Write Your First Song
Play a Chord Progression
Explore the Keyboard Touch Instrument in GarageBand to play a chord progression — or sequence of chords — used in many popular songs.
Estimated time to complete this tutorial:
15 mins
Explore the Keyboard Touch Instrument in GarageBand to play a chord progression — or sequence of chords — used in many popular songs.
Estimated time to complete this tutorial:
15 mins
Learn how to play chords, bass notes and comping patterns with the Smart Piano.
Step 1
Tap Tracks .
Step 2
Tap Go to Beginning in the control bar. This moves the playhead to the start of the ruler.
Tip
Double-tap the position on the ruler where you want to start playback. The playhead moves to the position and playback starts.
Step 3
Tap Browser .
Step 4
Swipe to Keyboard.
Step 5
Tap Smart Piano to open a chord strip view of the keyboard.
Step 6
Tap one of the three grey portions of the C chord strip to play a bass note.
Step 7
Tap one of the five white segments of the C chord strip to play chords.
Tip
Try tapping different parts of the C chord strip to create higher and lower sounds.
Step 8
Drag the Sustain control to the right to hold the notes for longer.
C ‑ G ‑ Am ‑ F (also called the 1564 progression) is one of the most commonly used chord progressions in popular music.
Step 1
Tap Grand Piano.
Step 2
Scroll through the list of Keyboard sounds and look for Whirly.
Step 3
Tap Whirly.
Step 4
Tap Done.
Tip
You can download additional Keyboard soundsfrom the Sound Library.
Step 5
On the C chord strip, use two fingers to tap the lowest grey segment and the lowest white segment at the same time.
Step 6
Now tap the same segments on the G chord strip.
Step 7
Next, tap the same segments on the Am chord strip.
Step 8
Tap the same segments on the F chord strip to complete the progression.
Step 9
Tap the ruler to move the playhead to measure 7.
Tip
Starting the drums a few measures early as an intro will help establish the beat.
Step 10
Before you practise the chord progression, review these steps:
Tip
Listen to the drums and focus on your timing. Try tapping your foot to the beat as you play each chord.
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