How To Rap For Beginners from Udemy

Updated July 2020 with Wordplay Basics + The Perfect Punchline Formula

This course will teach you how to rap with examples and practical step-by-step tutorials.

Get into the technical details fast, no time wasting on “the power of positive thinking”. You’ll get the technical breakdown, and you can get creative with your own style from there.

Go through multiple exercises so you can learn hands-on. That is the best way to get better. To practice. But these exercises and examples will help you practice in the right way.

Actionable lessons
Multi’s and internal rhymes
Punchlines and wordplay
Actual exercises and examples
Couplets, quatrains, bars and BPM
Rhyme schemes
Rap structure
Works on mobile 100%
Free Downloads
Rap Voice Training

Freestyle forever

Craft ridiculous flows over any beat

Gain confidence in your voice.. Not just when rapping

Put your message out to the world

Transform others through your story

Get more respect on Youtube or Soundcloud.

Collab with the artists and producers you want to work with

Increase self-confidence

Release stress, tension - writing raps is almost like journaling everyday. Writing the truth down really can help you understand yourself. No joke on this one, this is a real effect after writing consistently.

Become your own version of hip hop by breaking “rules” on purpose. Knowing the fundamentals and technical skills is the first step.

You’ll find conversation easier, words coming to mind quicker, it’s a weird advantage rappers have, and why rappers seem so witty. It’s because we think of words and wordplay and require instant recall in milliseconds.

Who am I? What makes me qualified to teach anyone how to rap?

I put my last 17 years into picking apart rap and hip hop lyrics. This is everything I know.

I write about how to rap, and have published over 25,000 words digging into the technical details of writing good rap lyrics.

Templates, Worksheets, Examples, Exercises, Tutorials, Walkthroughs, and advanced techniques.

It’s dope when you check your songs on Youtube, and people are taking the time to listen and leave a comment.

Dig Deep into the technical details of rap.

BONUSES

Fillable worksheet PDF’s - Step-by-step

FAQ

Is this worth the money?

100%. The confidence, technical skills and overall transformation will be worth 10x more.

What do I need to get started?

Absolutely nothing. Everything you need is in your own head.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to rap
How to freestyle rap
How to rap fast
How to improve your rap voice

Rap writing techniques
How to write good rap lyrics
Tongue twisters for rappers
Rap bars & structure

How to rap
How to freestyle rap
How to rap fast
How to improve your rap voice
Rap writing techniques
How to write good rap lyrics
Tongue twisters for rappers
Rap bars & structure

Syllabus

Freestyle Rap

Introduction

Step 1: Count beats with stressed syllables

Step 2: The No Rhyme method

Phonetic Rhyme families (chart cheat sheet downloadable)

5-Step Rap Writing Technique Fillable PDF

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Breaks down the technical aspects of rap, such as rhyme schemes, bars, and flow, which are essential for beginners to understand and master

Includes exercises and examples to help learners practice and improve their skills, which is crucial for developing proficiency in rapping

Covers freestyle rapping, which is a valuable skill for rappers to develop their creativity and improvisation abilities

Explores wordplay techniques, including homonyms and homophones, which can enhance the lyrical complexity and wit of rap lyrics

Offers guidance on improving rap voice and breath control, which are important for delivering impactful and engaging performances

Updated in 2020, so it may not reflect the latest trends and techniques in the rapidly evolving world of hip-hop and rap music

Reviews summary

Foundational rap for beginners

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation for those new to rapping, providing actionable lessons and a step-by-step approach. Students appreciate the focus on practical techniques, including detailed breakdowns of rhyme schemes, beats, bars, and BPMs. The inclusion of exercises and downloadable worksheets is seen as particularly helpful for hands-on learning. While the course covers essential elements and even delves into wordplay and punchlines, learners note that mastering the skills taught requires consistent personal practice outside of the lessons. Some prospective students might find that the nature of an online course means limited direct feedback on their individual performance.

Success depends on self-directed practice.

"This course gives you the tools, but you absolutely have to put in the work and practice consistently to get better."

"It's not a magic bullet; the concepts are explained, but improvement comes from applying them through dedicated practice sessions."

"The course encourages practice, which is good, but be prepared to spend significant time on your own."

Covers key fundamentals for beginners.

"It breaks down rap structure, rhyme schemes, and rhythm clearly, which is essential for a beginner."

"Understanding beats, bars, and BPM is explained well, giving a solid foundation."

"The modules on flow and voice training helped me tackle common beginner challenges."

Actionable techniques and exercises provided.

"The exercises and examples are great for learning hands-on, exactly what I needed to practice the right way."

