Students love creating their own music, but the skills to compose from scratch take years to develop. However, Garageband makes it easy to sound like a pro in one easy lesson! Over my years as a technology teacher, using GarageBand has been one of my students' favorite activities. 

In this one-session 45-minute class, students will be introduced to the free GarageBand app and will learn how to create their own song using the Smart Guitar feature. Students need no experience to be successful and will be able to produce their own song in just one session! If students have already used GarageBand in the past, this class will review features, introduce new tricks, and give them an opportunity to create a new song while improving their skills.

During this class, students will learn how to:

1. Begin, set up, rename, and save a new song in GarageBand.
2. Explore the Guitar tool and customize the types of guitars for unique sounds (acoustic, rock, country).
3. Learn how to compose a song using chords and the Smart Guitar.
4. Record and edit a song using the Smart Guitar. 
5. (If time) Add beats to the recorded song.
6. Save their file and share their song via email.
7. Play their song for the teacher and their classmates. We will take time to give each other feedback on their songs and will reflect on the strengths and what things to improve next time.

For this class, your student will need:
*An iPad, iPhone, or iPod and the most recent version of the free GarageBand app downloaded in advance:
https://apps.apple.com/bb/app/garageband/id408709785
*A separate computer or screen (not the iPad they are using for Garageband) to watch the lesson on Zoom.

PLEASE NOTE:

*Please download the GarageBand app 24 hours IN ADVANCE in order to avoid difficulties. Please let me know the day before the class if you are unable to get the app on your iPad.

*You will need the most recent version of GarageBand. Older iPads might not be able to download GarageBand.Your GarageBand screen might look different than the teacher's version if you are not up to date. 

*GarageBand on a Mac Computer or laptop will NOT work for this class. The interface is totally different from that on iOS devices. 

*This class will be demonstrated using an iPad (which is probably the easiest device to use for this class). If students use an iPhone or iPod, the interface might look slightly different.

I am looking forward to creating some cool and amazing music with you using GarageBand!