Band In A Box

[lamar reeves]

I hope Im in the right forum.Who uses this software?I use Aebersold
to practice and learn songs but some old standards that I used to play
(Memories of You,Blue Skies,etc.)are not on his c.d.s.Once you write
in the notes and the chords can you dictate the style of accompanment
and instrumentation you want to back you up?I come from the swing era
so prefer a more traditional sound.Also is there an internet group that
will trade files?I hope the response is possitive because it sounds like
a dream come true.Oh yes,will this program help in voicing the harmony
for three or four instuments?

[Baje]

I use BIAB for playing along as well as writing scores for a group.

You can find about 1000 old standards here:

http://midistudio.com/BIAB/List.htm

in Jazz Standards 1 - 5; also latin standards. These are in BIAB format so you can play them in any key, any speed, any style.

You can also input standards from a fake book and play along.

If you don't have a wife, girlfriend or buddy who will play along with you, this is probably your next best option.

[saxmanglen]

BIAB is really geared more for us standard jazz folks. Here's a link to their forum group with a lot of good tips and stuff.

http://www.pgmusic.com/cgi-bin/Ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=1

[gary]

Baje, before I download them to find out (a painful process at 56 modem) can you tell me if these files contain the melodies or just the chord changes. Thanks.

[Baje]

Most of the ones I've checked have melody and chords. Some are only chords with the bass and rhythm. One of the files (possibly Jass Standards 3) is mainly without melody.

Isn't there some way you could look at them before you download?

I downloaded them some years ago and don't recall it being a long process. After my last computer crashed, the tech put them on a CD for me and I access them from there.

I recently downloaded the Latin file and it was there in a flash.

[gary]

Well, it's certainly worth a try. Thanks.

[Brendan Muse]

It is indeed. Thank you for posting this.

Time to get my axe and start learning tunes. :D