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I'm struggling to find styles that support what I'd call half-time standards. I've got a lead sheet for a cut-time piece, with 1/2 note = 66 BPM. The feel of the piece is definitely half-time in feel, kind of loping along. How do I use any of the styles that are meant for 4/4? It seems when I just think of the piece in 4/4 at 132 BPM the feel is too quick. I could use 4/4 at 66 BPM and compress the measures, such that two cut-time measures in my lead sheet merge into one 4/4 measure. It might feel OK, but it seems like a kluge. I suspect I'm missing something pretty basic as a relatively new user.

Mike

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Welcome to the forum.

What genre is your song? That might help. For example, I write Brazilian jazz so I often encounter a samba written in cut time (2/2), but the samba styles in BIAB are designed for 4/4 time at twice the tempo.

In general, BIAB has had the ability for the last several years to adjust what is called the timebase of RealTracks. When you select a RealTrack, or a RealDrum, most will let you select half-time or double-time.

Also, when you look at the list of styles, it's good to notice if the style is eighth-note based, or sixteenth-note based. A sixteenth-note based style will sound twice as busy.

There is more, but give us some feedback if this is helping (or causing more questions!).




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Yes, that's the sort of info I'm looking for! The song is a standard, Irving Berlin's I Got Lost in His Arms. Stacey Kent has done a version that is sort of my model. The lead sheet I bought is in 2/2, & I'm thinking 1/2 note at 66 bpm is about where I'd want it. It could work with an even feel. So I've been looking at even 8ths for styles, but it still feels too busy. So I need to check out the timebase option. Thank you for the hint, & if there are other related hints, I'm all ears.

Mike

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Mike,

One feature of the Band-in-a-Box StylePicker is you can enter the name of a song and the program will suggest compatible styles. I Got Lost In His Arms is not in the database so I put in a request for it to be added to the database +++ HERE +++


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Stacy Kent is terrific. Nice charts by Jim Tomlinson.


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Thanks! Yes, I had checked the song picker feature to no avail. Now as I listen to the Kent/Tomlinson version again, it's in a moderate 4, about 82 bpm. My lead sheet is in 2/2, but Kent/Tomlinson is quite endearing. That modification & working with the timebase option should give me some more choices. And thanks for the info on suggesting songs for the song picker; I like working with both standards & contemporary praise songs, & do run into ones that I wish were in the data base.

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When selected the "Add ..." button in the StylePicker window opens your computer browser to the Add Song To The Database forum section.

I don't think many people are aware of the button's function because they keep their Band-in-a-Box computer offline.

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2020 BiaB for Windows StylePicker add song to database button.

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Thanks for that tip Jim, I never knew what that button was for! Always little things to learn about this program.

Jeff


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My understanding is that it adds the song to the database, but that doesn't necessarily mean there is an available style that properly suits the song. Others may know more.


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So would that be a request to add the song title and the currently loaded style and tempo, whether it is a good choice or not?


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Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
So would that be a request to add the song title and the currently loaded style and tempo, whether it is a good choice or not?

I'm not sure if it adds the currently selected Style/Tempo but I didn't think so.
I'm going from my understanding from this post by Peter.

Edit:
Update, I looked for Horst Jankowski's tune: "A Walk In Th Black Forest" which was not in the list. I play it using _JAZBPBR.STY
Critically, this song needs a two-beat walking bass line (my opinion only).

I suggested that the song got added, which it did, but it appears someone recommended several Gypsy styles should be used including:
_STDENIS, _OLDBOP, _WARTIME Gypsy styles

None of them are really suitable for this song (again my opinion only).

So I don't think the 'add song request' adds the style.

Last edited by VideoTrack; 10/12/20 04:43 PM.

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Thanks, Trevor. So that account suggests PG Music determined the appropriate styles?


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Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
Thanks, Trevor. So that account suggests PG Music determined the appropriate styles?

That's my understanding. PG Music staff might be able to clarify how this is done.


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When I selected the Add button my browser opened and followed a link to the "Songs To Add To Band-in-a-Box Titles Database" forum section.

I manually added +++ THIS +++ post requesting that the song I Got Lost In His Arms be added to the database.

No tempo, style or other information from my Band-in-a-Box project was included in the request or sent to PG Music.

As far as I can tell the StylePicker window Add button is nothing more than a link to a forum section.


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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.

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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.

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  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

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