The Instruments Used in Hip Hop Music
The instruments used in hip hop music have changed and evolved over time. Here’s a look at some of the most popular instruments used in hip hop today.
Introduction
Hip hop music is a type of music that was developed in the United States in the 1970s. It is a combination of African-American music, Latin American music, and European music. Hip hop music is often associated with rap, but it can also include other forms of music such as Funk, Soul, Reggae, and Jazz.
The instruments used in hip hop music are those that are commonly found in African-American and Latino communities in the United States. These instruments include the drum machine, the turntable, and the sampler.
Drums
The drums are the most important instrument in hip hop music. They provide the rhythm and beat that the rappers and singers flow over. without the drums, there would be no hip hop music.
Breakbeats
The Roland TR-808 drum machine is largely responsible for the 808 sound that defined hip hop music. It was introduced in 1980, and while it was not an instant success, it quickly became an important part of the rap voice. The classic breakbeat from the TR-808 is known as the “Amen Break,” popularized by the gospel-influenced rap group N.W.A.
Sampling
In hip hop music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a sound recording in a different song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electric jazz; who physically manipulated tape loops or vinyl records on a phonograph. By the late 1960s, the use of tape loop sampling influenced the development of minimalist music and the production of psychedelic rock and jazz fusion. Hip hop music was the first popular music based on the art of sampling – being born from 1970s DJs who experimented with manipulating vinyl on two turntables and an audio mixer. Historically, hip hop arose from block parties in New York City within the African-American community in the 1970s. Block parties incorporated DJs, who played popular genres of music, especially funk and soul music. Due to the positive reception received by his entries for block party competitions, DJ Kool Herc eventually became known as one of the pioneers who helped to develop hip hop through his “break-beat” style of DJing.
While often used to refer exclusively to rapping, “hip hop” more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture. The term hip hop music is sometimes used synonymously with rap music , but rapping is not a required component of hip hop music; it may be present in any style, including Pop , R&B , Rock , dance , disco and reggae . These genres were originally influenced by Hip Hop culture.
Rapping , also referred to as MCing or emceeing, is a vocal style in which the artist speaks lyrically and rhythmically, in rhyme and verse , generally to an instrumental or synthesized beat . Beats are traditionally generated from portions of other songs by sequencer s; particularly drum machine s (i.e., TR-808 ) which are sampled .
Bass
The bass is an important part of hip hop music, providing the low-end rumble that helps to drive the track. The most common bass instrument in hip hop is the electric bass, which can be played with a pick or with the fingers. Otherbass instruments used inhip hop include the acoustic bass and the keyboard bass.
Synthesizers
One of the most popular instruments in hip hop music is the synthesizer. Synthesizers can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from the deep bass of a kick drum to the high-pitched melody of a lead synth line. Synthesizers can be played manually with a keyboard, or they can be programmed to play automatically with sequencing software.
Synthesizers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from small tabletop units to huge racks of modules. The most popular synthesizers used in hip hop music are digital, meaning they use computer chips to generate their sounds. Some of the most popular digital synthesizers are made by companies such as Roland, Korg, and Yamaha.
While digital synthesizers are the most popular type used in hip hop music, there are also a wide variety of analog synthesizers available. Analog synthesizers use electronic circuits to generate their sounds, as opposed to computer chips. Many analog synthesizers have a warm, rich sound that is unique and often prized by producers and musicians. Some of the most popular analog synthesisers include the Moog Minimoog and the ARP Odyssey.
Turntables
While the term “turntablist” didn’t enter the hip hop lexicon until the 1990s, the turntable has been an integral part of hip hop since its inception in the 1970s. DJs would use turntables to play snippets of different songs in quick succession, often adding their own scratch effects to create a unique sound. In the 1980s, rappers would often rhyme over these beats, creating the rap song format that is still in use today.
Scratching
Scratching, sometimes referred to as scrubbing, is a DJ and turntablist technique of moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable to produce percussive or rhythmic sounds. A crossfader on a DJ mixer may be used to fade between two records simultaneously. Scratching is generally considered difficult to master.
The scratched chorus of the song “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock is an example of how scratching can be used as a hook or melody line not just rhythm. Another use of scratching stylus motion with 112th notes exists in Lennie Tristano’s composition “Intereference”, where the left hand plays improvised counterpoint against right hand swinging eighth notes.
Conclusion
To conclude, the instruments used in hip hop music are incredibly varied. From the traditional drums and guitars, to the more modern electronic samples and loops, there is something for everyone in this genre. No matter what your preferred style is, you can be sure to find a beat that speaks to you. So get out there and start exploring!
