Yo don't get to that level without a lot of knowledge, whether you know music theory or not. You must be able to read chord sheets regardless of the nomenclature.
Wes Montgomery was an outstanding jazz guitarist. Here is a clip from a web site
"Wes Montgomery couldn't read music, didn't know music theory, and didn't understand his instrument electronics. He also strummed exclusively with his thumb, and idiosyncrasy that would make any music instructor run faint."
However he had one hell of an ear for jazz music and recorded some of the best jazz guitar albums every produced, IMHO.
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
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Beautiful piece you posted there Mr. David. Costa del sol, Malaga Spain, on of my favorite places in the world. Where the song was written, could have been where I first listened to it. Reading that is a lot easier than playing it ...lol That would for sure be a duet for me...lol
Well, there Roger Brown I like "Five dollars In Change" busted pride and all! I understand you wrote a song for Nanci Griffith. I was just wondering if you knew Eric Taylor.
He wrote a song called Moony that I can not find any recording of. I would love to hear it one more time before I get too old to listen.
I know the name, but I don't think I ever met him. Although I'm from TX, I moved to Nashville when I was very young (19) and our paths never crossed. Nanci and I became friends one night when I was playing a songwriter show at a bar in Nashville called Bogey's (long gone now). She was having dinner next door with a songwriter named Harlan Howard, and as they were leaving Harlan saw me on stage through the window and told Nanci they should go in and listen (he and I were friends and he thought Nanci would enjoy hearing a fellow Texan). One of the songs I played that night was the song she wound up recording. She very generously invited me to the recording session, and even put an 8x10 picture of me in the music video they wound up doing on the song.
She was a very kind, thoughtful and supportive person to me and I miss her.
Nanci was a wonderful person. I sort of watched her grow up. I also miss her. Some friends of mine and I use to hang out at Anderson Fair. That's where I first met Eric a long time before he and Nanci got married.
Also, as you know well the NNS could you type out an example of how to write a chord in a progression that is out of key? Don't ever get old, you can't remember anything...lol
Billy
EDIT: After thinking about it for a minute I may have remembered.
6- 1 2 4
6- 1 37 37 ( no way to do the small 7 on the computer)
I personally LOVE to read sheet music the way some people love to read novels.
Everyone is different, but I love musical notation because you can read the musical story, right in front of your eyes.
Funnily enough when I was in early high school (70-73 at a huge govt school in the poorer south western suburbs of Sydney), we had to attend music lessons each week and at some stage we were taught to follow a piece reading the orchestration. We started off with easy stuff...Canon probably and moved to The Death of Ase and then more elaborate things. I've loved following a chart since then BUT I didn't progress in actually reading to play, (beyond a couple of bass lessons), until I took up cello at the beginning of this century. NATURALLY I revisited Grieg with the cello and better reading. Good on my comprehensive, egalitarian, high school for bucking the "preparation for workforce ethos" just a bit and bringing some richness into our lives.
Last edited by rayc; 07/28/2204:05 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Except, of course, folk like Glen Campbell who couldn't read any notation and had to be told the chords but Brian Wilson & others kept hiring him. Exceptions to all rules and rules for all exceptions.
Glen Campbell is your example? Now you’re being silly. For the record, though he couldn’t sight-read notes, he had no problem with chord charts and I don’t care how many places you read otherwise. Though I did some dates with him, no reason to take my word for it. Carol Kaye did hundreds of sessions with the man.[/quote]
I apologise for not noting that he could read a chord chart -"...told the chords..." wasn't necessarily or often verbal...that was a given I assumed it was understood...let's face it anyone who can read can read a chord chart. CK was one of the sources, along with many other interviews with Wrecking Crew folk for my statement. I could look up the vid or comment about him asking another WC member for the chords but you wouldn't have space to accommodate it if proven so I shan't bother. I also read that he couldn't sight read but his Braille was pretty cool. You are a smug possum aren't you?
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I personally LOVE to read sheet music the way some people love to read novels. (Though I love to read novels too--or at least the good ones.)
Everyone is different, but I love musical notation because you can read the musical story, right in front of your eyes.
