PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Woodshedding - Learning to Play!

Woodshedding - learning to play!

This forum is for posts that are anything to do with learning to play any musical instrument (including vocals). The purpose of this is to help you answer the question ..."How can I learn to play a musical instrument, as soon as possible!"

For most people, one of the primary reasons for using music software like Band-in-a-Box, is to improve your musical playing on an instrument. Sometimes we forget that, and get caught up in the technical details of the software. So we get questions about how to change the font size for the lyrics, but not many questions like "How can Band-in-a-Box help me to learn Smooth Jazz Trumpet soloing?" Band-in-a-Box is a great tool for helping you learn to play a musical instrument. There are lots of other great tools out there that help with learning to play, including:

PG Music software (e.g. Band-in-a-Box, RealBand, AudioChordWizard, Brent Mason Guitar Star, Jazz Guitar Master Class etc.)
Other software
Teachers (on youtube, online etc.)
Books, DVD's
Music schools and online courses
Music Theory
Gear

The hope is that this forum will help people who are learning to play an instrument, providing them with information encouragement to fulfill their goals. Example posts:

How do I learn to play bluegrass banjo?
I want to learn jazz piano, will Band-in-a-Box help?
What is 'modal playing'?
What's a good guitar for learning to play fingerstyle?
Are there any good tips for learning to play folk-style mandolin?

