Techniques

Choosing Your First Pen Beat Pen: Weight, Grip and Balance

Choosing Your First Pen Beat Pen: Weight, Grip and Balance

A practical guide to choosing a first pen beat pen, covering weight, balance, grip shape and barrel type, with a checklist and beginner traps to avoid.

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Comparing Pen Beat Surfaces: Desk, Book and Mouse Mat

Comparing Pen Beat Surfaces: Desk, Book and Mouse Mat

How wood, paper and fabric change the volume, tone and bounce of your pen beats, and how to pick the right surface for each pattern.

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The Four Fundamental Pen Beat Sounds Explained

The Four Fundamental Pen Beat Sounds Explained

Tap, click, slide and bounce are the four sounds behind every pen beat groove. Here is how each is made, when to use it, and how to practise them together.

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How to Hold Your Pen for Clean Pen Beat Taps

How to Hold Your Pen for Clean Pen Beat Taps

Three pen beat grips, the pressure to use at the moment of contact, and wrist and sitting position — everything that decides whether your taps sound crisp or dull.

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