by Crystal White

Created on: June 18, 2009   Last Updated: June 19, 2009

Let's be honest: When it comes to the art of free-styling, either you got it, or you don't. This art is reserved for only the most critical,decisive, and quick-witted artists. Free-styling is improvisation at its finest and should not be attempted by amateurs. A few tips to help develop the skills are available.

1) Practice, practice, practice! Say little rhymes about everyday things to yourself or inside your head. When you get a phrase or verse that you like, store it in your mind. It will be there when you need to use it.

2) Take the time to write down some thoughts on paper. Visualizing the words will help you craft them into rhyme schemes and clever phrases. If you are already a poet, it should come a little easier to you.

3) Have some freestyle battles with your friends. You can pick up on what they are saying and quickly improvise a response. Don't worry if what your saying doesn't always rhyme. The flow of your free-styling is more important.

4) Don't be embarrassed to perform in front of others. No matter your skill level, everyone has to start somewhere. You will begin to see improvement in yourself if you practice often.

5) You can use that personal motto or memorized phrase in your free-styling as your calling card. A sharply structured "personal" line will set you apart from other emcees.

6) Be original and save the copy-catting for playful insults during battle. You never wanna bite off someone else's style, this makes you seem like a weak wannabe.

7) Slang is an important element of freestyle, so use slang. You dont wanna sound completely politically correct. You'll gain more street credit if you use the language an audience understands.

8) Start out spouting off a few random thoughts, but always remember to finish the thought. Don't freestyle in circles, jumping from one subject to another. If so, you'll just sound like a blabbering fool.

9) Record yourself freestyling. Critique your own work or ask friends to do so. Be open to the criticism and use it as a tool for improvement.

10) Practice, practice practice. Free-styling doesn't come easy to anyone but the Best Free-stylers have carefully honed their craft and weren't that good when they started out.

Remember, it takes time and practice. Develop your skills at your own pace and if you feel like your not getting anywhere, take a break and refresh your mind. I bet something will pop up for you to rap about. And remember that "calling card", that phrase or verse that identifies your work. With that, you only have a starting point and if you use it often, you will be remembered for it. Just be sure it isn't something that makes you look bad. Free-styling is about hyping yourself up so come strong or not at all.

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