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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86 |
Hi all,
I'm at a point with jazz tunes where I can pretty much play the chords, and I can read and learn the melodies (with some practice).
Are there any free/shared BB/RB file collections that include the actual melodies of songs from "The Real Book" rather than just the chords ?
Also - when it comes to improvising, I can find the keys and where they change, and I know the positions of major and minor scales throughout the fretboard. I could use the melody as a base and improvise by ear within the key using the scale shape...where I'm stuck and overwhelmed is the idea of creating phrases that target particular notes in each chord. I almost need to write out and compose lines, which is like composing a classical piece, rather than "improvising" in real time. Is there a structured approach to learning this ? I suppose even if there is, it's a daunting task and many, many hours of practice to reach this level.
BB/RB 2025
Windows 10
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,708
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,708 |
I mostly create them myself from the PDFs the band send me, partly because we have some unusual numbers and our own arrangements. I do have some that I obtained from the web and I've sent a pm as I think I'm not allowed put that information here in the thread.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,845
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,845 |
Joe, there are BiaB Real Book files with melodies in the public domain as well as some pay source. Here is a recent discussion. For some people, jazz improvisation is easy and intuitive. I'm not one of those people. I'd recommend learning as much jazz theory as you can, understanding the essential jazz cliches, and listening to improvisations that you like and figuring out why you like them and how they get that effect. Then you can start to build an improv vocabulary. But it all goes back to YOUR ears though, and not repeating a string of cliche licks. It is a journey, but can be an enjoyable and rewarding one... Good luck!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 898
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 898 |
Its important to know a few heads when you show up for a jam. Those you can get out of the Real Book. Close enough. Listen to a few versions to find a few embellishments on the head you like. If its a vocal tune listen to singers play it. Ella, Frank, etc. Tony Bennett is something on a lot of Jazz tunes.
One exercise I use is playing the 4 note chord arpeggios across the changes. 1,3,5,7 are the tones you are looking for.
Adjust major,minor,diminshed,dominant as necessary. For the time being dont worry too much about the 9ths,11ths 13ths.
You'll get there
As you advance You can add passing tones (diatonic and/or chromatic) to them to spice it up.
Hammer ons and triplets add a nice rhythms to phrases.
When going from chord to chord try landing on the 3rd of the chord. Pivot arpeggios will help you on this.
Passing tones help here also
Listen to the players you like. Not trying to imitate them, just trying to get a sense of their phrasing.
Knowing what to play is important as is Knowing how to play it,. The true lifelong journey.
Above all Be brave, don't worry about a clam here and there.
Play with others everytime you can.
Finally, If you're the best in the room, you're in the wrong room
biab2026(Mac)
Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram
Logic Pro X
Lie Neilsen No.102
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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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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
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