Technical information

Chapter 11: User Programmable Functions
179
Piano, Guitar and String Patterns
Piano, Guitar and String patterns are recorded in the same way as live Drums or Bass patterns, but with added
features and options. Guitar styles can be created with authentic strumming and rhythm patterns using correct fret
positions.
Guitar Styles with the StyleMaker
Guitar Styles with incredible authenticity are possible in the StyleMaker. You can use new macro notes to be played
back as a Jazz, Folk, or Pop guitar chord using correct fret positions for accurate guitar-friendly chords.
Playing back Guitar Styles
Guitar Styles are identified by the exclamation point (!) in the style name. This is not a requirement, but is usually
present in the style name.
You can see which tracks have intelligent guitar parts by looking at the title window of the Guitar fretboard when
the track is highlighted. If it is a Guitar Style track, it will say [Guitar voicings] after the name of the track.
The styles can be set to use different types of voicings for guitar. For example, there are Jazz, Pop, and Folk (open
position) voicings. Also, some of the styles allow the guitar to play advanced chords and inversions. Some of the
styles play chord patterns, so the chord in the song might be F7, but the guitar plays a “walking-chord” pattern of
F7,Cm7/G, Abdim, F7/A on each beat. There can be fingerpicking styles that have a lowest note alternate between
root and 5
th
.
Guitar Parts use channels 11 to 16 for the notes, corresponding to strings 1 to 6 of the guitar. When you make a
MIDI file, the notes will all get written on a single guitar channel. Sequencers like PowerTracks Pro Audio will
recognize guitar parts on all 6 channels, so if you want to write the MIDI file from an intelligent guitar style, you
can set Band-in-a-Box to do this from the Opt | Preferences… | Write Guitar part on 6 channels option.
To make a Guitar Style:
Press the [Misc] button to enter the Misc. Style Settings window, and then press the
[Guitar Macros] button to launch the Settings for Guitar chord macros dialog.
Note: A macro is a single note that triggers a preset chord pattern.