A GarageBand Tutorial script

The finalised draft of my GarageBand tutorial script detailing the tools and instruments that can be used to create a piece of music on the iPad. As with previous scripts, certain words have been highlighted to indicate where recorded material is missing or has been cut.

1. 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 those of who you are not, this
tutorial will give you an insight into how it works and, in doing so, hopefully
inspire you to become professional musicians.


Lesson No. 1 – Choosing Your Instrument

First and foremost, it is particularly important that you choose the right
instrument and 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
soundscape options you may feel are suitable. Personally, I lean towards Event
Horizon and Stratosphere, as they help to create a feeling of infinite space and
yet, at the same time, cold and emptiness. A clarinet is also a suitable option,
should you wish to create an atmosphere reminiscent 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 advise using a
guitar. Once you have chosen the instruments you need, you may begin writing

2. 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 where you would start using the GarageBand keyboard or, if you feel this
is far too complicated or overwhelming to comprehend, musical typing.
However, since we are using the iPad for this demonstration, our options on
how to show this process are considerably limited. Depending on the type of
instrument that 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 sure to choose your
method of recording carefully and wisely. To turn on autoplay, switch the dial
to the number of your choice, select the first chord you want to use e.g. C and
start recording. 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 have you written, I would suggest making a
note of the chords you are using as this allow you to maintain a clear and
coherent flow throughout recording.

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 straight to the studio section. There is a
fun section which you can also access, however, I would strongly advise
sticking to just the microphone, unless you want your 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 is loud becomes quiet and what was 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 want to 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 hope you have found this tutorial
informative, fun to watch and has provided you with enough information to
motivate you to create a musical piece 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.