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Slightly straying from topic, but asking for opinions more than anything.
Would you put Zappa in the category of prog, or do you consider him (as I do) to be BEYOND prog? I think Yes, Rush, Floyd when I hear the label "prog". Zappa was so far off the beaten path I always thought he WAS a category. Zappa was a self-taught traditional composer whose primary creative outlet was writing orchestral music he would never hear on sheets of music paper, from when he was a kid to the day he died. The whole rock n' roll thing was a money-making sideshow for him, and he relished holding his audiences in contempt – though he did grudgingly accept the respect of the classical community in the end. He is absolutely in a class by himself.
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Wow, Mark and I agree on something! <grin>
I had an instructor who also worked with Lyle Mays (and others)
He told me Lyle would sit in math class writing music and turn it in for extra credit
Musicians are gifted in a unique way, usually not appreciated as much as they should be
and yes, Zappa was a very unique talent
We need more like him
Now if you'll excuse me I'm moving to Montana to raise me a crop of dental floss
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Now if you'll excuse me I'm moving to Montana to raise me a crop of dental floss
You Zombie Woof you!!!
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Most (if not ALL) of the the-old-music-was-so-much-better diatribes come from people who never listen to anything new. Or listen to what is on a limited radio playlist for about 3 minutes (and then make their pronouncements).
There is a LOT of very good music being produced today. A lot. And a good amount of it sounds similar to stuff done "in the good old days". There is also a lot of new, innovative sounds being created.
But you have to actually be listening to it to find it... as I said in the lyrics of one of my songs.... "You can find it in the honkey tonks and internet downloads" Yeah, there's good music being written and recorded.... but you have to go looking for it because it sure isn't pouring out of the radio these days. I think we can all agree on that. Amen to that unless things have radically changed since 2020. When we were living on generator after the hurricanes all we had was a battery powered radio and it was downright shocking just how bad the country stations here had become. Btw, I like Gone West Colbie Collait's country band that only lasted that same year. But never heard it on the radio. So yeah I have to agree with Herb. Josie
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Stock, Aitken and Waterman.
Mass-produced inconsequential music that primed the pump for the music industry's algorithms and neo-identikit output, exacerbated and amplified by video games and the likes of TikTok and the 'like' button.
The likes of Amazon give recommendations based on what I've bought in the past.
I also like to listen to music that differs from what I've bought in the past.
It's mostly self-fulfilling, lowest common denominator evolution.
Old music doesn't kill new music.
There's good new music out there.
It's mostly swamped out by worse than mediocrity.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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Very Interesting article
Only time can filter the 95% of music which is mostly rubbish from every era. I am hesitant to critize New music because it has not yet had this time filtering benefit.
Is Old music killing New music ? I doubt it. We Boomers had music but not much else to waste our readies on.
That is no longer the case with Gen Z and Millennials . Internet ,Netflix, Virtual Reality huge TV screens, Social Media , Mobile Phones, Computers, Video Games etc etc. It's a wonder Music gets a look in at all!
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Maybe Bob Seger said it best
"Just take those old records off the shelf
I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock 'n' roll"
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
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Yes, there is good music being made today, and yes there have always been bad music on the charts. But in the past, the young people's music out-sold the music of their parents and grandparents by a huge percentage.
Older generations are always nostalgic about the music they grew up with. But they aren't top40 oriented and have other things that demand their money. They don't need to buy the newest _______ album. (Add a star's name in the blanks.)
I don't think nostalgia about 'our' music is the problem here. On my weekly gig, which is in a restaurant on a public beach in Florida, I meet a number of young people liking the music I play for the Baby-Boomer generation.
When gigging at retirement homes, and they bring their grandchildren to the gig, I see the same thing.
When talking to them, I ask them why, and they say they like it better than today's music.
This surprises me. When I was young, nobody listened to their parent's or grandparent's music and said they like it better.
