Maybe it clicked when you heard that crispy snare on a J Dilla joint, or maybe you’ve always had a little rhythm knockin’ around in your head. Whatever brought you here, you wanna know what it takes to make the biggest beats?
Welcome to the game. You’re about to step into the dope world of hip hop beatmaking—and trust, it’s just as fire as it sounds.
Okay... we'll stop talking like that now!
Whether you're new to making music or have some experience, this guide will simplify the process for you. No confusing jargon or unnecessary details—just clear steps to help you start creating your own hip hop tracks. Let’s get started.
Let’s start simple. You don’t need a fancy studio or racks of gear to make a great hip hop beat. What you do need is:
Check out our guide to setting up the perfect home studio for beginners.
If you're using a pad controller like an MPC or Launchpad, Melodics is an excellent way to sharpen your finger drumming skills while building confidence in rhythm and timing. Think of it as your personal beatmaking dojo.
For a taste of how it works check out our quick tutorial on Kendrick Lamar's epic tune, Reincarnated:
Before you touch a single pad or key, ask yourself—what kind of hip hop are you making? Your answer will shape every step of your beatmaking process.
Each choice builds the foundation of your track, giving your beat its unique identity and energy.
The heartbeat of any hip hop beat? The drums. This is where it all starts.
A basic hip hop drum pattern typically includes:
Start simple: a kick on beats 1 and 2, a snare on beat 3, then add hi-hats on every beat. See this in action on 'Method Man' by Wu-Tang Clan:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LTlR-7Mvknw
From there, add your own swing. Shift things slightly off-grid. Humanise it. Make it bounce.
💡 Pro tip: Use Melodics to practise common hip hop drum patterns on pads. It’s a fun way to internalise groove and get that finger coordination tight.
Hip hop beats can be built from scratch with instruments and synths, or by chopping and flipping samples. There’s no right way—just the way that feels right to you.
Use keys, synths, or pads to play a chord progression or catchy motif. Keep it simple. A 2-bar loop can be all you need.
If you want to see a pefect example of a simple melody check out the key parts on 'Work' by Gang Starr:
Find a sample that inspires you—maybe a soulful vocal phrase, a guitar lick, or a dusty piano loop. Chop it up, rearrange it, pitch it, stretch it. Make it yours.
If you're sampling, just make sure you understand the basics of copyright and clearance, especially if you plan to release your music commercially.
The low end gives your beat body. If you’re making trap or drill, 808 bass is your best friend. For boom bap, a sampled or played bassline that complements your drums and melody will do wonders.
To create a hip hop bassline, start by identifying the key of your track and build your bassline around the root notes of your chords or melody. Keep it simple and repetitive, but add subtle variations to keep it interesting. Try using slides or pitch bends to add character, especially for genres like trap. Experiment with different bass sounds—some tracks might call for a gritty, distorted 808, while others might need a warm, smooth bass guitar tone.
Use a bass instrument in your DAW, or sample a bassline and rework it. Either way, it should lock in with your kick drum to create that solid pocket. Sidechain compression can also help your bass sit better in the mix, ensuring it doesn’t clash with the kick.
Ever played a bassline that feels good? Like it sits just right? That’s groove—and it’s something you can develop with focused, hands-on practice in Melodics.
Now that you’ve got your loop, it’s time to turn it into a full beat.
A typical structure might look like:
Drop out the drums for a bar. Add a filter. Layer in a new melody. Think of your arrangement like a story—you’re building tension, releasing it, and keeping the listener hooked.
You're not aiming for Grammy-level mixing right now. But do aim for clarity:
This part takes practice, and your ears will get better over time. Again—Melodics helps train your ear while building up those essential rhythm skills.
Here’s the truth: your first beat probably won’t be your best. And that’s fine. Every producer starts somewhere.
The magic happens when you practise consistently, try new things, and let your creativity lead. That’s where Melodics shines—not just teaching you what buttons to press, but helping you feel the rhythm, internalise the groove, and develop the muscle memory that turns ideas into music.
Melodics isn’t just another app—it’s your creative sidekick on the journey to becoming a better beatmaker. Whether you're on pads, keys, or electronic drums, it gives you:
It’s not about sounding like everyone else. It’s about finding your sound—and having a blast while you get there.
There’s no perfect time to start making beats. No magic gear. No golden plugin. Just you, your curiosity, and a rhythm waiting to come to life.
So open your DAW. Load up that first kit. Tap out a groove. Loop it. Layer it. Mess it up. Learn. Try again.
And if you’re ready to unlock your musical potential—Melodics is here to help every step of the way.
NEW LESSON DROP!
NEW LESSON DROP!
Doo Wop (That Thing)
As made famous by Lauryn Hill
Learn to play this and over 500 songs in Melodics
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