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#603804 06/25/20 04:52 PM
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How can I get BIAB to recognize power chords? For example, I want D5, C5, D5 in the key of Dm.


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Originally Posted By: Funkifized
How can I get BIAB to recognize power chords? For example, I want D5, C5, D5 in the key of Dm.

Can't you just use a Slash Chord, like Dm/A ?
This will play a Dm chord with an A bass.
Is that the outcome you're looking for? Otherwise, please let us know more.


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BIAB supports D5, A5, etc. (These are "root + 5th" chords.)

Because there is no third in these chords, they are neither major nor minor. They work in both keys.


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Yes, of course Noel's on the money here. To the O/P, I somehow presumed you had tried using that chord input previously but unsuccessfully. Maybe that's not the case?


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I was trying to sequence The Meters' Fire On The Bayou, where I figured out the correct rhythm for the part. However, I really can't get it to sound correct with 3rds in the chords.

It does a rhythm very much like Steve Miller's Fly Like An Eagle, with D5-->C5-->D5-->Dm. When I enter the chords like this, I get DMaj triads. Not good. I need the 3rds of the chords removed.


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Originally Posted By: Funkifized
I was trying to sequence The Meters' Fire On The Bayou, where I figured out the correct rhythm for the part. However, I really can't get it to sound correct with 3rds in the chords.

It does a rhythm very much like Steve Miller's Fly Like An Eagle, with D5-->C5-->D5-->Dm. When I enter the chords like this, I get DMaj triads. Not good. I need the 3rds of the chords removed.


In the style picker filter window write power chords and you will find all of the styles that use power chords. Of course you have to input D5 - C5 - D5 etc in the chord chart.

Many styles will not play a power chord so you have to choose a style that does play them.


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Originally Posted By: Funkifized
... D5-->C5-->D5-->Dm. When I enter the chords like this, I get DMaj triads. Not good. I need the 3rds of the chords removed.


Can you please capture a printscreen image of your BIAB desktop with the mixer open so that we can see what instruments you have loaded in the song in question. Once I know this, I'll check and see which one (or more) of these instruments are not playing the X5 chords.

If you are unsure how to post and image, go to the link below.

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=472139#Post472139

I've just been working on a song that uses G5 a lot and it's worked perfectly for me.

Regards,
Noel


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I've often noticed that when entering "Power chords" that BiaB will play the 3rd.

BTW, I hate the term "power chords". Two notes (like root and fifth) is by definition an interval, not a chord. It takes 3 notes to play a chord.

Although I hate it, everybody uses it so I'll use it myself, and quietly grimace inside every time I do. laugh

Since I export everything I do in BiaB to a MIDI file, I can erase the 3rds but it is time consuming.

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Originally Posted By: Notes Norton
I've often noticed that when entering "Power chords" that BiaB will play the 3rd.
BTW, I hate the term "power chords". Two notes (like root and fifth) is by definition an interval, not a chord. It takes 3 notes to play a chord.

I'm glad you raised that Notes. I also don't feel incredibly comfortable with the term "Power chords", and agree on the minimum number of notes required to start to establish a chord structure. Two usually isn't adequate.


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I agree about the "power chords" nomenclature, but whatta ya gonna do?

So, you enter the style, the chords, and chord settings/rhythms into BIAB and export the result to a MIDI file? What do you do with it from there?


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Originally Posted By: Notes Norton
..................

BTW, I hate the term "power chords". Two notes (like root and fifth) is by definition an interval, not a chord. It takes 3 notes to play a chord.

..................................
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You are not alone my friend! I also hate the name "power chord".


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Exporting to midi and manually erasing the 3rd would work if you have a good guitar (or whatever instrument you need) VSTi or synth to play the midi through.

You could edit the audio to remove the 3rd with melodyne if you have it, but that would be very time consuming.

Mario had the best suggestion I think; find a style that uses power chords.

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Well, that's fairly ridiculous. I'm using a funk style, that while it doesn't make use of distorted guitar, still is appropriate for root-5 chords. Using BIAB styles already a bit limiting; letting them decide when particular chord types is appropriate is now okay? How difficult is it to allow chords with no 3rds in them for all styles? What harm could it possibly cause for someone to specify root-5 voicings in an otherwise unusual musical situation?


