Vocal Percussion

music · beatboxing · rhythm · voice

Sounds from your mouth. Vocal percussionists use their lips, tongue, teeth, and throat to create all kinds of sounds like kicks, snares, hi-hats, and cymbals. It's like having a whole drum kit hiding inside your mouth.

Works with singers. Vocal percussion can be part of a singing group where one person provides all the rhythm sounds while others sing the melody and harmony.

Imitates real instruments. The goal is to make sounds that are so close to actual percussion instruments that your ear almost can't tell the difference between the real thing and what your mouth is doing.

Solo or ensemble. You can do vocal percussion alone as a solo performance, or you can be part of an orchestra or band where you're the rhythm keeper.

Found everywhere. Different cultures around the world have their own styles of vocal percussion, from hip-hop beatboxing to classical ensemble traditions.