Making Beats - Style

[Shelly Hicks]

How important is style? Depends on you.
I use whatever I want, however I want. Unless I am specifically making
a beat of a certain genre.
The best way to get a feel for a style is to listen to some music from
it. Ignore everything but the beat and use their rhythms as a starting
point. You will find most artists that work in certain genres have
similar sounding beats. Just don't rip anyone off, look for
inspiration.
The rhythm section of your songs drives the music. There is a reason
songs like 'Another one bites the dust' and 'The wall' are almost
universally liked.
They use simple; yet compelling, percussion and bass. In other words,
a great beat.
Lets use Rap / Hip-Hop as an example to start with.
I often use Hip-Hop software, but I also make my own.
I always start with the Kick Drum. I use One or Two kicks, then
arrange them in a pattern. In my case, its most often a staggered one-
hit,space, one-hit, space, two-hits.
After I lay down the kicks I cut their volume low and Duplicate it/
them.
I use my EQ to cut everything but the bass on the duplicate, and raise
it by 2-5 Db.
This gives you that nice deep hit on your sub-woofer.
After I have my Deep Kicks, I either Make a percussion loop, or use
one I have bought. I Play the Deep Kick and find a loop I like that
fits.
I also use Bass Loops. I like to use Rock style Bass Loops, but that's
part of what makes my style. Just remember that the bass needs to
compliment, not define the beat.
The role of the Bass depends strongly on the style of Hip-Hop / Rap
you are making.
In West coast style the Bass is often layered on top of the beat,
almost classically inspired, with a cello feel. More a part of the
melody than the beat, with the Drums providing the drive.
East Coast is more influenced by Battle Beats, so the Bass falls into
its traditional role of being part of the rhythm section.
Tempo is also important. Since I use Acid Music Studio; and mostly
Acidized loops, I can make a beat then adjust the speed (tempo / BPM)
to fit what it is intended for.
Since Rock music is a fluid style of music, trying to tell you there's
any short cut to making good rock beats would be a heinous lie.
Similarly Pop music is far to diverse to nail down either.
BUT...here are some general ideas you can use.
1. Decide what style of song you want to make. Aggressive? Something
people can dance to? Love Song? Power Ballad? A mix of those?
Figure out what you want to do before you start.
2. Don't try and force it. If you are in a crappy mood, don't try to
make a peaceful song.
3. In complete contradiction to number one, sometimes I just sit down
and let my mood carry me through making a song.
Let your feelings compel the rhythms from you. Passion can carry you
through making a song better than thinking about it. The best songs
come when you're not deciding anything. The problem is that most
people cant do that on command.
When you need to think a song through, do it. When you are feeling the
flames of your emotions, don't think, feel!

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