Theos
22-08-2005, 11:35 PM
Ive not contributed anything worthwhile to this site for a while so i thought id add a little of my knowledge on scrathing to help all those budding DJ's out there to improve their skills...
...The following tutorial is based on skills i have picked up through the years, ive tried to keep the names of the basic scratches as they are known universally and include any variations that i'm aware of ....obviously this guide is not a definitive guide to scratching techniques but ive done my best...
Please note all scratches are based on a right handed cross fader/left hand deck.
Basic Scratching
Sample - The noise/beat/vocal that you are scratching with.
Cue point - The start of the sample.
Crossfader open/closed - Simply playing the sample by starting with or moving the crossfader into the middle (open) / Not playing the sample by starting with or moving the crossfader to the right (closed)
Baby Scratch.
With your crossfader open hold the vinyl at the cue point, let go and then drag the vinyl back to the cue point.
Rubbing.
Hold the vinyl at the cue point with the crossfader open then move the vinyl back and forth rhythmically, try to make sure you start and end the jogging of the vinyl at the same point. You can then variate this by using differant rhythms, speeds and cue points within the sample.
Tears.
Similar to rubbing, start by pushing the the vinyl forward from the cue point but instead of pulling it back in one motion pull it half way and come to a stop, then pull back from the stop to the cue point. 1 forward movement - 2 back movements. Variate this with multiple back strokes.
Scribble.
Hold the vinyl on the sample with your middle finger, tense up your arm until it shakes moving the vinyl back and forth in very small but fast movements. Try and keep the shaking at a constant.
Forward scratch.
With your crossfader open hold the vinyl at the cue point, let go, just as the sample ends close the fader quickly, drag the vinyl back to the cue point. You must always cut off the backward movement of the sample. Variate this by shortening the time the sample plays for.
Stabs.
Like a forward scratch but you hold the vinyl rather than just letting it go. Stab your hand forward then close the fader as you drag it back, you can also do it 'backwards' by only playing the backwards stroke of the sample and cutting the forward stroke.
Chirp.
With the crossfader open, hold the vinyl and push it forward from the cue point, just as you play the start of the sample close the fader and come to a stop. Drag the sample back to the cue point and just before you reach the start of the sample re-open the fader. The idea is just to catch a small amount of the sample you are playing on both the forward and backward strokes.
More tomorrow..........
Transforms
Flares/Orbits
Lasers
Echos
Freehand Variations
Theos...........
...The following tutorial is based on skills i have picked up through the years, ive tried to keep the names of the basic scratches as they are known universally and include any variations that i'm aware of ....obviously this guide is not a definitive guide to scratching techniques but ive done my best...
Please note all scratches are based on a right handed cross fader/left hand deck.
Basic Scratching
Sample - The noise/beat/vocal that you are scratching with.
Cue point - The start of the sample.
Crossfader open/closed - Simply playing the sample by starting with or moving the crossfader into the middle (open) / Not playing the sample by starting with or moving the crossfader to the right (closed)
Baby Scratch.
With your crossfader open hold the vinyl at the cue point, let go and then drag the vinyl back to the cue point.
Rubbing.
Hold the vinyl at the cue point with the crossfader open then move the vinyl back and forth rhythmically, try to make sure you start and end the jogging of the vinyl at the same point. You can then variate this by using differant rhythms, speeds and cue points within the sample.
Tears.
Similar to rubbing, start by pushing the the vinyl forward from the cue point but instead of pulling it back in one motion pull it half way and come to a stop, then pull back from the stop to the cue point. 1 forward movement - 2 back movements. Variate this with multiple back strokes.
Scribble.
Hold the vinyl on the sample with your middle finger, tense up your arm until it shakes moving the vinyl back and forth in very small but fast movements. Try and keep the shaking at a constant.
Forward scratch.
With your crossfader open hold the vinyl at the cue point, let go, just as the sample ends close the fader quickly, drag the vinyl back to the cue point. You must always cut off the backward movement of the sample. Variate this by shortening the time the sample plays for.
Stabs.
Like a forward scratch but you hold the vinyl rather than just letting it go. Stab your hand forward then close the fader as you drag it back, you can also do it 'backwards' by only playing the backwards stroke of the sample and cutting the forward stroke.
Chirp.
With the crossfader open, hold the vinyl and push it forward from the cue point, just as you play the start of the sample close the fader and come to a stop. Drag the sample back to the cue point and just before you reach the start of the sample re-open the fader. The idea is just to catch a small amount of the sample you are playing on both the forward and backward strokes.
More tomorrow..........
Transforms
Flares/Orbits
Lasers
Echos
Freehand Variations
Theos...........