Lesson 6 of 12VoiceBeginner

Cymbal crash

1:45
Dana explains how to sound more like a live drumkit, using the cymbal crash sound.
Part of the courseLearn the Fundamentals of Beatboxing12 lessons (0h 34m)

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Dana McKeonYour guruDana McKeon

What's in the course

12 lessons (0h 34m) · 1 free
    • 01. How to get ready for Beatboxing & exercises

      2:50

    • 02. The kick drum

      Free lesson

      2:54

    • 03. The two types of hihat sounds

      3:29

    • 04. Three types of snare sounds

      3:58

    • 05. Creating fast beats in sequence

      2:21

    • 06. Cymbal crash

      You are here

      1:45

    • 07. Great trick to create a deep bass sound

      2:48

    • 08. Incorporate all the sounds in your first beat pattern

      2:37

    • 09. Practise your precision, clarity and speed with a new beat pattern

      3:20

    • 10. When do I breathe?

      3:02

    • 11. Where to go from here?

      3:07

    • 12. Learn a "show-off beat" that incorporates a new shaker sound

      2:32

Lesson transcript

Beatboxing Like a Live Drum Kit

Hey, guys. Dana here.

We're now going to focus on making your beatboxing sound a bit more like a live drum kit.

Cymbal Crash

Something you always hear in between transitions is your cymbal crash, which sounds like this. Or it's a pretty simple sound to emulate.

Creating the Sound

To make the sound, just place a consonant in front. The consonant is usually a T or a P.

Let's start with the simple one: sh.

  • We make it sound like this:
    • The longer you hold your sh, the more of an open sound you give it.

So it sounds like:

  • (insert sound demonstration)

Then you can move on to your P sound before your sh, and it sounds like:

  • psh.
  • psh.

Incorporating Cymbal Crashes

Once you've practiced your different kinds of cymbal crashes, you can include them in your beat pattern to make something sound like this:

  • (insert sound demonstration)

By using the different types of cymbal crashes, you can create so many different dynamics and keep your beats interesting.

Practice Makes Perfect

So practice your:

  • PSH
  • (insert sound demonstration)

And soon enough, you'll be using them in your own beats!

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Meet your guru

Dana McKeon

Dana McKeon

Dana McKeon is a top-ranking beatboxer, recording and performing artist, songwriter and guitarist.

She is Malta's international beatbox pioneer and the island's official representative at the Beatbox World Championships, where she secured her spot in the Worldwide Top 5 (Solo Female Category) during her very first competition. Dana also holds two Female Vice-Champion titles from the UK Beatbox Championships.

A versatile touring artist, Dana has owned the stage at a plethora of international live gigs including MTV Music Week, The London Paralympics, Lovebox Festival, The O2 London and British Royal Family events. As a support act, she has opened shows for the likes of Rudimental, Stormzy, James Arthur, John Newman and Beardyman.

Her songwriting and production credits include chart-topping radio hits in Europe, airplay on BBC Radio and toplining for various DJs and artists. Dana's music features on countless TV spots and short films, including Netflix, BBC, CBS, NBC, ABC, Universal, MTV, Global, iTV, Bravo, Lifetime, Arena and BT Sport.

In her course she breaks the art form down to its building blocks: the core sounds, beat patterns and techniques you need to start beatboxing with confidence, taught straight from a world-ranked champion.

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