Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,144
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,144
I have some melodies and lyrics in my head and need some chords for them so I can use them in BIAB. Anyone have any suggestions? I can play guitar and harmonica some but never had enough ability to hear how chords fit with melodies. Any ideas appreciated.


Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6
T
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
T
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6
I am not a specialist of harmony, but may be a first advice could help ?

Can you enter the melody of your song in Band in a Box ? You have to choose a tonality first. In C major and A minor there are no flats and sharps (except a G# often found in A minor). Il you choose another tonality, band in a box indicates the flats or sharps at the beginning of the score.
Enter the melody and try to decide what are the most important notes Inside every bar. Normally, these notes belong to the chord played at the same time as an accompaniement.
Try to enter some simple major or minor chords and observe the score of an instrument like the piano or the guitar. Il you can read music, you will see if there are notes of the chord that correspond to notes in the melody.
Normally, sharps of flats in chords are the same as in the melody. Pay attention to major and minor chords so that all the notes of the chord belong to the scale .
The last important topic is the place of the chord in the scale . For instance if the song is in C major, C is the first note(I) and G is the fifth (V). Band in a box can display IIm-V7_I instead of Dm-G7-C. (a very popular chord progression).Most important chords are I,IV and V7 in a major tonality. Then IIm and VIm may be used to vary the accompaniement. In minor tonalities it is a bit more complex (I tell you later) .
Also observe simple songs if you cant get a ready for use Band in a box file of them .

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
S
Expert
Offline
Expert
S
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
You can also try Microsoft Songsmith, it use PG styles and saves to a midi file that you can open in BB, there is also a free Academic version.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,563
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,563
Originally Posted By: BeelzeBob
I have some melodies and lyrics in my head and need some chords for them so I can use them in BIAB. Anyone have any suggestions?


Musical Scale Finder Tool

How To Harmonize Melodies


Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit 16GB RAM\2018 13” MacBook Air casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2023 everything pk both with Current builds
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
M
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
M
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
Hi Solidrock,
Does BIAB recognize the chord progression that Songsmith created or do you need to use the ACW for this purpose?

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,334
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,334
Originally Posted By: titiclarinet
In C major and A minor there are no flats and sharps (except a G# often found in A minor).


There are actually 3 minor scales (excluding modes). Your G# in Am is the harmonic minor scale which is the same as the natural minor (no sharps or flats in C) except that the seventh degree is raised by one semitone (G#), making an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees. A nice sound by the way (listen to Summertime by Janice Joplin)

But never mind that, I am afraid the OP is over simplifying the point. Countless Melodies hide within the very same chord progressions. Otherwise, every I IV V would sound the same. So no simple answer (at least from me) on how you turn a melody into a chord progression. But that is a actually a good thing, cause a simple progression can be used to cover all those melodies. Start with an instrument (assuming you play and if you don't pick up a guitar and take a fell lessons on how to play simple chords), strum them as you sing the melody and let you ear tell you where to go.

A bit of similar discussion going on regarding this very topic:
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=140607

My conclusion (and what do I know) -
There's no quick formula to circumvent experience. What you need is lot's familiarity with music theory and/or a lot of experience, and a real good ear.

Last edited by jazzmandan; 05/25/14 05:43 AM.

Dan, BIAB2024, SoundCloud Win11, i7(12thGen), 32GB, 1TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD), 2TB Libraries, 1 TB(WD-Black), 2TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD)Data, Motu Audio Express, Keystation 61, SL88 Studio, Reaper

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
S
Expert
Offline
Expert
S
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Originally Posted By: marty c
Hi Solidrock,
Does BIAB recognize the chord progression that Songsmith created or do you need to use the ACW for this purpose?


Microsoft Songsmith saves to a midi file that you can open in BB and you will get the chords.
You should be able to copy your BB midi styles to the Songsmith Styles Folder if you want extra or just do it in BB after.

Songsmith_Demo1.mid

Songsmith_Demo1_Vocal.wma




Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,144
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,144
Thanks to all for their ideas, I'll look at all of them for sure!

I have never had any luck with Songsmith or ACW. With both I usually get a different chord every measure when I know the song is (or can be) a very easy progression. Most of my stuff is blues based but not just I-IV-V. Many of the songs were done to backing tracks I found on-line, but I don't have access to the authors or know the chords to the backing track.

I probably need someone gifted enough to do it for me. I've tried to find people and have offered to pay them, somehow they never have the time.

This is a rough version of one song, if anyone is interested. I'm sure there are a lot of chords in it compared with most of mine. It's on youtube:

http://youtu.be/mlxWUXBpz8A

I've almost given up, but it seems a shame to when BIAB can do so much, and all it asks for is the chords!


Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 109
B
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
B
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 109
1. Pick out a style & tempo that seems to fit - you can change it later.

2. Set the key to 'C' and enter a 'C' chord in bar 1.

3. Press Play and start singing along.

4. If the 1st chord doesn't work, try a different key and select 'yes transpose'

5. Repeat 3 and 4 until you're at least close to the right key.

6. Now listen carefully to each bar to see if it needs a chord change.

If you do this, you will eventually be able to hear where changes need to be
and you'll be able to pick out the right chords pretty quickly.

In the meantime, there are sites online that can help you with basic music theory
which will speed up the process immensely.

Hope this helps.


Boyd
Win10 - 16GB-RAM - BiaB 2019 - Mixbus 4 - Slate Bundle - Komplete 10 - Ozone 8 - Neutron 2 - Waves Gold
Ample Sound Guitars & Basses - Pianoteq 6 - SSD5 - SD3 - JamStix 4 - Omnisphere - UVI Falcon - EastWest Play
Sonarworks Reference 4 -
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
The following approach helps me most of the times.

