Beatboxing 101 (Skillshare)

Practice combining the sounds into an 8-beat rhythm like this: { b t pf t / b t pf t } or { b t pf t / b b pf t }. Make sure to get the timing right. Start off slowly and build up speed later
Practice the classic kick drum {b}. The simplest way to make the classic kick drum is to say the letter "b." To make it sound louder and punchier, you need to do what is called a lip oscillation. This is where you let air vibrate through your lips - a bit like "blowing a raspberry." Once you can do this, you make a very short lip oscillation.

• Make the b sound as if you are saying b from the word bogus.
• This time, with your lips closed, let the pressure build up.
• You need to control the release of you lips just enough to let them vibrate for a short amount of time.

Next, try to duplicate the hi-hat {t}. Make a simple "ts" sound but have your teeth closed or lightly closed. Move the tip of your tongue forward behind your front teeth for a thin hat sound and to the traditional t position for a heavy hat sound.

• Breathe out for longer to create the open hat sound.

Try successive or advanced hi-hats. You can also do successive hi-hats by making a "tktktktk" sound, using the mid-back of your tongue to make the "k" sound. You can make an open hi-hat sound by drawing out the breath in the "ts" hi-hat, so it's more like "tssss" for a more realistic open door sound. Another way of producing a realistic high-hat sound is to make a "ts" sound with your teeth clenched.
Try to tackle the classic snare drum {p}. The simplest way of making a classic snare sound is to say the letter 'p.' However, making a 'p' sound is too quiet. To make it louder you can do several things: the first is to make a lip oscillation. This is where you push the air out of your lips making them vibrate. The second is where you breathe out at the same time making a [ ph ] sound.

• To make the 'p' sound more interesting and more snare-like, most beatboxers add a second fricative (continuous) sound to the initial 'p' sound: pf ps psh bk.
• The variation {pf} is similar to the bass drum, only you use the very front of your lips instead of the side, and you tighten them more.
• Pull your lips in a bit so that your lips are sort of hidden, as if you had no teeth.
• Build up a little air pressure behind the hidden lips.
• Swing your lips out (not literally swing) and just before they return to their normal position (un-hidden), release the air with a 'p' sound.
• Immediately after you release the air and get the 'p' sound out, tighten your bottom lip up against your bottom teeth to make a "fff" sound.