Dummy guide to creating a beat.

[Photo taken by: Arlen Yanch]

If you have ever felt like you could create an instrumental for a song you probably could. As long as you have a sense of rhythim, pitch, and tempo your all set, all you need now is an idea and a concept.


Almost everyone now can be an at home producer, it's all about how determined you are to learn all the key elements to making the task fun and keeping it as simple as possible. Through an easy step by step process I will take you through all you need to create an awesome instrumental. You will be producing beats like
Dr. Dre in no time.


I don't have all the expensive programs like the super producers...

Honestly, you don't need the thousands of dollars of programs and equiptment to start creating a track (though it would be nice to have). What I use from home is some simple equiptment consiting of three things.

1. Piano or digital keyboard.
2. Computer
3. Some sort of recording program (Fruityloops, Reason, Logic)

I have the esentials.... now what?

• Play around with your keyboard, it is pretty fun to discover chords and what sounds good together on a piano or keyboard. I tried to learn piano as a child but I have found that the easiest way to learn is on your own. There are lots of video tutorials on youtube and through basic searches on the internet to show you how to form chords as well. If you have an electric keyboard try to read the booklet that comes with it. They usually have a couple of quick help guides to show you how to record certain sounds or even record from the keyboard itself. At times recording songs directly from the keyboard is better than using a program.

• Regardless if your a Mac user or a Windows user there are programs available. Some are exclusive to one operating system, while others are cross compatible. One that I wouldrecomend and is commonly used in the music industry would be Reason. Because Propellerhead's (the creators of Reason) reputation in the industry it is simple to find quick tutorials to keep your instrumentals sounding unique and quality sounding. Another program to download if your low on cash is Fruityloops. Artists like Soulja Boy became famous using just that program which is usually joked about because of the availability or simplicity of it. The truth is if your creativity is limitless and you go into creating music with an open mind it doesn't matter whether your program costs three hundred dollars or if it was free, its only how you decide to use it.
• Before you begin recording create an idea in your head. Listen to all genres of music and don't limit yourself to what you hear on the radio today. The key to a successful creation process is to first like what you hear once pieced it together, take a break from it, and then listen again later on. If you still like it later on your on the right track.

Wait a minuite... I'm lost and don't know what I'm doing..

Unfortunately music is just like homework. To create a beat it requires constant studying and understanding how to use what is given to you. The good thing about it all is that you will never be tested on it and the learning experience is fun, you will never have a day when you do not  learn something new. 


You've Created Something? Let it be heard!

Even if you are making something for your own personal enjoyment let someone hear it. There are forums and blogs from all over that will give there insight on what you can improve and add to make the instrumental better. Who knows maybe someone will like it enough to buy it off of you.

Beware of the hater!

There will always be the collected people in this world that will put down and criticize what you make without ever making something relevant themselves. Remember that being creative is not limited to sounding or being a certain way, your uniqueness is what will separate you from the rest of the other unheard talents out there.

Don't Go Sample Crazy

Have you ever came home, turned on your television and there's a song that you swear you have heard before but it is brand new? Chances are there is a sample of a song from the past incorporated into that song. If you learn and take the time to understand sampling it can be very fun and entertaining to do.. But be warned! There are alot of legal issues involved when using an instrumental with sampling, be sure to look into the proper procedures before trying to release instrumentals or songs with heavy sampling. Most artists and producers just release free mixtapes, as long as no profit or gain is coming from it, you still get your name out there, without the stress of getting sued.

And now you are on your way..

Always have fun through the whole process, the moment making anything feels like a chore, the ability to create something unique will be gone as well. Hopefully this gets you interested to try it out.