Scroll down and you'll find our Guitar Chord Dictionary & Piano Chord Dictionary programs. Each Chord Dictionary allows you to choose a root note to select the chord you want to learn, and it will be displayed on-screen with either the piano keyboard or the guitar fretboard!
In the Guitar Chord Dictionary & Piano Chord Dictionary you can change the sounds within the Settings window, whether it be the Root note or the Chord, and it doesn't even have to be a guitar or piano! Looking through the options, there's various piano choices, guitar choices, organ, etc. - but you can also choose more unique sounds like the tuba, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, and more!
I purchased both the guitar and piano chord dictionaries and use at least one or the other almost every day.
My favorite feature of both programs is what I call reverse chord look-up. By that I mean I tell a program the fingering of a chord and the program displays the name, or names, of the chord.
One benefit is once I know the name one of these dictionaries labels a chord then I know that name will be accepted by Band-in-a-Box.
Another benefit is that I can use the programs even while the computer is offline from the internet.
Honestly, sometimes it's like the PG Marketing posters are just edging me on to poke more "Not on Mac!" grumbles at them
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
I purchased both the guitar and piano chord dictionaries and use at least one or the other almost every day.
My favorite feature of both programs is what I call reverse chord look-up. By that I mean I tell a program the fingering of a chord and the program displays the name, or names, of the chord.
One benefit is once I know the name one of these dictionaries labels a chord then I know that name will be accepted by Band-in-a-Box.
Another benefit is that I can use the programs even while the computer is offline from the internet.
I have found that many people (not saying you, Jim) do not know about the existing tool in the Windows version of BIAB. Windows menu, MIDI Chord Detection is one of my favorite things about BIAB. Not only does it give you up to four alternatives for the chord you finger on a MIDI keyboard, but with a keystroke it enters that chord into your song.
It occurs to me I should check to see if the Mac version, with 2021 just released today, has this yet, before Icelander mentions it.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
It occurs to me I should check to see if the Mac version, with 2021 just released today, has this yet, before Icelander mentions it.
The Mac 2021 does have MIDI chord recognition. But it does not have the dialog that pops up like in the Windows version. It's explained on page 65 of the 2021 Mac manual, under "Chord Entry". To use this feature, select the Options | MIDI Patch Maps | Insert current MIDI chord menu command. command+return is the keystroke combination for this function.
If these questions have been asked and answered somewhere else in the forums or in some other part of the site in the past, I apologize for dredging up a bunch of zombies.
What file format are the Chord Dictionaries?
Are the dictionaries stand alone programs or BiaB add-ons?
Can sample pages be viewed anywhere and, if so, where?
Do the chord charts/pages include fingering chart for each chord?
Is there a video tutorial about how to use the dictionaries with and without BiaB?
Inquiring minds (at least this one) want to know.
Everyone has talent. Talent is useless unless developed into skill.
I'll try to answer each of your questions. Here goes:
Quote:
What file format are the Chord Dictionaries?
Both files are executable files. The file for the Guitar Chord Dictionary is "GuitarChordDictionary.exe" and the file for the Piano Chord Dictionary is "ChordDictionary.exe".
Quote:
Are the dictionaries stand alone programs or BiaB add-ons?
Each is a standalone program.
Quote:
Can sample pages be viewed anywhere and, if so, where?
See the screen shots below.
Quote:
Do the chord charts/pages include fingering chart for each chord?
Yes for both programs.
Quote:
Is there a video tutorial about how to use the dictionaries with and without BiaB?
Not that I'm aware of however both programs have Help buttons that open a help file. +++ HERE +++ is a link to a webpage that provides more details of the Guitar Chord Dictionary while +++ HERE +++ is a link to a webpage with more details about the Piano Chord Dictionary.
Are these demo'ed anywhere? Not that it is needed, but I may like to pick both of these up as a resouce and viewing a youtube demo is common these day.
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean