I love Garage Band. For the non-Mac users, Garage Band is an easy to use application where users choose pre-recorded background tracks or record their own instruments and vocals to create songs. While I've been a Mac user for four years now, I just started using Garage Band this past year.
I've enjoyed recording tunes that otherwise would only exist in my head unless I found someone who could transcribe the musical notes for me. Since I can't read and write music, but constantly have it playing in my head, Garage Band gives me a new way to express myself that I haven't had. I spend hours recording songs by using my voice to create background rhythms and sing the melody and harmony parts.
This last week was the first time I used the ready made tracks on Garage Band. The track library has pre-recorded instruments and styles that users put together to create songs. Blending the sounds of pianos, violins and an Indian tabla for the percussion, I was mesmerized. While I have a dream to be one of those people who can play a lot of instruments (namely guitar, piano, drums and bass--yeah I know I'm a little ambitious), I'll admit that I haven't been disciplined enough to get anywhere near that goal. So this moment of song creation using the Garage Band tracks was exhilarating. I suddenly had the power to create songs without having to play an instrument or getting anyone else involved in the process.
Even though I'm enjoying Garage Band, I wonder if I'm taking the easy way out in songwriting. Digital applications like Garage Band give ordinary people like me the chance to make and record music, but do they make it too easy? Do they give me the excuse to skip the creative process, since I don't have to write the musical notes or play any instruments?
What are your thoughts?
2 comments:
How interesting. I will have to try it... =)
I don't think it's a the easy way out. On the contrary, from using software like Reason, Acid Express & Cakewalk [yes, I'm a PC gal], I can tell you it can be far from easy! It would be great if you can take the time to learn an instrument [one at a time, my ambitious sister!], but with Garage Band you're at least able to take the first step in creating the music that's inside your head. I'd love to hear one of your tracks someday soon! :)
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