Exam Time in Garageband

Examination time can be dull with all the writing and formatting of papers.  My solution was to make it more enjoyable for the students and to test the listening side of the course more appropriately.  After all, music is about developing different listening skills and applying it practically.  I have included an example Year 10 Paper (on Jazz & The Romantic Era) and Audio Recording made in Garageband at the end of this post.

Solution:

1. Make and format the actual paper but include melodic/rhythmic dictation, interval recognition, identify the wrong notes in a played melody, identify the bass lines played etc (Because both recorded examples and audio examples that you play in via a keyboard can be included).

2. Open Garageband and create a new project making sure to add a new ‘real instruments track’ for the CD’s voice over.

3. Write a timeline script (which you can then alter for future exam CD’s) saying things like, “Yr 10 half yearly examination in Music.  You have 50 minutes to complete this exam. There are three sections…”

4.  Press record, and using the built in microphone (or external one), to record the instructions for each question.  You can then leave time for the students to answer and then give them a warning signal to start them on the next question/section.

I enjoy picking from Garagebands extensive loops library for the warning sounds.

5.  You can then play in (using the keyboard or a MIDI interface) intervals, musical examples, melodies/bass lines, or even add audio tracks for extended analyses.

Note:

Make sure you leave room for students to attempt each question and always check it before burning to CD.

The last thing to do is to select all, and share it to iTunes ready for burning to disc.

Now you walk into the exam, hand out the papers, put on the CD and their attention is totally focused on both writing and listening!  Not to mention they have fun in an examination!

If you would like an example download the Jazz & Romantic Era Exam:

Yr 10 Music Examination Paper (PDF Format)

Audio Recording Mixed from Garageband (Mp3 format)

Year 10 Exam Part One (30 mins)

Year 10 Exam Part Two (30 mins)