As a musician, I liked my parent's music a lot, but it wasn't something I would tell in the presence of other young folks my age. But then I like the good songs (re the ones that tickle me) from any generation. I know, I'm weird.
I'm not fond of rap. Music to me has melody, harmony and rhythm. Rap is void of melody and it bores me. However, a good song with a rap verse in the middle is fine with me. Does the loss of melody make the music more disposable and less of something to own?
I hear a lot of new music that has been overly auto-tuned and overly compressed, which sucks the emotion out of it. Analyzing the song, it could be a good song, but the production drained the expression out of it.
Could these factors be the reason?
Or could it just be that for most of the latter 2/3 of the 20th century, the music made for your people was their private world, their escape, their emerging from their parents' generation and their identity.
Young folks always enjoyed the fact that their music was offensive to their parents. It was a safe rebellion. After all it is the child's duty to rebel, if they didn't progress would be slower. We need new thought.
The parent's hated the Beatles' hair and their music. Their parent's hated Elvis and his gyrations, and so on. In an interview, In an interview, Vince (Alice Cooper) said he thought about what would make the parents hate him because that would endear him to his generation. Giving himself a girl's name and at first having the band dress up like females did the trick.
Music was the identity of the generation, and it was their "private club" where their parents weren't welcome.
Today, the constantly changing social media sites, that change as soon as their parents find them, might be their private coming of age world. This could be serving the function that Sinatra, Elvis, and The Beatles did for those generations.
If so, that leaves the music of today still being entertaining, but not nearly as important as it was in the past. The effort that earlier generations put into their music is now being put into the latest social media site for the youthful and not their parents. Could this be it?
Again, just thinking out loud. I really don't know. I'm just pondering.
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I think this from the article says it for me: …not just software loops, Auto-Tuned vocals, and regurgitated samples. Yep. So much of it is just lazy, hoping that the app or machine is going to do the work. Where's the spark? creativity? inspiration? What about this song makes anyone else in the world give a damn enough to want to listen? Too often, the answer is "Nothing".
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Personally, the article was a bit all over for me. The 200 most popular new tracks now regularly account for less than 5 percent of total streams. When I see numbers like below, it makes me wonder. If so many older songs are 95% of what's being streamed, I would think at least SOME of them would be in the top streams. Where are they?  Maybe in the next 100, as he did say 200 and this list only went to 100. That has GOT to be it! [list] [*] Spotify Playlist Top 100 Most-Streamed Songs
MUSIC STREAMS1. Ed Sheeran – Shape of You 3,010,016,624 2. The Weeknd – Blinding Lights 2,717,637,809 3. Tones And I – Dance Monkey 2,447,109,432 4. Post Malone, 21 Savage – rockstar 2,327,380,175 5. Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved 2,208,058,599 6. Drake – One Dance 2,197,605,360 7. The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – Closer 2,179,670,384 8. Post Malone and Swae Lee – Sunflower 2,142,475,987 9. Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello – Señorita 2,028,122,653 10. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy 1,955,372,652 11. Imagine Dragons – Believer 1,938,551,409 12. Ed Sheeran – Perfect 1,936,629,368 13. James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go 1,915,378,320 14. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud 1,910,497,634 15. Drake – God’s Plan 1,864,955,169 16. Juice WRLD – Lucid Dreams 1,843,240,180 17. Ed Sheeran – Photograph 1,765,589,565 18. Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now 1,749,733,943 19. XXXTENTACION – SAD! 1,738,812,732 20. The Weeknd feat Daft Punk – Starboy 1,726,096,320 21. