Step 1: You will need to work with your technical coordinator to make sure you have a folder
in a common space to receive your garage band files. I am able to access our student common space
and create my own folder and, therefore, simply had to coordinate to make sure there were not limits
to how much could be placed in the
folder. Creating the folders Chorus 7 and
Figure 1: Student Handout
Chorus 8 on our student common space
was my first step. Directions for creating a live recording in Garage Band
Garage Band
Step 2: You will need to teach the
technique of live recording in garage
Create New Music Project
band to your choral students. I do this by
Save as: Your last name + the first name of the song
practicing in chorus on planned days. I
Create (There will be a time lapse here)
have signs in my room that designate the
steps so there is a visual cue as well as
Delete the keyboard
the verbal ones I give as I “talk” them
Go to Track
through it. I also have a hand-out avail-
Delete Track (The green grand piano track will go
able to those who want a closer look at
away)
what is going on. (See Fig. 1) Here are Go to Track
some helpful hints in this process:
New Track
Real instrument
Create
1. Everyone records at once
Close the sidebar by clicking the “I” at the bottom of the screen
with their laptops on their
laps. (tables or desks work if
Go to Control
Metronome click to turn off the metronome
you have them)
2. Talk them through it step by
Make sure your volume is on!
step the first time and allow
Make sure you have a blue track on the screen.
Get ready to hit the record button.
enough space to move
Hit the play button to stop recording.
around to help students who
Go to File
will need it. (I teach from Save As and make sure to choose desktop
the back so I see all the lap-
Replace
tops during instruction.)
Either set up a new file or exit out of Garage Band.
3. Establish a signal from the
You have 48 hours top drag an drop 2 files into the chorus folder on the
common space! Good luck!
students that indicates they
are ready to record. (I use a
thumbs up.)
4. Be prepared to handle the “tech” issues that have nothing to do with music! What will
you do if someone’s laptop won’t load garage band? What will you do if a laptop is not
charged? What will you do if they can’t find garage band on the dock? What will you do
if they forgot or do not have their laptop? (If these issues are student responsibilities such
as charging – they simply cannot record and must watch a neighbor. If they are “tech” re-
sponsibilities and I cannot solve them quickly or have another student help, I have the
student peer monitor as well.) Just be prepared. This will never go perfectly!
5. Be very clear about starting and stopping. Count in to hit record and make sure the stu-
dents know exactly where they are stopping in the music. Only record sections of music –
16 to 32 bars – or the files are too large to manage.
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