Hip-hop is one of the easiest genres to get into, thanks to the wide variety of free music available at mixtape websites like Datpiff, LiveMixtapes, and HotNewHipHop.

Listen to music for its quality, not because of its genre or reputation. Keep notes of music you like so you can find it, and potentially use it, later.

Learn how to play an instrument. Since many beats are made with a keyboard, try starting with a piano.

Keyboards: Perhaps the second most important tool next to a computer, keyboards allow you to create your own melodies and physically play your beat, which is usually much faster than inputting the notes into the computer. Drum Machines: incredibly versatile rhythm instruments, drum machines let you assign any sound you want to a small pad then play that sound as if it was a drum. You can program it with drums, cymbals, percussion instruments, notes, or even random sounds. Microphone: Essential if you want to record vocal tracks, microphones also let you record other instruments and sounds to incorporate into your beats. MIDI Controllers: Complex but powerful, MIDI controllers give you the ability to adjust tone, rhythm, loops, drums, and beats with the touch of a button. Many high-end keyboards and drum machines come with attached MIDI Controllers. Speakers: Be sure to invest in good speakers so you can hear your music at the highest possible quality, that way you can be sure your listeners are hearing what you want them to hear. [2] X Research source

Some free programs to begin practicing on are Audacity, GarageBand (Mac), Cecilia, and Mixx. For more committed beatmakers, check out paid programs like Pro Tools, Logic, MuTools, MixCraft, or Cubase. Every software has tons of tutorials, tips, and tricks available online, and you should learn as much about your DAW as you possibly can.

Try recreating some of your favorite beats. You can download packs of sounds that famous producers use online and play with them to see how they’re used.

Start with the classic trio of drum beats – kick drum, snare, and hi-hat. Play with these three drums to produce the bouncy, up-tempo feel of classic rap and hip-hop songs. Ex. DJ Premier’s famous beats on the album Step in the Arena. [3] X Research source Download free drum packs online to find unique percussion and sounds the incorporate into your songs. Experiment with other sounds for percussion. Producers such as J Dilla (Ex. “Waves”) became famous for using voices, sirens, pops, and other noises in place of drums. (Ex. 50 Cent’s “Heat” uses gun noises for percussion)

Bass lines can be a simple, like Nas’ “Memory Lane (Sittin’ in the Park),” or complex, like Common’s “Be (Intro). " Practice meshing the bass line with your kick drum, as they both emit low frequency notes. Layer them so you can hear both, like in the songs above. [4] X Research source

Play around with sounds constantly– the only way to find out what sounds best is to try out as many different orchestrations as possible. [5] X Research source

The best loops are seamless. That is, it is impossible to tell that the part was essentially copy and pasted together.

Use sample sparingly, finding 2-3 notes that you like and distorting them, repeating them, or chopping them up into something new. [6] X Research source

Build up the beat– start the song with just drums and bass, and add an instrument each verse, then break it down in the outro (Ex. Outkast’s “Slump”) Add subtle accents – even noises that are hard to hear can give the song depth. [7] X Research source

EQ: Also known as equalization, this is where you adjust the volume, frequency, and sounds of the entire song so that all the parts fit smoothly together. Effects: There are endless effects, all of which adjust or alter the sound of an instrument to make it fit the mood of the song. They can create echoes, change tones, subtly adjust notes, and much more. They are never permanent, so test them out on every instrument. Quantization: The art of taking hand-made notes or beats and electronically lining them up with the beat. Quantization is crucial to make a song sound clean and professional, but overdoing it may make a song seem robotic and bland. [8] X Research source

Start with close friends and family members so you feel comfortable with feedback. Never let anyone tell you that “you can’t make music. " If this is your dream, keep practicing and trying. Put your music online for instant feedback and listeners. Youtube, SoundCloud, Reddit, ReverbNation–the opportunities to share your talent are endless!

Become active on social media to tap into the largest market you possibly can. Attend hip-hop shows and network with local musicians and producers. [10] X Research source

Ask rappers you know if you can produce a song for them. Offer your beats online, hip-hop forums from Reddit to DatPiff are full of rappers looking for a beat to rap over. [11] X Research source