GarageBand
December 1, 2009
It’s fascinating that everyday people are able to develop various sounds and learn how to play famous songs by using GarageBand. People can utilize this program to record sounds, create Mash-ups and Podcasts, write music, and so much more. According to iLife, “What is GarageBand?”, Garageband transforms the Mac in to a full-featured recording studio. Less than one decade ago, this program had never been heard of. Today, just about everyone knows about GarageBand. Will this application cause adolescents to lose the desire to learn an instrument? Or will this program enhance adolescents’ musical education due to its accessibility and comprehensibility?
There is no question that adolescents will feel less inclined to learn an instrument because GarageBand is at the tip of their fingers. To most adolescents, GarageBand is more enjoyable because it accentuates the principles of New Media applications. Today, Americans are drawn to advanced technological devices, rather than traditional tools. One would agree that it is easier for adolescents in the United States to learn GarageBand instead of an instrument because they are already familiar with computers. GarageBand is exciting and can be easily comprehended by young Americans.
On a similar note, this application will broaden the education of adolescents. School districts across the nation are continuing to cut Art and Music programs. Now, students do not have to miss out on a music education because they can take basic lessons on how to play keyboard and guitar from GarageBand. In today’s day and age, anything is possible. A flimsy computer and its abundance of applications can turn someone in to the next rock star.
I don’t think that garage band will ever take over learning a real instrument. There is something so real, and sentimental about playing a tangible instrument. The power of making sound is at your fingertips, and you can feel it as you play. There is nothing more uplifting then learning how to play your own instrument, as you feel the sound waves and vibrations run through your body. The acoustics in the room and sound surrounding you does not compare to the sound coming from a small speaker on a laptop. With that being said, it is definitely easier to PLAY an instrument on a computer, but it is not the same, and I do not think that it will ever become obsolete. I do not feel that they will feel less inclined to learn a real instrument, because to learn how to play an instrument, you must get a feel for it and see how it works, you can not do that through a computer screen.
Something I never thought about was what you mentioned about garageband in schools. I think it is definitely a program worth teaching kids about. It allows for so much creativity. A child could singlehandedly learn about his or her musical talents just from this one program. Who knows, because of garageband, a child might find his or her strengths and become a star in the music industry. It really is an amazing tool and with our youth gravitating towards technological advancement, it is not unlikely that they will all become familiar with garageband.