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.
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.
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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.
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