There has never been a better time to begin beat making. The tools you need to get into the game have become very affordable and you can choose from many different options. Besides that there are a few nontechnical things to consider when you want to learn how to start making beats. In this article I’ll give you some guidelines that will help you get on track right from the start.

1. What you should bring to the party

There is one thing that is more important than anything else and you should already own it. Without it all the music making tools and toys in the world become worthless. What I’m talking about is a good feel for music. As you read this article, I assume you have already listened to tons of music and are now ready to create your own.

2. The Tools you need

There are basically three diffent kinds of beat makers: Hardware beatmakers, software beatmakers and hybrids consisting of software that is controlled via dedicated hardware. As software beat makers are way cheaper and often more flexible than hardware or hybrid solutions they are the way to go for the beginner.

The only hardware you will need is your computer and a pair of speakers or headphones.

Keep your setup simple. This will help you stay focused on your music. You will be a lot more productive working with a few tools you know inside out than with a bunch of gizmos you don’t know well.

3. Get the ball rolling

For a quick and successful start into beat making, you should follow a step by step guide, ideally a video tutorial series. This should come with your beat making software. It will keep you from spending hours or even days on trial and error. It’s important to get the ball rolling right from the start.

4. Stay on track

Practice beat making on a regular basis, ideally every day. It’s a lot more effective to practice an hour a day than to practice 7 hours once a week. The human brain forgets a lot during a week. The time you need to recapture will drastically slow down your progress.

Take small but frequent steps and you will find yourself moving forward faster than anything else. When you increase your beat making skills only 2% a day you have a 100% increase after 50 days. And a 730% increase after one year!

5. Follow your musical instinct

It’s good to have some kind of mentor, someone who you look up to. It will give your music a direction. Nonetheless you should always be trusting your own musical instinct. It will give your music your very own sound and will distinct yourself from any other beat maker. Think of your favourite producers. They all have their own trademark sound and you love them exactly for that.

6. Jump in

Beat making can be a lot of fun and you need only a few things to begin: Apart from a computer and a good feel for music, you only need a good beat maker promgram and a pair of speakers or headphones. Follow a step by step tutorial to get on track and practice on a regular basis to keep moving forward fast. To develop your trademark sound in the long run, you have to follow your own musical instinct.

Keep these simple guidelines in mind and you will soon be finding yourself nodding your head to your own beats.