She said she would choose childbirth pain over kidney stones if she had to make the choice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
"Why Caring Less About Your Songs Will Help You Become a Better Songwriter." Great advice, that.  Regards, Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
By the way, practicIng being prolific at songwriting eases the pain. It’s not unlike building up callouses on your fretting hand. That’s really the point of the article.
Last edited by rockstar_not; 07/27/18 05:36 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 8 |
This is a great topic, and is my first reply on this forum as a new user (just purchased BIAB yesterday and just starting to fumble around with it). I can personally attest to the advice of "don't worry so much about what you're writing - just write, dammit". I have been playing guitar for 50 years or so, and have picked up several other instruments along the way. But every time I sat down to try and write, I would get stuck. To me, my writing was never "just right" and I would criticize myself into analysis paralysis - then just give up. Then, about 10 years ago, I decided to try again. I started with lyrics. I went to RhymeZone.com, and just began putting song ideas together, often just starting with a title. Once I had my verses, choruses and bridges spelled out, I put music to them - kinda like the way Elton John does it. I literally did not care if the finished song sounded good or not. In fact, one song I considered an absolute throwaway, took me 15 minutes to write and another hour to record - and it is still my wife's favorite song by me. Go figure. Here it is: https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=7362038Anyway, over the next while I ended up writing and recording 20+ songs, when I was totally convinced I couldn't even write ONE!! I think some are pretty good, some are terrible - but I don't care. I just sat down and wrote.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,037
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,037 |
Hi Mike, Welcome to the forum and to Band-in-a-Box! Listened to "Summer Sun" and quickly realized you're no beginner to recording, mixing and audio production. This is a nice tune. I like the way you've doubled your vocal and instrumentation selection. Seagulls at the end was cute. Again, welcome to the show. Hope to hear a lot more from you in the User Showcase.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 8
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 8 |
Thanks a bunch, Jim I used JamStudio.com for the backing tracks, and believe it or not, sang the vocal through my guitar's chorus pedal to get that doubling effect. The seagulls were from a sound effects website. Sometimes the best ideas come from simple improvisation. Thanks again for the nice comment. If you liked my throwaway song, hopefully you like others even more, haha. Mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,700
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,700 |
Hi Mike, Welcome to the forum and to Band-in-a-Box! Listened to "Summer Sun" and quickly realized you're no beginner to recording, mixing and audio production. This is a nice tune. I like the way you've doubled your vocal and instrumentation selection. Seagulls at the end was cute. Again, welcome to the show. Hope to hear a lot more from you in the User Showcase. Another welcome. This is a good song. I agree with Jim. You are far more advanced than most if not all BiaB beginners. I'm interested in how you use BiaB in your songs.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Topics86,194
Posts801,823
Members40,064
| |
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