"I really liked the step-by-step tutorials and actionable lessons; it cuts right to the technical details."

"The fillable worksheet PDFs are a super helpful bonus to apply what's taught."

Personal performance feedback may be absent.

"While the lessons are good, I wish there was a way to get feedback on my actual rapping from an instructor or community."

"It's a self-paced course, so don't expect personalized critique on your exercises or progress."

"Great for learning theory and technique, but doesn't provide evaluation of your personal rap style."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How To Rap For Beginners with these activities:

Review Rhyme Schemes

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of different rhyme schemes before diving into complex rap structures. Refreshing this knowledge will make it easier to grasp the course's advanced techniques.

Show steps

Review basic rhyme schemes like AABB, ABAB, and ABCB.
Explore more complex rhyme schemes like slant rhyme and internal rhyme.
Practice identifying rhyme schemes in existing rap lyrics.

Read 'How to Write Better Lyrics' by Pat Pattison

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of lyricism and songwriting techniques. This book provides a broader perspective on crafting compelling lyrics, complementing the course's focus on rap-specific skills.

View Pat Pattison's Songwriting: Essential Guide to... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on rhyme and meter.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Analyze the lyrics of your favorite songs using the techniques learned.

Freestyle over different beats

Show steps

Improve your freestyle skills by practicing over a variety of beats. This will help you develop your flow, rhythm, and ability to think on your feet.

Show steps

Find a collection of diverse rap beats online.
Set a timer for 5 minutes and freestyle over each beat.
Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Write a rap verse using internal rhyme

Show steps

Practice using internal rhyme to create more complex and interesting rap lyrics. This will help you develop your wordplay skills and add depth to your writing.

Show steps

Choose a topic for your verse.
Brainstorm words and phrases related to your topic.
Incorporate internal rhyme into your lyrics.
Refine your verse until it flows smoothly and effectively.

Create a rap song from scratch

Show steps

Apply the skills and knowledge you've learned in the course to create a complete rap song. This will help you solidify your understanding of rap structure, rhyme schemes, and lyric writing.

Show steps

Choose a beat that inspires you.
Write the lyrics for your verse and chorus.
Record your vocals.
Mix and master your song.

Explore 'The Art of Rhyme' by Paul Edwards

Show steps

Gain insights from experienced rappers and learn about different approaches to rapping. This book will broaden your understanding of the art form and inspire you to develop your own unique style.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

Show steps

Read the interviews with your favorite rappers.
Take notes on the techniques and strategies they use.
Experiment with incorporating these techniques into your own rapping.

Help other students with their rap lyrics

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of rap techniques by helping other students improve their lyrics. Teaching others is a great way to solidify your own knowledge.

Show steps

Find online forums or communities where aspiring rappers share their lyrics.
Provide constructive feedback on their rhyme schemes, wordplay, and flow.
Offer suggestions for improvement and share your own insights.

Career center

Learners who complete How To Rap For Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Rapper

A career as a Rapper requires a strong foundation in lyricism, rhythm, and vocal delivery. This course emphasizes actionable lessons in multi's and internal rhymes. Rapping also requires the structure of rap bars, and using this course will help one craft great rap bars. Writing raps can release stress, tension and writing this truth down can help one understand themselves, and become their own version of hip hop.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rapper

Hip Hop Educator

A Hip Hop Educator teaches the history, culture, and techniques of hip hop music and culture to students. This course emphasizes the technical aspects of rap lyricism, including rhyme schemes, wordplay, and punchlines. Hip hop educators can use the templates, worksheets, examples, exercises, tutorials, and advanced techniques that this course provides. Given the focus on rap writing techniques, this course helps hip hop educators who want to teach rap.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hip Hop Educator

Spoken Word Artist

Spoken Word Artists perform poetry or prose aloud, and this course emphasizes practical skills in rhythm, flow, and wordplay. It can help spoken word artists develop confidence and new techniques in their voice. This course provides exercises and examples, and gets into the technical details fast, including rhyme schemes, rap structure, and bars and BPM. Spoken word artists may find this course useful for performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Spoken Word Artist

Content Creator

A Content Creator develops and produces engaging content for various platforms, often including music or spoken word. For Content Creators, this course will improve their rap voice. This course provides the tools to craft ridiculous flows and put one's message out to the world. The course will also help content creators gain more respect on platforms like YouTube or SoundCloud. This course may also increase self-confidence, which is useful for any content creator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Lyricist