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Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
Originally Posted By: Notes Norton
I've often noticed that when entering "Power chords" that BiaB will play the 3rd.
BTW, I hate the term "power chords". Two notes (like root and fifth) is by definition an interval, not a chord. It takes 3 notes to play a chord.

I'm glad you raised that Notes. I also don't feel incredibly comfortable with the term "Power chords", and agree on the minimum number of notes required to start to establish a chord structure. Two usually isn't adequate.


You old guys are such purists grin . You have to check Wiki on this one. The power chord has a lot more sound than an simple interval:
Quote:
in a power chord, the ratio between the frequencies of the root and fifth are very close to the just interval 3:2. When played through distortion, the intermodulation leads to the production of partials closely related in frequency to the harmonics of the original two notes, producing a more coherent sound. The intermodulation makes the spectrum of the sound expand in both directions, and with enough distortion, a new fundamental frequency component appears an octave lower than the root note of the chord played without distortion, giving a richer, more bassy and more subjectively 'powerful' sound than the undistorted signal.[4] Even when played without distortion, the simple ratios between the harmonics in the notes of a power chord can give a stark and powerful sound, owing to the resultant tone (combination tone) effect.


But you knew that. Said with a big smile guys! grin


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I assume, he edits the MIDI, as he stated.
Pick your MIDI editor .. FWIW, RB has a nice one, with the data filters and all.

Since you used D5-C5-D5 you could safely CUT any Eb, E, F or F# notes pretty easily using the Note Range feature of the Data Filter ..
That's just one way

/trying to answer the OPs followup question
//yeah, power chords may not meet the definition of a chord, but they do accurately imply the intent.
Some pretty famous guitar players have used these implied/induced harmonics that Music Student cited very effectively. David Gilmore comes to mind

Last edited by rharv; 06/28/20 06:08 AM.

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Dan here is some music theory about chords for you:

https://www.musiclearning.com/gtr/guitar-chords/

Send with a bigger smile grin grin grin grin


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I consulted with my expert on the topic...

Where's the Jazz


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Here it is.

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Originally Posted By: Notes Norton
I've often noticed that when entering "Power chords" that BiaB will play the 3rd.

BTW, I hate the term "power chords". Two notes (like root and fifth) is by definition an interval, not a chord. It takes 3 notes to play a chord.

Although I hate it, everybody uses it so I'll use it myself, and quietly grimace inside every time I do. laugh

Since I export everything I do in BiaB to a MIDI file, I can erase the 3rds but it is time consuming.

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I prefer 'diads'. Play them on my bass all the time.


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Well, that doesn't really answer my question. I wanted to find out how Bob does the MIDI edit, not the number of ways I could do it. I'm curious as to how someone who seems to live in the MIDI world, i.e. doesn't use RTs, edits MIDI cleanly and quickly. I could certainly export the MIDI file to Finale, delete the notes that I don't want, and then export the corrected file to a .mid file, but that would clearly be a major clusterfuck. I'm wondering what the most optimal way would be. As you say, maybe RB is the way to do it.

However, I'm not sure what the point is. Once I've edited the MIDI file, what next? Import it back to BIAB or Real Band? Maybe freeze that track that I edited so that it doesn't get regenerated? It sounds like a lot of work to get around the fact that BIAB interprets "D5" incorrectly.

This is fairly ridiculous. I just did a search in the Style Picker to filter by the song "Fire On The Bayou". A number of them have a good handle on the feel and interpret my entered rhythms the way that I want. However, every funk or R&B style listed drops a clear D Maj chord on beat one, even though the chord is listed "D5". I've got the key set to Dm; no love. What moron at PG Music made the decision that "D5" chords are only good for hard rock or metal style guitar styles? All other styles must use major/minor chords?

Don't even get me started on the fact that all styles that have anything decent for funk rhythms have also got that generic Wah guitar all over it. One good non-wah funk rhythm guitar track would allow me to enjoy the rest of my days happy. I guess I'll have to lay down my own User Track.


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