Vocal Percussion - Wes Carroll 
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Written by Wes Carroll
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Wednesday, 17 January 2007 |
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Q.Manny from New York asks:
Is there a difference between mouthdrumming and beatboxing or are they the same?
A. I’m glad you asked, Manny. That comes up a lot.
I just hopped over to Wikipedia, which told me "Beatboxing is the vocal percussion of hip hop culture and music." I'd agree with that. Okay, so then what's vocal percussion?  Be first to comment this article |  Add as favorites (51) |  Quote this article on your site | Views: 2762
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Written by Wes Carroll
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Tuesday, 29 August 2006 |
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Hey Wes,
I'm in a very new a cappella group at my college, and I've been the designated vocal percussionist. I'm far from perfect, but I'm the best we have at the moment, and I suppose the most willing to learn.
My question is about my kick drum. I bought your first DVD (and it was great; the second is on its way), and the kick drum sound you make is different than the one I had come up with on my own. Instead of a "thupp" sound, I make something more akin to a "Pf." Even though that's the classic phonetic snare drum spelling, it's very different, I assure you. The "f" sound is barely there compared to the longer "f" giving the snare drum its, well, snare. I build up a lot of pressure behind my lips and let them explode (in a controlled way) and it produces a sound I really like in terms of volume and not sounding like a human-made sound.
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Written by Wes Carroll
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Thursday, 09 March 2006 |
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On 3/1/06, Jaycee wrote:
I'm just wondering about your video, can everyone…I mean everyone actually learn exactly how to beat box? Because I assume that only certain people can produce really good sounds…while the others can only try and practice as hard but they just don't have the vocal chords for it. I'm really interested in buying the video but I just don't want to be put down if I don't learn…I have a lot of friends who can beat box and have tried to teach me but failed in most cases.
I responded:
Jaycee-
Of course everyone can learn! It just takes practice... and a good teacher. (Not to dis your pals, but just because someone can do it doesn't mean they can teach it.)
Here's an important starting tip: it's more about the patterns than the sounds. Don't sweat the sounds at first. Just get the grooves happening. The sounds will come in time if you practice the right way.
Hope this helps!
W
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Written by Wes Carroll
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Tuesday, 27 September 2005 |
Q:
Jake Smith from Wilton, ME asks:
Alright. I have a problem. I've been to one of your sessions, it was the Vermont A Cappella Summit last year; I was in one of the competing high school groups, the Mt. Blue Voices. My director, Dennis Hayes, has based a lot of his own work with us on the House Jacks, and especially in talking with Deke. MY problem is that in - so far - 2 of the songs in our repertoire, I provide vocal percussion. These are the only two songs that use any percussion. We are totally acoustic, which means I have no microphone to aid me. In the song "Fragile", the group is mellow, and I can produce enough volume acoustically. However, in our arrangement of "Telescope Eyes", the group is producing a lot more sound, and with my normal percussion I cannot provide enough sound. What are some different ways to provide a louder acoustical sound? Particularly the snare. Thank you.
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Written by Wes Carroll
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Friday, 12 August 2005 |
 Hello, true believers! Wes Carroll here, fresh off the completion of the new House Jacks CD, "Fitchy & Grikko," with another installment for you. I figured today would be a great day to talk about recording, since that's what I've been spending most waking hours doing for what seems like forever now.
So you're ready to make your first recording? Or you've heard about how hard it can be and you're looking for tips to make the process easier? Or maybe you've done it before and you know how frustrating it can be to see your artistic vision melt in a tangle of blown budgets, scheduling mishaps, and technical mistakes. Fear not! I'm here to give you some help. Take my advice to get your album done faster, better, and easier.
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