Beat Making with Swizz Beats

Question 1

0. Equipment and Prep

Answer 1

• iPads
• Headphones
• Beats Pill
• Lightning Digital AV Adapter
• Project Files
• Session Keynote
• Make sure facilitator iPad has project files and pre highlighted loops for examples

Question 2

1. Introduction (5)

Answer 2

1. Welcome
2. Co created by Swizz. Grammy winning producer/ DJ. Worked with Madonna, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Metallica.
3. Expectations:

• Learn about his creative process and experiment with some of his beat making techniques
• Find your vibe for the beat to build on
• Add a disruptive sound from Apple Loops
• Collaborate with another participant

Question 3

2. Inspiration (5)

Answer 3

1. We filmed three exclusive videos
2. Play “Intro Video” av.apple.com
3. What did you learn? What stood out?

Question 4

3. Find your Vibe (15)

Answer 4

1. Swizz Beat’s philosophy about beat making is that he makes music that shows emotions he’s currently feeling.
2. Keynote Questions and Answers
3. Switch to GarageBand and show project files. Swizz made these three custom beats as a starting point. They will pick their favorite.
4. Play Hip-hop beat and then adjust tempo from 92 to 102
5. “Notice how changing tempo alters the character or vibe of the song”
6. Show how to solo elements
7. Show how to split and rearrange clips.
8. Play the EDM beat followed by R&B
9. Give the group 10 minutes to pick their favorite beat and customize it with tempo, solo buttons and moving clips.

Question 5

4. Disruptive Sounds (20)

Answer 5

1. Remove headphones.
2. Remind participants that Swizz’s secret ingredient is adding a disruptive sound.
3. Explain what a loop is and show how to open the browser
4. Play a few disruptive sounds.
5. Show how to browse using filters
6. Show how to drag drop and place a clip into the song. Beginning to surprise the listener, middle to add anticipation, or end to add distinct finale.
7. Show keynote slide that details characteristics of disruptive sounds.
8. 10 minutes to explore disruptive sounds and at at least one that fits the vibe of their beat.

Question 6

5. Collaborate (30)

Answer 6

1. Headphones off, play “Middle Video”
2. “Collaboration allows you to explore new sounds and ideas while finding inspiration from others”
3. Set expectations

• listen to your partner’s beat
• discuss beats using the prompts
• add a loop to your partners beat

1. Show Keynote slide with prompts
2. Give 5 minutes to listen and discuss before adding a loop to partner’s beat.
3. Switch to GarageBand and show how descriptor categories are contrasting pairs
4. Select a descriptor that complements your partner’s beat and adds a bit of your own style
5. Take 5 minutes and find a loop from the results to add to your partner’s beat
6. Show and explain what you added to your partner’s beat
7. Demonstrate how to add filters to individual tracks
8. 15-20 minutes to add finishing touches, keeping all or portions of your partners addition
9. Walk around giving suggestions

Question 7

6. Celebration and Wrap-up (15)

Answer 7

1. Ask participants to share work
2. Show how to save and rename beat
3. Airdrop to facilitator iPad
4. Before each track:

• How would you describe the vibe of your beat?
• Tell us about the disruptive sound you selected. How did you arrange it?
• What was your favorite part about collaborating vs working alone?

1. Final outro video
2. Recommended sessions:
   
   • Notes and Chords with GarageBand
   • Drum Patterns with GarageBand
   • Building Your Song, Florence Welch
   • Music Walk: Creating Soundscapes