How to Create a Rap Beat

Presented by Jose Caban

Making rap or hip hop beats is easy! Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Series Summary

Rapping, also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming, is the spoken, rhythmic delivery of rhymes and wordplay, and one of the elements of hip hop music and culture. Although the word rap has sometimes been claimed to be an acronym of the phrase "Rhythmic African Poetry", "Rhythm and Poetry", "Rhythmically Applied Poetry", "Rapping About Poetry," "Racing Always Pacing," or "Rhythmically Associated Poetry", use of the word to describe quick speech or repartee greatly predates the musical form. Rapping can be delivered over a beat or without accompaniment, yet stylistically, rap occupies a gray area among speech, prose, poetry, and song.

The driving force of any rap or hip hop song is the beat, or the music that accompanies the rapping and singing. In this free video series, an expert in music media will teach you how to create rap or hip hop beats from scratch. Beginning with the hardware and software needed, you'll go on to learn how to create a tempo, melody, harmony, and drum beats as well. You'll also learn about sampling, using audio and MIDI data, and how to edit rap beats on a computer. With these tips and techniques, you'll be that much closer to producing your own hip hop or rap music.

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What is Quantization in Music?

What is quantization and how is it used in rap or hip hop beats? Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

The Difference Between Audio & MIDI Data

Audio vs. MIDI data in making rap or hip hop beats. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Creating Melody for a Rap Beat

How to make a melody for a rap or hip hop beat. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Putting Guitar in a Rap Beat

Using guitars to make a rap or hip hop beat. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

How to Edit a Rap Beat

Editing and adding effects to a rap or hip hop beat. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Creating Harmony for a Rap Beat

How to use harmony in a rap or hip hop beat.

Creating Auxiliary Drums for a Rap Beat

Using auxiliary drums when making a rap or hip hop beat. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Creating a Rap Drum Beat

Using drums for a rap or hip hop beat. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Creating Rap Beat Tempo

What is tempo and how do you make it for a rap or hip hop beat? Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Software for Making Rap Beats

Rap and hip hop beat software. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Using Synthesizers to Create Rap Beats

How synthesizers can create a rap or hip hop beat. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

Hardware for Making Rap Beats

Rap and hip hop beat hardware. Learn what you need and how to create rap beats in this free video on music, instrumentation, and sampling.

How to Create a Rap Beat

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