That is great. Would you care to elaborate?

I'm assuming that means he's doing nothing ?!?

Trading fours .

is it me or is this off timing for some reason
on this midi file or style or?...?
I'm confused what parts are you actually playing on this song?
G70 or?..

The first time I tried opening the link there was nothing on it.

Bernie, I am playing around with Band in a box (2014).

I inserted very complex chords (jazz chords). Then selected a style from the library.
After that I selected solos (yes , trading fours). Drums, bass, piano and added the sax, trumpet, trombone and guitar.
All tracks are "real" tracks.

Donny there are no timing issues I have noticed in the past what you thought was timing issues is just a driving bass or laying back solo.. Yourself not coming from a jazz background, may not be aware of this. Expand your concept of jazz and listen to the great jazz groups on you tube.


Apparently there is not much interest in this topic

Sounds wonderful Fran, could have been fooled in thinking this was a live combo !!! and that without a Ketron , hahaha !!!
Thanks for sharing,

regards
John

Same thoughts John

Fran, nice work. It is not croweded with too many instruments, and the solo is up front, nice. I had my share of jazz clubs years back. Jazz is playing what one feels, which leaves a lot of room for questions and opinions.

My opinion: I am not a lover of many types of jazz. Stray from the melody, but not too far. When the melody is completely replaced with impro. – all I hear are scales and modes.

My sax player was soloing against the chord progressing of Witch Craft. Solo was great – the chord progression in the second song, same beat, same feel, chord progression was very much the same. In the middle of the second song he was soloing, he leaned over and said, “What song are we playing.

Fran, I do not enjoy what you reordered, not because of your playing, that was good, but the type of jazz where it sounds like everybody is playing a different song. Please, this is only my opinion not Gospel.
John C.

I had band in a box latest version full, ...
it did nothing for me sent it all back after a few weeks..
reminded me of a auto karaoke program,...type in any chords and it automatically plays them...did you have the latest version or the much older one? That said jazzer or not it sounded off tempo to me
or just not my cup of tea. I do appreciate your effort and maybe for some it works but I'd rather just do it in other ways then using biab. Im still waiting to hear something on your newly acquired Hammond organ?

stay safe

Some folks here may not be familiar with Band in a Box by PG Music.

It is software that you purchase all the content (Library), needed to complete a song, or backing track.

You can use MIDI for sounds(your keyboard or soft synths in your PC),or as I just illustrated "real" instrument recordings by top players.

The results as I demoed..I did not play anything.. I input the chord progression, and make selections.. The results are from the professionals that recorded for PG Music.

Here is an example .. a great way to use BIAB...Take an audio file (maybe a favorite CD of your favorite artist).. BIAB can get the chord progression of the audio (audio chord wizard),, then you can send the data back to BIAB as chord input..Select a style from BIAB library, and you have a song based on the chords of your favorite CD.

You can add solos from some of your favorite players (Smith, Montgomery etc)...

You can easily come up with interesting results.

It takes a little patience to understand the program but worth the fun.. Donny did send it back the next day

Fran that was all you had to say when you posted it
not just the link leaving everyone to be wondering what the heck it was?...or that you actually played it using what ever means possible,
keyboard or DAW or whatever?

1 day 2 weeks Returned who cares? biab just was NOT for me
in any way...

stay safe

Like I said, it didn't create any interest

A simple youtube example.

I have the 2019 Ultimate BIAB,purchased to create some backing tracks for my Midi harmonica. I didn't know about audio chord wizard. Those instruments sound so good that I am going to get into it. I know Rikki used to do some work with BIAB,also.

I know from whence you come Fran. Sometime between 2004 and 2008, I entered the chords from Dick Hyman’s books of jazz chord changes and substitutions for about 100 “standards”. Converted them to midi files and still occasionally use them for cocktail hours and such. Not having a formal music education, it was/is what I needed to get closer to the level of you conservatory grads … I just play or sing the lead over a very nice background quartet.

I'm a BIAB addict too! Love PGMusic and all their programmers. Amazing software for sure. They also have great customer support. I use several backing tracks from BIAB on my gigs. Here are two examples of backing tracks I built using BIAB - it's so much fun to take a guitar player from one style, and combine it with a keyboard player from another style! Here is my track for "It's Impossible":

Randy's BIAB Track - "It's Impossible"

Here is a track I did with BIAB for "Desperado":

Randy's BIAB Track - "Desperado"

Nice work Randy......

