Lesson ideas for using GarageBand or Soundtrap – part 2
In part 2 of this series, I share some intermediate and advanced lesson ideas for using GarageBand or Soundtrap with your music students
In this podcast episode I cover:
- How to get started with using GarageBand or Soundtrap with your students
- How to decide what your outcomes should be for the lesson
- The Golden Rule of all music tech projects
- Specific ideas for lessons or projects at 4 different experience levels
Did you miss part 1? Click here to listen.
Listen to the episode here (or on your favourite podcast app):
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Level 3: Intermediate (4 ideas)
- Cover song – either replicate the original backing or create original arrangement (the “Better Than The Original” listening lesson can be found in the Midnight Music Community)
- Songwriting 1 – provide chord sequence that everyone works to – record backing in a chosen style – write original melody over the top
- Songwriting 2 – free options – collaborative
- Radio show – similar to storytelling – longer, more acting parts/people, music intro/outro/bed
Level 4: Advanced (7 ideas)
- Record found sounds and create composition with them (inside the Midnight Music Community are full instructions for the “Found Sound Challenge” lesson plan)
- Take short music or audio samples (like NASA sound samples) and make them into something new (“Wait That’s A Sample?” lesson can be found in the Midnight Music Community)
- Remix audio song stems
- MIDI file transformation
- Songwriting more in-depth, recreate sounds heard in popular songs – add effects, plugins
- Video game composition
- Film scoring – combining visuals and sound, sync, mood music
Tips: adapting projects for different student ability levels
It’s VERY easy to add options for students that are quick/savvy. They could:
- Compose another track
- Add a harmony part
- Compose a melody if there isn’t already one
- Compose a whole new section – contrasting
- Create a custom instrument – change tone/settings
- Student can teach the class something they’ve learnt/discovered
For students that need the task simplified:
- Encourage them to record at a slow tempo
- Allow the use of limited scale options
- Use templates
- Use ready-made components
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The Midnight Music Community (MMC) is an online space for music teachers interested in learning more about music technology. There are online courses, lesson plans and lots of other resources for Chromebooks, iPads, Macs and PCs. Professional development certificates are available for all training undertaken by MMC members and I am in the Community everyday, personally answering questions and offering advice to members.
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6 Comments
Thanks so much Katie – I just have 2 quick questions about the content.
1. How do we send out a template to fast track starting a project? Do you have tracks, instruments, sections etc set up and then share the project by emailing the students?
2. How do we import video into GarageBand on iPads? Is it possible or can you only do that on desktop?
Cheers, Priscilla.
Hi Priscilla!
1. If you’re using Soundtrap, you can send students a project file (template) from within your own teacher Soundtrap account to all the students in your classes by simply sending them a link to the project. With GarageBand the best way is to use Airdrop if you’re able to – you can set up the project with all the tracks and instruments as you said and then send the project to the students via Airdrop (no email necessary)
2. No – it’s not possible to import video into the iPad version of GarageBand – only on the desktop version
Hi Katie, Thanks for this- very helpful! We have just switched over to soundtrap from Logic/ Garage band is there any way of importing video in soundtrap for film music composition?
Hi Aidan – glad you found it useful 🙂 Unfortunately it’s not possible to import video into Soundtrap yet, but I believe that feature is coming in the future.
Very Nice. I will definitely try this with my students. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks Rohit!