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OMG, what a load of elitist bull crap! Music, like everything else in life, can be enjoyed at a multitude of levels. My first guitar teacher wasted a year of my time and a bunch of my dad's money trying to teach me music theory. My second guitar teacher, at my first lesson, asked "what would you like to learn?" to which I replied "Stairway to Heaven"! And I have been hooked on playing and writing music ever since. And no, I have no clue what you mean when you tell me to try a "A minor diminished fifth neutered to the power of 2" nor do I care! I'm having fun and I'm doing it my way.
I agree wholeheartedly John. Most of what Eddie says is "elitist bull crap". It's a good thing for me that Eddie wasn't around when I was learning to play. Even people insisting that folks have to learn to read music before they learn to play is total bullsh*t.
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Bob. Thank you! Here is a message I got yesterday on my youtube channel. I get loads of these types of comments. People who have not played for years....
Hello Joanne, I'd like to thank you for the play along format you put the songs in, I'm 55 and been trying to learn to play the guitar for awile now on you tube with little success until I found you, now I'm playing along with your songs and love it, your quite the inspiration, especially during these times of covid, thanks so much ,God bless you and much success to you in your endeavors
That quote is the perfect example of how much a ton of people will appreciate what you are doing. Music isn't just something for the chosen few. The sense of accomplishment and joy that some people will get from learning to play one song is worth it.
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Reading is a tool, but it goes deeper. Do they know the Circle of 5ths and WHY chords relate to each other? Do they know the steps of the scale (tonic/root, subdominant/4th dominant/5th) etc? Do they know WWHWWWH (Whole and Half, the intervals of a scale)? If they don't know that stuff, they will only be able to play in C. Throw Eb at them and they don't know the scale.
Eddie, I don't think this is totally true. Guitar is pattern based, as you know. If you can play a lead in C you can play it in any other key. Show a non-reader how to play the minor pentatonic scale and they will be in seventh heaven. I agree that reading and theory are tools that you can use.
You can throw examples out all day of people who didn't read, but consider it this way. The Beatles did NOT have no musical knowledge. They just didn't KNOW they had a lot of musical knowledge. You don't write chord changes like they did with no knowledge. Learning theory is not knowledge. Theory is tools. When you drive a car, are your tools in the trunk for when you need them or in the front seat next to you?
What difference does it make? They used their ears and not theory to write their songs. I tell my students to learn theory but don't let it dictate their playing. Play from the heart. Theory is great for practicing and/or analyzing what you played. Take the rule of fifths. Just because you know it doesn't mean that all of your chord progressions have to follow it. Yes. There will be a market for it. I just won't be in it, but she already acknowledged that this isn't aimed at someone with now over 64 years of experience and a degree in the field. This is aimed at the "campfire" player. Run with it and see how it goes. I won't be in it either, i.e. 60 years of playing guitar with another 3 years added on for trumpet and French Horn. I have lots of fake books and other music books that I can draw from to play music. I think we agree on the importance of reading music and theory but we disagree on making it mandatory for all musicians. YMMV
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Bob. Thank you! Here is a message I got yesterday on my youtube channel. I get loads of these types of comments. People who have not played for years....
Hello Joanne, I'd like to thank you for the play along format you put the songs in, I'm 55 and been trying to learn to play the guitar for awile now on you tube with little success until I found you, now I'm playing along with your songs and love it, your quite the inspiration, especially during these times of covid, thanks so much ,God bless you and much success to you in your endeavors
That quote is the perfect example of how much a ton of people will appreciate what you are doing. Music isn't just something for the chosen few. The sense of accomplishment and joy that some people will get from learning to play one song is worth it. I completely agree with Bob. I think you are doing a very good thing not only for guitarist but other chord playing instruments like ukes and mandolins.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school. Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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[quote=eddie1261] My second guitar teacher, at my first lesson, asked "what would you like to learn?" to which I replied "Stairway to Heaven"! And I have been hooked on playing and writing music ever since. And no, I have no clue what you mean when you tell me to try a "A minor diminished fifth neutered to the power of 2" nor do I care! I'm having fun and I'm doing it my way. That's how I view it. My POV: When I was giving guitar lessons back in late 80's and one in early 2000's that was always my first question to any aspiring axe player. All had only expressed a desire to learn guitar to play songs they liked for their own personal enjoyment.They didn't give a rat's about learning theory of any kind. They wanted to play what they liked. That's what I helped them do. The songs were never difficult for me but to see their faces on lesson 6 when they got from G to D with acceptable tempo on their favorite song was an absolute pleasure. ADDENDUM: I would always encourage aspiring musicians to eventually learn the language of music.Not only for academic self-improvement but be able to communicate with others that are far better than ourselves. That's a crucial aspect from my perspective.....just not right away for the new kid. Most (to all) are not interested in 'theory' at the their beginning learning curve. Show them what they want to keep them interested in maintaining practice discipline and slowly introduce theory concepts in a way that's not mundane or totally turns them off. My goal/job as a teacher was to keep them interested and stay on the path. Not to force feed (potentially) boring academics down their throat just because I think it's (eventually) an important aspect in the big picture. Please forgive me....I waxed a bit verbose,...carry on.