Here is another Demo I created with BIAB. It is so much easier to get great results then we can on a keyboard. Other than a Ketron or Integra7 nothing compares to the real sound from BIAB.

https://app.box.com/s/komr5oprcbux5xuej73xsjdncl8z9qfr

Fran - nice work! Yes, BIAB takes a lot of the hassle out of getting some tracks together. I am going to experiment with creating rhythm section tracks on BIAB and playing along with them on the keyboard. Would make a great demo to take the same song and do it partially with arranger backing and the other part using BIAB rhythm tracks. I have worked with a guitar player/vocalist who uses BIAB exclusively for all his tracks. Runs on a laptop and the files generate quick and work well for him on his gigs.

But I thought the you said G70 was the best?...
so you stopped playing arranger styles now too?...
I'm confused .....and may I ask why you haven't upgraded to the latest 2020 model of BIAB with all the great features vs the older one your using?

Seems a might thin line between this and karaoke. No need for playing.

Boy, I'll bet your wives are happy you have each other to bicker with ... just sayin' ...

Don, you are right it is like karaoke..no need to play(seems popular here anymore)
On the plus side, your fingers won't hurt after a couple hours..but we could fall asleep in our chairs

Donny ..BIAB has nothing to do with the G70 or any keyboard..My comment was about the sound (a real recording of instruments being played live.. not samples like we have on keyboards, where they have to be played)..Yes for me the G70 is the best

Tony, I am sure the wives are glad they don't have to witness some of the digs we throw

I am just biding my time till the restaurants open again.. I want a real breakfast soon

Well I am ready to take my 3 mile walk today..away from people and computer

The difference being, with BIAB you are controlling content and building the track to suit you... with a mouse and not your fingers..

You guys know... like when you download the karaoke file from the internet... Just use the mouse.


Donny we will reverse our rolls... Yo record the way I prefer.. Left hand bass and piano, along with drums... and I will download a karaoke backing track..
I will be done in 10 seconds..

As you said always.. use the tools you have. Some of us prefer the easy path and others prefer playing (as enjoyment).

BIAB replaces watching TV, watching movies on the PC, or listening to folks complain on SZ

glad you agree


that is easy use your prelude


I always disliked audio styles in any fashion sounds fake to me and no control over eq, etc..if you want the real thing play the real thing otherwise kb samples will be fine for most needs..


you better start learning how to cook we are home for a
very long time to come..


wear your mask & stay safe


PS still waiting to hear your Hammond organ...

I went to Seven Eleven wearing a mask... now I need someone to bail me out

I am interested in any combination of BIAB and arrangers. I'm addicted to getting the update every year. started back on floppies with version 6.0. Still blows me away today.

If you input the chords on a keyboard sequencer and play over it,you are pretty darn close to your Karaoke analogy.

Agreed. I don't do that either. I like to play.

The one feature I do like on BIAB, is the Audio Chord Wizard.. If you want to get the chord s off a audio cd or download from the net.. and are learning the song. You have a headstart..

It also is available on my Powertracks 12 program.

The BIAB just allows you to do more and make a backing track.

Good one!

Nice work with BIAB too!

Hi Fran,
At least you got a conversation going. If you’d put the heading Band in a Box, probably no one would have looked.

Seems to me the perfect solution for backing, for people who don’t actually play ie they want accompaniment, because they sing or play an instrument like a guitar or sax and don’t really play keyboard.

Simple, you just type in the chords, pick a style and generate your backing.
( actually you can have it as simple or as complex as you want).

You end up with backing consisting of real instruments ie audio loops and also the newer midi super tracks, sequences played by artists, and they’re not just 2 to 4 bar repeating arranger type loops,
Overall I think one can get a more realistic backing with biab than with an arranger keyboard, if the keyboard isn’t their primary instrument in the first place,

Ok so you don’t play it live, still doesn’t stop one from singing along, strumming along, playing a piano, sax , whatever, and using it as a backing band.

Years ago, when keyboards introduced sequencing, BIAB came out shortly after. Needles to say, there have been many up-grads on both sides, but the discussions and opinions have not.

Me, I just wanna play my keyboard, it’s my enjoyment.
John C.

I'll bet there are great forums for BIAB!
Not that I care if you discuss it here. Nothing much to do right now. I don't even feel like playing much. Had a request to play outside on the lake for a lady's 80th birthday party, with only a few immediate family there. I was considering it, but then rain came anyway. I wouldn't do it in the house for certain.

Good move Don...
It's s not worth the risk..

...but I miss people telling me how great I am and giving me money and feeding me!

Well tomorrow is another day..what shall I do?

I'll leave BIAB in the box

Does this mean I can't record any lefthand bass and piano uploads on the forum (even if I use an arranger keyboard)

I know tomorrow I will fool around with the G70 harmonizer and post some stuff

Great idea Fran maybe show us some G70 styles too..

