Beatbox practice patterns
Six patterns, all made of the three basic sounds (B kick, T hi-hat, K snare), in the order to learn them. Each one changes one thing about the last. Learn each slowly, then climb the tempos.
1. Boots and cats
BTKT
The first beat everyone learns: kick, hat, snare, hat. Every other pattern here is this one with something changed.
Practise at: 60 bpm, 70 bpm, 80 bpm, 90 bpm, 100 bpm, 110 bpm, 120 bpm.
2. Double kick
BTKTBBKT
A second kick on beat six. The two kicks in a row are the hard part: keep the second one as punchy as the first.
Practise at: 70 bpm, 80 bpm, 90 bpm.
3. Hi-hat run
BTTTKTTT
Three hi-hats in a row between kick and snare. Keep every T short and the same loudness, or they blur into one hiss.
Practise at: 80 bpm, 90 bpm, 110 bpm.
4. Kick back
BTKBTBKT
A kick takes the place of a hi-hat on beat four, so the bar ends kick, hat, kick, snare. It makes the beat bounce.
Practise at: 80 bpm, 90 bpm.
5. Pushed snare
BTKTBTBK
The second snare arrives a beat late, on the very last step, which pushes you into the next bar.
Practise at: 80 bpm, 100 bpm.
6. Two-bar groove
BTKTBBKTBTKBTBKT
Two bars that answer each other: the basic beat with double kick, then with kick back. Your first longer phrase.
Practise at: 90 bpm, 100 bpm, 110 bpm.
How to practise a pattern
- Listen to it a few times before you try it.
- Play it at the slowest tempo with a click until every sound lands.
- Move up 10 beats a minute only when it's clean.
- Come back the next day. Short, daily practice sticks better than one long session.
On Learn Beatboxing these are 20 levels: each pattern at each tempo, scored by your phone. Get 90% to unlock the next.
Questions
What should I practise after boots and cats?
Change one thing at a time: add a second kick (B T K T B B K T), then three hi-hats in a row (B T T T K T T T), then move a kick (B T K B T B K T).
What tempo should I practise beatboxing at?
Start a new pattern at 60–80 beats a minute and move up in steps of 10 once it is clean.