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 08/17/20 10:52 AM.
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Interesting take. Experience, education and knowledge is now "elitist bull crap"? So I suppose someone like Bobby Flay and Wolfgang Puck should appreciate and embrace an app that cooks for you? Got it.
Yes, when it comes to music education I am an elitist. Education isn't supposed to be temporary. The people who will buy this app, and they will, will forever use the app to play their songs rather than learn them.
The band I played in during the end of the 80s used to do a Genesis medley. 5 songs all strung together. I could walk on stage TODAY and play that medley from memory. Does t hat make me smart? Nope. But it does mean that I played that medley enough times that it because as engraved into my brain as my name. I see people playing "wing it" jazz gigs STILL playing Satin Doll from sheet music. After 40 years of playing a song they still need crutches?
Music can be enjoyed at many levels. Why not enjoy it from as high a level as possible? Especially if your place in the music world is one where people are paying money to hear you.
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Back in the day people learned to play by playing along with others. The others might have been a teacher, family member, neighbor, songs on the radio or even someone walking by that heard the plunking on an instrument. Regardless, learning was generally a group event.
Today learning is generally a singular event. Even before the pandemic learning a hobby became a singular endeavor. Any tool that can maintain the initial enthusiasm long enough to get over the initial learning hurdle is worthy of consideration.
Good luck with it Joanne!
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Mario, the only thing I question is where you said "If you can play a lead in C you can play it in any other key."
Really? When that open G string in the middle of the scale is no longer open, what do they do?
See, knowing the neck well enough to touch every F on the neck without counting or thinking IS reading and knowing theory. You are reading the neck and knowing the interval between the nut and the fret. Then have them do that for Bb. Then Db. You don't have to know that F is the top line or the bottom space on a sheet of staff paper, but you have to know where it is on the neck.
What has to be established here is the end result that a new player desires to achieve. You and I started very young. We were not in our 50s looking to entertain at the cookout. And people who took up music later in life certainly didn't do so with the same career aspirations as I did as a 5 year old kid who heard big band music like The Dorsey's and Glenn Miller literally since birth. That focus went away when I was 11 and heard The Beatles for the first time. and those chord changes on She Loves You where the intro moves from an A7 to a C, and right there I was hooked. That chorus from root to 6 minor to 4 minor... genius. Now, as a kid who learned theory, I was able to learn that song without an instrument in my hands. I sat there and said out loud "G....... Em......... Cm......... D" So, 1-6-4-5 but the 4 was minor, unique to me. But not everybody can learn that way, and more importantly not everybody WANTS to learn that way. I know most of us can do that now, but geeze, I was like 12 or 13 when they finally came on a tour. Plus, seeing them live was a waste of time because nobody heard the music anyway.
Different methods, one of which fits the end game of the one learning. What I find sad is that those who never learned theory immediately attack those who did and found it valuable. Ear training is fine. I am aware of the list of people who can't read. What is odd is to hear people say "I don't know jack about theory" and then the next 15 sentences talk about "And from there if you go to a diminished, and then to a minor 4th..." That IS THEORY!!!
I speak of Tom Bukovac often, and if you visit his youtube he constantly reminds us that he can't read and never learned theory. Well, he may not have sat in a classroom for a class called Theory 101, but he knows theory better than most. You don't get to be Nashville's studio golden boy by accident. He is good beyond description. And self taught. Musically. Experience-wise, he had MANY teachers along his journey. The point is that when you know theory, formally or informally, the difference is like jacking a car up with an old school ratchet jack or a more modern floor jack. You'll get the car in the air either way. Players who can sit down with their guitar and immediately recognize and anticipate changes from pattern memory DO know theory. My god so many of you hear that word and go into "mother bear" mode. It's just tools. In my case I didn't have a choice. My first teacher demanded 6 weeks of theory before I could touch a piano, much of it an a plastic keyboard mock-up and he pointed to a note on the blackboard and I had to show it to him on the keyboard. Then he'd say "And what is the 4th note of that scale?" or "Show me the whole steps and half steps of that scale". I wasn't even 5 yet! He didn't hit me with Ionian and mode and Aeolian mode the first day. In fact I didn't get that until college.
It's just tools.
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Eddie,
Your consistent denigration of people who just want to learn to play a few songs without spending years learning theory is disgusting. I say this from the viewpoint of someone who did spend years learning theory.
Why not do everyone a favor and stop defiling a thread by someone who is simply trying to make music more accessible to average folks who love music?
You doubled down when what you've said was called "elitist bull crap". You then provided more "elitist bull crap" to prove that statement true.
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Thanks to everyone who has responded in this thread and has filled in the survey. It has definitely helped to cement my ideas.
I think the idea of the joy that someone can experience simply from playing one song on the guitar should not be underestimated and THAT is what I am hoping to achieve!
The other day I was playing Back Home Again (JD of course) on Facebook and one lady asked me "Hey, how do you play that "riff?". Turns out that "riff" was just a walking bass line from C to Am. I doubt it was even in the original JD recording. Not really a "riff" at all. I replied to her comment with a video and just showed how to walk down from C to Am. It took me approximately two minutes. Her next comment was “I DID IT”.
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Interesting take. Experience, education and knowledge is now "elitist bull crap"? No, judging others and insisting they should learn what/how you did is the elitist bull crap. I guarantee there are plenty of musicians who are better than you by a mile and plenty who know more music theory than you. I'd bet you are mainly trained in western music so does that mean you should get back to school to study all forms of music you do not know? Of course not. It is a continuum. People who know a lot of theory. People who know no theory and all kinds in between. And that is just fine.
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...The other day I was playing Back Home Again (JD of course) on Facebook and one lady asked me "Hey, how do you play that "riff?". Turns out that "riff" was just a walking bass line from C to Am. I doubt it was even in the original JD recording. Not really a "riff" at all. I replied to her comment with a video and just showed how to walk down from C to Am. It took me approximately two minutes. Her next comment was “I DID IT”. I'm actually thinking this is absolutely the original intention from the O/P. The post was not intended to establish a debate about how much they must know before they can personally find some form of musical achievement. Not everyone has the opportunity of that privilege.
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I looked at the survey but after seeing the questions I think I should stay out of this one. Or, maybe participate with posts sharing some basic theory where it's appropriate. Unintentionally, in your postings, you make a strong case that a lack of theoretical knowledge is not a barrier but more so a prerequisite to learning how to play proficiently. << If they don't know that stuff, they will only be able to play in C. Throw Eb at them and they don't know the scale. >> They don't know it yet. If they can play it in C, show them how to play it in Eb and they can play it. Maybe would take 2 minutes. They would be learning a pattern. Repetitions are all that's necessary to accomplish. Two weeks later, need to play it in F, show the pattern to them in F. << The Beatles did NOT have no musical knowledge. They just didn't KNOW they had a lot of musical knowledge. You don't write chord changes like they did with no knowledge. Learning theory is not knowledge. Theory is tools. >> Reference back to your first quote... I did a paper on the Beatles while in college and later saw the same information in a video documentary that Paul McCartney did know quite a bit of music theory learned from his musician father. But back to your first quote; Paul would hear a musical phrase while attending Church and 'learn' to play that phrase from the Hymnal and thereafter, use it in his compositions. Paul was invited to join John Lennon's band when they met because Paul knew more chords and guitar chords rather than the banjo chords john knew. George was invited to the band because Paul assured John he could 'teach' George the correct lead guitar riffs. The Beatles honed their skills in Germany and advanced their playing skills and knowledge learning patterns from other bands and musicians never being