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This 1,708,221,559 22. Justin Bieber – Love Yourself 1,699,396,871 23. Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug – Havana 1,694,183,474 24. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper – Shallow 1,692,872,283 25. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody – 2011 Mix 1,688,375,868 26. John Legend – All of Me 1,654,116,839 27. Billie Eilish and Khalid – Lovely 1,648,836,214 28. Imagine Dragons – Thunder 1,637,115,056 29. Ariana Grande – 7 Rings 1,630,819,335 30. XXXTENTACION – Jocelyn Flores 1,621,492,607 31. Hozier – Take Me To Church 1,618,694,109 32. Post Malone – Circles 1,618,200,140 33. Dua Lipa – New Rules 1,617,499,811 34. Travis Scott – Goosebumps 1,615,717,932 35. Lil Uzi Vert – XO TOUR Llif3 1,610,156,500 36. Marshmallow featuring Bastille – Happier 1,577,877,986 37. Travis Scott, Drake – Sicko Mode 1,572,636,429 38. Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar 1,569,967,105 39. Major Lazer & DJ Snake (feat. MO) – Lean On 1,564,657,570 40. Twenty One Pilots – Stressed Out 1,563,736,343 41. Justin Bieber – Sorry 1,553,578,265 42. Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE. 1,543,591,430 43. Post Malone – Better Now 1,523,084,077 44. Passenger – Let Her Go 1,509,148,549 45. The Chainsmokers ft. Daya – Don’t Let Me Down 1,504,111,918 46. Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee ft.Justin Bieber–Despacito (Remix) 1,503,234,258 47. Alan Walker – Faded 1,500,580,561 48. DJ Snake – Let Me Love You 1,500,003,118 49. SAINt JHN and Imanbek – Roses Imanbek (Remix) 1,495,870,365 50. Post Malone, Quavo – Congratulations 1,488,713,147 51. Mike Posner – I Took A Pill In Ibiza – SeeB Remix 1,479,958,176 52. Avicii – Wake Me Up 1,467,702,818 53. Sam Smith – Stay With Me 1,461,551,669 54. Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care 1,456,979,641 55. Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better 1,448,187,761 56. Ariana Grande – Thank U, Next 1,443,418,052 57. OneRepublic – Counting Stars 1,435,011,986 58. Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk 1,431,361,132 59. Halsey – Without Me 1,427,798,289 60. Vance Joy – Riptide 1,409,640,661 61. Sam Smith – Too Good at Goodbyes 1,407,363,112 62. The Weeknd – The Hills 1,401,100,609 63. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton–Can’t Hold Us 1,400,591,862 64. French Montana, Swae Lee – Unforgettable 1,392,512,731 65. Roddy Ricch – The Box 1,390,727,805 66. Shawn Mendes – Stitches 1,385,660,570 67. Sia – Cheap Thrills 1,374,829,183 68. Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B – Girls Like You 1,373,293,870 69. XXXTentacion – Moonlight 1,365,073,935 70. Maroon 5 – Memories 1,355,161,480 71. 24kGoldn – Mood (feat. iann dior) 1,337,929,713 72. Lukas Graham – 7 Years 1,335,888,242 73. Luis Fonsi ft Daddy Yankee – Despacito 1,334,474,805 74. Bruno Mars – That’s What I Like 1,332,045,969 75. Imagine Dragons – Demons 1,323,119,588 76. Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin – I Like It 1,317,451,690 77. Justin Timberlake – CAN’T STOP THE FEELING! 1,314,302,473 78. Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – See You Again 1,314,484,373 79. Lauv – I Like Me Better 1,314,046,042 80. The Killers – Mr. Brightside 1,305,883,057 81. Oasis – Wonderwall 1,302,277,625 82. The Kid LAROI – STAY (with Justin Bieber) 1,300,683,800 83. Twenty One Pilots – Heathens 1,298,552,235 84. Post Malone – I Fall Apart 1,297,832,631 85. Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa – One Kiss 1,296,972,472 86. 5 Seconds Of Summer – Youngblood 1,294,269,182 87. Jason Mraz – I’m Yours 1,284,573,599 88. Maroon 5 – Sugar 1,280,869,572 89. Eminem – Lose Youself 1,271,428,985 90. Imagine Dragons – Radioactive 1,270,964,296 91. Billie Eilish – when the party’s over 1,269,236,052 92. Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Remix) 1,266,181,239 93. Charlie Puth – Attention 1,260,202,193 94. Justin Bieber – What Do You Mean? 1,258,460,061 95. Benny Blanco, Halsey and Khalid – Eastside 1,256,738,542 96. Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla Sign – Psycho 1,255,643,161 97. Charlie Puth (feat. Selena Gomez) – We Don’t Talk Anymore 1,254,261,900 98. Major Lazer (feat. Justin Bieber & MO) – Cold Water 1,244,308,374 99. OMI – Cheerleader – Felix Jaehn Remix Radio Edit 1,243,363,912 100. The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face 1,238,157,612 I encountered this phenomenon myself recently at a retail store, where the youngster at the cash register was singing along with Sting on “Message in a Bottle” (a hit from 1979) as it blasted on the radio. A few days earlier, I had a similar experience at a local diner, where the entire staff was under 30 but every song was more than 40 years old. I asked my server: “Why are you playing this old music?” She looked at me in surprise before answering: “Oh, I like these songs.” I'm not a big fan of anecdotal evidence either. I'm not sure it's a phenomenon as much as common business sense. I don't know of too many retail stores or or local diners that are pumping out songs full of F bombs and the N word. Just saying. They usually stay with what's safe. Plus typically the person behind the cash register or the server isn't picking the music being played. I guess, by that logic, kids of today don't like older music. I was at the credit union the day after Meatloaf's death and an account manager was telling me how several of the younger tellers had never heard or heard of "Paradise by the Dashboard Light." Is that proof? Personally, I don't think so. But I'm sure I could find plenty of "evidence" to support it. Anyway, I get I am BY FAR in the minority here. There are A LOT of people who DO connect with the music being made today. There is plenty of todays, and yesterdays music I don't care for. I'm not big on discounting other people for liking it anyway. lol I'm glad you shared the article as you always seem to share something that makes me think. I appreciate that Bud. I'm not seeing as much Bluegrass on that chart as I would like to either. 
Last edited by HearToLearn; 01/25/22 05:53 PM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Regarding that 5% of streaming and the statement from Rick that songs older than 18 months are considered old, it isn't really surprising that new songs get only that 5% as there are many, many, thousands of other songs out there. They may get only 10k streams each, but the sum total of their streams will be huge.
I guess it's my demographic, but I looked through that top 100 and could only say "Oh yes, that song" to a dozen or so of them. I recognise quite a few of the artistes and like at least some of what they play, but could put a tune to the name of the songs? Mostly no.
I'm not wholly sure whether that says more about me or about the songs.
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Regarding that 5% of streaming and the statement from Rick that songs older than 18 months are considered old, it isn't really surprising that new songs get only that 5% as there are many, many, thousands of other songs out there. They may get only 10k streams each, but the sum total of their streams will be huge. Actually that makes perfect sense! I didn't watch the Rick video, so didn't realize what an "old" song is defined as. As it turns out, a lot of songs on the list I posted are oldies after all. As it turns out, I have a good amount of what might be considered classic pop, classic country, and classic nu-metal from 2020 that I still listen to. If I'm really feeling nostalgic, I'll reach back to 2019 and maybe play something like "One Thing Right" by Marshmello and Kane Brown. My youngest, who is 15, was just 13 back then. But to think that even at 13, he was listening to the real classic country of Luke Combs, Dan and Shay, and Thomas Rhett. He still remembers the songs very well too! In fact, he's always complaining how country music isn't what it used to be. I get it. I TOTALLY get it. Seriously though, I don't think there ever will be a time that the top 200 streamed songs will outpace, ALL music from the all of the rest of time. Do you? I would have to also say, it would be a complete reach to say old music is killing new music. Although, you may have additional information to change my mind. I also feel as though the article played into the biases we all have about what "good music" is. Thanks for the response. I love to learn, and you're perspective was much appreciated!
