: Melodies, lyrics, and specific arrangements are protected by copyright.
: Because BIAB files only store MIDI data, text, and chord instructions—not actual audio files—the entire 13,000-song archive is incredibly lightweight, usually under 100 megabytes compressed.
Because these files contain chord sequences compiled from copyrighted sheet music books, they are rarely hosted on official software sites like PG Music. Instead, they are maintained on community forums, historical jazz preservation archives, and user groups.
That legal "link" unlocks 13,000+ professionally arranged tunes, complete with Real Tracks recorded by Nashville session players. It supports the developers who continue to innovate the software, and it gives you a clean, searchable database of the entire jazz canon.
: Copy the song folders into the C:\bb\Songs directory (or create a custom folder like C:\bb\RealBooks13000 ). band in a box real books 13000 tunes link
From there, the software utilizes its internal engines to generate a performance:
Since it is a compilation from various sources, some files may have incorrect chords or odd arrangements. Users on
Because this collection is an aggregate of user-generated content and public domain charts compiled over decades, it is not sold as a single commercial product by PG Music. It exists across various musician forums, archive sites, and cloud storage hubs. 1. PG Music User Forums
If you are stuck on how to navigate a complex jazz progression, use BIAB's "Embellisher" or "Soloist" feature. The software will generate a stylistically accurate jazz solo over the Real Book chords, providing excellent sight-reading and analysis material. If you want to dive deeper into this setup, let me know: Are you using Windows or Mac for Band in a Box? : Melodies, lyrics, and specific arrangements are protected
Now, we must address the elephant in the room. When people type into Google, 90% of them are hoping for a free, illegal download.
: Comprehensive coverage of the "Real Book" volumes (Vol 1-6), including classics like Autumn Leaves , Misty , and Take the A Train .
interface itself is often described as "outdated" and "busy," making it difficult to navigate such a large volume of data without a clear filing system. Where to Find the Tunes
While the 13,000 tunes provide the structure (chords/melody), the quality of the playback depends on the Band-in-a-Box version you own (e.g., 2025/2026). Instead, they are maintained on community forums, historical
offer large personal collections of live-ready SGU files with lyrics and chords. Free Direct Downloads The Guitar Band
To help tailor this guide to your specific goals, please let me know:
Buy it to save yourself thousands of hours of typing chords. Just remember you still have to read the melody from your own book or by ear.
When you multiply 400 standards by 10 different styles and 4 different instrument transpositions, you quickly approach the 13,000 figure. The "link" most people seek is a torrent, a ZIP file, or a shared Dropbox folder containing these thousands of .MGU or .SGU files (BIAB’s native file formats).
Band-in-a-Box (BIAB) by PG Music is a staple software for musicians, arrangers, and educators. It allows users to generate realistic backing tracks by simply typing in chord progressions. To maximize its utility, many musicians seek out "Real Book" style chord charts compatible with the software.