Billy, watch this video. Go in to 7:25 to avoid most of the annoying white guy who really thinks he can play but can't really, and listen to what Victor Wooten has to say about "wrong" notes. Then read what Herb said again.
There are no rules. You write your story the way you want to write it. No notes are wrong if you know where to put them. And HOW to put them.
The numbered chords, favoured progressions are just that - favoured by ears after much time & exposure to them. Mathematics supports them and their on going use perpetuates them. Being lead by your ears to a set of chords that match a preferred pattern isn't coincidental - it's conditioning but can be fought against. Choosing to use the number formulation because it's a "rule" is also a matter of conditioning.
If one is exposed to a wide variety of western and non western musical forms and pieces as well as to western forms that have "different" rules well enough and early enough conditions the ear to other options. Mark Hayes is treading some of those paths at the moment and presenting the User Showcase forum with interesting, sometimes challenging non standard variations of western musical traditions. It's fun.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
If one is exposed to a wide variety of western and non western musical forms and pieces as well as to western forms that have "different" rules well enough and early enough conditions the ear to other options.
Mark Hayes is treading some of those paths at the moment and presenting the User Showcase forum with interesting, sometimes challenging non standard variations of western musical traditions. It's fun.
Hey wow I know that guy!
Thanks for the plug, Ray.
I had a coworker years ago who found the idea of an acquired taste absolutely hilarious. “The idea of an acquired taste is absurd!” he would say, before erupting into gales of forced laughter. Translation: he liked what he liked and that was that, the idea that he might be missing something — even something he might later come to appreciate — was inconceivable to him, and he disavowed any such “conversions” in advance as pretentious intellectualism.
Arnold Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht was, at least according to him, rejected for performance because it contained a single chord which did not exist within contemporary theory. The image here is from his text, you can see it’s an Ab7 with a Bb in the bass, an inverted 9th, eek.
Well, said a chastened Arnie, I can’t blame them, one can’t very well ask a musician to play something which doesn’t exist.
Billy, watch this video. Go in to 7:25 to avoid most of the annoying white guy who really thinks he can play but can't really, and listen to what Victor Wooten has to say about "wrong" notes. Then read what Herb said again.
There are no rules. You write your story the way you want to write it. No notes are wrong if you know where to put them. And HOW to put them.
Herb he also has one about Music as a Language that there are several versions of. I think he did one as a Ted Talk and then reprised it several times in clinics. It is SO true!
He once made a comment about theory that made me laugh. He was asked about theory. His reply was that theory is like the tools in your car for changing a tire. You keep those in the trunk, not in the front seat. You just pull them out when you need them. That was a great analogy.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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