Step 1: Learn the Sounds

See the Learn section of the site. Here you will find all the basic sounds you need to start you on your beatboxing journey.

I recommend learning the following sounds:

• { b } classic kick drum
• { t } closed hi-hat
• { pf } classic snare drum

Watch the videos over and over and over and over again. Don't worry, you will be able to do these sounds with PRACTICE! Some people take minutes, some people take hours and some take days or weeks to master a sound, however, if you are persistent you will get there in the end.

STEP 2: Put the sounds into a beat pattern

Once you have learned the basic sounds you will probably want to put these in sounds into new beats. As daunting as it may seem to some of you, it is not really that difficult to make up beats. As you are new to the game, I suggest you start with the following simple beat pattern:

{ b t pf t / b t pf t }

This beat is kind of like the backbone for all beginner beatboxers. Learn it. Once you can do it comfortably without thinking you are ready to improvise on this pattern.

Improvisation isn't too difficult to do either. Grab a pen and paper and write the pattern out. Try using Standard Beatbox Notation with the downloadable stave paper template.

For example, try changing the snare for a handclap, the kick for a nasal base, whatever you like. Go crazy. All that matters is that you can keep it in time.

Another great thing to do is to listen to your favourite songs (or any songs for that matter) and try to follow the beat. Try songs with simple beats to start with then work your way up to more complex songs later.

Note: The great thing about beatboxing is that it is about you. There are no set beats you need to learn apart from that basic pattern. Originality is what makes beatboxing fun and innovative. Don't get people to write beats for you. You'll discover that there is more satisfaction in spitting a beat you have worked out for yourself.

If you get stuck, try using the search facility - especially on the forum. If, after an extensive search your question is still not answered then by all means ask for some advice. Try posting in the Tips and Techniques forum.

STEP 3: Learn some covers

This is where the search button comes in handy. Nearly every cover done by the great beatboxers has been covered on the site somewhere. You just have to look. If you really want to learn the cover you should be willing to spend the time to look for it.

Once you are like everyone else and can do the Wind Technique, IYMOK, Pony, Push it, etc. you should really try and learn to cover songs that haven't been covered yet. It's easier to pick songs you know and like, and any genre can be covered: dance, rock, punk, heavymetal, rnb, hip-hop, grunge, etc.

Use your imagination. It's all about listening to what you hear and replicating it. Imitate, then create!

And finally...

So there you have it, a beginners guide to beatboxing in three easy steps. To become good at beatboxing you need to use your innitiative, your imagination, common sense, and also practice! I can't stress this enough. You cannot learn to beatbox overnight. Most people on here hve been doing it for years and are still learning new things all the time. The difference with more experienced beatboxers is that they don't rely on others to tell them how to do something - they find out the way themselves.

We are here to teach you how to beatbox. You have to teach yourself to beatbox. There is a difference in the two.

"Give a person a fish and they eat for a day. Teach that person to fish and they will eat for a lifetime"

I know this article was somewhat short, but it really is up to you as to where you take your beatboxing. Do you want to be a clone or unique? It is totally up to you. We can put you onto the path, howewer, it is up to you to choose your way.

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