Brain Game: Make the Band Play

By changing one letter at a time to form different English words, and leaving all other letters in their original positions, convert BAND into PLAY in the fewest steps possible. Good luck!

B A N D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ P L A Y

Here is a six-step SOLUTION.

A SIX-STEP SOLUTION:

BAND > BEND > BEAD > BRAD > BRAY > PRAY > PLAY

Did you come up with a different solution? Please post it in the comments. Thanks!