actually the grimaces are best used when playing with another guitarist. when you hit a bum note, grimace at the other guitarist and the audience thinks it was them.
Hi All Good info about playing slower I agree . My Question was more of Using Band in a Box ,and how to use band in a Box to Learn Guitar
The Hal Leonard "Guitar Method" (Combined Books 1-2-3) with the audio access code is gradually moving into the position once held by the Mel Bay series as a most popular starter program. It starts out with the "Notes on Each String," moves through "Popular Chords," and spends the remainder playing mostly single note, some double notes, traditional songs from lead staffs. Basically, the lead sheets are treble melody staffs. The book comes with a code to access helpful audio tracks at Audio tracks that go with lessons I don't mention this to push the book, especially since now we have BiaB and lots of "Fake Books" in every style. They all have chord notation. So, you make your own. The book gives the student the foundation. Now we have BiaB to drive the changes, the melodies, and the timing. Can there be any wonder that BiaB has revolutionized learning and practicing? From E to E, frets 0-12, the guitar has three octaves. Add a fourth octave from frets 12-22. High C is on fret 20. There's nothing keeping us from launching the melody or the scale from whatever position we want. The intervals don't change. The learning process may or may not involve knowing the notes all the way up the neck. Good thing about the guitar is that the player can do good melodies in just a few neck positions, for example frets 4-10 will get it done. If that sounds like too much work do frets 5-9. Learn chords in the open position, a few triads & inversions, and you'll be good to play along and occasionally break out. The good thing about sight reading is should you get lost, you can always refer to the music to pick it back up on time.
I have been teaching out of the Hal Leonard "Guitar Method" (Combined Books 1-2-3) for a number of years now. It is an excellent course giving the student exposure to a number of playing techniques. I highly recommend it.
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
Years ago I purchased the combined version but I have no idea where that CD when! It has been a long time since I played it and with a memory like a bear trap that is always open I don't remember what it was on it. I think it was the lessons and some chord backing tracks to jam with but I could be totally wrong about that.
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
Same here, Mario. The Hal Leonard link to mylibrary (above) folder on halleonard.com requires a pass code which is on the title page of each book. I'd forgotten about it. Band-in-a-Box web entrepreneurs would do well to look into the idea of providing backing tracks with chords and lyrics or sheets.
If there is one thing BIAB does better than any other software, it gives you something to play along with. Pick something you like mute everything except the bass and drums. If you are a guitar player listen to stuff Brent Mason plays. Slow it down until you can understand it.
The internet has ten zillion backing tracks to play too. Every song that exist just about is on youtube. If you are going to play gigs, stand up when you practice. Play like you are on stage.
It takes real work to play things slow. Continuing to play fast and sloppy will keep you from ever learning to play well.
Some of the best guitar players in the world don't play super fast. They know how but they know two good notes are worth a thousand meaningless fast notes.
Now if I could just take my own advice more often...lol
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Billy is right. If you can't play it slow and right you will never play it fast. Somebody once told their guitarist in the studio, if you can't get it in 2 takes you can't play it! Sounds about right.
Billy is right about standing as well. If your goal is to play on a stage, any stage, and you will be standing. you better be practicing that as well. It is different. Always use the guitar you will be playing in front of people when you practice as well, of course assuming you have more than one! Most guitarist end up with many, many, many guitars speaking from experience.
There are things right now I cannot play standing up as well as sitting down.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
The fundamental changes line of books is quickly becoming a go to for me if I want to learn new techniques or styles etc. Check them out at Amazon or their own web site Fundamental Changes
Many Kindle versions available at $9.99. I have no connection to this company and get nothing by promoting it.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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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.
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!
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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.
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.
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