How to Create a Song Using Apple's GarageBand Without

an Instrument

Luke DevittJoey Matibag

1/28/2010

INTRODUCTION    Garageband is a nifty program Apple has created that allows the user to create music in a creative and simple way. Even the least musically talented composers have the opportunity to generate fluid tracks.     This set of instructions serves as a guide in creating a track without ever having to pick up a physical instrument. No blowing, no strumming required. Allow the visuals to supplement your learning by following along. Make sure to keep an eye out for the transparent gray boxes which should guide your eyes to the appropriate button or window while you make your way to creating a bumping beat.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Mac Computer 

Garageband '08/'09

For those of you using Garageband '09 the instructions will be similar although not the exact same.

Step 1Open Garageband in the applications folder on your desktop or hard drive. A window will pop up with 4 different options. Click the first option that says "Create New Music Project".

STEP 2

Another window will pop up allowing you to name your project. Click "Create".

Step 3 X out the keyboard that appears once Garageband opens by clicking the red dot in the top left corner of the keyboard.

STEP 4Click "Track" at the top of the screen, then "Delete Track". (This will delete the grand piano track. If you are planning on using a Grand Piano in your song then skip the next step and start at step 7) Then click "Track" again and click "New Track". (Another way to create a new track is to click the "plus" button on the bottom of the screen.)

 

STEP 5Another window will pop up allowing you to choose between a Software Instrument or a Real Instrument. (For now choose Software Instrument until you become more familiar with the program.) Click "Create".

STEP 6Select which instrument you would like to record with first.(You will be given the option to choose between various instruments like Bass, Guitars, Mallets, Drums, Synth, Organs, etc.) Once you have selected which instrument you want to use, click the "eye" button which launches Loop Browser that contains the complete library of loops and sounds that are available to you through GarageBand. (On the bottom left hand of the screen in '08 and bottom right of the screen in '09).

STEP 7    Another bar will pop up on the bottom of the screen (The Loop Browser), allowing you to choose certain instrument loops for your song.

Once you choose which instrument you would like to record with, another bar will pop up with various tracks or loops for you to choose from. You can listen to each one of these by clicking on them once. These tracks will either be green (Midi tracks) or blue (Audio Tracks). To add the green loops to your song you will need to create a "Software Instrument" Track. To add the blue loops to your song you will need to create a "Real Instrument" Track. 

NOTE: It is important that you choose tracks that are in the same key** for example: a loop in the key of C will sound good with another loop in the key of C opposed to one in the key of D.

STEP 8

STEP 9Once you hear a track you want in your song, drag it up to the track you have already created.

STEP 10To loop the track (repeat) move your mouse to the top right of the track and a circular arrow should appear. Drag the track as far to the right/left as you want ( as long or as short as you want the track to play for in your song). You should also adjusts the volume of each track according to your liking as well as how the tracks sound together.

STEP 11

Once you have your first track down you will probably want to add other instruments to your song. To do so repeat the same steps by creating new tracks with different/same instruments to create your own song.After your song is finished, you can export it to your iTunes Library, enabling you to send your songs through emails or even burn it onto a CD. 

To export it to iTunes click "Share" then "Send Song to iTunes". (Before doing so you might want to adjust the volumes of each of your tracks accordingly to get the sound you want.)

TIPS AND WARNINGS

-To play/pause your song click the space bar or the play button at the bottom of the screen.    -You can also select exactly where you want the song to play/pause by clicking the top of the red line and moving it to the designated spot. -The tempo of the tracks or loops you add to your song will automatically adjust to the tempo (how fast/slow) you set your song to even though they may have different tempos in the Loop Browser.-You can adjust the tempo, key, as well as the signature of your song by clicking "Control" then "Show Tempo in LCD".-To ensure better quality for your song, make sure that the level of the input (located above the volume bar) does not hit the red. If it does hit the red, adjust the volume of the track lower until it is in the green/yellow range.