Often times, people want to try beatboxing and S&B. Both of these things seem difficult to do. However, beatboxing is actually not that different from human speech. You just have to start developing a sense of rhythm and emphasize the pronunciation of certain letters and vowel sounds until you can speak beatbox language. You'll start with basic sounds and rhythms, then progress to more difficult patterns as you get better at it.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Basic Beatbox Techniques
Step 1. Understand how many voices you can master
To get started, you'll need to master three basic beatbox sounds: classic kick drum {b}, hi-hat {t}, and classic snare drum {p} or {pf}. Practice combining these sounds into an 8-beat beat like this: { b t pf t / b t pf t } or { b t pf t / b b pf t }. Make sure your timing is correct. Start slowly and then increase the speed.
Step 2. Practice the classic kick drum {b} sound
The easiest way to produce a classic kick drum sound is to say the letter “b”. To make the sound louder and more real, you should perform lip oscillations. This means you're blowing and vibrating the air through your cleft lip - like when you want to make fun of someone. Once you can do this, do the oscillations.
- Make a b sound the same as if you said b from the word bonus.
- This time, with your lips closed, let the pressure increase.
- You should control the lip vibrations to stop after a while.
Step 3. Next, try imitating the hi-hat {t}
Make a simple “ts” sound but teeth are closed or slightly closed. Move the tip of your tongue forward behind your front teeth for a thin hat sound and the traditional t position for a heavy hat sound.
Breathe in longer to make the sound of the hat opening
Step 4. Try producing hi-hat sounds in succession or continuously increasing
You can also do this by making a "tktktktk" sound, using the center of the back of your tongue to make a "k" sound. You can make a hi-hat opening sound by exhaling as you sound “ts”, making it sound more like a “tssss.” This trick will produce a more realistic open sound. Another way to produce a real hi-hat sound is to make a “ts” sound when the teeth are in tight position.
Step 5. Try the classic {p} snare drum sound
The easiest way to make a classic snare sound is to say the letter “p”. However, the regular 'p' sound is too low. To make it louder, you can do a few things: the first is to oscillate the lips. This means that you are expelling air from your mouth, causing your lips to vibrate. Alternatively, you can exhale as you produce the [ph] sound at the same time.
- To make the 'p' sound more interesting and sound more like a snare, most beatboxers add a second (continuous) sigh to the initial 'p' sound: pf ps psh bk.
- The {pf} variation is similar to the bass drum, except that you use the front of the lips instead of the sides, and tighten the lips.
- Pull your lips so that they are slightly hidden, as if you have no teeth.
- Add a little air pressure behind the hidden lips.
- Swing your lips outwards (not real swings). Before your lips return to their original (non-hidden) position, exhale while making a 'p' sound.
- As soon as you exhale while making a 'p' sound, bring your lips and lower teeth together to make a "fff" sound.
Part 2 of 5: Intermediate Beatbox Techniques
Step 1. Practice until you are ready to learn intermediate techniques
Once you've mastered the three basic beatbox sounds, you can move on to advanced techniques. This technique may be a little more difficult, but you can still master it with a lot of practice.
Step 2. Improve your bass drum sound to make it sound better
You can do this by bringing your upper and lower lips together while gathering pressure with your tongue and jaw. Push the tongue forward from the back of the mouth and close the open jaw at the same time. Leave your tongue slightly open to let the air out, and you will produce a bass drum sound. Use your lungs to add air pressure, but don't overdo it so that your voice sounds like the wind.
- If your bass isn't strong enough, loosen your lips a little. If the sound you produce doesn't sound like bass at all, tighten your lips or make sure you do it on the sides of your lips.
- Another approach is to say "puh". Then, remove the "uh" element so that what you hear is the initial stress on the word. This will cause a light pressing sound. Try your best to keep the "uh" sound out of the way at all, and make sure there's no air or breath when you say it.
- Once you get used to it, slightly purse your lips to force the air through, for a louder bass drum sound.
Step 3. Learn other ways to make a snare sound
Keep your tongue behind your mouth and increase the pressure by using it or your lungs. Use your tongue if you want speed, or use your lungs if you want to breathe at once.
Try saying "pff," while making sure the "f" stops for a millisecond or after the "p." Lift the corners of your mouth and hold your lips very close together when you pronounce the "p" consonant. This will help produce a more realistic sound. You can also use the same technique to replace the real pitch pattern of the snare
Step 4. Add the sound of the snare drum machine to the mix
First, say "ish". Then, try saying "ish" without adding "sh" at the end - say it with only the initial emphasis. Follow a staccato (short) tempo, and make a snoring sound from your throat. Make a little effort when you say it so that it sounds strong and accented.
