I currently own BIAB 2011 which was purchased in Dec. 2010. Is it possible to find out what new things (styles, real tracks, etc) have been introduced since I purchased my version, that can be used with 2011. IE, were there new things that came out with 2012, 2013, or issued independent of a new version etc. that I can purchase now to use with 2011? I know the upgrade is very reasonable but I am 77 years old and don't want to spend a lot more money until I find out if I can actually figure out how to use what I currently own. I look forward to any information I can get. I'm also starting to learn how to play guitar. Wish me luck.


Many Thanks,

Phestus

Hi Phestus,

First off, I'm not employed by PG Music and the information that I'm passing on is purely from recollection. Ultimately, you will need to contact PG Music to get the correct information. (I'm a BIAB user.)

Since version 2011, there have been a couple of modifications regarding the way in which BIAB handles Realtracks and Realdrums. Because of this, I suspect that it's necessary to get (as a minimum), the upgrade that will enhance 2011 and modify it so that it will work with any of the newer Realtracks. This upgrade is listed as $69 and doesn't include any Realtracks or Realdrums.

Prices for the different packages are here ...

http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.htm

It's also possible for you to buy (say) the UltraPlusPak which will include the above upgrade and also all Realtracks and Realdrums for $159 (currently on special).


According to the below webpage ...

http://www.pgmusic.com/realtracks.all.php?os=win

BIAB 2011 had Realtrack sets up to Set 175. With 2015, we're now up to Set 227. If you scroll through the sets listed at the above site, you'll be able to see and hear what has been added since Set 175.

Hope this helps,
Noel

Hi Noel,

Thanks for the response. Good info. I'll check that out and see if there seems to be anything I can't do without. BIAB is a great program. After I use what I currently have, to the point where I can accomplish what I'm after, I'll probably upgrade to the newest version. 'Til then, I'll keep reading and experimenting. Thanks again for the info.


Phestus

Hello Phestus, I noticed your post because I have the `11 version also. While I can't give you a comprehensive answer regarding what might be new, I'll venture a guess that there will be a good deal of new real tracks.

I personally wish they'd stop hanging bells and whistles all over this app. It's just more stuff that can possibly cause trouble. It would time and money better spent to clean up the code for what is already here.

Depending on your music prefs `11 is way short on many categories of real tracks. The electric pianos and organs are woefully under staffed.

My version of `11 likes to reduce itself to the btm of the desktop on the downbeat of what ever tune I'm trying to begin.

`11 has it's own private laptop which I almost never get on line with [I have a mac for that] and then only for short periods. This is a toshiba running windows 7. And the problems seem to accumulate from my use of the app. Which I am pretty familiar with since the 90s.

I applaud your decision to begin another instrument. I hope you already play something else. If you have biab you probably play keys or sing. Both would be an asset to your guitar studies. Get a guitar that fits your hand and body when you can. If you have large hands find a guitar with 1.75 or more, inches width at the nut. Eastman makes guitars acoustic and electric with wider nut widths. The converse is also true here's where a teacher can really help.

As far as guitar is concerned pleas allow me to suggest 99centguitarlessons.com once you begin to find your way around the neck. I don't think there are classes for those new to guitar. *see the scale info below... But when you are ready Rich Severson [who doesn't pay me to say this ] will come to your desktop at your convenience and spoon feed you, two bars at a time, close up, with short explanations of the theory explaining why that note is used in that particular place. Classes on each topic include a video down loaded to your desktop with practice tracks [ done on biab real tracks ] a .pdf with notation and tab. You are not limited to download the classes come on CD too for a little more. Good informative classes range between 1.99 to 5 bux for a single class. If you want to learn a few different ways to play the changes, several graduated solos and a chord melody version of the song you can spend 19.95. These are called Sets.

But that's for later, I would plead with you to get lessons from a good credentialed teacher. It is possible to pick pick up very unproductive habits concerning hand position and many other aspects of the instrument. These can be pretty hard to break once they are ingrained. Sure, let anyone who will show you stuff licks or songs. But get the fundamentals from a pro.

Now that I think about it Rich does have many classes on scales.

a word of caution on scales. Think of them as a very valuable tool for organizing pitches in a useful. Scales are a means to an end. That end is letting the chords you play over dictate some of your note choices. Also begin a given scale from any scale tone. Do not just run them up and down from root to root.

This will teach you poor improv habits. I'm in a rural area and have driven six hour round trips to Albuquerque to pay 60 bux for not very much.


There are classes in country licks, and religious music but his primary focus is jazz. So the classes on *scales are taught using tried and true jazz practices that will benefit playing in any genre. i.e. up and down the neck and all 12 keys. But you get to do that in small logical increments at your own pace.

If you like blues the Major Scale class will be a very fun surprise. There are quite a few blues classes. I'm not too far behind you in age. I'll be 70 in a few months and we don't just gobble information like an 8th grader any more. Let us know how your are doing or if there are private msgs. possible here, let me know how you are doing. I don't spend much time here but I posted a question yesterday and came to see if I got any help.... not yet. Where are you located? I or most anyone where would be glad to answer questions.

Ron [in New Mexico]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the very in depth response. I used to sing with a band many years ago and I do dabble at playing keyboard. I have four keyboards and three guitars. A little overkill but when I see what I consider a bargain I try to get it. My wife is thoroughly tired of me getting bargains. I live in western Colorado. I am trying to get my feet under me now with learning a few chords, and just generally getting around on the guitar. Like you said, the old brain is definitely not a sponge anymore. I try to get in some practice at least once a day. I have checked out books and DVDs from the library and am working on them. It will be awhile before I feel I will be ready to take lessons. I think right now I would be totally lost. Gotta work my way through a few things. Again, thanks for the info and the recommendation for a possible on-line teacher. I'll certainly keep it in mind. Take care and have a great Christmas and New Year.


Best Regards,

Phestus

As a former ski instructor and some times music teacher I'll take a chance and belabor the point again that NOW is the time when the fundamentals of guitar technique will do you the most good.

UNLESS.... you already have a decent grasp of what's involved from your books. Don't mean to get in your face about this just sayin' Much Success in your studies.

Ron

WRONG

Now is the time to take lessons. Like Ron stated now is the time to learn proper playing techniques from a teacher. It will take a teacher a lot longer to correct bad habits than it will to teach proper ones. A short period of time with a good instructor will make your book and DVD lessons not only easier but also will expedite your learning curve.

I agree. Take lessons now.

Thanks for the feedback on taking lessons. I'll definitely take the advice given. I plan to start taking lessons right after the holidays. Sometimes a rap with a 2X4 gets my attention. Then I can see what is being said much clearer. Thanks guys. I really do appreciate the advice offered.


Phestus

The problem with that is you don't know what you can't do without until you use it. Not just the RT's. It's things like a vast improvement in the mixer, adding loops, freezing the tracks, much better filtering of the styles and now the ability to make your own track names. Biab will now label an instrument track with the correct instrument name. I've been asking for that for years. You can load any RT you want onto the Strings track for example yet it still says Strings even if the instrument is a Mandolin. I hated that. There are so many things like that that have been done since 2011, I'm not going to try to list them all.

People can talk about oh, Biab needs a complete rewrite. Maybe so but all these enhancements are still very useful imho.

Bob