A Lyricist focuses on writing the words for songs, and this course emphasizes the technical aspects of rap lyricism. The course delves into the technical details of writing good rap lyrics, including rhyme schemes, wordplay, and punchlines. Aspiring Lyricists can use the templates, worksheets, examples, exercises, tutorials, and advanced techniques that this course provides. Given the focus on rap writing techniques, this course may be useful for lyricists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lyricist

Songwriter

A Songwriter crafts lyrics and melodies for various genres, and this course may be useful for those specializing in rap or hip-hop. The course covers rap structure, rhyme schemes, and techniques for writing good rap lyrics. Aspiring Songwriters can benefit from the exercises in the course designed to improve wordplay, punchlines, and overall lyrical creativity. It also includes examples and exercises in couplets, quatrains, bars, and BPM, which are necessary for songwriting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Poet

Poets express emotions and ideas through language, often using rhythm and rhyme. The course emphasizes writing techniques and rhyme schemes, which can improve a poet's skills. The course provides exercises and examples and gets into the technical details fast. A poet's creative toolset can broaden when exploring poetic meter and the rhythm of words. It may provide a deeper understanding of structure and flow.

See salaries and explore the career path for Poet

Podcaster

A Podcaster creates and hosts audio programs on various topics, often requiring strong vocal delivery and engaging content. This course may enhance a podcaster's delivery and content creation skills. The course highlights actionable lessons in multiple rhymes, internal rhymes, punchlines, and wordplay. Moreover, the course helps increase self-confidence and the ability to articulate one's message. A podcaster may use this to better engage their audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Podcaster

Voice Actor

A Voice Actor uses their voice to bring characters to life in various media. While this course focuses on rap, it also covers improving your rap voice. Voice Actors can benefit from the breath control and belly breathing techniques taught in the course. Furthermore, the course helps to improve confidence in one's voice, which translates beyond rapping. Because voice acting and rap both require clarity and confidence in one's voice, a voice actor may want to take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Voice Actor

Music Producer

A Music Producer oversees the creation of musical recordings. While this course is not about music production, learning to rap helps one understand the needs of rappers. Music producers need to produce something that fits a rapper's needs. They can become a better producer if they know how to rap. With this knowledge, music producers may better cater to the needs of rappers to create great music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Copywriter

A Copywriter writes persuasive marketing and advertising materials. This course may refine wordplay and rhythm. The course emphasizes writing techniques. Copywriters may produce more compelling copy and advertisements. In the end, a copywriter will be able to write better marketing material and improve their career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Speech Writer

A Speech Writer crafts speeches for individuals or organizations. This course may be useful for speech writers. This course will teach the writer to think of words and wordplay. Speech writers may improve their speech writing by using the wordplay techniques taught in the course. It may also improve the memorability of the speech, allowing it to be more persuasive and informative.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech Writer

A DJ mixes and plays music for audiences, often needing a deep understanding of rhythm and musical structure. Though this course is not directly related to music mixing, it can still be useful for DJs. By understanding the structure of rap, DJs may better understand how to mix rap music and add creative elements to their DJ sets. The course emphasizes understanding beats, bars, and BPMs. For DJs, this course may hone their beat-matching skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for DJ

Comedian

A Comedian entertains audiences through humor, often using wordplay, rhythm, and timing. This course may improve their wordplay and comedic timing. The course helps improve one's punchlines. Comedians may become funnier and more able to craft their jokes. This will help people connect with the comedian more, thereby improving their performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comedian

Public Speaker

A Public Speaker delivers presentations to audiences, often needing to be engaging and articulate. This course may improve clarity and confidence. The course highlights actionable lessons to improve one's message. This helps improve self-confidence and the ability to articulate one's message. This helps capture an audience's attention.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Speaker

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How To Rap For Beginners.

Pat Pattison's Songwriting: Essential Guide to...

Save

Focuses on the craft of lyric writing, covering topics such as rhyme, meter, and imagery. It provides practical exercises and examples to help songwriters improve their skills. It valuable resource for honing lyrical techniques. This book is commonly used by aspiring songwriters and studied in academic settings.

Pat Pattison's Songwriting: Essential Guide to...

Paperback

Pat Pattison's Songwriting: Essential Guide to...

Kindle Edition

Alter Ego

Save

Comprehensive guide to the art of rapping, covering topics such as flow, delivery, and wordplay. It features interviews with some of the most respected MCs in hip-hop. It provides valuable insights into the creative process. This book useful reference tool for aspiring rappers and adds breadth to the course by exploring different aspects of rap beyond just lyric writing.

Alter Ego: A Novel

Paperback

How To Rap For Beginners

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Foundational rap for beginners

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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