Hi John,
I remember the day ( but can’t remember what year it was haha) I happened to be working that day when stock arrived in Aust. I think the only copy we got, didn’t see the light of day on the music store shelf, I grabbed it, paid the boss, and couldn’t wait to get home to try it. Think it only had 3 instruments bass, drums & piano.
My laptop was generating songs I wanted. No more $30 a pop, midi files.
The sound was basic, but who cared. Haha.

Have to agree, I enjoy playing my keyboard.

Tend to agree Bernie, if all one is doing is putting songs together using the step time functions on a keyboard and playing along, what’s the difference between typing them into Biab vs basically typing them into a keyboard . Or even playing along to midi files, at least one has to put a bit of effort into arranging a biab song.

There is Don, PG forums is brilliant, well supported by the staff.

You don’t actually play just for enjoyment of playing?
I suppose when it’s actually your job , it’s different to playing as a hobby.

Not really worth the risk playing out, even outside might have risks involved.
Sadly times have changed.

It's just that making music seems to be better when you share it with others.
Sure I enjoy playing and I do at least a little every day, but I've been doing it 4-6 nights a week for more than 50 years and sometimes it's hard to get inspired.

Don...
Put out a Tip Cup. Maybe Susan will drop a buck or two in.

She pays me to use the headphones.

Yes, I can imagine it would be hard to inspired after all those. New toys sometimes help?
Don’t forget
“You can always share with us”

I'm guilty of being addicted to both! BIAB and arranger keyboards are wonderful tools for people who love to create and/or perform music. I love the fun of playing my arranger and I also love using BIAB to experiment with new styles for existing songs, for generating original songs, or just for practicing over different chord progressions. I've been a BIAB user since the product came out in 1990.

Rikki - you are right - PG Music does have a great staff! I had a hard drive failure on my 2020 BIAB drive - they shipped me a brand new one no questions asked!

Hi Randy, I thought it might have been as early as 1990, but I wasn’t sure. There was another similar type of program around similar time , I think it was called Jammer? It’s one I never really kept up, and I can’t remember why.

PG are great. Can’t believe they offer a 30 day money back guarantee.
Wow , that’s good, just like that.
They do keep tabs on you, though, thru your account, so if ever anything does go wrong there’s a record of it.
Some ways I’m regretting not having updated the full package this year, I just updated the program itself, so I didn’t get all the new tracks, they’d possibly let me do it anyway if I decided to.

You obviously use yours way more than I do mine, I enjoyed your tunes.

Hi Don,
I get new keyboards if I use mine. Haha

I agree with Don ...guys like us regard music as more of a conversation than a lecture, and without a crowd to feed off of ... it's just not the same.

your never to in the know to stop learning or practicing,
new fresh ideas, use this time home to improve your music
change what you already do for the better.....
be a leader NOT a follower and stop complaining, be creative and use this down time as a plus not a minus
.....we are all in it for the LONG haul
embrace it and make it work for you ...you don't need an audience to enjoy music.....just think how many never even been in front of an audience playing but enjoy playing at home....
put your big boy pants on and work out some NEW music for yourself and eventually your fans in the months to come.
I Know you can do it! you just got a NEW SD7 and a SX900 you should be so busy working with those two units and more
...that said I just finished breakfast oatmeal & fresh strawberries with honey and cinnamon but now it's time for
2+ hrs of Tyros 4 baby...

Man, I sure hope that diatribe wasn't aimed at me. Geeze ... preach much?

Actually Dave I was thinking of one of your rants during my
trading /selling crisis scenarios...
boy I hope after a few more months this is finally over
people are getting yancy out there,...anyway I just finished tweaking another 70 Ballad style on my T4 this time off is
very productive for sure. It also gives you a chance to binge watch all your series and movies too.

Happy Palm Sunday everyone.

Best I've read today ...
Thank You, Donny

"THIS" time off? You're always off. I'm actually a little jealous. Our lives are very, very different my friend.

Since I've been retired from the day job, I've often wondered how I ever had the time to go into the office 5 to 6 days a week, 9 to 10 hours a day ... ?!? and when I was in NY, commuting 1 1/2 hours minimum each way, and playing 3 gigs on a weekend ... youth is a wonderful thing ...

To hitchhike a little on Tony’s post. Once upon a time I was training for running road races and short distance triathlons. I’d be in the pool by 6:30 Am that was a 20 minute drive from home. I’d swim 45 minutes, work from 8 to 5 have dinner usually pasta then head out for a 5 or 6t mile run, sometimes the after dinner run was replaced with a 10 to 15 miles on the bicycle. I get tired thinking of that today. Tony I know your a veteran NYC Marathon participant like I am, how did you fit that time into your schedule.

