Incredibox

Incredibox is a website that lets you layer a "band of beatboxers" on top of each other to create repeating loops. Not only is it very entertaining for students and teachers alike, but it can also be a powerful tool for teaching layering, harmony, pitched and unpitched sounds, phrasing, and beat.

Getting Started with Incredibox Uses for Music Class
 * On this page:**

media type="youtube" key="MVF_JWD_dP0" height="353" width="425"



Getting Started with Incredibox
There are currently four different versions of Incredibox that each have a different sound and groove, but each one essentially works the same way (version 1 works slightly differently and has fewer options).
 * It starts with one shirtless man, which the students find this wildly funny the first time they see it.
 * You can add a sound to him by clicking and dragging any of the options listed under "Beats," "Effects," "Melodies," or "Voices."
 * Each option within each category sounds different, so you can combine more than one option per category.
 * You can add up to seven different layers
 * When you hover your mouse over an activated singer, you will see three icons. The volume control button lets you temporarily mute that layer until you turn it back on. The headphones button lets you isolate the sound of a single layer. The X button lets you delete that layer from the mix.
 * You can try to unlock special "bonus" sections of the song by creating specific combinations of loops. Your progress towards unlocking these bonuses is shown on the top right of the player.
 * You can record your mix using the "Record" button on the top left on top of the player. You need a minimum of 10 loops and a maximum of 40 to create a recording.
 * Once you've recorded, you can either download it (for a fee) or share it for free via Facebook, Twitter, email, or direct link. Unfortunately, Incredibox does not yet offer an embed option.

Click here to listen to an example of an Incredibox mix.

Back to top



Uses for Music Class

 * Beat: discuss how the loops are able to be mixed together without stopping
 * Harmony/texture: play around with mixing to create thick and thin. Discuss pitched and unpitched loops and how the pitched loops can be combined to create harmony.
 * Timbre: pitched and unpitched percussion, a cappella, beat box
 * Form (phrases): discuss how the loops need to finish the phrase before the new loop can begin

Back to top