How To Beatbox – Boots ‘n Cats and Other Simple Sentences

Beatboxing sentences

**Free downloadable beatboxing sentences below**

Lately I’ve been working hard to finish my iPad Projects in the Music Classroom ebook and one of the projects in the collection involves recording a beatbox backing track with the live looping app Loopy HD. I’ve been fascinated with the art of live looping my voice for a long time, but I’ve never been much of a beatboxer.

Some years ago I attended a workshop run by the fabulous Mal Webb – a multitalented local Melbourne artist – who teaches beatboxing through “beatbox sentences”. By saying a specific sentence in a rhythmic way and emphasising the consonants of each word you can create a beatbox pattern with your voice before you realise what you’re doing.

Some of Mal’s favourites include:

• Don’t say guitar don’t suck a dung car
• Bouncing pizza
• Bouncing clouds

Take a look at Mal’s full list on his website here (and go catch him at a live gig!).

Boots ‘n cats

So, I thought it would be useful to include a list of beatboxing sentences in the iPad ebook that would make is easy for students to beatbox even if they had little or no experience.

It’s not exactly a unique concept. Many people are familiar with the use of the phrase “Boots ‘n cats ‘n” to create a simple rock beat. When I consulted Youtube for a possible video example of beatboxing sentences I came across the gem below this video.

PLEASE NOTE: Since posting this, it has been brought to my attention that there is mention (and accompanying graphic) of a female body part which I had missed when originally viewing the video. My apologies. The downloadable sheet music version below does not include this part of the video.

I ended up transcribing most of the variations into a printable 2-page score, which is available as a free download below.

Alternative “boots and cats” beatboxing video

If you would like a clean alternative to show your students, you could use this brief video and then teach the variations verbally yourself.

FREE Printable beatboxing sentences list

Click here to download your FREE Easy Beatboxing Sentences list

Enter your email address and the beatboxing sentences list will arrive shortly in your inbox.

More iPad Music Project Ideas!

iPad Projects for the Music Classroom includes 22 step-by-step projects you can use straight away with your music students. Take the guesswork out of choosing apps and discover how you can use iPads in an engaging and meaningful way.

Click on the image below for more information.