Once you've done that, add an "sh" at the end of the sound and you'll have a dummy sound that looks like a snare. You can also snore while moving your throat to make the sound appear to be coming from above and produce a higher drum sound. On the other hand, when the sound comes from the lower part of your throat, your drum sound will be lower
Step 5. Add the spit snare sound
This sound is mostly used in trap beats because of its very crisp and fast characteristics. You can also mumble at the same time as the spit snare to enrich the musicality of your performance. Even so, this sound may be a little difficult to learn. So be patient.
- There are three variations of the spit snare: the upper lip, the middle lip, and the lower lip. The sound isn't much different, and it's made in almost exactly the same way. However, some people find it easier to create a spit snare sound with other variations. Try to find out which variation suits you best.
- To do the upper and lower lip spit snare variation, you'll need to fill your upper or lower lip with air (depending on the variation you choose). After that, slowly push the air out. Once you've done that, push the air out quickly, that's the spit snare.
Step 6. Don't forget the crash cymbals
This cymbal sound is one of the easiest sounds to make. Whisper (don't say) the "chish" syllable. Repeat again, but this time clench your teeth and let the vocals out, rolling from "ch" to "sh" with little/no switching, and you'll have the standard cymbal hitting sound.
Step 7. Make a reverse cymbal sound
Place the tip of your tongue so that it touches the point where your upper teeth meet your gums. Inhale hard through your mouth while making sure your lips are only 1 inch apart. Notice how the air blows past the teeth and tongue and makes a low hissing sound. Then, take another deep breath, and this time keep your mouth shut as you do so. You will feel a sudden tug without making a sound.
Step 8. Don't forget to breathe
There are many beatboxers who pass out because they forget that their lungs need oxygen. Start practicing by aligning your breath with the beat. With practice, you will eventually have a large lung capacity.
- The intermediate technique here is done by breathing while voicing the snare using the tongue. This technique is considered an intermediate technique because it requires the least lung capacity. An expert beatboxer will practice breathing slowly while producing each beatbox sound separately (see the previous step), so that he can separate the breath from the rhythm of the song, as well as produce several types of bass, snare, and hi-hat sounds to continue music without pause.
- Alternatively, you can vocalize many of the sounds that can be made while inhaling, such as variations on snare sounds and clapping.
Step 9. Develop your inward sound technique
One of the things that usually makes people confused is how beatboxers can sing beatbox for a long time without breathing. The answer is to speak and breathe at the same time! This is called the inward sound. This technique is important because some of the best sounds are made using it.
There are many ways to produce inward sound. Almost any sound that can be produced the usual/outward way can also be produced using the inward technique - although you may have to practice doing this
Step 10. Hold the microphone properly
Microphone technique is very important if you want to perform or just want to increase the volume of the sound your mouth makes. There are many different microphone holding techniques. While you can hold it in the usual way you would when singing, some beatboxers prefer to hold the microphone between the middle and ring fingers and then hold it with the first two fingers on the top of the circle, and the thumb on the bottom. They think this results in a sharper and clearer sound.
- Avoid exhaling into the microphone while you beatbox.
- Many beatboxers perform poorly because they hold the microphone incorrectly, thereby failing to maximize the power and clarity of the sound they produce.
Part 3 of 5: Advanced Beatbox Techniques
Step 1. Continue practicing until you are ready to perform advanced techniques
Once you've mastered the basic and intermediate skills, it's time to learn some advanced techniques. Don't worry if you have trouble doing it. You will eventually master all of these techniques if you practice diligently.
Step 2. Develop the sweeping bass drum (X) sound
This sound is used to replace the sound of the bass drum. The length is about 1/2-1 tap. To produce a sweeping bass drum sound, start in the same way you would a bass drum sound. Then, relax your lips so they vibrate as the air passes through them. After that, touch the tip of your tongue to the inside of the gums of your lower teeth and push to do this technique.
Step 3. Practice the techno bass (U) technique
This technique is done by producing a "uf" sound, as if you've just been hit in the stomach. Do this while keeping your mouth closed. You will be able to feel the sensation in your chest.
Step 4. Add the techno snare (G) sound
This sound is produced in the same way as a techno bass, but adjust the position of the mouth as if you wanted to produce a "shh" sound. You'll still get some bass to cover it up.
