Within fifteen minutes I had created a multi-layered track with guitar, bass, organ, and drum parts. Garageband’s Smart Instruments eliminate the learning curve usually required to make pleasant sounds: once I set my song in D major, the smart guitar transforms into eight complimentary chords, which I can play by touching the chord name, strumming the strings, or choosing one of four autoplay styles. The introduction of “smart” instruments and the tactile nature of the iPad make the difference, I think.
But never have I had the fun I had in the hours I spent playing with the new $5 GarageBand for iPad. Over the years, I’ve noodled around a little bit in the musical corners of GarageBand on the Mac. I can play the piano a little bit, and I can sight-read music a little bit, but my musical education ended when I was in my early teens.
Let’s get this clear: I’m not a musician.