told the theory behind it. Imagine Paul going up to the lead guitarist of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes (Charles “Ty” O’Brien) and saying, " Hey mate, we play that song in C. It sounds exactly like the record when you guys play it. What key are you doing it in? Eb! Hey man, here's some weed, show me how you do that... " Much of how The Beatles advanced and changed pop music was not just lyrics and instrumentation, melodies and chord progressions. George Martin did most of their arranging and producing and had the necessary academics to do that for them. Many of their advances were actually studio engineering and mechanical technical feats. It was those engineering and technical feats that were the inspiration for Brian Wilson's "Pet Sounds" where he hired session musicians with all the theoretical knowledge and playing skills to replicate his ideas where like the Beatles, he lacked the physical skill to accomplish. << The band I played in during the end of the 80s used to do a Genesis medley. 5 songs all strung together. I could walk on stage TODAY and play that medley from memory. Does that make me smart? Nope. But it does mean that I played that medley enough times that it because as engraved into my brain as my name. >> But it's also true you could play the medley enough times by repetition for it to be engraved into mind to the exact same degree without ever having a day of formal theory training. No musical theory is necessary to replicate existing material. Learn the pattern, the notes and where your fingers go and practice with repetition building muscle memory until it's 'engraved' in your mind. Watch a Rick Beato "What Makes This Song Great" Video and he'll tell how the artist uses the Mixolydian Scale at this phrase and moves to the Ionian to complete the solo... or slow the video, loop it and memorize his fretboard fingering as he demonstrates how it's played. That's why Joanne's idea is a great contribution that's likely to help thousands of aspiring musicians begin to reach their musical goals.
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...The other day I was playing Back Home Again (JD of course) on Facebook and one lady asked me "Hey, how do you play that "riff?". Turns out that "riff" was just a walking bass line from C to Am. I doubt it was even in the original JD recording. Not really a "riff" at all. I replied to her comment with a video and just showed how to walk down from C to Am. It took me approximately two minutes. Her next comment was “I DID IT”. I'm actually thinking this is absolutely the original intention from the O/P. The post was not intended to establish a debate about how much they must know before they can personally find some form of musical achievement. Not everyone has the opportunity of that privilege. 100% agree. This should be the quote of the day.
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Wow, I'm really disappointed in all the flaming of Eddie. I thought this forum was more civilized than that. First off, he plainly said the following: Usual disclaimer applies. This is just my opinion. This typically means that he is not bragging that his way is the right way and that folks do not need to get uptight about that opinion. OMG, what a load of elitist bull crap! Most of what Eddie says is "elitist bull crap". It's a good thing for me that Eddie wasn't around when I was learning to play. Your consistent denigration of people who just want to learn to play a few songs without spending years learning theory is disgusting. No, judging others and insisting they should learn what/how you did is the elitist bull crap. While I agree that sometimes Eddie is a little overbearing in his thoughts, I definitely do not think he needs all the roasting for an OPINION. I think we need to not get so butt hurt on other peoples comments. It's what's kept this forum fun. Joanne, for what it's worth, I think your ideas on this are great. If you can make it work, more power to you.
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Wow, I'm really disappointed in all the flaming of Eddie. I thought this forum was more civilized than that. First off, he plainly said the following: Usual disclaimer applies. This is just my opinion. This typically means that he is not bragging that his way is the right way and that folks do not need to get uptight about that opinion. OMG, what a load of elitist bull crap! Most of what Eddie says is "elitist bull crap". It's a good thing for me that Eddie wasn't around when I was learning to play. Your consistent denigration of people who just want to learn to play a few songs without spending years learning theory is disgusting. No, judging others and insisting they should learn what/how you did is the elitist bull crap. While I agree that sometimes Eddie is a little overbearing in his thoughts, I definitely do not think he needs all the roasting for an OPINION. I think we need to not get so butt hurt on other peoples comments. It's what's kept this forum fun. Joanne, for what it's worth, I think your ideas on this are great. If you can make it work, more power to you. Ditto 100% I only agree with Eddie when he says nice things about me (Ok, that was a joke, to prove it I am actually on the floor laughing) but he has a every right to express his opinion, especially when he prefaced it with his "usual disclaimer". But sadly this is the direction this forum has taken over the past few years. I hope it get's better but I am not making or taking any bets. Later,
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Ditto 100%
I only agree with Eddie when he says nice things about me (Ok, that was a joke, to prove it I am actually on the floor laughing) but he has a every right to express his opinion, especially when he prefaced it with his "usual disclaimer". But sadly this is the direction this forum has taken over the past few years.