Step 5. Don't forget the basic scratching technique
This technique is done by reversing the airflow in all the previous techniques. This often misunderstood technique involves moving your lips and tongue, depending on the instrument you're going to use to "scratch." To understand it better, record yourself singing a beat. Then, using a music program like Windows Sound Recorder, listen in reverse.
- Learning the emulation of the reversed sounds means that you have doubled your technical knowledge. Try generating the sound and reversing it immediately (example: a bass sound followed immediately by its reverse to produce a standard "scratch" sound).
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Crab scratch:
- Raise your thumb. Open your hand and point your fingers 90 degrees to the left.
- Tighten your lips. Place your hand on your lips with your lips pointing towards the opening in your thumb.
- Inhale. You will produce warp sound like a DJ.
Step 6. Practice jazz music brush techniques
Breathe slowly through your mouth while trying to maintain the pronunciation of the letter "f". By blowing a little harder on beats 2 and 4, you'll get the accent.
Step 7. Add rimshot
Whisper the word "kaw," then do it again without the "aw" part. Say the "k" a little stronger and you've done a rimshot.
Step 8. Use tongue bass
Tongue basses can be used in many appearances and are easy to learn. One way to learn it is to roll up the 'rs' sound. Once you've mastered it, add pressure to create the sound.
Another way to learn is by placing your tongue directly on the roof of your mouth and then breathing. There are many variations on this technique, such as the dental bass which is a type of tongue bass, but is performed by placing the tongue directly against the teeth
Step 9. Add a click roll (kkkk)
This technique is very difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, you can use it whenever you want. To start, position your tongue so that the right side (or left, depending on your taste), rests exactly where the teeth and upper gums meet. Then, pull the back of the tongue toward the back of the throat to produce a click roll sound.
Step 10. Practice muttering the melody and beatboxing at the same time
This technique isn't as difficult as singing, but once you're just starting out, it's easy to make mistakes. To start with, realize that there are two ways to mumble: one is from the throat (by saying "ahh"), and the other is through the nose ("mmmmmm"). The one from the nose is more difficult but much more versatile.
- The key to mumbling and beatboxing at the same time is to start doing it using a melody that you're good at. Listen to the hooks of rap music, whether muttered or not (for example, listen to Parliament Funkadelic's Flashlight and practice muttering the melody. Once you've mastered the notes, beatbox; you can also listen to music by James Brown).
- Search your music collection for melodies that can be beatboxed, then use your own or someone else's beats while muttering those melodies. Learning to mumble a melody is useful for many reasons, especially if you want to start learning to sing. This area is the beatbox section that requires creativity!
- If you've ever tried beatboxing while mumbling, you're probably aware that you're missing out on some beat technique skills (for example, techno bass and techno snare are limited; so is click roll). These techniques will become almost impossible to use. If you are an expert, even his voice will be very difficult to hear. Learning the right way takes time and practice.
- If you want to beatbox, don't forget: while endurance and speed are important, using new and interesting melodies will also attract the attention of the audience.
Step 11. You also need to practice inward mumbling
This is an expert technique that is not often used in the beatbox world. There are several learning resources to help you sing/mumble inward. The inward mutter is perfect when you need to breathe hard while beatingboxing. You can always continue muttering the same melody, but the pitch will change drastically.
With practice, you can correct this pitch change to some degree, but many beatboxers who use inward humming decide to change the melody when they replace outward hum with inward mumble
Step 12. You can also add a trumpet sound as a variation
Mutter in falsetto (high pitch - like Mickey Mouse voice). Then, lift the back of the tongue to sharpen and tone down the sound. Add a limp lip oscillation (as in the classic kick drum) in front of each note. Then, close your eyes, enjoy, and imagine that you are Louis Armstrong!
Step 13. Practice singing and beatboxing at the same time
The key is to align consonants with bass and vowel sounds, with snare. No need to add hi-hats, because even the best beatboxers have a hard time doing it.
Step 14. Another advanced variation is to create a warped dubstep sweep
This sound is known as a throat bass. Start by trying to get phlegm out of your throat or growl like an animal. The resulting sound will sound harsh. So, adjust the back of your mouth until you've managed to create a steady tone. Once you've done this, make a sweeping sound by sliding your mouth so that it changes the color of the note while maintaining the pitch itself.
