Better Note Copying

Here's an easy way to compose music with an important hint: 
      You can't just "copy and paste" music notes and 
sound professional.  You must adjust the volume of EACH note to match the accent  it should have, depending on its place within a measure.  

 Easy composition method:  

1.   First play any MIDI instrument using the controller keyboard.  GarageBand calls MIDI instruments "Software Instrument",  as opposed to "Real Instrument" like guitar you play into the system.
2.  Pull up the Score panel and listen to your recording.  Adjust any existing notes if needed. See earlier blogs about fixing muddy sounds (adjust note length in Piano Roll panel) and trills, for example.
3.  Quantize (make the notes land exactly on their correct beat);  See earlier blogs for easy hints.

4.  Start copying and pasting and adjusting on the music staff to create added music notes you like. 
THIS IS  FUN  TO KNOW!!! --
Knowing the scale, or the notes in a specific chord, can provide a guideline, but I've found that "breaking the rules" creates some fascinating music lines!  The key is the end of the above sentence -- paste notes and move them to the place on the score line where you like the sound!
5.  AS  YOU  COPY-AND-PASTE NOTES   you need to watch and adjust the following things about "velocity" (loudness of the note).  WHY?  Because you are ALSO copying the characteristics (attributes) of that note, including LENGTH (earlier blogs) and LOUDNESS (velocity).

A.  Be sure the note's velocity is approximately the same as notes around it, like 65 if other notes are in the 60s. 
B.  If it is the first count in a measure (first note usually), it needs to be a somewhat louder than the next notes for "accent on count 1."
C.  If this note is the 3rd count in a 4/4 time measure, it needs to be a bit louder than the 4th count (but not as much as count 1 usually, depending on the feel you're going for).
D.  Hint 5C fits for the 4th count in a 6/8 measure.
QUICK ACCENT CHART:  (drum books explain more)
3/4 TIME =   LOUD  SOFT  SOFT
6/8 TIME =   LOUD  SOFT  SOFT  MEDIUM  SOFT  SOFT
4/4 TIME =   LOUD  SOFT  MEDIUM  SOFT

The less common time signatures -- also fun to play with, though!
2/2  TIME =  LOUD  MEDIUM -- sometimes even played so every note is pounding
7/8  TIME =  LOUD  SOFT  SOFT  MEDIUM  SOFT  SOFT  SOFT
            This is a combo of 3/4 and 4/4;  you can shift the other way by making MEDIUM later.
5/4  TIME =  LOUD  SOFT  SOFT  MEDIUM  SOFT

Much joy to you experimenting with composing music right into your computer without playing every note on a controller-keyboard!
©2012 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved