In the years I've hung out here, this is one of the "quieter" periods I remember. This means most of the software is chugging along doing what it intended, and there are not a lot of issues, such as will happen after a new release.

That said, in a thread called Challenge 1, I'm suggesting that we all take a standard piece, without melody, and make a backing track for that piece. Use all the tools you would usually use. In my case, this means I make a CD/Mp3 and move it upstairs beside my big ol' piano, and play along. The CD might make it out of the house to provide me a track to play along with, just to make the experience better for the audience.

Why? I personally have always felt that there are a lot of talented people out there, contributors or otherwise, who get no exposure. I also think that there is too much 'gnashing' of teeth over minutiae, when in reality, the average Joe or Joseph or Giovanni, sitting talking to his friends, and hearing the music in the background, is thinking, "wow that dude is cool and I like this!", while saying to his buddy that he loves his new recipe for veal parmigiana.

Perhaps when you are done you could lay out what you did to get where you went. As for me, I'll quick and dirty a 3 verse track in Band in a Box only, with a wee trim from Audacity. Then I want you to tell me what to do to make it 'better'.

I hope that the 'big guys' here, like Notes, and Matt, and Mac, and Russ (who's more missing than not), and Dan, and well I can't list you all...jump in too. If we get lucky even Oliver Gannon might just have at it. And here's the chance for those who post only links to show the rest of us their budding musical talent.

In that I'm taking a Notes Norton approach, (Heck he can probably just mail in his contribution now, it's probably done already!) that the song is well known, can cross genres, and is available in Band in a Box format, I'm hoping for a dozen or so examples from forum members!

Although it says 'Challenge' there are no winners or losers, but degrees of "hummmm".

So to get this started, and hey you all, or y'all, jump in, throw out one of yours - I will admit that some recent discussion, along with the windy day yesterday floating spinning leaves from my black walnut over the house and in front of my picture window, and in that it is autumn, I'm throwing down the old jazz standard about fall and leaves drifting by my window.

So pick a style, a speed, leave out the melody, and give us a backing track! Please?

John Conley
Musica est vita