Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,725
Hi,

I picked up my guitar today and just started playing " Dueling Banjos". I saw the movie when it first came out and I guess I have listened to the song a few times. It is easy to recognize if you have ever listened to it.

I don't know what the original key is. I have never looked at the sheet music.

How common is it to have this "musical memory"?

Billy


“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
I can play a complete symphony after only hearing it once. I am an idiot savant.


Regards,

Bob

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,725
That is pretty amazing Bob. I have to think pretty hard to get through playing "Happy Birthday" without a lead sheet...lol

I guess I could play the opening lines to " Golliwog's Cakewalk" if pressed to, but certainly not the whole thing without the sheet music.

I can remember pretty arcane things like router addresses like 192.147.153.106. Many things I can only remember by writing them down.

I often can recognize a group of notes being typical of a certain artist but would not always be able to play them back.

Billy


“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Off-Topic
E
eddie1261
Unregistered
eddie1261
Unregistered
E
I can get close. If it has even been played in a I was in, likely I will remember it.

Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
I joined a band and ended up playing songs I'd NEVER heard before.

The bass player would say... Key of A, follow me....

It was actually kind of fun.

But to answer the question..... yeah, pretty much so. Since most songs follow patterns and are predictable, yeah.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 280
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 280
After one listen I can play a song note for note, not necessarily in the right order though

Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,777
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,777
Originally Posted By: TRYUK
After one listen I can play a song note for note, not necessarily in the right order though
grin grin grin


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,725
After looking up some information about "Dueling Banjoes" I see it was written in the key of G. This was the key I was playing in and why the song came to mind.

I chromatically played a triplet up from the third of the G chord which is B,C,D for no particular reason which is the first three notes of the song.

For me, if I had played the same thing in another key I would likely not have thought about " Dueling Banjoes".

I generally remember songs in the original key unless they are very generic like "Happy Birthday". Sometimes this presents a bit of confusion because some recordings are published in different keys after the original. Working with vocalists who have limited range makes needing to switch keys more common which in general is pretty easy to do on guitar.

I also have played songs I have never listened to before by watching the bass player. It is possible to play something logical but it is unlikely that anyone would automatically play the signature licks.

Anyway, the question was more about remembering songs note for note.

Billy


“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,725
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,725
Yes, the good folks from the Midlands always have something funny to say...lol

Billy


“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Depends on the song and the intervals. I'm talking sax, which is my primary instrument. On the sax, my fingers just know where to go without thinking about it.

Notes ♫


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,022
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,022
"Can you play songs from just having listened to them in the past?" Most of the time yes.

Can I remember what I had for supper last night? Most of the time no.

Go figure!


It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Can I remember what I had for supper last night? Most of the time no.

LOL! Truth! Then there's always the nice wifely comment..... "You can remember anything music related but you can't remember what you ate?" smile




Steve

BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
Off-Topic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 734
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 734
Sometimes when I am in a family setting and they ask me to play guitar, we end up playing stump the guitar player. When they ask for songs I have heard but never played, I usually pick an easy guitar key, C, G something like that and then go for it. Having heard them, and probably many times, I can even simulate the parts that people recognize, i.e. "improvise" a solo, that is reminiscent of the original but usually not note for note except for maybe the most famous parts or the beginning lick etc. It is a great test of my musical ability and I actually enjoy, since it is a "safe" place to try it as everyone is having fun and actively trying to stump me. If I can get a verse out or the chorus out they seem satisfied that I am spectacular!


My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,022
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,022
Originally Posted By: etcjoe
Sometimes when I am in a family setting and they ask me to play guitar, we end up playing stump the guitar player. When they ask for songs I have heard but never played, I usually pick an easy guitar key, C, G something like that and then go for it. Having heard them, and probably many times, I can even simulate the parts that people recognize, i.e. "improvise" a solo, that is reminiscent of the original but usually not note for note except for maybe the most famous parts or the beginning lick etc. It is a great test of my musical ability and I actually enjoy, since it is a "safe" place to try it as everyone is having fun and actively trying to stump me. If I can get a verse out or the chorus out they seem satisfied that I am spectacular!


Been there - done that. It is good ear training, anticipating that next chord, as well as improvisation wink If you want to have some fun say sure I'll play it but you have to sing it. If they are really bad singers then that makes your chord selection a lot easier grin


It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
When I was a young musician, we would go out to see one of the older dudes who played organ way west of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (and is now mid-town).

He couldn't be stumped. Anything we asked for, he could play, no matter how obscure - melody, chords, and he kicked bass too.

Some people are just special.

Notes ♫


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Some of you remember my friend Danny. He was a walking encyclopedia of musical trivia and songs. He'd start banging away on some chords on his guitar and the next thing you know he's singing some obscure song from an old Hank Snow record that no one ever heard of, but he would know every single word in it...and in the right key too. And if asked... he could probably tell you who the musicians on the original record were. His recall was uncanny.

RIP.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,022
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,022
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Some of you remember my friend Danny. He was a walking encyclopedia of musical trivia and songs. He'd start banging away on some chords on his guitar and the next thing you know he's singing some obscure song from an old Hank Snow record that no one ever heard of, but he would know every single word in it...and in the right key too. And if asked... he could probably tell you who the musicians on the original record were. His recall was uncanny.

RIP.


There was a fellow at work who had what we now call autism. If you named a song, album, or an artist/band he could tell you want recording company was used for that song or album and he could tell you want recording companies were used for an artist/band. I could never trip him up.


It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,295
Posts790,700
Members39,854
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
StratMan1965, CPIA2002, janhardo, Minstrel, Deb D
39,854 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 321
MarioD 213
DrDan 211
Noel96 161
DC Ron 146
Rob Helms 127
Today's Birthdays
Kara Music Production, Алик
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5