[11:11]

Greetings All
Im well aware that Band in a box has a complimentary application for iphones and androids. Problem is one has to have the PC version as well (for commercial reasons I guess).

My three problems are:

My instructer wants me to start using a program like this to practice improvisation.

Id like to use an android phone to do it as hauling a laptop everywhere is not practical for me.

And the PC based version is too expensive, and for more than I need.

I dont need to create songs, edit songs etc. I simply need to have backing tracks in varions keys to practice to. Id like to do this where I practice using an android device with some good headphones.

Ive been searching but....


Anything out there like this?
Thanks!

 

[ericdano]

There is a Mac version of band in a box. It pretty much has all the features of the windows version. The app for the phone that pg music sells is pretty much worthless even if you have a pc. It hasn't been updated it forever.....and offers little functionality.

Here is what I suggest you do. Invest in bandinabox. If you can, get the full blown one with the real tracks. Otherwise, the cheap midi only version works well. Then get a audio slowdown program like amazing slowdowner or whatever is available for android. Then make yourself 2 or three tracks of whatever you want to practice, put them in the slowdowner program and bing.....you have it.

I think pgmusic sells the lowest version of band in a box for $79, and the iPhone version of amazing slowdowner is like $14. So for about $100 you have a portable practice setup

 

[Agent27]

irealb.com

It used to be called the iRealBook but they got sued for copyright infringement (although you can't copyright chord changes and that's all the app gave you). So when you get it, it doesn't come with all the real book songs but you can download them off of their forum easily enough. When you open up a song, you can play it using band in the box (I think it's the real thing, may not be though). I think it comes with a few default styles but you're able to purchase more style packs if you want. You can make your own songs, transpose to any key, have it display for C, Bb, Eb, F and G instruments, plus a some other stuff. And you don't need BIAB on your computer to use it. Great app.

 

[JCBigler]

irealb.com

It used to be called the iRealBook...

You had me at Real Book.

Wow, This has to be quite possibly the coolest mobile app I have seen yet. I was going to post some snarky comment about just exporting songs from Band in a Box, or other sequencing program, but then I saw this and was just floored. I thought for sure that it was going to be iOS only. Imagine my joy when I see that it runs on Android also! and I just bought the app! I can't wait to plug my phone into my PA system at work and play with this! Oh, it's going to be GOOODD!

 

[Agent27]

I don't really use the BIAB feature that much. The coolest thing for me is that you can transpose tunes to any key in a matter of seconds. It comes in real handy when playing with singers who sing tunes in unfamiliar keys.

 

[11:11]

Ok so I admit Im a little confused.

Im simply looking for a program that will let me play backing tracks so I can practice soloing. The ability to pick keys, chords, and even rhythms would be very nice.

I dont need to back gigs etc. If I needed to do tbat I would just buy Band in a box and do all of that.

Im just looking for a simple program to use on an android device.

Will Real Book allow me to do that?

 

[Frank D]

The iRealb phone app will play backing tracks for tunes that are in the Real Book. You can choose the key and tempo of the song as well as the style (Latin, Jazz or Pop). If that's what you mean by "play backing tracks" then it will do what you want.

I don't think it will allow you to input your own chord changes, you only have the Real Book tunes to work with.

 

[scotts]

Can't you just output the BIAB midi into an mp3 or mid file and play it on whatever you want?

 

[raymb1]

iRealb also has iRealb Web Editor. You can enter your own chords into a blank lead sheet. Kind of small on a phone though. I have a Galaxy Tab 10.1. Later, Ray

 

[Agent27]

Ok so I admit Im a little confused.

Im simply looking for a program that will let me play backing tracks so I can practice soloing. The ability to pick keys, chords, and even rhythms would be very nice.

I dont need to back gigs etc. If I needed to do tbat I would just buy Band in a box and do all of that.

Im just looking for a simple program to use on an android device.

Will Real Book allow me to do that?

Yes it will, except for the rhythms part. Like BIAB, the app will make up its own accompaniment based on what song style you have loaded. It's primary function is to act as a digital real book (changes only, no melody) but it also does what you're asking for. Check out the demo video. It should show you what it's capable of.

I don't think it will allow you to input your own chord changes, you only have the Real Book tunes to work with.

It does. You can create songs from scratch. You can also make copies of existing tunes and edit them. This comes in handy when you play a tune somewhat differently than what they have in the book/app.

 

[guido]

yes iRealB is on Android. Very nice app indeed!

 

[bobsax]

@11:11 - I think what you are after is: chordbot

It is a simple app that lets you enter a sequence of chords then you select an style for the accompaniment and tempo. The free version comes about a dozen piano and guitar styles - there's one with a decent swing feel - or pay a few dollars and get a lot more styles as well as the ability to save.

I use it all the time for practicing solos against. You are limited to the available styles so if you want create a particular feel you might have to look for some sophisticated. For example, my band is doing Bob Mintzer's "Computer" and none of the prepacked styles matches that funk feel but for that I pracice with a recording.

This does seem pretty cool but I don't think I'd pay $5 for it.
I like the idea of a quick loop tool to practice chord progressions.

As a piano player I'll want to be able to turn off the piano. I don't know if it does that.
iRealb does
I'll try the free one and report back.

As for iRealb;
to clarifie a few things,
There are two separate versions for Apple products,IOS and Mac. You have to buy both if you want them both.
The Mac version has the editor built in and all the rhythm styles.
If you have the IOS version I think you need the editor to make your own tracks.

11:11 What did you get?

 

[mi000ke]

I use irealb on my ipad - plug it into a keyboard amp and it provides great backing tracks. You can download the changes for 1200 tunes for free from the irealbook web site, including most of the three volumes of real book plus more. A few tunes are missing and a few are in different keys but you get about 98% of the real books. It is really easy to add new tunes or to modify existing ones using the editor provided with the app. You can also enter tunes using the editor on their web site and mail them to your device. When you open the attachment on your device it automatically adds the tune to your app. All the tunes are stored in one master library, but you can create playlists that contain just those tunes. For example, I have a playlist for each real book, plus one for tunes I am working on. I found the app to be really helpful in working on my improv and for learning the standard tunes. As I get more familiar with the tune, I can crank up the tempo. One thing to note - when you add a tune, you need to add it in concert key. If you set the app to transpose to Bb or Eb it will transpose all of the tunes in your library to the appropriate key. This is kind of useful if you play Eb and Bb saxes as you can easily convert the chord changes as needed.

 

[Kenneth]

iRealB all the way! I have it on my Samsung Galaxy Tab and it goes everywhere with me. I have a Charlie Parker playlist that I use all the time and it's fun to play with all the different rhythm set-ups -- "Confirmation" in bossanova, anyone?

Regards,
Kenneth

 

[bobsax]

Reporting back on chordbot lite.
I've been using it in conjunction with iRealb in lessons and practice.
It's a lot faster to put up a chord or two if you want to work on a scale or lick that is giving you trouble.
It's also good for a warm-up and tune-up tool set on one chord.
I did a beginning lesson for alto that shows how quickly you can play and edit (unlike iRealb)

There are also several other chordbot reviews and lessons on my teaching channel.

Has anybody paid for the full version?
As I read about it's features I'm not sure it's worth the $5.