Damn why all y'all picking on him... He need help just answer the question, y'all have to get all anal.

Flow is about the structure of the beat, you CAN follow the snares you don't have to, but in general, snares are a "guide".

Your question: Is it okay to follow other instruments in a beat besides the snare?

Answer = yes.

If you are just starting out I would recommend you try to get used to hitting the snares, then shift to another instrument IN THE SAME BEAT and write to it. After a while, it'll come out naturally (the way you want it). But the first time it's gonna suck, guaranteed because you experimenting. Once you get used to it, then you'll understand the reasoning of switching up ya flow and hitting other instruments. That way you won't sound boring, but you get used to playing around with the beat.

And freestyling - Is all about practice. Freestyle everday when you relaxing and a commercial come on, peep your surroundings and just start spitting. For me, I practice freestyling when I clean the kitchen and wash up some dishes late at night. And I go to sleep with headphones on listening to beats that I would spit to that I haven't wrote to yet. Then I wake up in the morning with concepts... But it's all about preferences and you willing to practice fa real.

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