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Joined: May 2000
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I was specific in what I quoted from the OP when I applied my reasoning.
I'm not arguing with *you*, Pat. I was simply pointing out that an instrument that only allowed certain notes would diminish the musical experience and growth.
I understand your point, which is different than what I was responding to. I thought you grouped my point into the 'technology' argument and I wanted to clarify the point I was making. Nothing to do with technology. More about learning.
However, I will still stand by the concept that in BiaB someone with the knowledge of music theory and scales will end up with a better product than someone just punching in chords. Just the other day Mac (I think) pointed out when someone was trying to notate a chord in an extended way, and really, simply putting in a different very basic chord would have worked (most likely) since it had the notes and fundamentals of the chord. This was due to his understanding of chords and scales in the theory department. That knowledge is important.
It's not a crutch if you know what you are doing; it's a tool. If you are fumbling away and not learning anything then yes it is a crutch in the long run since it is holding you back from developing.
Just my opinion..
It could still be a *fun* thing for sure. But a crutch none the less.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I did not intend to imply that one could not learn using this tool.
What I DID intend to imply is that the large majority would very likely learn the fretboard faster without the LEDs.
--Mac
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Thanks to Mac and Rharv for taking time to respond to my question. Your responses make sense to me. I understand that it can be bothersome to have people ask you to reiterate what you already said.. but I have found that I am better off making sure I understand what people said, even if I have to ask more than once, and in different words.
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FYI - the fretlight does not limit anyone to playing the guitar in any fashion. It's a copy of a Fat Strat, but has an interface built in to show lights on the fretboard. It's a guitar instruction DVD or tablature translated onto the fretboard. It is not an auto-chord type of casio keyboard toy.
Any instructional technique is limited or enhanced by the motivation of the student. Doesn't matter what methodology it is.
-Scott
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OK, I played one 2 days ago. Turns out, there are two guys with these at work. One is an extremely accomplished guitar player - if you go to NAMM, you will see/hear him shredding at the Westone booth with our Westone band, the Bedlam Baldies. He has his as his noodle guitar in his office. I played it. Finish quality was very nice. Quite a bit better than my MIM Strat. Frets were dressed very nicely and Greg said that it came setup very nicely. Saddles were significantly better quality than what you get with your bog-standard MIM strat - those stamped metal saddles. Also comes with a nicer pickguard than the standard MIM Fat Strat.
Greg thinks it's a great tool for learning scales and modes and fingering patterns for songs.
I think it's a pretty killer Fat Strat copy from a finish quality standpoint. The neck is particularly well done. Even the sunburst was very well done. One minor flaw in the wood that appeared to be filled before they applied the finish, but Greg and I had to look hard for it. He recalled there was one, but it took him a minute to search for it.
With it's additional capability and finish quality over a MIM Fat Strat - at $150 less, I would buy this in a heartbeat over a new MIM Fat Strat.
-Scott
Last edited by rockstar_not; 11/17/10 08:08 AM.
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Thanks, Scott, for the review. Not sure that I will purchase one but your review will definitely help in my decision if I do. I was concerned about quality of the guitar. This really helps.
"The desire for fame is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise."
Cornelius Tacitus
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regarding the discussion of how guitars "should" be used or learned:
I imagine a scenario in which Jimi Hendrix is taking guitar lessons from Les Paul.
Les Paul scolds Jimi and says "No no no... you're supposed to dampen the strings you aren't plucking to silence them.. the goal is to AVOID feedback and miscellaneous noise..."
all the while Jimi is thinking "that may be YOUR goal, but it isn't mine..."
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Quote:
regarding the discussion of how guitars "should" be used or learned:
I imagine a scenario in which Jimi Hendrix is taking guitar lessons from Les Paul.
Les Paul scolds Jimi and says "No no no... you're supposed to dampen the strings you aren't plucking to silence them.. the goal is to AVOID feedback and miscellaneous noise..."
all the while Jimi is thinking "that may be YOUR goal, but it isn't mine..."
Or, as actually happened, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was once asked about how and why he played the trumpet so high outside its "normal" range.
He replied that after he had become an adult and famous trumpeter, he was shown "the" book of the trumpet, "Arban's Method" and said that right there in the opening pages was a little chart that had two notes on it, one low and one high, labled, "The Range of the Trumpet".
Satch said, "Its a good thing I didn't have that book to tell me where to stop!"
Indeed, the teaching methods of this world may just be better designed to create cookie-cutter clones, leaving the true innovation to come from other sources.
I don't knock the school methods, though, as I grow older I have come to realize that such only makes the value of the truly creative innovator soar even higher. I think that for every *successful* innovator there are likely many more who tried and for whatever reasons, didn't get the recognition for it. For example, Jimi DID have those who came before him who were already using feedback ala Albert King and a few of his other tricks, including his flashy clothing, which he borrowed from his experience with Little Richard's act.
As with everything else in music performance, the timing -- and the choice of venue -- is everything...
--Mac
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True, Mac. No man is an island. We all learn (and borrow) from others.
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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.
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Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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!
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