GarageBand Music Making Session

An iPad, iPhone, or tablet with GarageBand (free on Apple devices) or a similar app like BandLab (free, cross-platform)

Headphones (recommended for focus and better sound quality)

Optional: an external keyboard or MIDI controller for more natural playing

Open GarageBand or your chosen music app. Start a new project.

Begin with drums. Choose a drum machine or beat maker and select a pattern that appeals to your child. Adjust the beat until it sounds right.

Set the tempo — around 100 BPM is a comfortable middle ground. Explain that faster = more energetic, slower = more chill.

Add a bass line using the virtual keyboard or smart bass instrument. Even playing just the root notes of a simple chord pattern sounds great.

Layer in a melody using piano, guitar, or synth sounds. Experiment freely — there's an undo button for everything.

Arrange the sections: make an intro (drums only), a verse (drums + bass), a chorus (everything), and an ending.

Hit play and listen to the whole track through. Export it, name it, and celebrate — your child just produced music.

GarageBand's "Smart" instruments are designed for beginners — they only play notes that sound good together. This means your child can't really make a mistake, which is liberating.

Start with the drums because they establish the feel of the entire track. Everything else builds on that foundation.

Encourage experimentation. The beauty of digital music production is that everything is reversible. Try weird sounds, unexpected combinations, and happy accidents.

Save every project, even unfinished ones. Kids often want to return to tracks and add more later as their skills grow.

This is genuine music production — the same process (just simplified) that professional producers use. Many hit songs started in GarageBand.