|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
I may have asked this before, but with the recent discussions about Guitar Pro it made me realize that I still don't have an answer. Since GP does have "official" TAB's and sheet music for copy written songs then why doesn't BIAB.
It would possibly increase sales.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,511
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,511 |
Hi Bob. Just curious and trying to understand your question: does Guitar Pro show the melody with that sheet music? If they do, then they must have negotiated a lot of licenses. Or is it just showing the chord progressions?
And a dumb question since I don't know the first thing about Tab, but can Tab show the melody? I think it's just chord diagrams in the correct placement, right?
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,068
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,068 |
And a dumb question since I don't know the first thing about Tab, but can Tab show the melody? I think it's just chord diagrams in the correct placement, right?
Tab is melodic as it shows locations of individual notes, etc. Even I learned to flatpick some bluegrass standards via it way back in the day. Or as Wiki reads, “Tablature is a form of musical notation indicating instrument fingering or the location of the played notes rather than musical pitches. Tablature is common for fretted stringed instruments such as the guitar, lute or vihuela, as well as many free reed aerophones such as the harmonica.” Bud
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
Hi Bob. Just curious and trying to understand your question: does Guitar Pro show the melody with that sheet music? If they do, then they must have negotiated a lot of licenses. Or is it just showing the chord progressions?
And a dumb question since I don't know the first thing about Tab, but can Tab show the melody? I think it's just chord diagrams in the correct placement, right?
On the official songs put out by GP, they show the melody and other pertinent parts. Not just the chord progressions. I would hope they've negotiated a lot of licenses. " And a dumb question since I don't know the first thing about Tab, but can Tab show the melody? I think it's just chord diagrams in the correct placement, right?" TAB does show the melody since all modern TAB includes the standard notation. It's actually the "premium" version of music notation for stringed fretted instruments and it works for all other instruments since it includes standard notation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
If you wanted to learn a Tony Rice break written on guitar and then play it on a sax, then you could by using TAB that includes standard notation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
A visit to https://www.guitar-pro.com/ might answer some of your questions. Contrary to popular belief, TAB is not a shortcut to playing music on a stringed fretted instrument. It's a much more precise method of conveying information. Unfortunately, some old dipsh*ts still discourage people from using it because they think it's "cheating". I never knew that conveying precise information to a student would be "cheating".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,898
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,898 |
The answer may be in the design. GP is based on Notation, which is equivalent to the sheet music. Therefore, GP can play a song note for note - lick for lick. While BIAB is based on the chord chart and therefore designed for Accompaniment. Apples and Oranges.
Oh and by the way, I just stumbled on a collection of 51,000 GP tab e-files. This comes from a time back in the day, when ALL music on the Internet was Free.
Last edited by MusicStudent; 08/20/23 07:08 AM.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,158
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,158 |
I'm just guessing that to introduce another having to pay for layer (sub) to biab would only put buyers off rather than increase sales.
I am also new to Guitar pro due to a discussion thread on here, but think I may have installed the demo in the past and opened Mysongbook when I started the software, and was greeted with a sub to sign up to. I soon uninstalled the software.
It was only after seeing a recent thread on here about Guitar pro, that I realised that I didn't have to sign up to that sub and lots of files are available on net.
Likewise with biab, a good friend of the forum has made available thousands of files.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,755
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,755 |
And a dumb question since I don't know the first thing about Tab, but can Tab show the melody? I think it's just chord diagrams in the correct placement, right?
Tab is melodic as it shows locations of individual notes, etc. Even I learned to flatpick some bluegrass standards via it way back in the day. Or as Wiki reads, “Tablature is a form of musical notation indicating instrument fingering or the location of the played notes rather than musical pitches. Tablature is common for fretted stringed instruments such as the guitar, lute or vihuela, as well as many free reed aerophones such as the harmonica.” Bud The more I read about Tab (such as what Bud is saying) the more I'm liking it.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
The more I read about  the more I enjoy 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,158
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,158 |
I think tab is great, if it is tabbed correctly it can show the right position on fretboard to play a melody, As far as I know this can't be done as easily with standard music notation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
I think tab is great, if it is tabbed correctly it can show the right position on fretboard to play a melody, As far as I know this can't be done as easily with standard music notation. You know what else works equally as well as paper telling you what to do? Learning the neck and practicing. For 2 hours a day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,158
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,158 |
Yep you are right there Eddie, but I am getting older time is short, I have a few other hobbies as well, so sometimes its only ten minutes a day, not two hours. I'm not bad at playing a few common scales up the board, but my view is, whether its tab or standard notation, if it helps to learn a tune faster, why not accept it. For this kind of fast tune, probably Tab will be more useful than standard notation as it gives a better idea of position on fretboard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvSzLT2QG1k
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282 |
To eddie1261: Everyone can learn and play a guitar solo, but not everyone can play a production level guitar solo. In modern professional productions, for most guitar solos, a shred part (1/32rd notes) are required to be not only played but also played clearly with articulations. If you don't have the skill, or the budget to hire a professional guitarist, then a virtual guitar would be your only option.
