Using GarageBand on iPad with the Children I Teach
GarageBand on the iPad is more than just an app; it’s the digital studio that has completely transformed the way the children I teach engage with music composition and performance. Click here to I see my GarageBand iPad Lesson Plans if you want to find out more.
By putting this powerful tool directly into their hands, I’ve seen confidence and their window of tolerance increase. Critically, it has helped me introduce them to a diverse range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, pop, rock, and folk music.
Why I Choose GarageBand on iPad for My Pupils
As a teacher, the benefits I’ve seen firsthand confirm that the iPad is the perfect platform for music education:
It Breaks Down Barriers
I teach children with varied musical backgrounds, and the Smart Instruments feature has been invaluable. It allows every child to tap on the screen and instantly create a chord progression that sounds professional and harmonically correct. This immediate success removes frustration and focuses their energy on listening and making creative choices.
Genre Exploration Made Easy
I’ve been using the app to introduce distinct musical characteristics. We use the Drummer feature to create different beats – a heavy beat for rock, a complex groove for jazz. We then use the instrument library to select a clean, acoustic sound for folk music or a lush string section for classical arrangements. The children immediately grasp the core differences in timbre and rhythm that define each style.
It’s Highly Intuitive
I’ve found that the children quickly understand how to layer tracks, record their voices using the Audio Recorder, and arrange sections using Live Loops. The focus remains on making music, not mastering complicated software.
It’s a Powerful, Free Resource
For a teacher, having a fully-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) like this available for free on our school iPads is incredibly cost-effective. It means I can provide a high-quality music experience without needing a dedicated, expensive music suite.
How I Use GarageBand to Teach Different Genres
I use GarageBand to teach pupils in the SEMH Provision that I run. These GarageBand lessons of course teach music, which I discuss in more detail below, but these iPad lesson also teach the learners learners to engage with learning, follow instructions, build self confidence and increase their window of tolerance.
Here are some of the practical ways I integrate different genres using the tools available in GarageBand on iPad:
| Genre Taught | GarageBand Tool Used | What the Children Learn |
| Rock/Pop | Drummer and Smart Guitar | We explore strong, clear rhythms (backbeat) and learn about the structure of a four-chord pop song using the simplified chord strips. |
| Classical | Smart Keyboard(Strings/Orchestra Sounds) | We focus on melody and harmony. We use the Autoplay feature to create flowing arpeggios, discussing how different orchestral sounds create a formal or dramatic mood. |
| Jazz | Drummer (Jazz Kit) and Smart Bass | We concentrate on syncopation and improvisation. The children record short, simple melody ideas over a repeating swing beat, learning the importance of rhythmic complexity. |
| Folk Music | Smart Guitar (Acoustic sounds) and Audio Recorder | The focus is on acoustic timbre and simple structures. The children record their own voices or simple acoustic instruments to create an authentic feel. |
Next steps
If you haven’t yet tried teaching music production with GarageBand on the iPad, I highly recommend it. It’s truly a game-changer for musical engagement and for bringing the diverse world of music into the classroom
Just start…
If you have iPads in your school or at home, the GarageBand app is free, so open it up and just start making music!
GarageBand iPad Lesson Plans
If you are looking for more structure and guidance, my GarageBand iPad Lesson Plans my be of use if you want to find out more. This lesson plans will take you through an introduction to GarageBand on the iPad, then making songs in different genres, including classical, jazz, pop, rock and folk, plus even more types of music coming soon!
Mr Vullo - Alternative Education 