This guide will explain how to make your own rap beats. Making beats works both as a tool for meditation and it will also help you to find an outlet for your creativity.
A rap song can be pretty boring without the right beat. The beat is in my opinion the element of the song that takes the rap to the next level and makes it stand out in the crowd. Even 2pac and Biggie would have a hard time if their beats were not up to par.
The two most important elements of a rap beat are its depth and its originality. By depth I mean how it makes you feel when you hear it. Every rap song has a message, and the beat needs to bring that message home.
It is also important that the beat stand out in the crowd. This is where originality comes in. In the first seconds of your beat you have to make it unique so the person who listens to it recognizes the song and are ready to join in on it.
A rap beat typically consists of a loop. A loop is a set of bars repeating over and over. So how to you make a great loop?
Begin with your hi hats. The hi hats sets the basics for your rap beat and let you decide the speed of your beat. There is nothing complex with you hi hats so make it simple. You can add more hi hats later if needed.
Second step is to add the kicks and the snares. The kicks are what most people will consider the baseline. These are the deep elements of the base. The snares are the mid and high tones and are usually lighter than the kicks.
After you have configured the speed and your base line you have your skeleton ready. Next thing is to add your instrumentals and vocals.
It is the combinations all these elements that build the feeling and originality in your rap beat.
There is no need to overdo your rap beats
Many newbies does the mistake of working too much on their rap beats. They add layer upon layer of instrumentals and work the beat line to much.
Keep the beat as simple as possible. It is not how many sounds you have that counts. It is how much the rap beats can bring emotions upon the listener. Spend some time listening to the beats of your favorite producer and you will probably notice that their beats are not very complex. They are simply unique.
Also keep in mind that you are not the Star of your rap beat. This is the rappers job. Your job is to make the rapper have an easy day at work and help him or her bring out the creativity inside.
