Breathing... Kind of Important...

Breathing... Kind of Important...

Now having learned the basics...Don't remember? No worries!

Let's refresh...

Crash Course

1. B - Kick drum
2. T // ts - Cymbals & Hi-hats
3. K - Snare

Rudimentary Exercise

1. Boots Cats
2. B oo ts C a ts
3. b ts k ts // b ts k ts // etc.

** For a more detailed analysis, you can find that post here! **

Breathing

Just as breathing is important in our every day lives... ("duh?...")... breathing is a crucial element to beatboxing. For beginners and novices, finding a consistent supply of oxygen can be one of the most difficult tasks required of a vocal percussionist. 

Luckily for new and aspiring beatboxers, there are techniques which incorporate breathing and allow the percussionist to carry on without having to stop for fear of suffering a collapsed lung.

Techniques

Below, I have compiled a variety of techniques (both beginner and advanced) which will hopefully serve to benefit those individuals seeking help.

The Inward "K-Snare"

Video courtesy of The Orthobox
** If you are looking for more advanced techniques & tutorials, be sure to subscribe to his page! **

The Basic Breath In

Video Courtesy of Urban Method

The Inward Drag - Advanced

Reeps One's "Inward Drag"

Video courtesy of Swissbeatbox

"Inward Drag" Tutorial presented by The Orthobox

Video courtesy of The Orthobox

Pioneers Continued... The 90's

Pioneers Continued... Kenny Muhammad

Kenny Muhammad

Better known as "The Human Orchestra", Kenny Muhammad continues to serve as one of beatbox's most iconic and influential contributors to this day.

Muhammad, who also goes by the name of 'Kenny X', is one of the first musicians in beatbox history to "modernize" the art form. His style incorporated rhythmic replications not only of percussive instruments, but demonstrated stylistic influences derivative of "djing" and turntablism. 

He is one of the first artists to replicate what would seemingly appear to be an effortless performance, by layering electronic sound effects over his percussive rhythms. 

Two of the techniques he is widely credited for are:

1. "The Vocal Scratch"

2. "The Wind Technique"

In the same manner that beatboxers and vocal percussionists would imitate percussive sounds, Muhammad would mimic and replicate the sounds credited and popularized by DJ's in the 90's. The sounds replicated would be that of the vinyl scratch, or in this case, the vocal scratch. 

The Wind Technique is a routine which Muhammad developed himself and which remains as one of the staple techniques in beatbox and hip-hop culture.

"The Human Orchestra"

Video courtesy of TEIMULTIMEDIA

"The Wind Technique"

Video courtesy of RebornKorean

Early Influences: The 80's

Early Influences: The 80's

Artwork designed by Creature (Tyler Sing)

What is beatbox?

As defined by Wikipedia, "beatboxing, also known as beat boxing or b-boxing, is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of mimicking drum beats using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice."

Although beatboxing is non-genre specific, it shares a rich history deeply rooted in hip-hop culture. Giving birth to the original elements (emceeing, turntablism, b-boying and graffiti art), hip-hop was widely considered a sub-cultural movement in the early 1970's.

Beatboxing began capturing national interest and started gaining popularity within the world of hip-hop in the early 80's. During this time, both amateur and professional artists alike were dabbling in the art form; however, with regards to its connected history in hip-hop culture, the mimicry of percussive sounds was just considered a novelty.

It wasn't until Doug E. Fresh, self-proclaimed as the first "human beatbox", released the song "La Di Da Di" and mesmerized crowds with his trademark sound the "click roll" that beatboxing transcended its novelty status and permeated into the realm of hip-hop musicianship.

Doug E. Fresh

The "Clicks" aka the modern "Click Roll"

Sound: 0:52
Video courtesy of realhiphop3000

Today, the title of "Human Beatbox" is widely accepted as a common handle for anyone who practices and participates in vocal percussion; however, during the 80's there were disputes as to who held the title as the art form's first, or original.

Even though Doug E. Fresh had claimed the title for himself, there was another beatboxer around that time who was gaining a lot attention for his percussive talents. Buff Love (aka Darren Robinson) of the hip-hop group called The Fat Boys, was also an early influence who served as a pioneer to the history of beatbox.

Like that of his contemporary, Doug E. Fresh, Love incorporated vocal percussion into his performances. Despite their differences competing for beatbox supremacy, the contributions of both individuals will forever be remembered as key factors which helped shape what beatbox is today.

Buff Love - The Fat Boys

"The Human Beatbox"

Video courtesy of LONGLIVEROCKTHEWHO

Rudimentary Knowledge: The Basics

Rudimentary Knowledge: The Basics

One of the most wonderful things about the English language is that its alphabet lends itself to the art of beatbox! The sounds which are associated with the individual letters can be replicated by the human mouth to create the sounds which are frequently associated with vocal percussion. Everyone has to start somewhere. Although basic, they serve the necessary function to provide novices and beginners with a foundation to build upon.

Here are the sounds as they are represented in written form!

The Basics

The Kickdrum

Letter: B or b
Sound: [ buh ]

The "K" Snare

Letter: K
Sound: [ kuh ] or [ keh ]

Hi-Hats // Cymbals

Letter(s): "t" - open // "ts" - closed
Sound: [ ti ] or [ ts ]

Exercise

Now that we have established the sounds, it is time to incorporate them into a working exercise. For those individuals who are somewhat acquainted with the rudimentary sounds and techniques, the words "boots" and "cats" may represent a familiar exercise; however, for those who are new to the art form it may represent a foreign concept.

The reason why "boots" and "cats" is a good starting point for any beginner, is because it incorporates all of the basic sounds in a patterned sequence.

Steps:

1. Start by saying the words "boots" & "cats"
• boots, cats
2. Syncopate the words in 4/4 time
• one & two & three & four &...
3. Once comfortable, (un)emphasize the "oo" and the "a" in their respective words
• b oo ts, c a ts
4. Now, you're only left with "b ts" and "c ts" or in this case, "k ts"
• b ts k ts // b ts k ts // b ts k ts // ... etc.

Videos - Tutorials

Because not everyone is a visual learner, here are a few videos that might help from an auditory perspective.

Fat Tony

Video courtesy of Fat Tony

For more tutorials, be sure to check out his channel by clicking on the link above!

The Groovy Newts

Video courtesy of thegroovynewts

Be sure to check out her channel by clicking on the link above!