Chapter One: Exploring Rhythm
Now that you have the basic pitch to use, explore how to use them in your composition!
Make a new GarageBand file for this chapter (as seen in this video) and save it "Exploring Rhythm".
Listen to the two excerpts below and describe the rhythm and atmosphere in each.
No Written Rhythm - ad lib.
On the score, this starts from Letter E. The instructions say:
Any of these notes in a high register. Busy and bursting! Tiny melodic cells, pulsing textures, morse code, microtones etc. ad lib.
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ad lib. means freely, up to the performer.
In this bar, there is no written rhythm to follow - only notes, a time limit and some instructions (this is called aleotoricism). See if this works for you!
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Choose a mood/atmosphere to create.
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Choose one of your pitch combinations.
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Write instructions that will help the performers achieve your mood (should they play fast/short/exciting ideas or long/smooth/mellow phrases?).
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Record playing this into GarageBand.
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Listen back and save sections that you liked.
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Repeat this with a different mood/atmosphere.
Strange Rhythms
This is the start of the piece. The rhythms may look strange, but listen to when each instrument plays. Do they play/change notes at different times or together? Does it sound planned or random? Instead of writing out strange-looking rhythms:
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Choose a pitch combination.
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Use this sheet to draw how long each note should be held for. Like this,
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3. Record playing this into your GarageBand.
4. Listen back and save sections that you liked.
5. Repeat with a different pitch combination.
6. Compare the atmosphere created.
Now that you have explored the fun world of rhythm, choose which chapter to explore next!
Make sure you explore AT LEAST two chapters, then the epilogue.
Chapter One: Exploring Rhythm