- You can change the pitch by changing the vibrations in different areas of your throat. The two variations are vocal bassline and vibration bass. Vocal basslines are performed using your throat bass and your own voice separately. The harmony between the two voices can create layers for you to sing and beatbox at the same time.
- Warning: doing this technique for a long time can cause temporary inflation. Remember to drink lots of water.
Part 4 of 5: Singing While Beatboxing
Step 1. Just do it
Singing while beatboxing may seem impossible (especially before you learn it). However, it's actually quite easy to do. Here's a sample to help you practice. You can use this standard technique and adapt it for any song.
(b)if your (pff)mother (b)(b)on(b)(pff)ly knew(b)knew(pff) ("If Your Mother Only Knew" by Rahzel)
Step 2. Listen to various songs
Listen to the song you want to sing while beatboxing a few times until you master the beat. In the example above, the beats are marked in brackets.
Step 3. Sing the tune a few times with the words
This will be useful to help you master the song.
Step 4. Try putting beats on the lyrics
Most songs will use beats in front of words. In this example:
- "If" - Since the "if" in our example starts with a vowel, you can easily insert a bass sound before it, as if you were saying "bif". However, make sure the "b" isn't too strong. If needed, separate the beats from the words when you first start.
- "Mother" - The word "mother" begins with a consonant. In that case, you can remove the "m" and replace it with the word "pff" because the two words sound similar when they are pronounced together quickly. Alternatively, you can adjust the word so that the beat plays first, then the lyrics are spoken with a slight delay. If you choose the first method, you will sing the word "pffother". Pay attention to your upper teeth touching your lower lip. This action produces a sound like the letter m. If you can manipulate it, the sound will be much better.
- "On" - For a double beat of the "on" words, you can mutter the pitch like this: "b-b-on," then immediately say the "b pff-ly knew" part, while still muttering. On the word "on," the sound may be muddled if you hit the second bass. To combat this, mumble through your nose. You can do this by pushing the back of your tongue closed and touching the roof of your mouth. Your mutter will now come out of your nose and not be interrupted by what you are doing with your mouth.
- "Knew" - The word "knew" echoes and slows down.
Step 5. Adapt this skill
These steps can be used for any rhythmic song. Keep practicing with different songs and you'll soon be able to do ad-libs more easily.
Part 5 of 5: Patterns
Modified Drum Tabs
The first line is for the snare sound. This sound can be produced from the tongue, lips, or other parts of the mouth. The second line is for the hi-hat sound, and the third line represents the bass. The last line can be added for various sounds, which will be listed in the tabulation below and used only for the pattern in question. Here's an example:
S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---| H |--T-|--T-|--T-|--T-||----|---|----|----| B |B---|----|B---|----||B---|---|B---|----| V |----|---|----|----||--W-|--W-|--W-|--W-| W = Pronounced "What?"
Beats are separated by single lines, while bars are separated by double lines. Here are the key symbols:
Bass
- JB = Bumskid bass drum
- B = Strong bass drum (strong)
- b = Soft bass drum (soft)
- X = Sweeping bass drum
- U = Techno bass drum
Snare
- K = Tongue snare (without lungs)
- C = Tongue snare (with lungs)
- P = Pff/lip snare
- G = Techno snare
Hi-Hat
- T = "Ts" snare
- S = "Tssss" open snare
- t = front of successive hi-hats
- k = back of successive hi-hats
Other
Kkkk = Click roll
Basic Rhythm
This is the basic rhythm. All beginners should start here and learn gradually.
S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---| H |--T-|--T-|--T-|--T-||--T-|--T-|--T-|--T-| B |B---|----|B---|----||B---|---|B---|----|
Double Hi-Hat
These tapping sounds are cool and are a good exercise to speed up your hi-hat sounds without making them come in succession.
S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---| H |--TT|--TT|--TT|--TT||--TT|--TT|--TT|--TT| B |B---|----|B---|----||B---|---|B---|----|
Modified Double Hi-Hat
This is a more advanced rhythm, which should only be tried if you are perfect at the Double Hi-hat pattern. This rhythm replaces the rhythm on the Double Hi-hat pattern to make it sound more interesting.
S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---| H |--ST|----|ST--|--TT||--TT|----|TT--|--TT| B |B---|--B-|--B-|----||B---|--B-|--B-|-B--|
Expert Rhythm
This is a very difficult rhythm. Try this rhythm only when you have mastered the above patterns as well as the successive hi-hat sound (tktktk).
