Choosing a beat is one of the most important steps in creating a track that feels authentic to you as an artist. You shouldn’t just look at a beat simply as a backing track but as the foundation that sets your song’s mood, tone, and energy. Whether you’re writing introspective heartfelt lyrics or want to pen a party anthem, selecting a beat that complements your style is key. And while you are not short of options on beat-selling marketplaces, such choice can feel overwhelming. In this post we look at how you can approach this process to ensure the perfect match.

What Type of Artist Are You?

When contemplating beat selection the first thing to consider is: How do I like to approach songwriting? Are you the kind of artist who prefers to have a lyrical concept or idea ready and then search out a beat to match that vision? Or do you prefer to find inspiration in the beat itself, letting it guide the songwriting process?

  • Matching a Beat to an Existing Song Idea: If you already have lyrics, a melody, or a theme in mind, your focus should be on finding a beat that aligns with the mood and energy of your idea. This can be a more tricky approach as you may have an idea of a specific beat in your head that may be challenging to match.
  • Letting the Beat Inspire You: If you’re starting from scratch, your goal should be to find a beat that resonates with you emotionally or stylistically. Pay attention to the vibe and energy—does it spark ideas or connect with your musical tastes? The best songs often originate from a strong connection to the beat.

Understanding your approach is fundamental in helping you to narrow your focus. This will in turn make the selection process much more efficient.

Define Your Artistic Style

The first step in choosing the right beat is to have a clear understanding of your identity as an artist. Knowing what defines your style allows you to select beats that feel authentic and cohesive with your brand.

  • Identify Your Genre: First and foremost, what kind of artist do you see yourself as? Are you focused on a specific genre like hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock, or perhaps a blend of styles? Beyond genre, it’s also important to reflect on your artistic identity. Do you consider yourself to be an underground artist who values authenticity and integrity, or are you aiming to break into the mainstream and climb the commercial charts?
  • Recognize Your Themes: Reflect on the common themes in your music. Are your lyrics typically uplifting, introspective, romantic, or aggressive? Your themes can guide you toward beats that support your lyrical content.
  • Understand Your Delivery Style: Your vocal tone and flow should sit seamlessly with the beat’s rhythm and melodic content. The key determining factor here is whether you are a singer or rapper.
    As a singer, you may gravitate toward lush, emotive beats. You should also consider your vocal range and find beats that best accommodate this. Luckily you can often search for beats by key.

    Rappers, on the other hand, are often looking for beats that have a harder more drum-driven feel. Rappers may also feel comfortable rapping within a specific tempo range. For instance, this could be over half-time trap beats or a 90-100 bpm head-nodding Boom Bapper.

Matching the Mood And Energy of a Beat

Every beat has its own distinct mood and energy, which plays a significant role in how your song connects with listeners. That’s why it’s crucial to keep this in mind when selecting a beat. Let’s explore some of the key factors that shape the mood and energy of a track.

  • Emotion: What feeling does the beat evoke? Is it uplifting, melancholic, aggressive, or sinister? This emotive tone should always try to align with the message of your song.
  • Tempo: The speed of the beat affects how your lyrics will be delivered. As a rule, Up-tempo beats exude energy and are great for club/party tracks. Slower beats on the other hand lend themselves to more reflective or soulful songs.
  • Instrumentation: The instruments used in a track can massively influence the mood and feel of a track. For instance a Fender Rhodes electric piano can impart a jazzy soulful feel, while heavy synths can create an intense, futuristic vibe. Instrumentation and how it has been processed can also create a retro, vintage vibe, which can significantly influence how listeners perceive your song.

Evaluate the Beat’s Structure

The structure of a beat is another important factor to consider. A well-arranged beat will give your song the dynamics it needs to keep listeners engaged. With careful editing, you don’t need to stick rigidly to a beat’s given song structure but it should include all the sections you will require for your song.

  • Sections for Verses, Hooks, and Bridges: Check if the beat has clear sections that accommodate the structure of your song. The hook or chorus section should stand out, while the verses may be simpler in nature to allow your lyrics and narrative to shine.
  • Space for Vocals: Avoid overly busy or complex beats that leave little room for your voice. The perfect backing track should complement a vocal rather than compete or distract from it.
  • Variation: Look for beats that feature subtle changes and variety to the song structure. This will help to keep the listener engaged with the track from start to finish.

Experiment and Seek Feedback

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, there is nothing to prevent you from experimenting with different beats. While it would not be legal to release a track with an unlicensed beat there is nothing to prevent you using the tracks to sketch out song ideas. Record rough drafts of your vocals over different beat options to see which one feels like the best fit. While a beat may have initially caught your attention and seemed perfect, once you lay down your vocals, it might not work as well as you expected.

A good way to assess the suitability of a beat is to ask the opinions of those you value. Share your demos with collaborators, producers, or friends who understand your music. Their perspective can help you make a more objective choice. Ultimately though, the right beat is the one that resonates with you the most. If you feel a strong connection to a beat, it’s more likely to inspire your best work.

Image courtesy of Aries

Budget and Licensing Considerations when Choosing a Beat

Finally, when selecting a beat, it’s essential not to overlook the practical considerations. Beat licenses come with varying rates and terms of use. While the beat itself should be your primary concern it’s also vital that you factor in these considerations.

A common choice is deciding between an Exclusive or Non-Exclusive license. Exclusive licenses offer full ownership and exclusivity, which comes at a higher cost, but provides benefits like easier licensing to other labels. For most artists starting out or working with a limited budget, a non-exclusive license is sufficient.

It’s important to carefully review all terms of use outlined in your beat license, as they can impact you, especially if your track gains traction and receives a high amount of streams. For a more in-depth look at Beat Licenses, check out this post.

Conclusion

Choosing the right beat is a delicate balance of creative vision, artistic awareness, audience expectations, and strategic thinking. By taking the time to analyze and understand your unique style, you can focus on beats that align with your artistic identity. This will help you select tracks with the right mood and structure to complement your vision. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision—trust your instincts and let the perfect beat find you. Your next hit could be just one beat away!

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