I hope it get's better but I am not making or taking any bets.
Later,
Eddie says nice things about you my brother from a different mother? Aren't you the lucky brother! Seriously, I don't like the degrading of anyone on these forums. Eddie and I respectfully disagreed on a few issues but we never went after the person, only that person's opinion. I think that is the way to go.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school. Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
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Wow, I'm really disappointed in all the flaming of Eddie. I thought this forum was more civilized than that. Awww, Boo Hoo! The OP was asking for feedback on an idea she is working on and most of the comments were supportive and in the spirit of this community. Eddie, on the other hand, chose to crap on her idea and point out the "right" way for people to learn music. Prefacing your contrarian views with "just my opinion" does not absolve you from responsibility for what you post! Eddie got some useful feedback that he could learn from. But, of course, that is just my opinion! 
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Ditto 100%
I only agree with Eddie when he says nice things about me (Ok, that was a joke, to prove it I am actually on the floor laughing) but he has a every right to express his opinion, especially when he prefaced it with his "usual disclaimer". But sadly this is the direction this forum has taken over the past few years.
I hope it get's better but I am not making or taking any bets.
Later,
Eddie says nice things about you my brother from a different mother? Aren't you the lucky brother! Seriously, I don't like the degrading of anyone on these forums. Eddie and I respectfully disagreed on a few issues but we never went after the person, only that person's opinion. I think that is the way to go. Hugs to you and your bride from our household my friend. Later,
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Interesting take that I "crapped all over her idea". Particularly that part where I said "Yes. There will be a market for it. I just won't be in it, but she already acknowledged that this isn't aimed at someone with now over 64 years of experience and a degree in the field. This is aimed at the "campfire" player. Run with it and see how it goes."
Run with it and see how it goes is crapping all over it?
Once again J3s lack of reading comprehension and general intelligence shows, as well as his desire to impugn anything I say (look it up) and immediately turn to personal attacks. Typical internet child.
You guys who went off immediately turned to "You don't have to know theory to play." Absolutely right! However, unless you HAVE that theory framework, you can't really know how much it helps. It's not my fault when people don't have the opportunity or desire to experience secondary education. My family couldn't afford to send me to college. I traded 3 years of military service so I could attend on the GI Bill. After one year I was offered a scholarship, and I took advantage of the opportunity.
Let me throw a word at you. "Conflating". That is the practice of taking two somewhat related but completely different things and making them one.
Consider this. Was it a prerequisite for Al Unser, Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt and all the other great drivers to know how to build the engines in their cars? Or was it a prerequisite for the engineers who built the engines to be great drivers? Sure they drove a car to get to the shop or the track, but that calls for a working definition of "driving", like saying someone can play guitar calls for a working definition of "playing". For me, someone who can only strum a few basic chords does not know how to "play" the guitar. In a literal sense, yes they are playing a guitar. And if that is their goal, to play just that well, they have succeeded. Many of us here aspired to play music professionally when we were young. We had to go well beyond those few basic chords to attempt it. Steve Vai can play a guitar. Lee Ritenaur can play a guitar. Chet Atkins could play a guitar. Are you flamers even remotely aware that you can get a degree in music theory without ever touching an instrument? Inversely you can get a degree in performance without studying theory. (But it helps.)
Don't conflate driving and building race cars. Don't conflate learning music and playing an instrument. J3 immediately resorted to his usual manner of personal attacks, included pointing out that many people play "miles" better than me. (What a great musical pun you didn't know you were making, that pun being MILES Davis.) Dude, at the HEIGHT of my career I was not great. Very good, but never great. And now that I have the typical old age physical maladies in play, I am worse than ever. But I didn't have to give my degree back when arthritis made it impossible for me to hold a guitar pick or stretch an octave on a keyboard. I don't know his background, nor do I care about him or his opinions about me. The only one I ever have to impress is me. I am not everybody's cup of tea, but I am the only one who has to drink it. There's an ignore feature here. Feel free to use it.
While you are looking up "conflate" in your online dictionary, also look up "myopic". Let me help you. It means many things, but one of them is "able to only see things one way". Another is "narrow-minded".
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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.
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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®!
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