S |----|K---|----|K---||----|K---|----|K---| H |-tk-|-tk-|tk-t|-tkt||-tk-|-tk-|tkSS|--tk| B |B--b|---B|--B-|----||B--b|---B|--B-|----|
Techno Rhythm
S |----|G---|----|G---||----|G---|----|G---| H |--tk|--tk|--tk|--tk||--tk|--tk|--tk|--tk| B |U---|----|U---|----||U---|---|U---|----|
Basic Rhythm of Drum and Bass
S |--P-|-P--| |S |-P--P|-P----P-| H |----|---|{3x}|H |-----|-.tk.t-t| B |B---|B---| |B |B-BB-|B--. B---|
Cool Simple Rhythm
This rhythm contains 16 beats. 4chan users share it in 4 taps. Sounds cooler when done faster.
|B t t t |K t t K |t t t B |K t t K | 1--------2--------3--------4-------
MIMS rhythm "This is Why I'm Hot"
Produce a fast double bass kick in the letter D.
S |--K-|--K-|--K-|--K-| H |-t-t|t--t|-t-t|t--t| B |B---|-D--|B---|-D--|
Classic Hip-Hop Rhythm
S |----|K---|----|K---| H |-tt-|-t-t|tt-t|-yyyy| B |B--B|--B-|--B-|----|
Rhythm "Drop It Like It's Hot" (Snoop Dogg)
For the line with the letter t, you are expected to actually click your tongue. The number three represents the position of the mouth opening to produce a higher loose sound. The number one indicates the shape of the mouth (lower “O”) for clicking the tongue down, and the number 2 indicates the middle position. This rhythm is quite difficult, and you can practice only the bass and snare parts until you feel ready to add a tongue click. In addition, you can mutter the "Snooop" part in a high pitched tone using your throat. Listen to the song so you know what it's like.
v|snoooooooooooooooo t|--3--2--|1--2----| S|----k---|----k---| B|b--b--b-|--b-----|
v|oooooooooooooooooop t|--1--2--|3--2----| S|----k---|----k---| B|b--b--b-|--b-----|
Create Your Own Patterns
Don't be afraid to use awkward rhythms. Have fun with the locations of the different sounds, as long as they all sound fluid.
Tips
- Practice whenever possible. Since you don't need anything other than your body, you can practice at home, at work, at school, on the bus, or wherever appropriate. One of the best places to practice is in the bathroom, as the acoustics are good and your beats will sound much more beautiful.
- Drink water regularly to prevent dry mouth.
- Always practice at a consistent tempo. This means you should try to maintain speed in a pattern.
- Some types of lip gloss can be very useful for beatboxers to keep their lips from drying out. Lip gloss is also healthy.
- If you're new to beatboxing or doing a difficult beat, make sure you start by practicing the beat using soft sounds. This will make it easier for you to master the rhythm. Once you've mastered the timing, you can start focusing on volume and clarity. This is easier to do by rote, because you already know the sounds you need, even if they're low-pitched at first.
- Try finding other beatboxers for a shared beatbox session. This session will be fun and you can learn a lot from it.
- Make sure you know how to beatbox while exhaling and how to beatbox without exhaling. This can help you sing while you beatbox.
- Try beatboxing in front of the mirror to see your facial expression and see if you need to cover it up a bit.
- Try covering your mouth and nose for a louder/acoustic sound when you beatbox without a microphone.
- Listen to music by famous beatboxers such as Killa Kela, Rahzel, Speiler, Roxorloops, Black Mamba, Ben K., Salomie The Homie, S&B, Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, Matisyahu, Max B, Blake Lewis (American Idol finalist), Bow -Legged Gorilla, or even Bobby McFerrin (the artist of the song "Don't Worry Be Happy", who created the song with just his voice, which was recorded on a variety of different tracks to produce a multitude of varied 'instrumental' sounds).
Warning
- When you're just starting out, you may feel a little nervous. However, if you keep at it, you'll have fun and make amazing music at the same time.
- Make sure you're well hydrated before you start, as the kicks and bass produced in low-drink conditions can be clearly audible. Also make sure you master all the techniques well.
- Don't drink coffee while beatboxing, because coffee dries up both your throat and your mouth. The same goes for tea. Just drink water.
- Try limiting yourself at first while working your facial muscles. If you feel tired, take a break.
- Your mouth may not be used to sudden pressure. Your jaw may also be sore, and your lips may tingle, just like a leg that's been sitting on for too long.
- You will also be out of breath, so make sure you know how to breathe properly.
