How to Beatbox

Have you heard of the incredible Lasse Gjertsen or equally amazing Bobbi McFerrin? They are masters in creating a host of instruments, just with their mouths. It's not impossible, and yes, it does take some practice, but you can to beatbox.

Instructions

1. Listen to the music of other beatboxers. Lasse Gjertsen, of "Hyperactive" and "Amateur" fame, as well as Bobbi McFerrin are just two of the fabulous beatboxers out there worth mentioning.

2. Create a bass drum sound. Do this by pressing your lips together while creating pressure with your tongue and open your jaw. At the same moment you push your tongue forward, close your jaw. By parting your lips at the side momentarily, you let the air escape, making a bass drum sound.

3. Make a snare drum sound. This is done in a similar fashion as the bass drum, except that you let the air escape from the front your lips, rather than the side. Your lips should also be a little tighter as well. Some beatboxers add an "f" or "sh" sound to further the snare drum effect.

4. Form a drum machine snare by saying "ish" in a quick, staccato fashion. As you practice, try saying "ish" without adding the "sh". The end result should be almost a grunt at the back of your throat. When you're comfortable with the sound, add the "sh."

5. Replicate the sounds of a crash cymbal by whispering "chish" while clenching your teeth. Try to say the "ch" and the "sh" without the "i" and you'll have the crash cymbal sound. Create a synthesized cymbal by putting your tongue at the base of your two front teeth. As you keep your lips parted about halfway, breathe in with some force. Close your lips as you breathe in again.

6. Make a hi-hat sounds by either saying "t" or by putting a little air behind the sound. The result is a "ts" sound. You can also make "tktktk" sounds or "tsss" sounds.

7. Practice, practice, practice, so that you can make each of the above sounds successfully.

8. Practice breathing on the beat, or whenever it feels comfortable in the music, but remember to breathe.

9. Start with a basic beat, then create different beats by stringing the different sounds together.

Resources

• Underground Hip Hop has an article on how to beatbox.