octapadOCTAPAD FOR BEGINNERS
How to play octapad.
Your first beat.
Learn a simple four-beat pattern on the free mobile octapad. Start at 80 BPM, listen to the loop, then play along.
Load the beginner beat →01 / COUNT IT
Start with
“1 and 2 and…”
Count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & evenly. The numbered counts are the beats; the “ands” sit halfway between. Repeat the same count for every bar.
Use the closed hat on each count. Add the kick on 1 and 3, and the snare on 2 and 4.
Octapad players count the same eight-step cycle as kaharwa, the taal behind most bhajans and film songs. Play the kaharwa loop →
| Pad | 1 | & | 2 | & | 3 | & | 4 | & |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kick | ● | — | — | — | ● | — | — | — |
| Snare | — | — | ● | — | — | — | ● | — |
| Closed hat | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Hear the pattern.
Load the beginner beat and press Play loop. The pads flash with each hit. Listen for the kick and snare taking turns.
Take over a part.
In the sequencer, switch off the kick steps and play them yourself. On a keyboard use A for kick, S for snare and D for closed hat.
Hear your progress.
Press Record, play for a few bars and stop. Listen back and download your take. The metronome stays out of the recording.
KEEP EXPLORING
Five ways to practice.
Start with a steady beat. Move to kaharwa and cumbia, then try faster tempos and offbeat accents when the basics feel comfortable.
PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE
Build timing
before speed.
Start with just the closed hat. Add the kick when eight even taps feel comfortable, then add the snare. Keep the same tempo while you learn each part.
If the beat feels difficult
Reduce the tempo to 60 BPM. Practice four bars without stopping, then listen to a recording. If your hits drift away from the loop, slow down again and work on one part.
If the sound feels delayed
Try the device speaker or wired headphones, close busy tabs and avoid Bluetooth while practicing. The web pads respond on touch-down, but device and audio-output latency still vary.
Ready for a different pulse? Explore octapad beats and rhythm patterns with configured sounds and tempos.
Keep your rhythm going.
Explore sampling, more sounds and song arrangement in TAAL for Android.
Explore the Android app →