Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#863374 09/24/25 04:40 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
8 Bars of Lonely
--------------------------------
v1
When I write I gravitate to pleasures;
There is no problem stating joy in so few measures;
But it  would really stretch my art to state
The torment in my heart
If I had to tell it all
In just one chorus brief and small..

v2
To give a singer happiness and passion
That any listner would believe--not hard to fashion;
But when it comes to heart-break,
i must choose my words with care;
To get that feeling in one line-- 
That's the challenge that is mine..

​Chorus
8 BARS OF LONELY--
Sad song in a minor key;
I hoped this chart would describe my heart;
I'm gonna write it in C.

v3
And from the tired list of words
That paint my world in gray-tone;
I pick them brick by brick
And hope they sing of love flown.    
I know the words I wrote
Will fade with the final note;  
Will the crowd be brought along
When the singer sings this song?

Chorus
​8 BARS OF LONELY--
Baked lyrical recipe;
I hoped this chart would reveal my heart;
Please play it in C.

8 BARS OF LONELY--
Sad song for eternity;
I hoped this chart will convey my heart;
Please sing it for me.
=====================
Style=_SLBOSKB.STY. Slow Bossa w/ Poll Winners
RTs: 712Bass, 2261Piano, 2379Tenor Sax Solo, 922Bossa Guitar, 1215Vibes
RD: Bossa Lewis, Bossa Brushes
Midi: Vibes, Shaker, Strings, Piano
BGV: Natalie (SynthV)


Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,803
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,803
Hi Tano,

Beautiful, sad song! You sing it with great passion, and the saxophone fits perfectly.
One thing strikes me: your singing is a bit too loud compared to the music (or the music is a bit too soft compared to your singing ;-)
If you could adjust this, I think everything would be more cohesive (the glue).
But the song itself is very pleasant, despite the sad lyrics...

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,039
C
Expert
Offline
Expert
C
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,039
Beautiful Tom - lovely song and you sing it soooo right for the style,
love the cinematic strings!
Hans may be right that the band could come up a little in
volume for better balance - depends so much on which monitors
people are listening on, so maybe wait and see what others say??
Love the production and arrangement, great job Tom!!

Carl

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,146
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,146
Tom,

Beautiful and melancholic... Great vocal and great mix.

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,944
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,944
Tom, a sad but outstanding song.
Fantastic backing band and arrangement
Loved the harmony.
IMHO I think that the vocal is a tad to loud: You could either lower it or raise the volume of the backing band.
The vibes and sax were icing on the cake.
A fantastic song.


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Thanks everybody...this song is about the songwriter's dilemma...you only have so many notes and bars to make your case! And then you have to hand it over to someone else to hopefully communicate it adequately to the audience. I'll take a look at the vox level. Thanks for the feedback!


Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,845
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,845
Tom, wonderful, wistful tune. Super harmonic movement with that long descending line. Cool fade ending, too. Really like your vocals on this one, as well as the subtle vocal FX. The SynthV BGVs sound quite nice back in the mix like you have them. Another entry for the Great American Songbook!


DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
User Showcase
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2,374
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 2,374
Lovely instrumentation in this song, Tom. You do really good with chord structures.


Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,647
Tom,

You are so good at this style/genre. This is another really good one. That sax is terrtific, and sets this squarely in the late 50s era. Nice write asnd production.

I think setting the vocal a little further back in the mix would be something to consider.

Much enjoyed!

alan


BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar

Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,352
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,352
One of my favorites of yours now, I guess because I relate to the dilemma. Sorry you are still having technical issues with your vocal, I can relate to that as well. Floyd and others have suggested I drop my vocal 1 or 2 dbs so many times that now I set my vocal to what my ear thinks is good, then I decrease it automatically 1 db. Then I drop it one more, listen the next day, and if I can stand it, that's where it stays.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,295
Expert
Online Content
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 1,295
Hi Tom!
Really interesting harmonically - especially that downwards passage I heard in the outro. Your chorus first line and song title - that's a great hook - I wish that line featured more in the song.

I first listened without reading the lyrics, and I thought the chorus said ...
'I hoped this chart would describe my heart;
I'm gonna write it in C and see'
It works either way!

Andrew

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,987
Tom,

A Very Strong write. Cool rhymes throughout.
Cool backing, Fresh, interesting.
Nice vocals.

Really enjoyed this.

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,248
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,248
That is a fine production.
We have no issues with upfront vocals.
Perhaps because we so often do the same. smile
You and the BGV's sound fine.

Cool write and the chorus lyric changes were excellent.
Outstanding hook also.

Nice band and that sax solo was a great choice.

We enjoyed it!

J&B


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
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Andrew, Floyd, J&B..thanks for listening and your kind comments!


Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,309
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,309
Hi, Tom.

I love the write - you know your audience. smile

It's clever, but not so much that it gets in the way of its heart.

Well sung and arranged, too.

8 BARS OF LONELY--
Sad song in a minor key;
I hoped this chart would describe my heart;
I'm gonna write it in C.


That's C minor, right? wink


-- 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.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,369
Thanks David…well, the obvious “minor” didn’t make it into the Final Cut!!


Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 319
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 319
Hi Tano Music, nice progression and bridge, your voice is powerful.
Donny G


Donny G
User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,165
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,165
Reading the title I thought you might be taking us to your favorite 8 bars to drink down lonliness. BUT, you crafted a beautiful piece about music-making, and did a fantastic job of it. Very clever lyrics --relatable by us here, for sure. Excellent vocal and mix. As always you gave it all a terrific progression.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,392
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,392
Cool tune. Nice easy listen. Loved the instrumentation. Super vocal. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,520
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,520
Hey Tom,

This is great man.

This sounds like something straight off some Broadway or off Broadway musical.

It totally has that somewhat nostalgic and old school feel that will never ever go out of fashion.

You should do as many of these as you can.

Super enjoyable music.

Fun to listen to and completely paints a picture in your head.

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

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
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

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!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 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®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

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!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

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.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

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®!

With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
  • 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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,488
Posts805,630
Members40,131
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
FabrizioGuitar, Justin Moore, cdtimpy, AKO64, Gomez
40,130 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 121
rsdean 80
DC Ron 64
WaoBand 58
Today's Birthdays
D3M3T4N, duncanwhyte, kevin p, Lovis, zisquier50
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5