Apple GarageBand Keyboard Shortcuts | Mac | Cheats

Apple’s GarageBand is a great tool for music composing. Since GarageBand is a free Mac utility, you can start creating your own audio masterpieces today, no matter your experience. That said, as GarageBand has become more powerful, the program has also become more complicated to use.

In order to get the most out of it, you must learn GarageBand’s keyboard shortcuts. If you’ve never used any of its keyboard shortcuts, it’s time to start learning them. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they can improve your productivity.

GarageBand Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac

Action Shortcut
General
Open a movie Command + Option + O
Create a new project Command + N
Open an existing project Command + O
Close the current window or project Command + W
Minimize the GarageBand window Command + M
Save the current project Command + S
Save as Command + Shift + S
Show GarageBand preferences Command + ,
Hide GarageBand Command + H
Quit GarageBand Command + Q
Help Command + ?
Start or stop playback Spacebar
Go to the end of the last region Option + Return
Move cycle area forward Command + Shift + .
Move cycle area back Command + Shift + ,
Move forward by visible width of the timeline End
Move back by visible width of the timeline Home
Timeline and Navigation
Go to beginning Return
Go to beginning and play Enter
Record R
Move playhead back one bar “,” (comma)
Move playhead forward one bar “.” (period)
Zoom in Command + Right arrow
Zoom out Command + Left arrow
Editors
Preview the selected audio (for Audio Editor) Option + Space
Transpose selected notes up one semitone (for Piano Roll & Score Editors) Option + Up arrow
Transpose selected notes down one semitone (for Piano Roll & Score Editors) Option + Down arrow
Transpose selected notes up one octave (for Piano Roll & Score Editors) Option + Shift + Up arrow
Transpose selected notes down one octave (for Piano Roll & Score Editors) Option + Shift + Down arrow
Editing and Arranging Tracks
Undo Command + Z
Redo Command + Shift + Z
Split region Command + T
Join selected regions Command + J
Cut Command + X
Copy Command + C
Paste Command + V
Delete Delete
Tracks
Create new track Command + Option + N
Create new audio track Command + Option + A
Delete selected track Command + Delete
Automation lanes toggle A
Mute/Unmute selected track M
Solo/Unsolo for selected track S
Create a new software instrument track Command + Option + S
Duplicate the selected track Command + D
Rename the selected track Shift + Return
Select the next higher track Up arrow
Select the next lower track Down arrow
Select the previous region on the selected track Left arrow
Select the next region on the selected track Right arrow
Global Tracks
Show/hide the Arrangement track Shift + Command + A
Show/hide the Movie track Shift + Command + O
Show/hide the Transposition track Shift + Command + X
Show/hide the Tempo track Shift + Command + T
Display Objects
Show or hide Smart Controls B
Show or hide the Score Editor N
Show or hide the Piano Roll Editor P
Show or hide the Loop Browser O
Show or hide the Library Y
Show or hide the Editor E
Show or hide the Media Browser F
Show or hide the Arrangement track Command + Shift + A
Show or hide the Movie track Command + Shift + O
Show or hide the Transposition track Command + Shift + X
Show or hide the Tempo track Command + Shift + T
Show or hide the Master track Command + Shift + M
Show or hide the NotePad Command + Option + P
Show or hide the Musical Typing window Command + K
Other Useful Shortcuts
Loop selected region continuously L
Rename the selected region Shift + N
Turn snap to grid on or off Command + G
Show or hide alignment guides Command + Option + G
Count-in toggle Shift + K
Transpose selected notes up one semitone Option + Up arrow
Transpose selected notes down one semitone Option + Down arrow
Transpose selected notes up one octave Option + Shift + Up arrow
Transpose selected notes down one octave Option + Shift + Down arrow
Print score notation Command + P
Loop browser 0
Cycle area toggle C
Metronome toggle K
Quick help Shift + /
Full screen Command + Control + F

Become a GarageBand Master

GarageBand is a wonderful music creation tool. It has become much more complex over the years, but it can still be a great tool for any musician. Plus, you’ll find that these keyboard shortcuts will improve your productivity and make producing music faster and more fun!

Happy learning!

1 Like