Yes, by George I think you've got it. You had my head spinning since there are so many ways to think about this stuff.
To move a major scale up a half step (C to C#) every note in the triad moves up a half step and likewise to move the scale down a half step every note in the scale goes down a half step (C - Cb). Then, just like you did you have to clean up the accidentals. for example. (F## = G).
Yes, by George I think you've got it. You had my head spinning since there are so many ways to think about this stuff.
I just have 1 bone to pick. We need to change your name from MusicStudent to MusicTeacher ! The mark of a good teacher is to recognize what his students don't know and you have that skill my friend!
Here are the major chord spellings with sharp root notes. I think I can produce the corresponding table for the flat root notes.
So for the rest of the list in my original post should I use one of the websites you provided?
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
I think a light bulb went off. If F Major is F-A-C and F# Major is F#-A#-C# Then is C# Major C#-E#-G# = C#-F-G#?
And D# Major D#-F##-A# = D#-G-A#?
If so, does the same work Xb Major? Just flatten the notes of the natural major chord notes?
Yes, it works exactly like that. What's important is the intervals between the notes .. the intervals are always the same on and same type of chord, no matter on what note they start. It's true of all the notes in a chord, including the various 9ths and so on. Notes may sometimes be moved to the same note in a different octave. Learning how to find them quickly and easily is part of the challenge.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Actually, technically, there is no key of D#. It'd be Eb. Comprised of Eb, G, Bb. (The 1-3-5 of the Eb scale. Reference back to the "counting" method and the 'wwhwwwh' scale structure I shared in that PM.)
Familiarize yourself with this.
C is "neutral". As you move left, you add a flat. As you move right, you add a sharp.
Also note that as you move left you move from the root note to the 4th of that scale. As you move right you move from the root note to the 5th of that scale.
When you hear that the progression is "1-4-5" from whatever your start key is, 4 is one to the left, 5 is one to the right.
The green letters in the inner circle are the 6th step of the scale, called the relative minor. The famous "Don't Stop Believing" chord riff is 1-5-6m-4, lifted from Pachelbel's Canon in D. Using that Circle of 5ths chart you can wing that song in any key. Or play at any blues jam, which are mostly going to be some variation of 1-4-5 with that occasional 6m tossed in.
It's all about repetitions. The more golf balls you hit or rounds you fire, the better you become at whatever the skill is. If you want it, you'll get there.
Thanks to all for helping me. Especially MusicStudent (aka MusicTeacher). Going back to my original post, here is the 1st of 15 tables I was hoping to find in a book or website. Clearly it took some effort to build this table but I find this table very easy and fast to read.
At some point, I'd like to build the other 14.
Some of the motivation behind this endeavor is that the currency that BiaB uses is the chord. So I'm thinking that it might pay dividends for me to know how these chords are constructed and spelled. This table does exactly that and it was fun to build.
Am I barking up a wrong tree here? Is this table useless for the theory newbie?
AudioTrack, hopefully you see now what I was trying to say in my original post regarding sharps and flats. I apologize for not having the necessary music vocabulary to express all my thoughts crystal clearly.
Unless I have a typo, I think you can confirm in this table that the 4 enharmonics are maintained at the chord level. FbMaj = EMaj E#Maj = FMaj CbMaj = BMaj B#Maj = CMaj
I realize that all of these chords (and others) may not be used in making music, but as an educational exercise I wanted to be complete and understand how note and chord names work. Eddie points out that technically the key of D# doesn't exist. OK, but I'm interested in chords because BiaB uses chords. The relationship between chords and keys will be a subject in the future. I'm just trying to understand chords at this time.
I really appreciate all your help. And I know I need a Music Theory course at a local Community College but that's not possible at this time.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface casio wk-7500 biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
This table does exactly that and it was fun to build.
Am I barking up a wrong tree here? Is this table useless for the theory newbie?
You already acknowledged "it was fun". Can't ask for anything more. An by the way, making this table is essential for a theory newbie!
So now keep moving forward. You will discover that after a while you will not need this table since you will now understand how the table is made. I suggest you now pick up your instrument (Bass?) and find all these notes (apreggios) on the neck. You will discover these all have the same pattern up and down and across the neck (major triads). This will provide a new reference point for you in identifying the intervals which will reinforce what the tables have told you. Then yes, Scales next!
You already acknowledged "it was fun". Can't ask for anything more. An by the way, making this table is essential for a theory newbie!
Thanks "Teacher"
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
FWIW, I searched for "bass guitar chords", rather than piano. Much of the time a bass player will play arpeggios, rather than chords, but as arpeggios comprise the notes from the chords, that's fine. It also fives the opportunity to see helpful fingerings/voicings.
Incidentally, I note he refers to the 10th. That's a little unconventional, at least when referring to piano chords, but it's just another way of describing the 3rd and octave up.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 09/10/2212:56 AM. Reason: added note about the 10th.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Incidentally, I note he refers to the 10th. That's a little unconventional, at least when referring to piano chords, but it's just another way of describing the 3rd and octave up.
FYI - Around here the 10th is quite common among pianists.
I haven't lost all of my marbles but there is a small hole in the bag someplace!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
FYI - Around here the 10th is quite common among pianists.
Oh, OK. Unknown to me. Nothing really wrong with it, anyhow, I guess.
Does it follow the other usual convention and imply also the dominant-7th and 9th, or is it just a voicing guide?
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
The old conventions are less important to the younger newer musicians who never learned them. In this information society, anyone can setup a website or contribute to a forum and then pass on information which is limited to the knowledge they possess. Kinda what I do....
FYI - Around here the 10th is quite common among pianists.
Oh, OK. Unknown to me. Nothing really wrong with it, anyhow, I guess.
Does it follow the other usual convention and imply also the dominant-7th and 9th, or is it just a voicing guide?
As far as I know it is just a voicing guide. JonD's father was a music professor at a local university and he always talked about the 10th. JonD also talked about the 10th as well as the guy whom tunes our piano. I take to mean any chord that has the third an octave over the last note of the chord. As a guitarist I don't worry about those kind of things.
I haven't lost all of my marbles but there is a small hole in the bag someplace!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Incidentally, I note he refers to the 10th. That's a little unconventional, at least when referring to piano chords, but it's just another way of describing the 3rd and octave up.
FYI - Around here the 10th is quite common among pianists.
Martin Taylor teaches finding the 10th when he teaches fingerstyle jazz guitar.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
Incidentally, I note he refers to the 10th. That's a little unconventional, at least when referring to piano chords, but it's just another way of describing the 3rd and octave up.
FYI - Around here the 10th is quite common among pianists.
Martin Taylor teaches finding the 10th when he teaches fingerstyle jazz guitar.
Interesting. Thanx for the info.
I haven't lost all of my marbles but there is a small hole in the bag someplace!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
From what I remember from college, the 10th falls in a symmetrical line of semitones. Don't quote me though. College was almost 50 years ago and I am having more and more days when I don't remember where my car is when I come out of Walmart.
My BRIGHT ORANGE car!!
Parked right by the door in a handicapped space!!
Yet I remember the house phone number from when I was a little kid. And that was back when there were "word" exchanges rather than all numbers. Our area had EXpress, ENdicott, GArfield and many more.
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.
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)
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