Beatboxing, the art of vocal percussion, has evolved into a unique and exciting form of musical expression. As its popularity grows, beatboxing has fused with many genres, including hip-hop, electronic music, and even classical. Among the various techniques in beatboxing, one of the most intriguing is the beatbox drum technique. This technique mimics the sound of traditional drums and percussion instruments using only the human voice. In this article, we will explore how to play beatbox drum, breaking down the basics, techniques, and tips to help you master this skill.
What is a Beatbox Drum?
Before diving into how to play beatbox drum, it’s important to understand what it is. Beatboxing generally involves vocalizing sounds that replicate musical instruments, often with an emphasis on percussive sounds. When we talk about beatbox drum, we’re referring to the vocalized replication of drum kit sounds, such as kicks, snares, hi-hats, cymbals, and toms. The skill requires a combination of vocal control, rhythm, and creativity.
The primary appeal of beatboxing is that you can create complex rhythms and beats without any actual drums or instruments, making it a portable and highly accessible form of music-making. While traditional beatboxing uses the voice, advanced beatboxers also incorporate body percussion and sounds from other instruments to enhance their performances.
The Components of a Beatbox Drum Kit
To effectively learn how to play beatbox drum, it’s essential to understand the different sounds that make up a standard drum kit. Below are the key components and how to produce each sound using only your voice:
1. Kick Drum (Boom)
The kick drum, also called the bass drum, is one of the most fundamental sounds in a drum kit. It provides the foundation of most beats. To produce a kick drum sound:
Method: Start by tightening your lips and creating a low-pitched “b” sound. As you push air out, allow your diaphragm to contract to give the sound more power and depth. The “boom” sound should be deep and resonant.
Example Sound: “Booom.”
2. Snare Drum (Tsh)
The snare drum provides a sharp, crisp sound that gives the rhythm a punch. To mimic this, beatboxers use either a “Tsh” sound or a “Psh” sound.
Method: For the “Tsh” sound, make a sharp “t” sound with your tongue close to the roof of your mouth, followed by a burst of air. You can also try variations like using a “Ksh” sound for a more sibilant effect.
Example Sound: “Tsh.”
3. Hi-Hats (Tss)
Hi-hats are high-pitched percussion instruments that add a steady rhythm to the beat. In beatboxing, hi-hat sounds are produced using “Tss” or “Chh” sounds, typically imitating the “shh” sound.
Method: To create the closed hi-hat sound, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and push out a “tss” sound. For the open hi-hat, try to elongate the “sh” sound slightly, as if you were making a “shh” but with more air pushed out.
Example Sound: “Tss” (closed hi-hat), “Chh” (open hi-hat).
4. Tom Toms (Bwah or Duh)
Tom drums add melodic depth to a drum kit. In beatboxing, they are often imitated by sounds like “bwah,” “doh,” or “dumm.”
Method: To create a tom-tom sound, experiment with a throaty, mid-range “bwah” or “doh” sound. This imitates the fuller, lower-pitched sounds of toms.
Example Sound: “Bwah.”
5. Cymbals (Tch)
Cymbals create shimmering, crashing sounds in a drum kit. To produce cymbal-like sounds in beatboxing, you can use variations of the “tch” sound, which mimics the shimmering crash of a cymbal.
Method: Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth and create a “tch” sound, followed by a rush of air to mimic the crash.
Example Sound: “Tch.”
The Basic Beatbox Drum Patterns
Once you’re familiar with the basic drum sounds, the next step in learning how to play beatbox drum is practicing common drum patterns. These patterns are the backbone of most music genres, especially in hip-hop and electronic music. Below are some basic patterns to get you started.
1. The Standard 4/4 Beat
One of the most common beatboxing patterns is the 4/4 beat, often used in hip-hop and pop music. Here’s how to structure it:
Kick Drum: “Booom”
Snare Drum: “Tsh”
Hi-Hat: “Tss”
Pattern:
1: Kick – “Booom”
2: Hi-Hat – “Tss”
3: Kick – “Booom”
4: Snare – “Tsh”
Repeat this pattern.
2. The Basic Hip-Hop Beat
The basic hip-hop beat often uses a syncopated rhythm that incorporates the kick, snare, and hi-hats. Here’s an example:
Kick Drum: “Booom”
Snare Drum: “Tsh”
Hi-Hat: “Tss”
Pattern:
1: Kick – “Booom”
2: Hi-Hat – “Tss”
3: Snare – “Tsh”
4: Hi-Hat – “Tss”
Repeat.
3. The Trap Beat
In trap music, the rhythm tends to be faster and more energetic, with an emphasis on snare rolls and hi-hat variations. The basic trap beat often looks like this:
Kick Drum: “Booom”
Snare Drum: “Tsh”
Hi-Hat: “Tss”
Pattern:
1: Kick – “Booom”
2: Hi-Hat – “Tss”
3: Snare – “Tsh”
4: Hi-Hat – “Tss”
Add rolls and variations for extra flair.
Advanced Techniques for Beatbox Drum
Once you’ve got the basic patterns down, you can challenge yourself with more advanced techniques that add complexity and rhythm to your beatboxing. Here are some ways to take your beatbox drum skills to the next level:
1. Layering Sounds
One advanced technique is layering multiple sounds simultaneously. This involves creating different drum sounds with different parts of your vocal anatomy. For instance, you can create a low “boom” sound for the kick while producing a high “tss” sound for the hi-hat at the same time. The ability to layer sounds adds richness and depth to your beatboxing.
2. Using Vocal Percussion with Your Mouth and Throat
Beatboxing isn’t limited to using your lips and tongue. To create more dynamic drum sounds, you can use your throat and mouth to mimic more complex rhythms. For example, using a growl or low hum from your throat adds texture to the kick drum sound.
3. Experimenting with Sound Effects
As a beatboxer, you have the freedom to experiment with other sound effects, such as vocalizing claps, scratches, or crashes. These can replace traditional drum sounds or be used to create unique accents in your patterns.
4. Speed and Precision
Once you have mastered the basic sounds, it’s time to practice speed and precision. The more accurately you can articulate each sound, the more fluid and dynamic your beatboxing will be. Focus on maintaining control over each sound and gradually increasing the speed.
Tips for Improving Your Beatbox Drum Skills
Practice Regularly: Like any skill, beatboxing requires consistent practice. Set aside time each day to work on your vocal percussion techniques and drum patterns.
Listen to Other Beatboxers: One of the best ways to improve is by learning from others. Listen to top beatboxers, such as Rahzel, Beardyman, or Tom Thum, to pick up new techniques and ideas.
Record Yourself: Recording yourself lets you hear how you sound, which helps you identify areas for improvement. It also allows you to track your progress over time.
Use a Metronome: Practicing with a metronome will help you stay in rhythm and develop better timing.
Take Care of Your Voice: Beatboxing puts a lot of strain on your vocal cords, so it’s important to warm up before practicing and rest your voice afterward.
Conclusion
Learning how to play beatbox drum is an exciting and rewarding journey. With the right techniques, patience, and practice, you can replicate the sounds of a full drum kit using only your voice. Start with the basic drum sounds, build your rhythm patterns, and experiment with more advanced techniques as you progress. By integrating creativity and precision into your practice, you can master the art of beatboxing and develop your own unique style.
