Hip Hop Beats: The Basics

Anyone who wants to learn how to make hip-hop music is going to first need to learn how to pay attention to the different aspects of a beat. Creating hip-hop beats is fairly easy compared to other genres of music which will require one to actually know how to play an instrument. With hip-hop music you can create beats by just knowing how to put sounds together. Before you'll be able to do that you must know the different aspects of a beat.

The first aspects of a beat are the drums. A drumbeat normally consist of a kick, a snare, and a high hat. A drumbeat does not necessarily need to have a high hat. It can include many other sounds but these are the basics to a drumbeat. When you listen to a hip-hop song, pay close attention to the drumbeat. This will give you an idea of what you'll need to include when you create one.

Hip-hop music is known for using samples. A sample is basically a piece of another song or sound, that is looped and played repeatedly throughout a song. Hip-hop producers will use samples then add their own drumbeats to it to give it a unique sound. Samples have been used in hip-hop ever since it's been around. Many hip-hop artists prefer samples in their music because it can give it a song a soulful like feel. Now that definitely does not mean that a song that does not have a sample is not unique or soulful. Producers who do not use samples, are often more talented with making music or playing instruments than those producers that choose to use samples only. It's really all about what you like. Some of the most famous hip-hop producers prefer to use samples such as, Kanye West and Just Blaze. On the flip side, there are very well-known producers that don't really use samples like the Neptune's, Dr. Dre, and Timbaland.

If you choose not to go to sample route, the other aspects of a hip-hop beat are the bass and the melody. The melody can consist of several different instruments. Thee is really no right or wrong way to go about it. Your capabilities will obviously depend on your equipment. If you don't have any equipment I would suggest investing in some type of production keyboard like the Roland Phantom for example. If you'd rather work with samples invest in an MPC. If you are a beginner but have enough money to invest in both, don't. Focus on one, and when you get good at it you can try the other.

Music equipment can be complicated and frustrate you with a quickness. One thing you should remember is that you can always call customer support and there are people that are there to help you. So don't waste time and stress being frustrated when there are people there to guide you through those complicated things you will encounter. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to make a beat within just a few minutes. The more creative you are, the more likely you are to develop your own unique sound.