Making and recording music with Garageband

Apple’s Garageband must be the easiest way to make music with a computer. The simple layout, instruments and sounds encourage you to explore and create music. It even helps you practise your instrumental playing.

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Key course information

Dates
17/04/12 - 26/06/12

Day(s)
Tue

Duration
10 weeks

Time
14:30 - 17:30

Fees
Full fee: £232
Senior fee: £133
Concession: £67

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
MK508

Availability
This date is full

This course is full

Occasionally places may become available. You can add yourself to the waiting list.

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Course outline

What is the course about?

Using Apple's fabulously simple but powerful Garageband software to help you realise your musical ideas. Recording using a microphone and/or instruments and using a musical 'MIDI' keyboard to play in (notate) musical ideas. Editing these tracks using easy to use tools in order to produce a finished, polished composition.

What topics will we cover?

- Building a track from a variety of instruments and recordings
- Playing in musical ideas using a MIDI keyboard and Garageband's realistic software instruments
- MIDI editing to correct mistakes in playing or to create ideas from scratch
- Recording and importing audio into Garageband
- Basic corrective audio editing
- Basic mixing with attention to sound balance and stereo position
- Burning your composition onto a CD.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Build a track from a variety of instruments and recordings
- Play in musical ideas using a MIDI keyboard and Garageband's realistic software instruments
- Edit this MIDI information to correct mistakes in playing and create ideas from scratch
- Record and import audio into Garageband
- Perform basic corrective audio editing
- Perform a basic mix with attention to sound balance and stereo position
- Burn your composition onto a CD.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Total beginner - aimed at anyone who wishes to learn how to put this exciting technology to creative use. No prior experience of music sequencing necessary, however some familiarity with computers may be beneficial. You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussions and take notes in English.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Classes will generally begin with a demonstration and discussion followed by practical work. You will work on one of 10 Mac based workstations to practice set themes, techniques and skills, applying these to your developing ideas and material and you will regularly present your work in progress to the group. You will receive regular support, encouragement and feedback from your tutor throughout the course.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

CDrs can be bought for saving your work (£0.50) or students may bring in USB flash drives to back up their work for use elsewhere. Students should always bring a note pad and pen.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made. You will save each week's work as new files, providing a record of your progress. You may request written feedback from the tutor at the end of the course.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses. There will be an opportunity to evaluate your course at the end.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There isn't a follow-on course as such, but if you get hooked you may want to step up a gear and look at 'Making and recording music with Logic' which is the natural progression on from Garageband.
With the growing popularity of music software, further progression in this area tends towards learning and integrating additional programs and approaches.
We offer a variety of courses in traditional sequencing packages, eg., Cubase, Logic and Pro Tools.
All-in-one software studio approaches are covered in our Reason and Ableton Live courses whilst musicianship and composition, notation and manuscript production are covered in our Sibelius courses.
Experimental approaches are explored in our Max/MSP courses.
Following on from our introductory Logic and Cubase courses we offer 'Mixing and advanced production techniques' and our 2-day 'Mixing and mastering masterclass'.
We also offer a range of fast-track introductory courses to most of our programs.
The music department additionally offers a wide range of instrumental and musicianship courses.
For further advice call the music office on 020 7492 2630 or email music@citylit.ac.uk.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2630

music@citylit.ac.uk

Auditions and Advice Information

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Select another date / day / time

Dates	Day(s)	Time	Duration	Fees	Snr	Conc	Code	Availability
17/04/12 to 26/06/12	Tue	14:30 - 17:30	10 weeks	£232	£133	£67	MK508	Full	» Select
20/09/11 to 29/11/11	Tue	14:30 - 17:30	10 weeks	£232	£133	£67	MK505	Finished	» Select
10/01/12 to 13/03/12	Tue	14:30 - 17:30	10 weeks	£232	£133	£67	MK506	Finished	» Select

Contact us

Music

Tel: 020 7492 2630

music@citylit.ac.uk

Auditions and Advice Information

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

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