Materials: 2 iPads, 2 pairs of headphones, and 1 splitter
Note: One iPad is for following these instructions and the other is for using GarageBand

Purpose: To develop an understanding of how fractions are applied to music.

Acitivty: Partner up with someone at your table. Use the splitter and plug in to one iPad. You will take turns completing each step of the activity. One iPad is for following these instructions and the other is for using GarageBand.

Open the GarageBand app on your iPad. Click "My Songs" at the top left if you are already in a project. Click the "+" at the top left of the screen and select "Create New Song." Select "Tracks" at the top middle. Slide left and right, find the drums option, and select "Acoustic Drums." Make sure your volume is up and put on headphones. Click the question mark at the top right to show all the different components of the drum kit. Click on the wrench symbol at the top right and set the tempo to 80 bpm (beats per minute). Hit the play button at the top middle and you will hear the metronome click. The purpose of the metronome is to assist you with your timing. You will hear one loud tick followed by three softer ticks. Each tick from the group of four represents a quarter 1/4 note. So four ticks together makes one 1 whole note. Now get comfortable with each goal and show Mr. H that you can do what the goal asks before moving on to the next. Click the question mark at the top right to see all the parts of the drum kit. In this activity, you will be using the Bass Drum, Snare Drum, and Closed Hi-Hat.

When you have accomplished Goal 4, let Mr. H know. You will perform Goal 4 for him live. Once you have demonstrated that you can play a basic beat, you can explore the GarageBand app.

Goal 1: Tap with your left index finger the Closed Hi-Hat at the middle left of the drum kit for every tick. Get the tick and tap of the Hi-Hat to sync. As you tap along with the ticks count “1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4.”

Goal 2: Now you will use your right index finger. On the first tick (the louder tick) tap the Bass Drum. On the second and fourth ticks hit the Snare Drum. As you tap along with the ticks count “1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4.” only hitting the Bass Drum on the 1 and the Snare Drum on the 2 and 4.

Goal 3: So far you have been working with quarter 1/4 notes. Now you will work with eighth 1/8 notes. This may be a little tricky at first. For every tick tap with your left index finger the Closed Hi-Hat and tap the Closed Hi-Hat between ticks. Each tap should be evenly spaced. As you tap along you will now count in a different way for eighth 1/8 notes. You will count “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &.” The whole numbers should align with the ticks and the “&” will go between the ticks.

Goal 4 (Bring It All Together): With your left finger tap eighth 1/8 notes on the Closed Hi-Hat. With the right finger, tap the bass drum on the first beat (tick) and the snare drum on the second and fourth beat. You are now playing the drums. You know how to play one of the most basic drum beats using three parts of a drum kit.

Explore the App: Now you can compose your own song. Press the red circle at the top middle to record the drum beat you mastered in goal 4. You can tap on the track and delete it if your timing was off and try again. Ask Mr. H for help to establish a drum loop. After you have established a solid drum beat foundation you can explore the use of other instruments. Try the piano or guitar to start. Have fun!