great learning tool

PastorofMuppets · #1 08-23-2006, 06:56 AM

I recently started using a program called band in a box as a wonderful learning tool for my bass playing.

This program allows you to create chord progressions in almost any style and with drums going. You can supply the bass to increase your walking skills or blues skills or just about anything else. Its really very cool. It will suggest progressions and fit them into a chart for you to follow, and it can also put bass in the song and you can work on solos and improv stuff. Its awesome, kind of expensive but well worth it. You can export the song to a cd and play it in your rehearsal room or if you can input your bass into your computer you can play right at your PC

has anyone else used this program?
i am sure it can also be very useful for those of you who compose your own music.

i really like it and i wanted to share it with you all

http://www.pgmusic.com/

Stock R · #2 08-24-2006, 07:26 AM

I've tried the program once but was a bit overwhelmed by all the options/layout.

Do you have any recommendations on how to start off using it?

PastorofMuppets · #3 08-24-2006, 08:17 AM

the easiest way to get something going is to load a song in the style that you want

click the melodist button and select a song

then if you want to work on bass you just click bass and then turn the mix of the bass line to 0 and with your bass plugged into the computer play along with the chord changes.

it is overwhelming i agree but there are easy ways

you can also create your own chord chart and do it that way

manbass · #4 08-24-2006, 08:34 AM

I agree...its a little stuffed with buttons up top, and the manual is less than complete, but its a great tool.

I just put in chord progressions in leadsheet view, copy the series of chords several times(repeat the progression) and paste in succession, pick a "style" and work on play along.
I frequently will "turn off" some of the automatic instruments from that menu bar so its not so busy sounding. The styles are nice to use and adjusting the speed/tempo is perfect for nailing a chord tone bassline.

Its got more tools than I will ever use but for $90, hard to avoid. Got mine from PG's Ebay site.