How to Roll your own beat

Add some bass

Rather than have GarageBand dictate your beat, make your own. Select New Pattern from the Patterns panel. In the bass drum’s track (pink), tap in the first spot of every beat. That is the foundation of many a rhythm.

Beef up the rhythm

“Thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk” is dull, so tap the second spot in the first bass beat, too. In the yellow tracks (snare and clap), select every second beat. To add interest, tap the second spot in the third beat for the clap.

Use more sounds

The remaining tracks are for percussive sounds. Experiment with them. Stick to the first and third spots in each beat for a regular rhythm, or go more freestyle for something looser. When done, remember to record.