First attempt at creating a BT to noodle over in Garageband

[Profusia]

I decided to try to see what this Garageband program that comes with Macs can do, so I went to bed with my mac last night (sad I know) and watched some tutorials I found online. Enthused I then had a late night trying to use its inbuilt sound loops to create a backing track. Never done anything like that before so it was interesting and the result is naive and basic but nonetheless I was pleased with what was achievable so quickly. Had a go noodling over it tonight, and after numerous attempts settled on this final take...

https://soundcloud.com/profusia2%2Ffirst-loops-improv

View: https://soundcloud.com/profusia2/first-loops-improv


Not holding this up as being any good but more as an example of what can be done very quickly with Garageband by a complete newcomer to it (my only previous limited experience of anything remotely similar being Audacity on PC, and iRealB on my phone which isn't really similar at all). I've no idea if there is any harmonic progression going on - I couldn't find any way to control or even influence that (as of yet) - if there is any it will no doubt be pretty fundamental.

Not looking for feedback particularly but always happy to be advised where and how to improve whether it be on the backing track side or the sax noodling. My next step is to get Band In A Box so as to be able to put together proper chord progressions etc., just got to decide which version (i.e. how much to spend) and whether or not to wait for the next release or rush in now.

 

[Wade Cornell]

Keep this! It's your benchmark and in the future you'll hear that it contains the seeds of where you're going. The crystal ball says there is a bright future for you.

 

[Marcello]

As I mentioned in another post I tend to give a go an listen (at least the beginning) of everything people post here....
Well, your attempt caught my attention and I listened to it through the end.... TWICE...!
I understand you are not seeking for feedback but here is one.... it sounds very nice...!
And as I like to mention, this is the opinion of a person that can't identify chord progression and deep musical stuff...

Cheers!

 

[Profusia]

Wade, Marcello, thanks very much for taking the time to listen and for the kind feedback. Not counting too much on the future having taken this up as a late starter but I'll enjoy improving as much as I possibly can.

And as I like to mention, this is the opinion of a person that can't identify chord progression and deep musical stuff...

Its largely people with less musical understanding than you (and I) that pack out auditoriums so being able to please them has to be the goal. And thank goodness for that 🙂

 

[Sue]

Hey Thomas that's fantastic for a first bt for a noodle. You sound really comfortable doing this and you've got a lovely tone. Keep doing what you're doing - leaps and bounds is what you're doing man 🙂

 

[Profusia]

Hey Thomas that's fantastic for a first bt for a noodle. You sound really comfortable doing this and you've got a lovely tone. Keep doing what you're doing - leaps and bounds is what you're doing man 🙂

Thanks very much Sue - very kind.

 

[B Flat]

Well you managed a lot better than I have with Garage band.
I have the basic 2012 BIAB package that I use for backing tracks.
It allows you to produce reasonable tracks to play along to or practice with but there not super good quality.
I do however use Garage Band to record/mix tracks and find it very easy to use in this respect.
Chris K would probably be able to suggest which BIAB package would best suit your needs.
Your noodling sounds good, and it sounds like your enjoying it.
Well done.
Nick.

 

[Di in France]

I think it's great for a first attempt. Again, lots of ideas and great tone.
I keep meaning to have a go at a backing track with BIAB, but when I open it up, it just looks too complicated! I don't think I've got the patience! 🙁

 

[Profusia]

Thanks very much Nick and Di both for the listen and the feedback. I love the fact that so many people are prepared to give their time to listen to fledgling efforts and to feedback some encouragement.

 

[Clivey]

Thanks very much Nick and Di both for the listen and the feedback. I love the fact that so many people are prepared to give their time to listen to fledgling efforts and to feedback some encouragement.

Nice start into the world of producing. You better be careful you don`t get hooked . Nah. seriouly great stuff and great excercise in improvisation too.:welldone

 

[B Flat]

I think it's great for a first attempt. Again, lots of ideas and great tone.
I keep meaning to have a go at a backing track with BIAB, but when I open it up, it just looks too complicated! I don't think I've got the patience! 🙁

Hello Di.
BIAB is a little confusing at first, but you can get something basic up within minutes just by typing in the changes and chosing one of the styles.
I still struggle to get a decent ending though.
Usually I just try to fade the last few bars out when I record to cover the crappy endings.
The BIAB help tab isn't very helpfull.

 

[Chris]

Thomas, the world of music production can become vey addictive vey quickly haha. Really nice first attempt, the "noodling" fitted in vey well. As for BiaB if you are in no rush then I would wait for the 2014 version to come out in Dec. I know there is a 2013.5 due out soon, but I'd wait. As for package work out what music you want to play and then go for the basic package with those Realtracks, or if you like a wide range of music go for the full monty, that way you can mix and match RT's and create anything you want..

 

[Profusia]

Clivey Chris, thanks both very much. Believe me I'd love to give up work and dive in to music, playing, composing, arranging and producing. It would be a hell of a learning curve though. Meanwhile I'll have to be satisfied with plodding along slowly and fiddling with trying to learn bits when I can. I wanted to get BIAB in time to try to put some better backing tracks together for the upcoming "wedding gig" than the ones I have from iRealB. I think I may be cutting it too fine now though.