one of the most common pop song formats is AABA. i.e verse chorus, verse chorus, middle 8, verse chorus. So how do I do this in BIAB? I'm fairly up to speed with the repeats, intro, tag and endings menu box but I don't see a straightforward way of starting with an AABA setup. I must be missing something. Please enlighten me.
Most of what I do is AABA, (sometimes AABACA). Over time I've found the easiest way (for me anyway) is to simply unfold the song linear - set number of choruses to 1 and type the lot in. Easier than you might think if you use copy and paste to add A section en masse. I find I have more control over endings and because its linear, if I fancy a different chord in, say, the middle of the second A section, it affects nothing else. HTH Ian
Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was! BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10
Does this form assist you to setup the preferred layout?
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Yes, the form box does appear to do what I want, but it is in linear form as per sixchannel's answer. The resulting leadsheet seems to be linear too, which is not very convenient if you want to produce something on one sheet for display on a tablet. What I was looking for is a repeat of A with 2 endings followed by the B (middle 8) then a d.c. to the A part again with a coda sign to avoid the 1st and 2nd repeats but going to an ending instead. That's how I'd write it, old school style. Is possible in BIAB?
I suggest you write it as 3 endings. Build it as a linear song and then add the repeats.
The common section is "A" as you describe. The first ending is simple - let's call it "E", the second ending is E plus B, and the third ending is probably a modified E to include any special finish.
Then build the 1st, 2nd and 3rd endings in the dialogue, recognizing that the second ending is longer than the first.
I build almost all my songs this way, and can generally print them on two pages by carefully managing the bars per line on the fake sheet.
One tip - don't make the first ending too short. I usually make mine 4 bars, and print it on its own line, it will make lining up the print so much easier. I rarely use DS as it often is just as easy to make a third ending. I reserve DS for breaking out of the "A" section early if the third pass does not need a full "A" section.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643) Windows 10 (1909)
one of the most common pop song formats is AABA. i.e verse chorus, verse chorus, middle 8, verse chorus. So how do I do this in BIAB? I'm fairly up to speed with the repeats, intro, tag and endings menu box but I don't see a straightforward way of starting with an AABA setup. I must be missing something. Please enlighten me.
AABA is Verse verse chorus verse
What you then indicated is ABABCAB. That is a song form that can be fairly long when it's done.
So.... no matter. Just details.
I find the best thing to do is to immediately UNFOLD to ONE CHORUS as BB likes to call it. That takes the song out of the 3x repeat and puts it into a linear form... One time through, start to finish. This lets you use your edit function to add the part markers you need to create the verses and the chorus as well as any middle 8 or bridge sections. It also lets you work out the intro and endings according to your vision for the song.
I tend to ALWAYS unfold the song form as it's also much easier to see what you're doing and more importantly, where you are at, in the song.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add 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.
I always build "unfolded" then add the repeats/ endings afterwards. since the repeats, at this point, are print functions, you can create some pretty complex fake sheets. They work because the underlying song hasn't changed. I like my fake sheets, with multiple lines of lyrics to fit on two pages. Never had a problem
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643) Windows 10 (1909)
In case it wasn't clear from Herb's post, BIAB defines "one chorus" as jazz players do: once through the tune's whole form. This is because BIAB was originally designed to play jazz fakebook tunes. So in BIAB, one chorus could be AABA or ABABCAB etc.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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