Learning Opportunity at St Helens City Learning Centres

Learning Opportunity Title:

An Introduction to Garageband

Learning Opportunity Outline

No matter what your level of musical knowledge or experience GarageBand lets you unleash your musical creativity. Users can record, arrange and mix their music and share it with the world. GarageBand puts a complete recording studio with pro quality instruments and effects at the users fingertips.

At both our CLCs GarageBand is available for use on our dual-boot Apple Mac computers. It features a multi-track drag-and-drop interface (timeline) allowing users to place together different loops, recordings, or tracks. GarageBand makes it easy to arrange, mix, and add effects to your music. It has around 50 sampled instruments which can be played with use of an on-screen keyboard or a MIDI keyboard attached to the computer. There are also a thousand pre-recorded sampled loops integrated in the software for use in composition. It has the ability to record 8 tracks simultaneously and allows the user to edit the audio in musical notation form; adjusting pitch and timing of the recordings.

Learners can create music with a specific purpose and audience in mind based on a specific theme or genre. By experimenting with different genres they can listen critically to the way music creates an atmosphere or mood, and then explore how sounds can describe the moods. As a result they develop a better understanding of rhythm and pulse, dynamics and pitch to create their very own unique composition.

Once their composition is complete it can be shared with iTunes, burned to a CD, or added to a video project.

Who can take part in this opportunity?	This learning activity is suitable for 30 pupils. This is the maximum number of students permitted in the room in line with Health and Safety advice and also to and ensure adequate supervision.
When is this opportunity available?	Throughout the academic year 2008 – 2009 Book early to avoid disappointment.
Duration of the opportunity	This Opportunity takes a full day to complete.
Where will your class work?	St Helens City Learning Centre, Rainhill.
Expectations of the class teacher and preparations prior to your visit	It is important that the class teacher revise with the students music terms such as beat, tempo, rhythm, and timbre.
Expectations of the Class teacher whilst at the CLC	The class teacher and school support staff will be expected to support this learning opportunity for the duration of the lesson at the CLC. Providing the support for students whilst they engage in this practical activity is paramount in order that all of students receive the required level of support and guidance. The CLC encourages the class teacher to bring resources to the CLC in order to support the learning in these sessions.
How will CLC staff support this activity?	CLC staff will lead this Learning and Teaching Opportunity. All rooms booked will be made ready for your class.
Resources required	The CLC will supply the resources required for this Opportunity.
Refreshments	Schools need to ensure that pupils bring a packed lunch and drinks (water only) with them if the learning activity runs over lunch time.
Travel Costs	The CLC will contribute up to £45 towards the cost of travel that you book through a competitively priced coach company.

How to book:

Rainhill: 01744 678093 | Email: receptionrh@sthelens.org.uk