1. Write the melody.
2. Determine the last tone of the melody -- often it is the root of the key of the music. Let's assume "C".
3. Take the first note of the melody. Let's assume "E".
4. The most important basic chords in the key of "C" are C (C, E, G), F (F, A, C), and G (G, B, D). (These three chords contain all notes of the given major scale.)
5. Now the first chord is probably a C-chord.
6. Play the first measure using that chord. Does it sound ok.? If yes leave it that way for a start. If no, try one of the other chords and decide on the least unpleasing sound as ok for a start.
7. Repeat that with each subsequent measure.
8. Play the chord progression only -- listen to it carefully to figure out whether it is flowing or rough, too many changes (hectic) or too few (boring).
9. Get to know some theory about chords: Which tones are the color tones 4, 6, 7, 9.
10. Does it improve if you start a 3. again replacing some of the chords (for example C) by a C6 or C7?
(11. For further improvements you could change the chord mid-measure.)

This work is repetitive and needs ear training. You might start with an already existing simple song. Most children's songs are in that category. Write down the melody, invent the chords, listen and compare to existing examples of the available arrangements of the song.
(I'm sorry but I can only give examples to German songs: Alle meine Entchen; Fuchs, du hast die Gans gestohlen; Kuckuck, kuckuck ruft's aus dem Wald; Summ Summ Summ, Bienchen summ herum. Search for them on the internet, if they are unfamiliar to you they make a good start.)

Good luck.
Guido


Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
.
You have asked a really big question. You can get some pretty good results with simple melodies and chords just by experimenting. The ability to write more complex melodies and apply a complete set of harmonic tools can take years to learn completely. Either way, BiaB is the best learning tool you can have, second only to a good teacher.

I have tried a number of other composing tools, songsmith among them. Some are good, some are easy, but I always come back to Biab. It will continue to be useful, even challenging, no matter how good you get. I dont think the effort of learning some other program will pay off in terms of making you better at music.

A hint: Look in your BiaB folder for a folder called "50 Songs." There is a god selection there for beginners to analyze and learn from.

Best of Luck!


.


Flatfoot sez: Call me when 'Talent-in-a-Box' is ready to ship! -- [8{>

Got some tunes on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/flatfoot50
.
My BiaB lesson site:
http://jdwolfe0.wixsite.com/learnbiab
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 416
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 416
I generally find all my chords for the covers that I play on the internet ....just google for "<songname> chords tabs " .

Works for me!


I'm doing allright for Country Trash ....

I used to care, but things have changed (Bob Dylan)

BIAB 2022W + RB
M-Audio FastTrack C600, Rode NT2-A
Digitech VoiceLive 4

Epiphone Sheraton, Ibanez 12str, Washburn 6str, Cort 6Str Nylon
Yanagisawa Tenor Sax

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,144
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,144
Thanks again to all for so many good responses! I've got a lot to work with here, I'll report back after I've tried everything. I had a close friend who could come up with chords for melodies almost instantaneously but sadly, he's all but gone to the world now. Do things while you can, that's for sure.


Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Y
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
Y
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Originally Posted By: marty c
Hi Solidrock,
Does BIAB recognize the chord progression that Songsmith created or do you need to use the ACW for this purpose?


What is ACW?

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,838
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,838
Hi yeto,

Welcome to the forums.

It stands for Audio Chord Wizard and is a BIAB tool that helps analyse the chords of an audio recording.

If you go to YouTube and search for 'PG Music Inc Audio Chord Wizard', you'll find a clip that will show how it works.

Regards
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 280
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 280
Holy necro-threading, Batman!


Pepe aka Lt. Kojak
Milano, Italy
https://soundcloud.com/theodore-kojak/tracks
Hy-Bro Test Sound Files
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

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
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®

New with the DAW Plugin Version 6.0, released with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows: the Reaper® Panel!

This new panel offers built-in specific support for the Reaper® DAW API allowing direct transfer of Band-in-a-Box® files to/from Reaper® tracks!

When you run the Plugin from Reaper®, there is a panel to set the following options:
-BB Track(s) to send: This allows you to select the Plugin tracks that will be sent Reaper.
-Destination Reaper Track: This lets you select the destination Reaper track to receive media content from the Plugin.
-At Bar: You can select a bar in Reaper where the Plugin tracks should be placed.
-Start Below Selected Track: This allows you to place the Plugin tracks below the destination Reaper track.
-Overwrite Reaper Track: You can overwrite previous content on the destination Reaper track.
-Move to Project Folder: With this option, you can move the Plugin tracks to the Reaper project folder.
-Send Reaper Instructions Enable this option to send the Reaper Instructions instead of rendering audio tracks, which is faster.
-Render Audio & Instructions: Enable this option to generate audio files and the Reaper instructions.
-Send Tracks After Generating: This allows the Plugin to automatically send tracks to Reaper after generating.
-Send Audio for MIDI Track: Enable this option to send rendered audio for MIDI tracks.
-Send RealCharts with Audio: If this option is enabled, Enable this option to send RealCharts with audio.

Check out this video highlighting the new Reaper®-specific features: Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Video

The new Band-in-a-Box VST DAW Plugin Verion 6 adds over 20 new features!

Watch the new features video to learn more: Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2024 - DAW Plugin Version 6 New Features

We also list these new features at www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.plugin.htm.

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,396
Posts732,503
Members38,442
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
Mark Morgan, zagrajbarke, Ernest J, Izzy, BenChaz
38,441 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 195
Al-David 124
DC Ron 116
dcuny 87
rsdean 82
Today's Birthdays
CeeDee, SethMould
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5