8th Grade GARAGEBAND PROJECTS    

PROJECT 1
  • OBJECTIVE: Create 32 measures of interesting loops.
  • Somewhere in your project, you must have at least 1 bass loop, 1 drum (beats) loop, and 1 piano/organ/synth loop. 
  • You should have at least 3 different tracks in your project with loops in them.
  • You should have different loops playing at the same time. For example, a "beats" loop playing at the same time as a "synth" loop may sound cooler than just a "beats" loop playing alone.
  • Your overall product should be interesting - not the same 3 loops for the entire 32 measures!
  • Save in your desktop folder as: "(Your Name) Project 1".
  • 10 points off for each missing criterion

PROJECT 2
  • OBJECTIVE: Create a NEW 12 measure (or more) track using the fade out tool.
  • You should use the master fade out
    • Click “mix”, click “fade out”, click on the white line to add pivot points, and then drag the pivot points to adjust them
  • You should also use the individual track fade out on at least one track
    • Click the fade out button on the left side of the track that you want to adjust, click on the music in the track to get the fade line to show up, and then click on the line to make pivot points, which you can then drag to adjust
  • You may not use the same loops/music in this project as you did in Project 1.
  • Save in your desktop folder as: "(Your Name) Project 2".
  • 10 points off for each missing criterion

PROJECT 3
  • OBJECTIVE: Create your own 16 measure drum beat by using the midi keyboard.
  • Add at least one loop to your project. The loop must be a synth/piano/organ/bass loop, NOT a drum/beats loop.
  • Click “track”, “new track”, “software instrument”, and choose an instrument from the drum kit OR electronic drum machine list.
  • Create a drum beat to go along with your chosen loop by recording yourself playing drums on the MIDI keyboard.
  • You must record at least: a high hat, a bass drum, and a snare drum.
  • You may record each instrument one at a time on 3 separate tracks, or all at once on 1 single track.
  • If drum sounds aren't coming out of your midi keyboard after you choose drum kit or drum machine software instrument, raise your hand and I will help you.
  • Save in your desktop folder as: "(Your Name) Project 3".
  • 10 points off for each missing criterion

PROJECT 4
  • OBJECTIVE: Compose an original melody using Garageband.
  • Add at least one loop to your project. The loop must be a “beats” or “drum” loop, NOT a synth loop.
  • Click “track”, “new track”, “software instrument”, and choose an instrument from the list that is NOT a drum.
  • Create a melody to go along with your drum loop by using the MIDI keyboard.
  • Your melody should start and end on C, and should only use the white piano keys. C is the note directly to the left of the group of 2 black keys on the piano.
  • Your melody should be at least 16 measures long (longer if you like). 
  • Your melody should be "sing-able" (not too many big leaps up or down to notes). 
  • Your melody should be interesting to listen to (not the same few notes over and over again, not just going up and down a scale. It should sound like something you'd hear sung on the radio). 
  • Save your project in your folder as "(Your Name) Project 4".
  • 10 points off for each missing criterion
​
PROJECT 5
  • OBJECTIVE: Create an original song, or recreate a song you know by using the microphone.
  • Your project must be at least 32 measures long.
  • First, add loops to your project. You may use any types of loops you want. If you want, you may ALSO record a drum beat or a melody by using the MIDI keyboard.
  • Then, use the microphone to record your voice, record several sound effects, or record an instrument you can play.
    • ​Whatever you record with the microphone must be a large part of your project - you can NOT record one sound effect, add it to your loops and be done.
    • In order to use the microphone, click "Track", "New Track", "Microphone", and then record.
  • You can make it sound like a song you already know, or you can create something completely new.
  • Save your project in your folder as "(Your Name) Project 5". 
  • 10 points off for each missing criterion.


DO NOT MOVE ON TO PROJECT 6 UNTIL AFTER WINTER BREAK!

PROJECT 6
  • OBJECTIVE: Create an original song (at least 32 measures long) using a sample of a previously composed song.
  • Your sample must be recognizable from the original song, but it shouldn't be the complete song. It can be just the drumbeat, a guitar lick, specific words, etc. It has to be less than 10 seconds of the song, and you cannot publish the song commercially. (Copyright issues)
    • You may acquire your sample by converting a youtube video to an mp3 with this site: https://www.mp3converter.net/
    • Then, click and drag the mp3 file (probably now located in your downloads folder) into an empty track of Garageband.
    • Choose which part of the song you want to be your sample, and trim the song so it only consists of that part. You can then keep copying and pasting the sample if you want it to repeat or occur again later in your project.
    • Add your own original material (can be loops, can be recorded from the MIDI keyboard, can be recorded using the microphone) to the project so that the sample is only a small (but recognizable) part of your project.
  • Your own original material (loops, MIDI keyboard, and/or microphone material) must flow seamlessly with your sample.
  • Your sample may not consist of more than 10 seconds of the original song.
  • You may use more than one sample from different songs.
  • Your project must be at least 32 measures long.
  • Save your project in your folder as "(Your Name) Project 6".
  • 10 points off for each missing criterion.
​

PROJECT 7
  • OBJECTIVE: Using all of the Garageband techniques you have learned in this class (and any others you want to use that you learned on your own), create a new project, or redo one of your old projects. 
  • Your project must be at least 32 measures long.
  • This project should be something that you are proud of. Pretend you will be getting it published by a music producer, and that it will be played on your favorite radio station.
  • You must use:
    • At least 3 different loops (in different tracks)
    • Master Track Fade Out
    • Individual Track Fade Out
    • The MIDI keyboard (to add a drum track or a melody)
    • The microphone (to record an instrument, your voice, or sound effects)
    • A sample from a previously composed song (must be recognizable from the song, but cannot be more than 10% of the song)
  • This should be your most interesting project. You should spend a considerable amount of time on this. You will be sharing this with the rest of the class.
  • Save your project in your folder as "(Your Name) Project 7". 
  • 10 points off for each missing criterion.
​

Other Resources for music appreciation