Learn beatboxing, step by step

Beatboxing is drums made with your mouth. You learn it the way drummers learn: a few sounds, one simple beat, then the same beat a little faster every few days. Here is the order that works, and how long each step takes.

Step 1: the three sounds (day 1)

Almost every beatbox lesson starts with three sounds, each copying one part of a drum kit:

• B, the kick drum: a short pop of the lips, like a whispered "b". ▶ Hear the kick drum
• T, the hi-hat: the tip of the tongue flicking off the teeth, "ts". ▶ Hear the hi-hat
• K, the snare: a sharp "k" from the back of the mouth. ▶ Hear the snare

They are all whispered: air, not voice. The full how-to for each is on beatbox sounds.

Step 2: boots and cats (days 1–3)

Say "boots and cats" a few times, then whisper it, then keep only the hard sounds: B(oots) T K(ats) T. That is the basic beat:

BTKT▶ Hear it 60 bpm

Play it slowly, one sound per click, at 60 beats a minute. Slow is the point: a beat you can play cleanly at 60 is worth more than a messy one at 100. More on boots and cats.

Step 3: speed it up, a little at a time (week 1–2)

When B T K T is clean at 60, move to 70, then 80, then 90. Only move up when every sound still lands: speed hides mistakes, and practising mistakes makes them stick.

BTKT▶ Hear it 90 bpm

Step 4: new patterns (week 2 onwards)

Change one thing at a time: a second kick, three hi-hats in a row, a kick where a hat was. Each new pattern starts slow again. There are six to work through on beatbox practice patterns.

Step 5: practise a little, every day

Five minutes a day beats an hour on Sunday. Short daily practice is how mouth movements become automatic, and these sounds are small, fast movements of the lips and tongue.

How do you know you're doing it right?

That is the hard part of learning alone: a video can't hear you. This site can. Your phone learns your three sounds, you play along with the click, and it shows every beat: right sound, wrong sound, missed, and how steady you were. Get 90% and the next level unlocks.

Start level 1: B T K T at 60 →

Questions

How long does it take to learn beatboxing?

The basic beat (B T K T) often comes together within a week of short daily practice. Faster tempos and new patterns take weeks to months; like any instrument, there is always a next step.

Can you learn beatboxing online?

Yes. The sounds and patterns can be learned from guides and videos. The missing piece is feedback, which is why Learn Beatboxing uses your phone's microphone to score each sound.

Do I need a microphone?

No. You only need your mouth. Learn Beatboxing uses your phone or laptop microphone to listen and score, and the sound never leaves your device.