PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Songwriting Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about

Index

Print Thread

Go To

Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about #827725 11/07/24 06:38 AM Songwriting
Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,741 P pghboemike OP Veteran
OP pghboemike Veteran P Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,741	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

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about pghboemike #827729 11/07/24 07:39 AM Songwriting
Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,699 DC Ron Veteran
DC Ron Veteran Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,699	Haven't used it to write songs but recall it from church hymnals, though I hadn't thought about it in...a LONG time... DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about pghboemike #827732 11/07/24 07:55 AM Songwriting
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 24,703 Hamlin NY MarioD Veteran
MarioD Veteran Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 24,703 Hamlin NY	That was very interesting. A guideline for writing lyrics that I never knew existed. Thanx for sharing. OK, a random thought; Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it? 64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about pghboemike #827744 11/07/24 10:01 AM Songwriting
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 8,197 Sacramento, California dcuny Veteran
dcuny Veteran Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 8,197 Sacramento, California	In a video, he says: Quote All right, hymn #122... "God all nature sings thy glory." (Points to the words under the title, which read: "How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all! The earth is full of your creatures. Ps.104-24") I don't really know what that means. Hahahahaha. Yeah, that part is a mystery we'll never be able to figure out. And it's not really a 1800's "songwriting technique", is it? -- David Cuny My virtual singer development blog Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing? BiaB 2025 \| Windows 11 \| Reaper \| Way too many VSTis.

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about pghboemike #827993 11/09/24 05:44 PM Songwriting
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 2,044 Sillie Con Valley, California Mike Halloran Veteran
Mike Halloran Veteran Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 2,044 Sillie Con Valley, California	Quote And it's not really a 1800's "songwriting technique", is it? No. It's the Meter of the song and goes back to the Psalms and the Greeks. The Metrical Index in a hymnal allows you to put any set of lyrics in that meter to any tune in that same meter, That is why it's there. This page is from one of the hymnals that I work with nowadays. I've been a music director and choir director well over 55 years, just doing part time substitute work to supplement my retirement. 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

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about pghboemike #828105 11/11/24 07:35 AM Songwriting
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 10,866 Middlesex, NC Guitarhacker Veteran
Guitarhacker Veteran Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 10,866 Middlesex, NC	I worked with a cowriter who was a stickler for counting syllables in the lines and insisting that they match up. The reasoning was simple. When you vary the syllable count you also force a different melody and feel to the verses. Of course as he points out with the Beatles song In My Life.... rules are meant to be bent and even broken but you have to break them in a way that works. I'm thinking, if I was to examine my works over the past several years, not a single song I've written follows the syllable count exactly. BTW: I just checked my Baptist Hymnal and those rebellious souls don't have those numbers at the bottom of the hymn. 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.

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about Guitarhacker #828543 11/15/24 11:20 AM Songwriting
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 2,044 Sillie Con Valley, California Mike Halloran Veteran
Mike Halloran Veteran Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 2,044 Sillie Con Valley, California	Originally Posted by Guitarhacker BTW: I just checked my Baptist Hymnal and those rebellious souls don't have those numbers at the bottom of the hymn. Ok, I'll bite. What Baptist hymnal do you use? A lot of congregations are still using the 1991 Baptist Hymnal and it does include meters at the bottom of the page. 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

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about Mike Halloran #828691 11/16/24 09:28 AM Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 8,491 North Carolina David Snyder Veteran
David Snyder Veteran Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 8,491 North Carolina	This is interesting and useful. I just googled this subject and got a few lengthy indexes with links to the original classical sources and bookmarked or downloaded all. Kinda handy for sure. But I noticed these are only verses, right? No choruses I assume. Don't some hymns have choruses? Just wondering... David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers https://davidsnydersongs.com/ https://spoti.fi/359Gigs www.davidsnydermusic.com/ www.reverbnation.com/davidpsnyder www.soundcloud.com/david-snyder-gigs4 https://www.songtradr.com/user/profile/david.snyder

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about David Snyder #828695 11/16/24 09:55 AM Songwriting
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 8,197 Sacramento, California dcuny Veteran
dcuny Veteran Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 8,197 Sacramento, California	Originally Posted by David Snyder Don't some hymns have choruses? Yes, a few do and are still considered hymns. Typically, a hymn has different lyrics for each verse, so there's more room to expand on the topic. Having a chorus means the hymn has to stick to that single thought expressed in the chorus. A chorus is in a hymn is referred to as a "refrain", as in "We're abstaining from refraining when the hymn does too much explaining". -- David Cuny My virtual singer development blog Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing? BiaB 2025 \| Windows 11 \| Reaper \| Way too many VSTis.

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about pghboemike #828976 11/17/24 09:30 PM Songwriting
Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 2,044 Sillie Con Valley, California Mike Halloran Veteran
Mike Halloran Veteran Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 2,044 Sillie Con Valley, California	Quote Don't some hymns have choruses? Quote A chorus is in a hymn is referred to as a "refrain", Sometimes, it's included in the Meter; other times, it's added. From my previous example: 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

Re: Have you used this 1800s songwriting technique that I just learned about pghboemike #833680 12/13/24 10:45 AM Songwriting
Joined: Jun 2020 Posts: 617 United States Dewey_MI Journeyman
Dewey_MI Journeyman Joined: Jun 2020 Posts: 617 United States	Mystery solved for me! Thank you for sharing this video. Dewey https://soundcloud.com/dewey-longuski https://www.facebook.com/NSAIMidMichigan

Go To

Moderated by Andrew - PG Music, PeterGannon

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

April 28, 2026

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.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

April 22, 2026

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

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.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

April 21, 2026

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

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.

April 02, 2026

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

March 24, 2026

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.

March 12, 2026

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.

March 12, 2026

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.

More News