Listen to rap, and there the recitative goes to a certain clear rhythm. And you can’t guess what kind of instrument it gives. Maybe it's the drums? But no! This is a man who knows how to beat the main musical theme through his own lips, hands and tact. What to call such a craftsman? This is a real beatmaker! And who is a beatmaker? This is a virtuoso combining the functions of a composer and arranger. He feels music at a deep level and can interestingly beat even a primitive recitative.
From the very beginning
The translation of the term from English is quite simple: the word has two roots (beat and maker), meaning the concepts of rhythm and manufacturer. That is, under the word “beat” is hidden “melody”, and for “beatmaker” - the value varies from the pathos composer to an amateur arranger. Rappers read their lyrics to a simplified rhythm, which then can and should be varied with music. Today, the creation of beats is a real art in the genres of rap and hip-hop. Most often, the work of a professional beatmaker is structured this way: he cuts out the favorite part of the melody of a certain track, and then writes the rhythmic part of the drums and basses under it.
Why could it be your atmosphere?
Now it’s clear who the beatmaker is, but are they needed? Maybe they are just a tribute to fashion? But in reality, these are mediocre people with a lack of musical hearing? Many professional composers at first seriously doubted the art of creating beats, but their opinion changed radically in just a couple of years. Let's try to remember and imagine the atmosphere of any night club. Music breaks the dynamics, spills the river, and I want to dance until the morning. Leading evenings appear on the scene. And it is they who can open a room in such a way as not a single cocktail can do. It is in their power to make the usual “delay” a source of positive and energy, to make the melancholic dance, kill the melancholy and “pump” the audience. If you like to create music, perfect already created tracks, give emotions without saying a sound, then your area is a great disco. A DJ beatmaker in this case is your calling!
Who to follow?
It would be nice to know what a top-class beatmaker is? Are there people in our time who can be considered virtuosos? Which example can be followed? In the USA, this is, of course, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Farrell Williams and the legendary Timbaland. Of course, they are not limited to rap only, but over time they turn into show business sharks, producing tracks by performers of their labels. In Russia, the Pencil, Basta and Noggano bits presented by Vasily Vakulenko have long been making excellent bits. You can not ignore the group "Caste" and specifically its frontman Vladislav Leshkevich. Bitmakers today must get along with the computer, as it opens up immense scope for work. There are many programs that can make life easier for a musician of this specificity. If there is no craving for a computer, then today it is unlikely to succeed in becoming a genius in the creation of bits. Have to compose music the old fashioned way!
How do you get to this business?
Initially, beatmaking seems like an ephemeral activity, more fun than work. This point of view quickly turns into fiction. Even the first software for a beginner can scare off, because the possibilities seem endless, but for some reason it doesn’t come true. Many teenagers refuse to create beats already at the stage of acquaintance with basic programs. Others will know who the beatmaker is in stages. Useful video tutorials, tips experienced and useful resources on the Web. You can’t throw it - it’s not a bicycle, and you just can’t "go" again. Often the first serious works “get out of hand” of the beatmaker only 4-5 years after the start of work. So there’s nothing to be impatient in this area. One must either be a talent and by nature do everything wonderful, or work hard.
Professional growth
Over time, every beatmaker becomes different. A street dancer grows into a person with a certain amount of knowledge. Most often, the writing of beats goes by the wayside and the musician strives for full-fledged artists. If you want to assemble a track, then he does it quickly, as a constructor. Good habits remain, such as choosing only high-quality equipment and addiction to the right music.
In a different way, musicians look at their colleagues, can easily figure out who plagiarizes. Bitmaking is still considered a bread business, as it does not become obsolete, it is popular at concerts, in clubs or at promotions. In addition, the beatmaker gets used to doing everything perfectly. He knows how to turn any track into candy, give him fire, remove the “boring” tedious pieces and make a true bomb that can tear the dance floor to shreds. In Russia, there are many talented potential artists, and even, according to Western professionals, but they still receive little attention and, accordingly, do not see the point of trying especially hard.