You want to learn how to beatbox, don't you? I'm sure you don't yet realize the range of things you can achieve by learning the art of human beatbox. Firstly, your feel for rhythm will improve greatly, coming handy in a variety of real-life situations, from improving dance moves at parties to providing the right rhythm of speaking at business meetings. Secondly, your loudness and voice emission will improve. Of course, you could be using that quiet and shy voice for the rest of your life, but I'm sure you're aware that every natural leader's voice is, in fact, loud and powerful. Thirdly, beatboxing is all about self-confidence. Few people can handle the pressure of public appearances, but beatboxers are trained to be stage-saavy and perform casually at all times. Apart from these three obvious qualities, there is much more to learn here. You will gain a unique ability to make the music with your mouth and create improvised music in every situation.
Physical warm-up excercises before the beatbox workshops
What is human beatbox?
Human beatbox is an art of rhythmical creation of percussive and melodic sounds, as well as imitating instruments, using only the human voice. It is an extreme vocal technique, comprising not only speech sounds, but above all sounds not appearing in the communicational range. A beatboxer exaggerates explosive sounds, creating an unique musical piece using rhythmical breathing, dynamic exhalations, sucking the air, humming, scat and other vocal techniques. Experts beatboxers can create an illusion of an entire band by playing the percussive track, bassline, melody, vocal and other tracks simultaneously.
The name human beatbox was created to distinguish people imitating the electronic beat machines called "beatboxes". In the vocal percussion context, the name was first used by Doug E. Fresh, dubbed "The Original Human Beatbox".
Beatboxing workshops are usually held in large cities. I know from experience that beatboxers from smaller towns, while having less oportunities, work harder and are devoted to the art of beatboxing. Big props to these guys, along with a handful of helpful materials.
Here, you'll find some audio clips for beatbox practice, written beatboxing rhythms to keep you inspired, and a handlfull of all-around tips from professional beatboxers. Happy training!
beatboxing rhythms
These rhythms help you to write beatboxing in a simplified way. You don't have to know musical notes, although this way of notation is based on drum notation. First, a short explanation.
At the top of each diagram there's a rhythmic guideline - "X" in a circle is a quarter note (1/4) , "X" without a circle is an eighth note (1/8), and the little dot is a sixteenth note (1/16). The vertical lines at the beginning and end divide the rhythm into bars. The usual metrum is 4/4, but you can modify it by adding (to get 5/4) or removing (for 3/4 metrum) a quarter note.
- empty sheet to write beatboxing notes - just print it out and give it a go
- breakbeat 70 bpm
- electro basics, 95 bpm
- dubstep 140 bpm
- triplets 70 bpm
free audio beatbox rhythms
These rhythm loops were prepared for my "Mordownia" workshop participants. The workshops take place every Sunday in "Plan B" club in Warsaw, Poland. Visit the project website and see what else is going on. You'll find more free recordings on MySpace Mordownia profile.
free mp3 beatbox
Here you'll find free beatboxing loops in mp3 format. You can easily transfer them to your iPod or mobile phone, and listen to them on the go. These simple rhythm loops give you two ways to practise. In the first part of each recording, you can add your basslines, vocal scrathing, effects and additional rhythms. The second part is usually a bassline or a simplified beat, so you add practise your beats to it, as you would jam with a friend. Get out there and have fun!
- beatbox loop 1 (6:52min, 6.59mb)
- beatbox loop 2 (5:28min, 5.25mb)
- beatbox loop 3 (5:28min, 5.52mb)
- beatbox loop 4 (5:28min, 5.85mb)