To Matt Finley: Tab = MIDI_Notes + String_Fret_Info + Articulation. The power of a guitar tab, is not to be read by a human so he can just play it on a guitar, but is the ability to be read by virtual instruments such as Guitar Pro and Realistic Sound Engine, and generate a high fidelity guitar sound with all the articulations being played such as pitch bend, vibrato, legato slide, palm mute, pinch harmonic, etc.
To Bass Thumper: Guitar Pro is the industry standard for lead guitar solos. If you know how to professionally humanize that thing, you can generate riffs and licks better than Brent Mason.
To Janice & Bud: Yes, piano can only play one note on one piano key, while for one note it can be played on different frets and strings on a guitar, that's why guitar solos sound so different and unique.
To musiclover: BiaB is using a different algorithm to generate guitar solo. Guitar Pro is notes based, each note can be edited to form an ensemble melody, resemble a real life playing. BiaB is audio based, the algorithm just pick a few pieces of pre-recorded audios and put together a melody, that's why the rhythm tracks sound ok, but the lead tracks always sound weird and forced.
To bobcflatpicker: I have no problem with BiaB's guitar soloist tracks, they were all recorded by great guitarists. My problem is with BiaB's algorithm to piece together those soloist tracks, the end result just sounds random and mismatched. I hope Peter can come up with a new algorithm in the future years, specifically made for comping lead type of RealTracks. The current algorithm for comping Rhythm type of RealTracks is already doing great.
To MusicStudent: Who doesn't want Slash to play a piece of guitar solo in every single song they produce? Currently BiaB can't do that, but with a virtual guitar, yes, you get unlimited Slash for free.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
I think we've gotten off track of the original question, and I take full responsibility for that by mentioning TAB. I just mentioned Guitar Pro because they do have tons of official TAB's that are for songs that are copyrighted.
It's not about notation. It's about providing BIAB songs/arrangements that are copyrighted, (copy written ?).
I know there would be fees involved and I'm going to give Guitar Pro the benefit of a doubt and assume they've paid those fees. Those "song packs" could be sold separately which wouldn't cause the price of BIAB to go up.
So again, hey Peter Gannon. LOL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,755
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,755 |
To Bass Thumper: Guitar Pro is the industry standard for lead guitar solos. If you know how to professionally humanize that thing, you can generate riffs and licks better than Brent Mason.
I have no interest for lead guitar solos using Guitar Pro; I love lead guitar and several other instruments, but the bass is my main musical passion. Due to Matt and Dan's recent suggestions in this forum I recently purchased GP. Some may say that tab is the musical equivalent of paint by numbers and it may be, but I'm using it to get inside the head of masterful bass players and (hopefully) figure out what makes a good bass line and how I might apply that thinking to other songs for which I only have a chord progression or on songs I write myself. And because tab tells you what string and what fret, I'm finding situations where the same note at a different position on the fretboard works better for me. This will be a life journey and GP is a good tool in this regard.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,511
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,511 |
I think we've gotten off track of the original question, and I take full responsibility for that by mentioning TAB... Not your fault, Bob; it's mine. I thought perhaps by understanding Tab better, I might be able to lend support to your request. I did learn more about it, and thanks to all who offered info.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,741
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,741 |
There should be no confusion about TAB. These graphics should make the understanding self-evident.  So...the six lines represent the strings of a guitar, and unless otherwise states in standard tuning. E A D G B E Like this. The numbers represent the fret.  The above example represents a well-known melody. To use TAB if you do not know what the song is supposed to sound like would require you to listen to the song. That fact would be expected for using TAB. The reason you need to listen to the song is there is no rhythm information in TAB. By knowing the notes on a guitar neck, a Trumpet player could play the single notes. Also, the standard notation of the diagram will not inform the guitar player where to play the notes because there is more than one place to produce the same note on a guitar. Chords can also be represented in TAB. Like this.  So...as you can see, this is not rocket science. In professional recording studios, several methods of communicating information to session players are common. Standard notation, Nashville notation in several forms, TAB, verbal information like "this is like the bridge in XYZ" and someone plays the part on the same instrument or another instrument to demonstrate. So...if you call it a 1000 or ten to the third it is still a 1000. No big deal but ten to the ninth is a pain in the butt number to write being 1000000000. We describe things differently for convenience and simplicity. The open low E string on the guitar is E2 on the piano. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of resistance to learning new information. Why is it that the USA and Bangladesh are the only two countries not using the metric system? If a system of communicating information is useful to you, then it is logical to learn it. If you don't have any use for the system then don't learn it. What's the big deal? Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 08/20/23 06:23 PM.
“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: 27,511
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,511 |
Yes, that’s very clear. Thanks Billy.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,551
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,551 |
When I started guitar there were no tabs. The Mel Bay guitar method put a little number by a note to let you know what position you should start the exercise. After that you were expected to figure out what position you should be using. Thus you had to learn the entire fretboard.
I had to start learning tabs so I could help my students use them. I will admit tabs is a lot easier to learn positions than the Mel Bay method but if one doesn't learn notation they will be handicapped in the long run IMHO.
So yes I use tabs but for me tabs without the notation is almost useless. I need the notation like the ones Billy posted for note duration and to help me remember where the notes are on the fretboard. YMMV
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,081
Posts799,854
Members40,031
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean