GarageBand Project - Percussioneohsmusic.weebly.com/uploads/4/3/2/4/43240877/garageband... ·...

Composition Projects for GarageBand - 2017 Edition Copyright The Fun Music Company 2017

GarageBand Project Mac-11

Task A: Create a 32 bar latin percussion track, with four different variations of eight bars.

Task B: Use prepared loops to add a latin piano part.

Task C: Add a bass part to some or all of the track.

- PercussionStudent assignmentAim: To use the drummer feature to create interesting latin percussion partsYou need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand (10.2 or later), plus headphones.Resource video: https://youtu.be/1-BTNs9gV1k

• Choose a drummer from the category of ‘percussion’.• Create four eight-bar regions, and vary the sound in each of them.

• Use the filter buttons at the top of the loops library to filter the results to ‘piano’ from the instruments category, and then ‘world’ from the ‘genre’ category.

• Try to match the style of the playing to the style of the drummer part you’ve already created.

• Change the filters at the top to ‘bass’ from the instruments category.• Listen carefully to make sure that the bass part fits with the piano part.• You don’t need to have bass playing throughout in this style of music.

Student achievement

Student achievement

Student achievement



Task A: Create a drummer track using prepared drummer loops with three regions for intro, verse and chorus.

Task B: Add a bass line to the song using prepared midi loops, and then create a matching guitar part.

Task C: Copy and paste regions to complete the song with two verses and a bridge.

- Drummer LoopsStudent assignmentAim: To use prepared drummer loops to begin composing a pop song.You need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand (10.2 or later), plus headphones.Resource video: https://youtu.be/_exanolBuHA

Student achievement

• Open the loops library, then filter the results to “all drums” from the instruments category.• Look for the small yellow loop icons, these are “drummer” loops.• Choose all your loops from the same drummer.

• Think about the style of the drummer you have chosen, and then choose bass and guitar loops that match them.

• Make sure that your bass and guitar loops work well together. Listen to how they sound together by starting and stopping your project with the spacebar, while you click on the loops in the loops library.

Student achievement

Student achievement

• Select your regions by dragging a box around them with the mouse, and then use Command-C and Command-V to copy and paste them.

• Create a contrasting bridge with an alternative drum loop and different bass and guitar loops.

Standard pop song form:

Intro - verse 1 - chorus - verse 2 - chorus - bridge - chorus - outro



Task A: Task A; Record a melody using the erhu using the C major pentatonic scale, using either the musical typing keyboard, or on an iPad and transfer it to the mac.

Task B: Use the pipa instrument on the Mac - experimenting with the control panel to control the tremolo sound.

Task C: Create a backing track for your chinese instruments piece using any instruments.

- World MusicStudent assignmentAim: To learn to use the Chinese world music instruments in GarageBand.You need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand (10.2 or later), optional iPad.Resource video: https://youtu.be/3rE1aeAyhLo

C Major Pentatonic Scale: C D E G A

• On the Mac, create a new track and choose chinese instruments > erhu. Then use the musical typing keyboard to record a melody.

• If available, use an iPad to record the Erhu melody, then transfer it to your mac using Airdrop or another sharing method.

• Create a new software instrument track and choose chinese instruments > Pipa. • Show the musical typing keyboard. and then use the tab key to switch the tremolo effect on or off.• Use the instruments control panel at the bottom of the screen to experiment with the tremolo speed.

• Experiment with the style - you can mix it with any form of drum beat to create a ‘fusion’ style piece.• Add some chinese percussion sounds with the chinese kit.• Add an introduction and ending to your piece, and extend the length of the composition..

Student achievement

Student achievement

Student achievement



Task A: Create a drummer track in electronic style, and then create a synth bass part using a single note with rhythmic variations.

Task B: Add more synthesizer parts to your composition, and experiment with their settings.

Task C: Extend your electronic style composition with an introduction and ending.

- Synth SoundsStudent assignmentAim: To use synthesizer sounds to create interesting compositions.You need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand, plus headphones.Resource video: https://youtu.be/73etW_D5ZJ8

• Create a new drummer tack in an electronic style, and modify the settings to your taste.

• Then create a software instrument track and choose an instrument from synthesizer> bass.

• Use a single note (we suggest C) to record your bass part, with a lot of rhythmic variation.

• Try to use synthesizer parts from more than one category, for example use one from the ‘bell’ or ‘brass’ category, and one from the ‘pad’ or ‘rhythmic’ category.

• Experiment with your synthesizer settings. If the settings panel is not visible at the bottom of the screen, click the button from the top left that looks like a dial to open the settings panel.

• There is no set structure, you can make the piece as long or as short as you wish. However, make sure it has an introduction and an ending.

• Use variation between the sections, and you may also wish to experiment with changing chords.

Extension worksheet:Research the definition of these synthesizer terms on the internet, and then draw a line to match each of these terms with its definition.

Oscillator Pressure controlled midi data determined by how hard you press a key or group of keys after the initial attack.

Portamento An electronic device which generates a periodic signal of a particular frequency.

Envelope Equalisation or tone control.

LFO A synthesizer that can play two or more noes or sounds at the same time.

Polyphonic Low Frequency Oscillator.

Aftertouch An adjustable performance effect that glides or bends pitch from one note to the next.

EQ A setting that determines how the synthesizers paramenters will change as a note is played and held.

Student achievement



Task A: Create an eight bar track using one of the arpeggiator synth sounds.

Task B: Extend the form of your piece, and use at least two different arpeggiator instruments to create your music.

Task C: Add other layers of sound to your composition and experiment with the settings to create your own custom synthesizer sounds.

- ArpeggiatorStudent assignmentAim: To use the arpeggiator synth sounds to create an interesting composition.You need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand, plus headphones.Resource video: https://youtu.be/cvMAe6_up8s

Student achievement

Student achievement

Student achievement

• Begin by creating an eight bar drummer track in an electronic style.• Experiment with different arpeggiator synthesizer sounds, by simply holding down one note for the

entire eight bars.• After you’ve tried a single note (C), try holding down more than one note at a time for different

effects.

• Add more drummer regions, and loop out your existing arpeggiator track to keep them playing.• Add at least two more arpeggiator instruments to create different effects.• Experiment changing chords. For example, try going to a note a fifth above your original note (G) for

four bars, before returning to your original note (C).

• Add more arpeggiator sounds, and non-arpeggiator synth and other sounds if you wish.• Open the settings panel for each synthesizer and experiment with the effects. • Add an introduction and ending to complete your composition.



Task A: Choose a public domain video clip from the NASA downloadable video page and import it into GarageBand.

https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/downloadable-video-page/

Task B: Create a soundtrack for your movie clip by using loops from the apple loops library.

Task C: Use automation to control the volume and the mixing of each track.

- Movie ScoringStudent assignmentAim: To create a soundtrack for a short public domain movie clip.You need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand, plus headphones.Resource video: https://youtu.be/zVoFYZGEWII

Student achievement

• Download the video to your computer, and save it on your desktop or a folder on your computer.

• Choose file > Movie > Open movie to add the movie to your GarageBand project.

• You may choose to delete the original soundtrack for the movie if it has existing music in it, or you may wish to keep it if it just has commentary or sound effects.

• Choose loops in any style you wish: audio, midi or drummer types.• Try to reflect the action in your music, and look for cues in the movie that suggest a

change in the music.• You may wish to experiment with and without the existing soundtrack of the clip.

Student achievement

Student achievement

Complete tasks B and C simultaneously today, as you develop the music track for your video.

• Press ‘A’ on the keyboard or choose Mix > Show automation from the menu to show the automation graphs. (as pictured below).

• Create a control point on the graph by holding down command until the cursor changes to a pencil and clicking, and then you can drag them up or down to the exact point desired.

• After you’ve created at least one or two volume automation graphs, try creating one for another effect, such as Pan.



Task A: Mark a dramatic moment in your movie clip by splitting the audio track at that moment, and then adjusting the tempo of your project so that it lines up with a barline in your music.

Task B: Add a cadence to your music at the barline you marked in Task A.

Task C: Orchestrate your cadence with several different instruments.

- Dramatic MomentsStudent assignmentAim: To punctuate a special moment in a movie clip with music.You need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand, plus headphones.Resource video: https://youtu.be/81Cv80G_s3c

• When you have identified your dramatic moment, right click on the audio track at that moment and choose ‘split at playhead’ to split the track.

• Choose ‘Track > Show tempo track’ from the menu to show the tempo track, and experiment with dragging the tempo line up and down, until your marked point matches up with a barline.

