Music Software Setup

Band in a Box

Band in a Box is a software program that utilizes custom music tracks that are well suited for our purposes in learning the saxophone.  I have prepared many lessons that are available for you to download to accompany the student while practicing at the computer.  This allows for creative practicing where the student can change tempo, key and repeat phrases with a click of the mouse.

It is perfect for the high school jazz saxophonist who needs to have the resources to develop jazz styles and improvisation skills.

Get the Program

BB is available for download at PGmusic.com.  You will need a Windows PC with a speaker system.  Unfortunately at this time, the MacIntosh version is unsuitable for our purposes.  Here is the specific ordering page. 

You will just need the Pro version (currently $129).  The more expensive versions are very cool but not necessary.

You will also need to set up a gmail account to acquire the lesson files that I will make available to you.  Click here if you need to set up a gmail account.  Once you have the program installed go to the Software Setup page.

What Hardware Do You Need?

You will need a Windows computer (PC).  The Macintosh version of the program is currently inadequate for our needs.  Here are the specific technical requirements.  Click here. Getting the Band in a Box ProgramBand in a Box (BB) is published by PGMusic.  Go to www.pgmusic.com.  You can go straight to the order page here.  Remember, only the Windows version is suitable for your sax lessons.The cost of the program is about $129 for the Pro package. This is all you need for our purposes.  I recommend downloading the program and purchasing a back-up disk which they will mail to you.
Note: Although you can find the program from other online resources, I recommend ordering directly from PG Music in order to make servicing your technical and customer needs more efficient.  Students and parents have had frustrating experiences in the past by not following this advice.

Getting Started with Band in a Box

Note: Only the Windows version of Band in a Box (BB) is suitable for saxophone lessons.  The Macintosh version currently does not offer the features that are necessary for our purposes.  Here we will set up the options we need and get started. 

Create a Folder on Your Computer

Create a “Band in a Box” folder in your Documents.  It should look something like this on your computer. YourName/Documents/Band in a Box or YourName/Documents/BB. Then go to your Google Documents (part of your Google email account) and find Collections Shared With Me.  You should find your downloadable files there.  If not, email me from you Google account. Set up sub-directories exactly like my sub-directories to limit the number of song files in each directory.

Download Your Lesson Files

I have made the files available through Gmail documents.  You may need to set up a google Gmail account.  Once you have done so send me an email through that account to nwmusikman@gmail.com.  This is a different account than my lesson account which is mike@saxlessonsinsalem.com.  I will then link you to the down-loadable lesson files. Save them into your previously created Band in a Box folder.  It is best to create similar sub-directories for different collections that I will make available to you.

The Practice Window

Click the Practice Window button. Place this box in the lower right of your screen.  It is where you will access your practice files and control your practice session.

Click the Folder button and find your BB directories.  Once you have found them they will be available with the Songs button.

Setting the Transposition for Your Instrument

Use this area of the practice window to set the transposition for your instrument. Select Eb Alto or Bb Tenor.  If you are playing a soprano saxophone select Bb trumpet.  If your music is too high or too low use 8vb or 8va to adjust it.

Setting Preferences

Let's customize your program to work for practice.  Click the Preferences button.  This will open a big window with lots of buttons.  We only need to mess with a few of them.

Count-in/Met(ronome) - Set up your choices like you see in this box.  This is a good place to start.  You can play with the other options in this box later.


























Colors - Use the Color Schemes  drop -down box for some fun choices.  There’s no need to mess with Element.






















RealDrums Settings - If you downloaded and installed all of the files that came with BAND IN A BOX then you should  have RealDrums installed.  Set it up as in this options box.

Check “Enable RealDrums” and "Substitute RealDrums for MIDI drums", then select the third choice “Substitute when RealDrums are as Good or Better than the MIDI drums.”

Creative Practicing

We will discuss Creative Practicing in lessons.  Use these boxes to vary your practice experience.

Tempo - Make your music faster or slower. 


Drop-down Styles -  Select a new style from the drop-down box on the main menu. Here is a set of 24 basic styles that should work with most songs.  Most of the music tracks I have provided will use these styles.style button here to access your full library of styles.  You can ignore the Song and F buttons for our purposes.