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Improvising using beatboxing techniques and vocal sounds inspired by nature

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can mimic sounds of nature and use these to improvise stylistically using beatboxing sounds.

Key learning points

  1. Sounds in nature can be mimicked using the voice.
  2. Sound effects, such as altering the direction of sound, can be used to create interest and contrast.
  3. We can create music in the moment, using the voice or instruments, alone or with others. This is called improvisation.
  4. Building up a performance of different textures requires rehearsal, evaluation and improvement.

Keywords

  • Texture - the combination of different layers of sounds

  • Improvise - to create music in the moment, using the voice or instruments, alone or with others

  • Mimicry - imitating something like the sound of an instrument

  • Timbre - a description of the sound or tone of an instrument

Common misconception

Beatboxing artists use only rhythmic patterns in their music.

Beatboxing is not always just about drum machine mimicry. Artists like Jason Singh, combine other sounds in his recordings.

Teacher tip

Encourage pupils to use their mouth and explore different sh sounds and timbres by moving their lips closer/rounder and wider/further apart. Keep the sounds really quiet and atmospheric.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Texture is the way that the music is organised.

Correct Answer: False, false

Q2.
Timbre is:

the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing
Correct answer: a description of the sound or tone of an instrument
how loud or quiet the music is
the regular, steady heartbeat of the music

Q3.
Match these sentences. When we rehearse ...

Correct Answer:we should listen to each part,so that we can perform our part within the whole texture.

so that we can perform our part within the whole texture.

Correct Answer:we should feel the pulse,so that we can perform in time together.

so that we can perform in time together.

Correct Answer:we should practise our sounds,so that we can perform the different timbres accurately.

so that we can perform the different timbres accurately.

Q4.
True or false? Timbre is a description of the sound or tone of an instrument.

Correct Answer: True, true

4 Questions

Q1.
Match these musical terms to their descriptions.

Correct Answer:texture,the combination of different layers of sounds

the combination of different layers of sounds

Correct Answer:timbre,a description of the sound or tone of an instrument

a description of the sound or tone of an instrument

Correct Answer:structure,the way the music is organised

the way the music is organised

Correct Answer:dynamics,how loud or quiet the music is

how loud or quiet the music is

Correct Answer:rhythm,the pattern of sounds that we play and sing

the pattern of sounds that we play and sing

Q2.
Mimicking instrument sounds and nature sounds with our voice is called .

Correct Answer: beatboxing, Beatboxing

Q3.
When we create music in the moment, we are .

Correct Answer: improvising, Improvising, improvise, Improvise

Q4.
We vary the flow of air to create different __________ to make the sea and wind sounds realistic.

rhythms
Correct answer: dynamics
pitches

To help you plan your 5 music lesson on: Improvising using beatboxing techniques and vocal sounds inspired by nature, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...