GarageBand runs only on Macintosh computers. This application comes free with the purchase of a Mac and to go very far in this tutorial will require access somewhere to a Mac computer. Garageband provides several levels for musical composition. At its most basic level, the user can select, repeat, mix and edit sets of previously composed short instrumental rhythms and patterns called loops. For those with some instrumental skill, two types of on-screen keyboards allow one to use the mouse or keyboard to play and record tracks of piano or other instrument sounds. For those with some voice skill and a microphone, singing and speech can be recorded. Many Macs come with a built-in microphone.
Other devices can be connected to the computer that the program and the computer will recognize including microphones, digital piano keyboards and other electronic MIDI devices.
What's possible? Before going any further, listen to some musical compositions created with Garageband at these web sites.
- iCompositions. http://www.icompositions.com/music/ Click to download and listen to various selections. This site collects, rates and shares musical compositions made totally by or assisted by Garageband. A piece might be totally for Garageband loops are might be accompanied by a real musican singing or playing an instrument.
- MacBand. http://www.macband.com Not only can one download and listen to Garageband sounds, but additional sound loops can be collected to use in your own compositions.