After having enough of the races picked up with arrangers then would start playing and exploring features at 10 PM when my wife went to sleep. I’d see midnight and other nights maybe 1 or 2 AM, then wake at 6 to get ready for another day at the office.

Steve ... yeah, that was part of the schedule 'back in the day also' ... wake up at 5:30AM to get in a 5 mile run -45 -50 minutes - before getting ready for work ... another 5 miler along the East River in Manhattan at lunch time ... Saturday mornings out early depending on whether we had an afternoon gig or not, for a longer run ... my wife thought I was a little nuts, and she is probably right ... But I did run NY 3 times ...

Same schedule as you when I got an AKB - Lydia called it my 'mistress' ...

Tony, I can identify all around my wife thought I was nuts too with the races......but then she caught the running bug and started running races too. Although she didn't call the keyboard
my mistress she certainly thinks I give more attention to it than to her.

The closest Lydia got to a race was to meet me at the finish line ... which was fine with me ... I didn't want her out-running me ...

Hi Fran,
another thing I like, which I had no idea was possible, I can actually see the various style tracks in notation form.
ie if I want to see what the piano is playing, I just bring up the piano track, which is’nt all that remarkable for a midi track, but it also brings up the notes for a piano audio track.
Great learning tool for playing some left hand piano patterns, or some interesting ideas for creating style tracks for an arranger.

In the many more months at home to come I'm trying to do a little each day building up my T4 repertoire customizing styles for my needs...
I spend at least two or three hours a day working on music..

I took my daily walk just now... I passed 25 other walkers.. I would have had less contact at Walmart

My wife and I were watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire while we were in bed.
I turned to her and said, 'Do you want to have Sex?'
'No,' she answered.
I then said, 'Is that your final answer?'

... She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying, 'Yes..'
So I said, "Then I'd like to phone a friend."

And that's when the fight started...

________________________________

I took my wife to a restaurant.

The waiter, for some reason, took my order first.

"I'll have the rump steak, rare, please."
He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"
"Nah, she can order for herself."

And that's when the fight started.....

_____________________________

My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school
reunion, and she kept staring at a drunken man swigging his
drink as he sat alone at a nearby table.

I asked her, "Do you know him?"
"Yes", she sighed,
"He's my old boyfriend. I understand he took to drinking
right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear he
hasn't been sober since."

"My God!" I said, "Who would think a person could go on
celebrating that long?"

And then the fight started...

________________________________

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed.
But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first, the shed, the boat,
making beer.. Always something more important to me.

Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.
When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing
scissors. I watched silently for a short time and then went into
the house. I was gone only a minute, and when I came out again
I handed her a toothbrush.

I said, "When you finish cutting the
grass, you might as well sweep the driveway."

The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.

_____________________________

My wife sat down next to me as I was flipping channels.
She asked, "What's on TV?"
I said, "Dust."

And then the fight started...

________________________________

Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch, and slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked up the
boat up to the van and proceeded to back out into a torrential
downpour. The wind was blowing 50 mph, so I pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather
would be bad all day.

I went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed. I cuddled up to my wife's back;
now with a different anticipation,
and whispered, "The weather out there is terrible."

My loving wife of 5 years replied, "And, can you believe my stupid husband is out fishing in that?"

And that's how the fight started...

_______________________________

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.
She said, "I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds."

I bought her a bathroom scale.

And then the fight started......

______________________________

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply
for Social Security. The woman behind the counter asked me

for my driver's License to verify my age. I looked in my pockets

and realized I had left my wallet at home. I told the woman that

I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later.

The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt'.
So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair.

She said, 'That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me' and she processed my Social Security application.

When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office.

She said, 'You should have dropped
your pants. You might have gotten disability too.'

And then the fight started...

________________________________

My wife was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.

She was not happy with what she saw and said to me,
"I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you
to pay me a compliment.'

I replied, "Your eyesight's damn near perfect."

And then the fight started........

________________________________

I rear-ended a car this morning...the start of a REALLY bad day!

The driver got out of the other car, and he was a DWARF!!
He looked up at me and said 'I am NOT Happy!'
So I said, 'Well, which one ARE you then?'

That's how the fight started.

________________________________

One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot
as a Christmas gift...

The next year, I didn't buy her a gift.
When she asked me why, I replied,
"Well, you still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!"

And that's how the fight started.

Thanks Fran,
definitely put a smile on my face.

+1