A GarageBand Tutorial
by David Lee (subject to rewrites)
Introduction
Hello, and welcome to this GarageBand tutorial. Before we get started, here’s
what you may or may not already know about the software: You can record
music using the main resources available, although you may require additional
musical kit. Today, we will be using this tutorial to study how to create a piece
of music using the iPad. For those of you who are already familiar with
GarageBand but have not used it in a while, this is the perfect opportunity for
you to refresh your memories. However, for thoseof who you are not, this
tutorial will give you an insight into how it works and, in doing so, hopefully
inspire you to become professionalmusicians.
Lesson No. 1 – Choosing Your Instrument
Firstand foremost, it is particularly important that you choosethe right
instrumentand key for recording, as this will establish the tone and mood of
the piece that you are writing. For example, to create a piece of music in the
style of a science-fiction film, it is best to use a synthesiser, using whatever
soundscapeoptions you may feel are suitable. Personally, I lean towards Event
Horizon and Stratosphere, as they help to create a feeling of infinite spaceand
yet, at the same time, cold and emptiness. A clarinet is also a suitable option,
should you wish to create an atmospherereminiscent of the works of Igor
Stravinsky or John Williams. However, should you wish to create a musical
piece reminiscent of the songs of Laura Viers, then I would adviseusing a
guitar. Onceyou have chosen the instruments you need, you may begin writing
the piece of music you have come up with and continue to add or omit any
further instruments you see fit to employ.
Lesson No. 2 – Writing Music
With your chosen instruments fully in place, you are now ready to begin
recording. If using a MacOS computer or laptop, this would normally be the
stage whereyou would startusing the GarageBand keyboard or, if you feel this
is far too complicated or overwhelming to comprehend, musicaltyping.
However, sincewe are using the iPad for this demonstration, our options on
how to show this process areconsiderably limited. Depending on the type of
instrumentthat you have chosen to use, you will find an option to alternate
between chords and notes. While this option can be quite useful, it can also
affect the tone and style of what you have written so be sureto chooseyour
method of recording carefully and wisely. To turn on autoplay, switch the dial
to the number of your choice, select the firstchord you wantto use e.g. C and
startrecording. This will immediately cause your music to loop until choosing
another note, with the same process repeating itself until you decide to stop.
In the event you lose track of what haveyou written, I would suggestmaking a
note of the chords you areusing as this allow you to maintain a clear and
coherent flow throughoutrecording.
Lesson No. 3 - Voice Recording
Finally, should you wish to add some vocals to the music you have written or
do something completely different, such as recording voiceovers for a
documentary or an audiobook, you can access the audio recorder installed on
the app. Once you have done this, go straightto the studio section. There is a
fun section which you can also access, however, I would strongly advise
sticking to justthe microphone, unless you wantyour voice to sound like a
chipmunk or amplify it to make it sound like it is coming out of a bullhorn.
There are two modulators which you should be able to find straight away: One
tone and the other squeeze. The squeeze option compresses sound so that
anything that is loud becomes quiet and whatwas quiet becomes louder than
before, while the tone modulator moves the sound either to the left channel
or to the right channel, depending on which one you wantto use. Additionally,
should you wish to alter the input of how much sound your recording takes in,
move the slider up or down. As soon as you feel completely satisfied with the
alterations you have made, if any, feel free to start recording.
Conclusion
Thank you for watching, dear viewers. I hopeyou have found this tutorial
informative, fun to watch and has provided you with enough information to
motivate you to create a musicalpiece of your own. And who knows, there
may be an aspiring musician among you, even if you don’t know it yet. This is
your GarageBand tutor, wishing you well and signing off.

A GarageBand Tutorial script

  • 1.
    A GarageBand Tutorial byDavid Lee (subject to rewrites) Introduction Hello, and welcome to this GarageBand tutorial. Before we get started, here’s what you may or may not already know about the software: You can record music using the main resources available, although you may require additional musical kit. Today, we will be using this tutorial to study how to create a piece of music using the iPad. For those of you who are already familiar with GarageBand but have not used it in a while, this is the perfect opportunity for you to refresh your memories. However, for thoseof who you are not, this tutorial will give you an insight into how it works and, in doing so, hopefully inspire you to become professionalmusicians. Lesson No. 1 – Choosing Your Instrument Firstand foremost, it is particularly important that you choosethe right instrumentand key for recording, as this will establish the tone and mood of the piece that you are writing. For example, to create a piece of music in the style of a science-fiction film, it is best to use a synthesiser, using whatever soundscapeoptions you may feel are suitable. Personally, I lean towards Event Horizon and Stratosphere, as they help to create a feeling of infinite spaceand yet, at the same time, cold and emptiness. A clarinet is also a suitable option, should you wish to create an atmospherereminiscent of the works of Igor Stravinsky or John Williams. However, should you wish to create a musical piece reminiscent of the songs of Laura Viers, then I would adviseusing a guitar. Onceyou have chosen the instruments you need, you may begin writing
  • 2.
    the piece ofmusic you have come up with and continue to add or omit any further instruments you see fit to employ. Lesson No. 2 – Writing Music With your chosen instruments fully in place, you are now ready to begin recording. If using a MacOS computer or laptop, this would normally be the stage whereyou would startusing the GarageBand keyboard or, if you feel this is far too complicated or overwhelming to comprehend, musicaltyping. However, sincewe are using the iPad for this demonstration, our options on how to show this process areconsiderably limited. Depending on the type of instrumentthat you have chosen to use, you will find an option to alternate between chords and notes. While this option can be quite useful, it can also affect the tone and style of what you have written so be sureto chooseyour method of recording carefully and wisely. To turn on autoplay, switch the dial to the number of your choice, select the firstchord you wantto use e.g. C and startrecording. This will immediately cause your music to loop until choosing another note, with the same process repeating itself until you decide to stop. In the event you lose track of what haveyou written, I would suggestmaking a note of the chords you areusing as this allow you to maintain a clear and coherent flow throughoutrecording. Lesson No. 3 - Voice Recording Finally, should you wish to add some vocals to the music you have written or do something completely different, such as recording voiceovers for a documentary or an audiobook, you can access the audio recorder installed on the app. Once you have done this, go straightto the studio section. There is a fun section which you can also access, however, I would strongly advise sticking to justthe microphone, unless you wantyour voice to sound like a chipmunk or amplify it to make it sound like it is coming out of a bullhorn. There are two modulators which you should be able to find straight away: One tone and the other squeeze. The squeeze option compresses sound so that
  • 3.
    anything that isloud becomes quiet and whatwas quiet becomes louder than before, while the tone modulator moves the sound either to the left channel or to the right channel, depending on which one you wantto use. Additionally, should you wish to alter the input of how much sound your recording takes in, move the slider up or down. As soon as you feel completely satisfied with the alterations you have made, if any, feel free to start recording. Conclusion Thank you for watching, dear viewers. I hopeyou have found this tutorial informative, fun to watch and has provided you with enough information to motivate you to create a musicalpiece of your own. And who knows, there may be an aspiring musician among you, even if you don’t know it yet. This is your GarageBand tutor, wishing you well and signing off.