Last edited by HearToLearn; 01/26/22 03:56 AM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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.................................... Seriously though, I don't think there ever will be a time that the top 200 streamed songs will outpace, ALL music from the all of the rest of time. Do you? I would have to also say, it would be a complete reach to say old music is killing new music. Although, you may have additional information to change my mind. ...................... I think that the answer to that question and statement will be directly proportional to the age of the person answering. YMMV
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I think that the answer to that question and statement will be directly proportional to the age of the person answering. YMMV  There's the old joke about a kid being in a record store saying "I didn't know Paul McCartney was in another band before Wings." That seems to fit here. Now factor in how much more present music is in 2022 than that 50s when we were kids. Spotify, Pandora, iHeart Radio, music stations on your TV provider, 150+ stations streaming 24/7 on Sirius/XM... Factor in the jump in the amount of listening when kids start driving around 16 and hear the radio the whole time. Then to that add in that we didn't have satellite radio and we just had the few stations that weren't talk radio to choose from. I remember how we thought it was so cool that we could get CKLW from Detroit even though they played exactly what our WMMS and WIXY played. Remember how cool it was when FM became available and there were "underground" programs with deep dive album cuts? Here it was Doc Nemo who did a show at 10pm Sunday night that opened up with Seger's "Heavy Music". That was the only place we could hear Hendrix, Cream, Spencer Davis and the like. So, point here is this. I am 70. "My" music came from the late 50s, the 60s and just nosed into the 70s. A kid who is 18 now was born in 2002/2003. That's 40 years after that 16 year old kid in Cleveland laid in bed with his earphone plugged in every Sunday night at 10pm. Unless that kid born in 2002/2003 had parents who played music all day because TV, with the 3 channels available, was "a fad" in the late 50s. For perspective, when I was home of a leave during my Army years in like late 1970, my parents still had a 14 inch black and white TV. I went out and bought them a 21 inch color TV so I could watch the last televised Browns game before going back. That kid born in 2002/2003 had 200 channels of cable and high end video games to distract him. Their primary entertainment was NOT music. Also factor in that the instruments of the time when my age group was young were one step above when the cavemen had when they strung a piece of a plant onto a bowed stick when compared to even what I played in the 80s. And now? With so much music of today being an 8 bar loop that repeats for 3:34 with somebody speaking bad beat poetry (ask your parents about the beatnik coffee-house artsy-fartsy types) the level of the music performance has declined badly. The SHOWS are way better with the dancing, the lights, the explosions... In older days bands stood by their mic and played and sang. (I remember reading an interview with George Harrison saying "We used to munch cheese rolls and buns on stage between songs. Those were the wild days." Wild? Iggy Pop once stabbed himself on stage. Ozzy bit the head off a bat. Alice Cooper used to use snakes and chain saws as props. Marilyn Manson was Alice Cooper on steroids. Contrast that to The Eagles, who did nothing more than stand by their mics and sing those beautiful harmonies.) So yes, Mr Mario has it right. It is generational. I suggest it is also cultural. Different times in society are different levels of accepting. Listen to the lyrics in rap music that the people are perfectly fine with. Now if you are not of a certain age, ask your parents or grandparents about All In The Family and Sanford and Son on TYV in the 70s. Ask if the think those shows would be aired today in the snowflake society where everybody is so sensitive.
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.................................... Seriously though, I don't think there ever will be a time that the top 200 streamed songs will outpace, ALL music from the all of the rest of time. Do you? I would have to also say, it would be a complete reach to say old music is killing new music. Although, you may have additional information to change my mind. ...................... I think that the answer to that question and statement will be directly proportional to the age of the person answering. YMMV I don't follow on this point. Why would it be?