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Thread Title / Thread Starter	Replies	Views	Last Post
Does anyone remember name of this pianist... by PeterGannon 03/13/13 11:14 PM PeterGannon Replies: 5 Views: 2,101	5	2,101	03/13/13 11:14 PM by PeterGannon
Beginner Guitar Student - Playalong to songs using the Guitar Tutor by PeterGannon 03/20/13 02:27 AM PeterGannon Replies: 0 Views: 1,006	0	1,006	03/20/13 02:27 AM by PeterGannon
Guitar Players: How are you using BIAB or RB to improve? by TexasHeartRush 03/20/13 02:31 AM PeterGannon Replies: 9 Views: 4,794	9	4,794	03/20/13 02:31 AM by PeterGannon
Advanced Guitar Student: Using Band-in-a-Box to learn solos by other instruments. by PeterGannon 03/20/13 05:11 AM MikeK Replies: 1 Views: 1,450	1	1,450	03/20/13 05:11 AM by MikeK
10,000 hours 1 2 all by TexasHeartRush 03/20/13 12:58 PM TexasHeartRush Replies: 25 Views: 13,819	25	13,819	03/20/13 12:58 PM by TexasHeartRush
Advanced Guitar Student - Copying/Sight Reading the On-Screen Guitar by PeterGannon 03/22/13 12:09 PM TexasHeartRush Replies: 1 Views: 1,280	1	1,280	03/22/13 12:09 PM by TexasHeartRush
Great tips from Tommy Emmanuel on getting right sound, and duo playing by PeterGannon 03/23/13 04:47 PM jazzmandan Replies: 1 Views: 1,388	1	1,388	03/23/13 04:47 PM by jazzmandan
The Master's Quote by Don Gaynor 03/23/13 09:55 PM Robh Replies: 1 Views: 995	1	995	03/23/13 09:55 PM by Robh
Tommy Emmanuel Harmonics Techniques by Don Gaynor 03/27/13 06:45 AM Don Gaynor Replies: 0 Views: 566	0	566	03/27/13 06:45 AM by Don Gaynor
Great videos for learning jazz piano - Doug McKenzie by PeterGannon 03/27/13 10:23 AM ZeroZero Replies: 1 Views: 4,983	1	4,983	03/27/13 10:23 AM by ZeroZero
what are you doing at the moment on the piano with BIAB? Plz post by ZeroZero 03/27/13 01:54 PM GDaddy Replies: 1 Views: 1,339	1	1,339	03/27/13 01:54 PM by GDaddy
Using A Capo Correctly - Tommy Emmanuel Workshop by Don Gaynor 04/02/13 07:32 AM Mootsman Replies: 5 Views: 7,091	5	7,091	04/02/13 07:32 AM by Mootsman
Tommy Emmanuel on Groove/Timing 11 Minutes by Don Gaynor 04/13/13 06:42 PM Rafa T Replies: 3 Views: 2,900	3	2,900	04/13/13 06:42 PM by Rafa T
A must see Jazz Guitar learning Source by GDaddy 04/23/13 07:42 AM dsw67 Replies: 2 Views: 1,900	2	1,900	04/23/13 07:42 AM by dsw67
Using BiaB to learn to improvise - it's the best tool for the job that I've ever found by Notes Norton 04/24/13 09:53 AM JustKen Replies: 7 Views: 8,555	7	8,555	04/24/13 09:53 AM by JustKen
On line tutoring sessions by DrDan 04/28/13 07:39 AM jazzmandan Replies: 0 Views: 529	0	529	04/28/13 07:39 AM by jazzmandan
What are the best Ear Training Apps for an Android phone ? by Joe V 04/30/13 01:55 PM JohnJohnJohn Replies: 1 Views: 6,174	1	6,174	04/30/13 01:55 PM by JohnJohnJohn
fyi-Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Long recordings are on Spotify by pghboemike 05/04/13 05:36 AM pghboemike Replies: 0 Views: 2,347	0	2,347	05/04/13 05:36 AM by pghboemike
Chet Atkins - Beginner Guitar Lesson by Don Gaynor 05/07/13 02:09 AM Joe Gordon Replies: 1 Views: 1,151	1	1,151	05/07/13 02:09 AM by Joe Gordon
fyi-guitarmasterclass scale generator by pghboemike 05/07/13 09:50 AM pghboemike Replies: 0 Views: 777	0	777	05/07/13 09:50 AM by pghboemike
Bryan Sutton Teaches "Beaumont Rag" - Flatpicking Guitar Lesson by Don Gaynor 05/08/13 11:15 AM Don Gaynor Replies: 0 Views: 1,104	0	1,104	05/08/13 11:15 AM by Don Gaynor
Doc Watson Teaches "Deep River Blues" (6:15) by Don Gaynor 05/08/13 12:00 PM Don Gaynor Replies: 0 Views: 705	0	705	05/08/13 12:00 PM by Don Gaynor
Doc Watson Teaches "Windy And Warm" (6:03) by Don Gaynor 05/08/13 12:16 PM Don Gaynor Replies: 0 Views: 916	0	916	05/08/13 12:16 PM by Don Gaynor
Tony Rics & Norman Blake (About 3 Hours) by Don Gaynor 05/08/13 04:23 PM Don Gaynor Replies: 0 Views: 426	0	426	05/08/13 04:23 PM by Don Gaynor
Etta Baker Teaches Acoustic Blues Guitar (1 of 3 Parts) by Don Gaynor 05/08/13 06:57 PM Don Gaynor Replies: 0 Views: 514	0	514	05/08/13 06:57 PM by Don Gaynor
fyi-Leo's Sound Tools by pghboemike 05/10/13 12:44 AM pghboemike Replies: 0 Views: 535	0	535	05/10/13 12:44 AM by pghboemike
J.B. Dyas- Teaching Jazz Fundamentals to High School and College Musicians 1:30min by pghboemike 05/16/13 01:22 PM pghboemike Replies: 0 Views: 771	0	771	05/16/13 01:22 PM by pghboemike
Flamenco Guitar Lessons - extensive video instruction on Youtube by Joe V 05/22/13 03:47 PM Joe V Replies: 0 Views: 1,192	0	1,192	05/22/13 03:47 PM by Joe V
Download the full Gary Burton intro to improvisation course synopsis by pghboemike 05/26/13 10:42 AM MikeK Replies: 1 Views: 869	1	869	05/26/13 10:42 AM by MikeK
Learning melodies in all 12 keys by PeterGannon 05/29/13 07:33 AM AlastairLC Replies: 11 Views: 10,238	11	10,238	05/29/13 07:33 AM by AlastairLC
Nashville Guitar Style Demo Song 1 2 all by TexasHeartRush 06/11/13 07:39 AM TexasHeartRush Replies: 28 Views: 23,179	28	23,179	06/11/13 07:39 AM by TexasHeartRush
Do you have a system for categorizing or remembering "riffs" 1 2 all by PeterGannon 06/11/13 07:51 AM TexasHeartRush Replies: 30 Views: 25,918	30	25,918	06/11/13 07:51 AM by TexasHeartRush