Here is a page from a copy of Recuerdos De la Alhambra by Tarrega I marked up. At measure 21 the song goes from A minor to A Major. The build up to this transition is such a work of meticulous planning genius, and it takes my breath away every time. Just flat-out gorgeous. I love to play it, and I love to read it. Just to marvel at the perfection.
The ladies seem to love this song as well. Forget Stairway to Heaven. Play this. The A minor to A Major transition first happens in this amazing rendition at the 2 min mark.
Interesting side story here: I hired a really talented guitar player in one of the bands I managed and played in. Long story on the guy.... we had a rocky past history as he actually stole my guitar one of the two times it was stolen. Long story short, I got it back the next day and law enforcement handled the details. Several years later I called him and offered him a job, which, after a few minutes of discussion, he accepted. A few months later on the road in a motel room somewhere in NC, I woke up at 3:30am to the sound of classical guitar music coming from..... the bathroom. I got up and walked to the bathroom door and pushed it open..... There he was, sitting on the throne..... (with the seat lid down) sheet music spread out on the tub rim and the floor playing his classical music. He looks up and says.... I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd practice and play my classical stuff while everyone was asleep. The guy was exceptionally talented to say the least. The stuff he was playing was like you hear in this video......
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 07/29/2210:03 AM.
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.
I never figured out the difference between you and me until just now.
I started off the story talking about a beautiful lady who looks like an angel playing one of the most beautiful pieces ever written flawlessly in a place that looks like heaven.
You ended the story by talking about sharing a fleabag, bed bug-ridden stinky cigarette butt smellin' $5 an hour motel room with a redneck con-artist and instrument thief who was sitting on the can playing the guitar.
I just got it. I understand what makes us different.
I now also know why you write better country songs than me.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
"In other words, what value is there in using the numeric notation that Charlie is describing? " ( In BIAB)
My answer is not much unless that is the system you usually use or someone who uses that system needs to read what you entered.
There are many good reasons for using NNS as has been discussed in this thread but to learn the system just for the purpose of entering chords into BIAB most likely is not worth the effort. I can say, learning the NNS is very easy if you already understand what the symbols mean in other systems.
Basic music theory is not difficult to learn if you have an internet connection. All you need to do is to be able to read and understand simple math terms. If you don't play an instrument or have some other music background then having some understanding of basic music theory is what you will need to acquire to create anything other than organized noise in BIAB.
And besides Herb knows where you live, so be careful what you say...lol
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Except, of course, folk like Glen Campbell who couldn't read any notation and had to be told the chords but Brian Wilson & others kept hiring him. Exceptions to all rules and rules for all exceptions.
Glen Campbell is your example? Now you’re being silly. For the record, though he couldn’t sight-read notes, he had no problem with chord charts and I don’t care how many places you read otherwise. Though I did some dates with him, no reason to take my word for it. Carol Kaye did hundreds of sessions with the man.
You are a smug possum aren't you? [/quote]
Nah, just someone paying attention to the topic.
As I said, I did a few dates with Mr. Campbell over the years if you don’t want to believe Carol Kaye. But, go ahead and find that YouTube video if you must..
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
I wouldn't want to gainsay you Mr Mike. Crikey, I wouldn't disbelieve you even if Glen Campbell told me otherwise. Then again your experience is from a different era of his career. We all grow & change or shrink and change.
Smug as a tug under a rug.
Last edited by rayc; 08/01/2209:58 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Fantastic interviews. Campbell was a genius who didn't originally know how good he was.
Of course, so many of these successes could be attributed to the brilliance of Jim Webb. It was excellent to see his participation.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Fantastic interviews. Campbell was a genius who didn't originally know how good he was.
Of course, so many of these successes could be attributed to the brilliance of Jim Webb. It was excellent to see his participation.
Yes, Jimmy Webb"s "catalogue" contains more than hits...he had some brilliant misses and completely bonkers projects like the albums with Harris. Every one a gem &, by the look & sounds of it, he was a nice enough person too.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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®.
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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!
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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.
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®!
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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)
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.
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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)!
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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.
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