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Originally Posted By: JohnJohnJohn

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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Originally Posted By: JoanneCooper
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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Originally Posted By: eddie1261

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.


Originally Posted By: eddie1261

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.

Originally Posted By: eddie1261
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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Originally Posted By: bobcflatpicker
Originally Posted By: JoanneCooper
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.


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Originally Posted By: JohnJohnJohn
[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.

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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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Originally Posted By: eddie1261
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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Originally Posted By: JoanneCooper
...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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Originally Posted By: eddie1261
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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Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
Originally Posted By: JoanneCooper
...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:
Originally Posted By: eddie1261
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.

Quote:
OMG, what a load of elitist bull crap!

Quote:
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.

Quote:
Your consistent denigration of people who just want to learn to play a few songs without spending years learning theory is disgusting.

Quote:
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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Originally Posted By: sslechta
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:
Originally Posted By: eddie1261
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.

Quote:
OMG, what a load of elitist bull crap!

Quote:
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.

Quote:
Your consistent denigration of people who just want to learn to play a few songs without spending years learning theory is disgusting.

Quote:
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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Originally Posted By: Danny C.


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.


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Originally Posted By: sslechta
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! laugh

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Originally Posted By: MarioD
Originally Posted By: Danny C.


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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

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