Music

Friday, 2 February, 2018 - 10:11

Beatbox: a beginners' guide

by MarilynBlogger2017

Like many others around the world at the start of the year, I made a New Year’s resolution. I decided to try something different from the usual ones: to do more exercise, eat more vegetables, etc. (Those are GOOD resolutions but I never stick to them.) So, after getting lost in YouTube videos one day, I developed an interest in beatboxing. Beatboxing is making drum sounds just by using your mouth and voice.

Where did beatbox begin?

Hip-hop, a subculture emerging on the streets of New York, incorporated several urban art forms. Beatbox, alongside DJ-ing, MC-ing, break-dancing and graffiti, were all created in this movement. The idea of making sounds with our mouths can be traced back to traditional African music where singers often created percussion with their bodies – like clapping or stamping. However, it was on the streets of Harlem where the word beatbox (or two words: beat box) was originally invented. Beat box was a slang term for drum machines being manufactured around the time. Drum machines made drum sounds without actually needing a drum kit.

Drum machines were very expensive, especially for those rapping in poorer communities on the streets of New York. Therefore, MCs (rappers) would often rap with someone else beatboxing to provide a beat.

Beatbox over the years

Beatboxing grew into a known and respected art form throughout the 80s and 90s. Nowadays, beatboxers get millions of views on YouTube and people watch them on talent show programmes. The Beatbox Battle World Championships first took place in Germany in 2005 and occurs every three years. In August 2018 it will take place in Berlin. Around 180 artists will battle against each other in several different categories to find the best beatboxer! 

Try it yourself

There are many good YouTube tutorials on how to beatbox. That’s how I’m learning for my New Year’s resolution! And of course there’s the old trick of saying 'boots and cats' very quickly to create a beat. Go on! Give it a go.

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Discussion

Are you into hip-hop or beatboxing? Do you have a New Year’s resolution?

Submitted by lauracespedes08 on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 19:00

I consider that nowadays those diferents kinds of music are feally nice I actualy love them and I'm wating for every one to love them too.

Submitted by davidmora_ on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 18:54

I am also interested in hip-hop and beatboxing. They become popular day by day. Youngsters and adults prefer them. These days, street performance of beatboxing can be easily found .Watching street performance under the moonlight can make my day perfect.
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Submitted by empty on Wed, 04/03/2019 - 12:22

Who else has heard this music?(prophecy)

Submitted by abhisheksharma02 on Thu, 12/20/2018 - 14:10

Hii

Submitted by ispigen on Tue, 05/08/2018 - 10:52

No I don't like hiphop and I don't have a New Years resolution.
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Submitted by SLMT on Wed, 03/14/2018 - 07:48

My New Year’s resolution is a ordinary one like others.It is to loose weight. Losing ten pounds is my goal.As the author said,I can’t stick to my plan. Losing weight have been my last New Year’s resolution too. Sigh..... I wish It wouldn’t be my 2019 Resolution.
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Submitted by SLMT on Wed, 03/14/2018 - 07:37

I am also interested in hip-hop and beatboxing. They become popular day by day. Youngsters and adults prefer them. These days, street performance of beatboxing can be easily found .Watching street performance under the moonlight can make my day perfect.
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