Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Beginners Forum
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,063
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,063
Hi Folks.

Can somebody tell me what is this chord: Bb1+8 and also this one:F1+5 ? and how do I write these to BIAB chord grid?

Thank you!

Misha.

Beginners Forum
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,390
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,390
Hi Misha,

I have never in my life seen that type of chord notation before.

All I can think of is that the notation is relating to intervals (or scale number). With this in mind...

(1) Bb1+8 could mean two Bb notes that are an octave apart played together

Editing a BIAB midi track would allow the user to create a chord where octaves play together. I don't know of a simple chord notation that can be entered into BIAB that will do this.


(2) F1+5 could mean F (the 1, tonic note) played with C (the note a perfect 5th above -- which is also the 5th note of the scale)

If this is the case, in BIAB F1+5 would be entered into BIAB as F5 (a power chord that only consists of the tonic and fifth without the third; i.e. F5 = F-C and no A).

Where did you see this notation? I'd like to read some background about how it came into being.

If my above theory is correct, then it's possible that it is a modern form of figured bass. In the days of Bach and Vivaldi, figured bass notation consisted of the written bass note being used as "1" and then the notes to be played above it were written as numerals that indicated the distance between the #1 note and the other notes. For example if 46 (vertically aligned) was placed under a C it would mean to play C+4+6 = C-F-A.

Here's an article on figured bass...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figured_bass

Regards,
Noel



MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Beginners Forum
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082
w Offline
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082
^
Rustyspoon#

to repeat Noel's question :

Quote:
Where did you see this notation?

Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,317
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,317
Originally Posted By: w
^
Rustyspoon#

to repeat Noel's question :

Quote:
Where did you see this notation?


I am interested also. I have been reading notation a long time and I have never seen this. I searched the Internet and came up with nothing also.


I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,462
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,462
I thought I’d seen any kind of music notation there is.

How about a picture of the music?


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,032
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,032
I've seen Bb-8va or F5+8va (usually with the + or - as superscript) meaning play an octave lower or higher, but never in the format you've presented.

Yes, a screen capture would br great.


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323
I know these two types of chords above.
You may find them in the hardware arrangers. These chords are recognized by the H/W arrangers to get 2 single notes with an octave gap for the X1+8, and the tonic and the fifth note for the second one, matching the standard X5 power chord.


Reach for excellence
Beginners Forum
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,063
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,063
It is part of vArranger script for chords. Noel was right from start and John-Luke is correct. about arrangers. It was not in the manual, so I was a little bit confused. I have asked about this, and got an answer on another forum after it confused Noel smile

1+8 means octave only, for example notes C4 + C5
1+5 means quint only, (chord without third) for example C4 + G4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_chord

So with the knowledge above, I assume it is not possible to have real tracks play these in BIAB?

Misha.




Last edited by Rustyspoon#; 03/02/19 09:35 AM.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,462
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,462
BIAB can play power chords.

It cannot, to my knowledge, be told to play unison octaves unless you do that in the melody or soloist tracks.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,390
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,390
Misha,

Thanks for the added information. As Matt mentions above, and what I mentioned in my first reply, the power chord can be played in BIAB. Just enter X5 (where X is the chord).

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,808
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,808
BIAB can't play octaves in the chord grid, because by definition, it's not a chord...it's a note (well the same note an octave apart).


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,317
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,317
Originally Posted By: jford
BIAB can't play octaves in the chord grid, because by definition, it's not a chord...it's a note (well the same note an octave apart).


I'm so old that I was taught that a chord consists of three or more different notes! Two notes was harmony. So how in heck can a so called "power chord" consist of only the tonic and fifth of the scale?


I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Beginners Forum
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323
Indeed, 'Power Chord' is a colloquial and excessive term, because we get only two notes so it is not a chord according to the standard definition of a music chord.
But now, it has entered in the usual language, so....

Re the 'X1+8 chord', sometines noted X8 : this 'chord' is often used in etheral movie music for examples.
Not yet available as RealTracks, but you can get it easy with MIDI : writing the full parts (2 notes) or playing with MIDI harmonies in the Melody or Soloist tracks.


Reach for excellence
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Originally Posted By: jford
BIAB can't play octaves in the chord grid, because by definition, it's not a chord...it's a note (well the same note an octave apart).


I'm so old that I was taught that a chord consists of three or more different notes! Two notes was harmony. So how in heck can a so called "power chord" consist of only the tonic and fifth of the scale?

For those of us who have had formal music lessons, Mario is correct.

One note = a note
Two notes = and interval
Three notes = a chord

What some guitarists call a power chord is nothing but a root/fifth interval and IMHO should not be called a chord.

And what makes a fifth interval so powerful anyway? Are two notes more powerful than 3?

There is a precise language of music, which is learned when you take theory classes. When you erode the language you weaken the communication.

Insights, incites and a minor rant by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,275
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,275
Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
It cannot, to my knowledge, be told to play unison octaves unless you do that in the melody or soloist tracks.


... or unless you create a style via the StyleMaker with just unison octaves, which should be an easy exercise.


Martin
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Hi all
Yes I agree we could argue all day over what we call these things but:
I soon learnt when I first started to tinkle on a piano that you could get a pleasant sound simply by playing every other note if working in C of course I know now that I was just adding a 3rd . I also found that I could thicken up the sound a bit by playing the octave.
If you play the C maj chord in the 1st position and add the octave 8 it seems to enforce the root. Also I am sure that many of you will have reinforced the root by playing it again an octave or 2 lower, say Cmaj chord around C5 reinforced by a C3or 4 maybe.
In a band situation this would be the job of say the bass player. But if you have only got a piano then it’s down to you.
So is a Cmaj +8 a power chord ??
While I am at it, as octave numbering can be a bit of a nightmare you may like to have a read of my article from my web site So that when I talk about note C5 you now which C I mean.

http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/my_technical_articles2.html#octaves


Mike


BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro
Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth
Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt

http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
Beginners Forum
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323
Originally Posted By: Notes Norton

What some guitarists call a power chord is nothing but a root/fifth interval and IMHO should not be called a chord.

And what makes a fifth interval so powerful anyway? Are two notes more powerful than 3?


I am a guitarist, so I can add some explanations.

When we refer to a power chord, it don't make any reference to the construction of the chord (the fifth interval) but to the physical reference of the sound, that is the loudness of the chord.
Indeed, power chords are always played on a guitar with many effects pedals - mainly distorsion pedals, fuzz pedals, overdrive pedals, etc...
So you get a very powerful sound. We use that in hard-rock music, metal music, even in pop-rock music ...
We are here very far from classic definition of the chords, we are also very far from the standard instruments (brass, woodwinds, harp, piano, etc): we are in the guitar world...


Reach for excellence
Beginners Forum
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,063
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,063
Chord or interval...They are all useful smile
I am glad mystery is solved, and thank you all for contributing!

Misha.

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Moderated by  Andrew - PG Music, PeterGannon 

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,789
Posts796,156
Members39,959
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Dobrnjac, MaxxFV, jwagner51, thecabinfever, astroashton
39,958 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 181
Noel96 121
DC Ron 108
rsdean 104
dcuny 102
DrDan 91
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5