Band in a Box 2009

Here's a video introduction (Mac + PC version):

Band in a Box is easy to use, here's how it works:

• You type in chords with a normal computer keyboard using standard chord symbols (Dm7, Bm7b5, G7#9b13, ...)
• You choose a style (bossa, jazz, jazz waltz, fusion, Django style, Sinatra style, pop, rock, samba, ...)
• You set the tempo.
• You push the play button...

After you push play, Band in a box will automatically generate a professional arrangement. You can specify every type of instrument: bass, drum, piano, guitar, strings, acoustic guitar, Fender Rhodes, jazz guitar, double bass, ...

You can input any song you want in Band in a Box.  You can even download a file on my website that contains all songs of the Real Book.

 

Practicing with Band in a Box makes your guitar practice more effective :

• It does wonders to your timing, say goodbye to your metronome...
• Band in a Box provides you a realistic context in which your music is intended to be performed.
• Practicing scales and arpeggios becomes fun again...  By having a harmonic background, otherwise boring exercises sound like real music.
• Band in a Box is ideal for speed training .  By gradually increasing the tempo of your exercises step by step you can increase your speed in a systematic way.
• You can practice improvising over chord progressions and jazz standards in a realistic way.
• You can experiment with chord substitutions in a realistic way because you can actually hear what is going on.
• You can work out chord voicings by eliminating the piano.  You take over the accompaniment while Band in a Box plays bass, drums and melody.
• You can practice sight reading (from the on-screen traditional notation, as well as guitar tabs ).
• You can record and listen to yourself playing along with the accompaniment (you'd be surprised, it's like looking in the mirror).
• You will get new ideas by using the soloist or melodist.
• You will be better prepared for jams or rehearsals.
• Band in a Box is a tremendous motivation boost!

Here are some of the features:

• Styles:  100s of styles going from jazz to bossa to pop to blues to Django Reinhardt style to Pat Metheny style to Wes Montgomery to...
• Soloist:  select the soloist button, choose an artist (Pat Metheny, George Benson, Parker, Django Reinhardt, ...) and Band in a Box automatically generates a solo in the style of your chosen artist over your chord progressions.
• Melodist: same concept as the soloist, but for melodies.
• Virtual Guitar Track: you can see every note that's played on a virtual guitar track.
• Guitar Tabs: besides traditional notation and Real Book style chord input, there are guitar tabs as well.
• Real Drums: the drum track is made of full recordings of real drums, no computer-sounding Midi drums.  The recordings were done by professional Jazz drummers.
• Reharmonist: generates a chord progression based on your melody, in the style you choose.
• Chords from mp3: load in any mp3 or wav and Band in a Box finds out the chords for you.  Astonishing!
• Recorder: record your guitar improvisations and replay them with accompaniment.
• Print: print lead sheets with repeats, codas, endings, ...
• Burn: put your recordings or accompaniments on CD.
• Much, much more...

Band in a Box is very easy to install. Technical support from the publisher is excellent, help is available in the evenings and on weekends - definitely an added bonus for busy musicians.

Besides the program, you also get:

• Realband 2010: a powerful digital recording program
• Style sets 0-3: around 200 jazz, latin & pop styles
• Soloist set 1: over 30 soloists
• Melodist set 1: over 50 melodists
• Pro Realcombos: 12 Realtracks in 3 bands: Jazz Swing, Pop/Rock and Country Ballad + Realdrums set 1 (certainly enough for regular practice needs, but if you need more you can order the BIAB Megapak, BIAB UltraPlusPak or BIAB EverythingPak)

The good news is that you can get all this for the price of about 8 play-along cds: $129

There is 1 PC version and 3 Mac versions. If you have a PC it's easy, the newest version 2010 works on all PCs. If you have a Mac, you have to look at your processor to make a choice: the newest version 2010 works on Macs with an Intel processor. Those with a PowerPC processor need the older Mac version 12 and those with OS9 need Mac version 11. Note though that version 11 and 12 don't have the same functionality as the 2010 version (no Realdrums and Realtracks). You can choose your version in the dropdown box on top of this page.

With the help of Band in a Box you can improve your guitar playing in an fun and effective way.

Order your copy today: