DIRECTIONS (NOT FOR SUMMER COURSE or Years past 2009)
Process Overview
- Learn GarageBand in class [tutorial]
- Begin composing the intro melody of the song after listening to the example intros in class
- In class, go through the steps to writing a song and answer the questions in the slideshow in your Blogger (e.g. song title, genre, chorus, verse summaries)
- In class, write at least three verses to your song
- Compose the song in GarageBand and export it as an MP3
- Using the lesson on Audacity given in class, record the vocals at home using the program and you can also use YouTube tutorials or the manual; use Tech-Ease for additional help on audio
- Bring the Audacity MP3 or WAV file to class and import it into GarageBand; adjust your instruments to your voice and the various lyric parts of the song
- Rerecord your vocals in Audacity if needed with your latest edited song
- Turn in a complete rough draft of your song.
- Make final adjustments to the quality of your song.
- Have Mr. Heil check your final song before you burn the MP3 or WAV to a CD (on final due date)
Requirements
- Time limit is minimum of three, max of five minutes (-10 points if time requirement not met)
- Cannot use preset sound recordings or loops in GarageBand that feature more than one instrument. For example, each track you have in your project needs to be a solo instrument.
- Use any master track effect and fade out the master track.
- Use ducking and apply the up arrow (primary track) to your vocal tracks.
- Label all tracks appropriately with coordinating icons.
- Minimum of six instrument tracks required
- You may choose the volume level of each
- Must use musical typing for two different instruments that are at least 30 seconds each looped; in the label of the track add "Musical Typing" in parentheses. Place these musical typing tracks below your vocal tracks.
- You must sing your song (at least half) but you can ask other people to feature in your song (e.g. backup vocals, wrapping, etc.). One track used for and labeled as "chorus," (can include pre-chorus) one for "verses," and one for the "bridge; total of three vocal tracks and use the guy or girl vocal icon. If you have an echo track, label it chorus echo. Place all vocal tracks at the top of your track list.
Bonus
Ways to put in extra effort and go above and beyond the requirements
- Awesome sounding song composition and vocal combination with lyric depth (ranks top three among the combined classes) (max +8 first, second +5, third +3)
- Record yourself playing an actual instrument use it as a main melody throughout your song; if you cannot play any instrument, ask someone else to play for you. Video at least one minute of the recording and upload it to your YouTube account (max +5, min +1)
Due Date
Check the class calendar for the due date.GarageBand Colors
purple: "Real Instrument Recordings"
blue: "Real Instrument Loops"
orange: "Audio File"
green: "Software Instrument"