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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My intent with the post was not to encourage a "I hate old music" or "I love new music" scenario. Although I had my popcorn and easy chair on standby "The 200 most popular new tracks now regularly account for less than 5 percent of total streams. That rate was twice as high just three years ago. " His early on statement as quoted above was what most caught my attention. Sure millions upon millions of older tunes are going to be listened to by an aging population. I get that. But IMHO the most significant statement is that the percent of total streams for new tracks has reduced by 50% in three years -- irrespective of it being but 5% of the total. Perhaps a statistical aberration but if that trend were to continue then it would be a game changer. You can halve an already low data point a few times and it doesn't take long to reach virtually nothing. That would appear not to portend well for new releases of any genre. Boatloads of salt grains and FWIW's. Guess I'm hounded by my graduate days in research design - which oughta make me dig into the research and stats behind his charts ...nah! Bud
Last edited by Janice & Bud; 01/26/22 06:49 AM.
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My intent with the post was not to encourage a "I hate old music" or "I love new music" scenario.
Although I had my popcorn and easy chair on standby smile Mine either. I was simply trying to approach it from a numbers perspective. Not knowing what was consider new verses old, I gained much understanding. I was surprised to say the least. The funny thing is, I'm not sure I could have given you a definitive explanation of what "old" or "new" would be. At least, now I have a reference to how some of this is determined. It's one reason why I so appreciated the post. I took me a while to respond because I didn't want to get butter on my keyboard. "The 200 most popular new tracks now regularly account for less than 5 percent of total streams. That rate was twice as high just three years ago. " His early on statement as quoted above was what most caught my attention. Sure millions upon millions of older tunes are going to be listened to by an aging population. I get that. But IMHO the most significant statement is that the percent of total streams for new tracks has reduced by 50% in three years. Perhaps a statistical aberration but if that trend were to continue then it would be a game changer. You can halve an already low data point a few times and it doesn't take long to reach virtually nothing.
An absolutely great point in my opinion! I may be WAY off on this. Here is where my confusion is song from 3 years ago are being counted in that number. Now, are 1/2 of those songs (18 months plus) also being counted in the "old songs" category as well? I'm not sure if that point is clear as mud?  Boatloads of salt and FWIW's.
Bud Is the salt for the popcorn? Nice! You think of everything! Appreciate the post Bud! -C
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689 |
I don't know. I can't wrap my head around statistics like these, but it does seem like all this data is so recent. Did music really start to die 3 years ago? What happened 3 years ago? Cardi B? No, it can't be Cardi B because oops, much of her stuff is over 3 years old, which makes it no longer "new" and has her moving into "oldies" territory, according to the way things are categorized here.
The author also moves very quickly from statistical analysis with charts to an "I encountered this phenomenon myself" anecdote which meaninglessly documents the existence of a record store employee who likes The Police. (Come on, man!)
What I wonder about is: what's it like for a young, aspiring pop musician in 2022 who wants to play new music, as opposed to a YAPMWWTPNW in 1962? Setting out to be a professional rock n' roll musician in 1962 was a pretty dicey affair, best not to quit your day job. How is that different today? Harder, easier, crazier, smarter? The Beatles needed instruments and places to play, Billie Eilish (and her brother) can make hits in her bedroom in Logic Pro. Never mind good or bad music: what advice would a wise career counsellor offer?
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,171
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,171 |
If performing music is in your heart and soul I would suggest running from a career counselor I bet the all time hits lists would look a lot different had such counsel been sought and adhered to by many of the artists.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,670
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,670 |
It's curious how musical journeys can differ. I've often heard that people's taste in music is defined by what they heard in their teens.
I was born in '52. Up into my mid-teens I really wasn't impressed by much of the new music of the time. There was some "good stuff", but mostly I listened to "classical" music. In the late 60s I started discovering the "progressive rock" bands and my tastes moved towards them. By the mid 70s, I was moving again, now towards soul, then jazz-funk, then jazz. But on the way I'd also discovered African-oriented styles; Osibisa, reggae. Then more fusion sounds, AfroCelt Sound System, Gotan Project, Salif Keita, Baaba Maal, Abdulla Ibrahim, Radio Tarrifa, Rap; then I pulled in some earlier stuff ... Buena Vista Social Club, jazz standards & the American songbook.
So I wonder what percentage of people are really defined by the music their formative years, or whether our "formative years" actually go on right up until until we finally check out.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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