Figuring out a melody in your head, without an instrument. by PeterGannon 06/15/13 05:43 AM rharv Replies: 3 Views: 2,314	3	2,314	06/15/13 05:43 AM by rharv
How to create an efficient system to complement my learning style.... by johnhenryhalljr 06/19/13 02:15 PM johnhenryhalljr Replies: 6 Views: 1,602	6	1,602	06/19/13 02:15 PM by johnhenryhalljr
fyi-circle of fifths info by pghboemike 06/23/13 03:52 AM pghboemike Replies: 0 Views: 549	0	549	06/23/13 03:52 AM by pghboemike
Jerry Reed Tribute Concert (1 hour 48 min) by Don Gaynor 06/27/13 12:09 AM Ryszard Replies: 3 Views: 1,845	3	1,845	06/27/13 12:09 AM by Ryszard
old books = new ideas for me by pghboemike 06/29/13 08:42 AM pghboemike Replies: 0 Views: 639	0	639	06/29/13 08:42 AM by pghboemike
Share your favorite practice tools besides BB/RB - mine is "Amazing Slow Downer" by Joe V 07/06/13 04:20 AM Joe V Replies: 4 Views: 1,958	4	1,958	07/06/13 04:20 AM by Joe V
Some recommendations for tunes to use for ear training by Joe V 07/08/13 04:12 PM Joe V Replies: 0 Views: 754	0	754	07/08/13 04:12 PM by Joe V
Does anyone think in 'tetrachords' when memorizing scales or soloing ? by Joe V 07/14/13 06:31 AM alan S. Replies: 3 Views: 3,340	3	3,340	07/14/13 06:31 AM by alan S.
Norman Blake - Flatpicker (6:37) by Don Gaynor 07/31/13 03:43 PM Joe Gordon Replies: 5 Views: 1,839	5	1,839	07/31/13 03:43 PM by Joe Gordon
Free Truefire Pro Membership by KeithS 08/03/13 08:31 AM KeithS Replies: 2 Views: 1,783	2	1,783	08/03/13 08:31 AM by KeithS
add-on to help practice "playing along" by MMgWjo 08/06/13 02:03 AM MMgWjo Replies: 1 Views: 617	1	617	08/06/13 02:03 AM by MMgWjo
Thumb Picking by Muriel Anderson - 8 Lessons by Don Gaynor 08/07/13 01:35 PM KeithS Replies: 1 Views: 821	1	821	08/07/13 01:35 PM by KeithS
transcribed solos by Cy O'Hara 08/26/13 06:13 AM Mac Replies: 9 Views: 4,858	9	4,858	08/26/13 06:13 AM by Mac
A Well-Written Country Song by Don Gaynor 08/26/13 07:18 AM Guitarhacker Replies: 11 Views: 4,671	11	4,671	08/26/13 07:18 AM by Guitarhacker
making simple notation by Ize 09/01/13 03:37 AM Ize Replies: 2 Views: 806	2	806	09/01/13 03:37 AM by Ize
transpose display notation for Bb clarinet? by Craig H 09/08/13 11:01 AM pmwizard Replies: 3 Views: 1,797	3	1,797	09/08/13 11:01 AM by pmwizard
Another way of thinking about chords...'feature notes' by ZeroZero 09/17/13 11:06 AM ZeroZero Replies: 4 Views: 1,722	4	1,722	09/17/13 11:06 AM by ZeroZero
101 Jazz Guitar Riffs - too many? by AlastairLC 09/18/13 06:48 AM Guitarhacker Replies: 6 Views: 2,806	6	2,806	09/18/13 06:48 AM by Guitarhacker
Should I invest in BIAB? New to guitar playing by Jo O. 09/21/13 09:56 AM bostonx Replies: 10 Views: 3,689	10	3,689	09/21/13 09:56 AM by bostonx
Can BIAB Teach Me Alto Saxophone? 1 2 all by George Nelson 10/10/13 02:16 AM wen Replies: 26 Views: 20,675	26	20,675	10/10/13 02:16 AM by wen
how to display the intervals i'm playing by pghboemike 10/11/13 12:50 AM James2 Replies: 5 Views: 2,045	5	2,045	10/11/13 12:50 AM by James2
Jazz Guitar: Five Key Jazz Rhythms by pghboemike 10/23/13 06:28 AM Mac Replies: 4 Views: 1,947	4	1,947	10/23/13 06:28 AM by Mac
Unknown notation symbol by ZeroZero 10/26/13 08:46 AM Frankp Replies: 3 Views: 1,559	3	1,559	10/26/13 08:46 AM by Frankp
How many of you can sing different scales and modes with reasonable accuracy, and how did you learn by Joe V 10/28/13 01:32 PM ZeroZero Replies: 9 Views: 3,710	9	3,710	10/28/13 01:32 PM by ZeroZero
BIAB and two handed piano practice by WAS 10/31/13 10:08 AM WAS Replies: 0 Views: 437	0	437	10/31/13 10:08 AM by WAS
Best Way to use Real Drums for Drum Training & Practice? by Jonnwhite 11/04/13 08:44 AM Mac Replies: 1 Views: 689	1	689	11/04/13 08:44 AM by Mac
Seeking advice from people who've learned to play some piano after many years of guitar playing 1 2 all by Joe V 11/12/13 05:58 PM Mac Replies: 30 Views: 25,930	30	25,930	11/12/13 05:58 PM by Mac
What are the big 'approaches' to soloing in addition to 'modal' - how do they differ from each other by Joe V 11/12/13 06:11 PM Mac Replies: 7 Views: 2,232	7	2,232	11/12/13 06:11 PM by Mac

Moderated by: Andrew - PG Music, Callie - PG Music, Catherine, PeterGannon, pgmoderation

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PG Music News

July 01, 2025

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

June 30, 2025

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

June 28, 2025

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box^® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box^® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box^® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

May 21, 2025

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

April 15, 2025

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box^® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

April 14, 2025

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box^® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

March 19, 2025

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

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