Meet 2025 Teacher of the Year for Beatboxing Paul Arnett

We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Beatboxing, Paul Arnett, to share what first drew him to the art form and how he approaches teaching it today. In this Q&A, Paul reflects on discovering beatboxing through friends and early online influences, his decades-long journey of continual learning, and the calm, focused environment he creates for students. He emphasizes patience, appreciation of progress at every stage, and having fun while building skills as the foundation for creative growth, confidence, and lifelong enjoyment of beatboxing.

What drew you to learning about beatboxing?

I was drawn into beatboxing by a new friend who taught me in 2006. I was also inspired by YouTube videos of Rahzel, Faith SFX and Felix Zenger. I think beatboxing is very popular today because there are a lot of viral videos of beatboxing tracks and battles that showcase the world's top beatboxers. Also I think it’s popular because it is accessible and a vocal instrument that conveys emotion and music. 

How would you describe your teaching studio?

My teaching studio is a very quiet and calm environment. I use an iPad to notate the beatbox sounds and rhythms so we have resources to refer to when practicing or we can create a new routine. Having a calm studio helps me to hear the student fully and to be present to give feedback and praise when I hear awesome beatboxing.

If you could gift your students one piece of automatic knowledge or ability about beatboxing, what would it be? 

To develop skill in beatboxing takes time, appreciate as much as possible what you are able to do now and find inspiration from others to keep innovating. I have always enjoyed beatboxing from week 1 when I had very raw unclean sounds, a few months in felt more comfortable so I could learn new sounds and rhythms. Even after 20 years of beatboxing, I am learning new sounds, breathing techniques and theory. It's a constant learning curve that to me is fun and feels good, makes me happy :)

What are some of your most indispensable pieces of gear?

My most indispensable equipment I use is my iPad (for beatbox notation and creating resources, looping and recording beatboxing, watching beatboxing videos on YouTube)

Also my microphone I use for performances at shows is essential. I make sure I clean my microphone after every performance and will replace the grille and internal foam when needed. My Shure SM58beta has lasted 18 years and is still working amazingly!

Are there apps / texts / other resources you often recommend?

Apps I would recommend are GarageBand, Loopy Pro, Loopy HD, Incredibox, Voice Notes, Canva, Notability, Samplebot, MetronomeBeats.

What’s a skill or idea you’re excited to explore in 2026?

I’m working to next year release a complete step by step framework for learning every sound, beat pattern, breathing technique, routine, theory with images, videos and sound clips into an app or website. 

How about your students?

My new goal for my students is to teach them how to record their beatboxing as audio or video and to create unique routines or tracks to share with the world. 

When I first started beatboxing my goal was to sound as good as the pros at the time, when I finally achieved this my new goals were to perform on stage, record YouTube videos again and teach beatboxing.

Is there anything else you would like to share with potential students about beatboxing?

My main goals in lessons for my students is to have fun beatboxing and to support you in learning by explaining and demonstrating at different levels how you can learn a new sound or skill.

If you are interested in learning more about Paul or would like to book a lesson with him, please visit his Lessonface profile here. 

Also, be sure to check out all of Lessonface’s 2025 Teachers of the Year here!