• Choose one of the cadences below, or any other cadence you wish. • Notes may be doubled freely, i.e. you can repeat notes in several octaves if you wish.• Keep the root note in the bass for now. As you learn more and become more advanced you may

use inversions where the root note may not always be in the bass.• You will learn more about cadences in music theory and then be able to apply your knowledge as

you write your music.

Perfect CadenceC Major

G7 C

FDBG

GEC

Plagal CadenceD Major

G D

DBG

AF#D

Perfect CadenceA minor

E7 Am

DB

G#E

ECA

Interupted CadenceC Major

G Am

DBG

ECA

• First decide which instruments will provide the foundation for your harmony, and add strong bass notes in this part.

• Ensure you have the important chord notes heard clearly at the cadence point.

• You may use passing notes, i.e. notes between the chord notes in a melody. This works well in woodwind and brass instruments. Aim to ‘land’ on one of the notes in the second chord for dramatic effect.

• Add instruments from several different groups.

Student achievement

Student achievement

Student achievement


GarageBand Project Mac-18- Listening Assignment

Aim: To observe and understand the role that music plays in a movie.You need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand to continue your work in class.Resource video: https://youtu.be/vaBTBrQCzlU

Homework: Watch a movie and listen only to the soundtrack. Listen to every aspect of it in detail and answer the following questions.

1) What is the name of the movie:_____________________________________________

2) What is the movies genre?(e.g. drama, comedy, action etc):_________________

3) What is the name of the film scores composer:__________________________________

4) What approximate percentage of the time could you hear music: _________

5) Complete the following table. In the left hand column write the approximate time the scene occurs, so for example you might write 00:12:10, meaning that the scene happens 12 minutes and ten seconds into the movie. Then write a brief sentence or two about what is happening in the movie at that time and how the music compliments it.

Time What is happening in the movie at this time? What is happening in the music at this time?



Task A: Create a short melody of your own to represent a character, object or event in your video clip.

Task B: Add harmony and other instruments to place your melody into the context of your movie.

Task C: Choose one or more of the following methods of melodic variation to expand your melodic theme to match the action in your movie.

Melodic variation options:

• Rhythmic augmentation (making the notes slower)• Rhythmic diminution (making the notes faster)• Changing key • Changing harmony • Melody in retrograde (playing the melody backwards)

- Movie MelodyStudent assignmentAim: To compose melodies which reflect action or characters in a movie clip.You need: Apple Mac computer with GarageBand, plus headphones.Resource video: https://youtu.be/qYGJGd3deuw

• Think about the emotion you want the listener to feel. Do you want them to feel the image is playful? dark? scary? or some other emotion?

• Choose an instrument that you think reflects the character or feeling you’re trying to represent.

• Once youve chosen an instrument, put the musical typing keyboard on and improvise until you find something that reflects the emotion you’re trying to express.

• Again, think about the emotion or the character you’re trying to represent. Is the character happy, sad or angry? What is going to happen to the character in your scene?

• You can experiment with different chords just by playing around with your musical typing keyboard while the movie clip plays.

• Use harmonic rhythm to suggest the amount of action. If your scene is moving fast, you may wish to change chords more frequently. If the action is slower, or its a quiet, slow moving scene you may wish to stay on one or two chords for longer.

Student achievement

Student achievement

Student achievement



Answer the following questions. This will help you create your introduction to say to the class before playing your movie clip.

1. What did you hope to achieve with the music score? Did you hope it would build tension? Was it intended to add a scary element? or make it funny?

2. Explain what instruments you used, or if you used loops from the loops library, which loops you choose and why you choose them.

3. Explain if there are particular moments that you were trying to highlight. Did you use any cadence points, or did you use melodies to support particular characters or events in the movie?

Using ideas from your answers above, write a short introduction to say to the class before your movie is played:

Complete this section after the movie has been played to the class:

When you played your movie clip for the class, how did you feel? Did the audience have the reaction you expected that they would?

And what would you do differently if you were to compose this music again? How could you make this movie have even more impact with the music?

Self assessment worksheetAim: To present your finished movie score composition to the class.You need: Your finished movie score clip, ready to present to the class.In GarageBand, choose File > Movie > Export Audio to Movie to export a finished movie clip file.

Resource video: https://youtu.be/t6NSzonvGdc

GarageBand Project - Percussioneohsmusic.weebly.com/uploads/4/3/2/4/43240877/garageband... ·...

Documents

Transcript of GarageBand Project - Percussioneohsmusic.weebly.com/uploads/4/3/2/4/43240877/garageband... ·...