Who scratches here?

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Who scratches here?
Posted on: 22.12.2011 by Len Lukawski
A couple of months ago I decided to start learning to scratch, properly. Not just pushing the record around and hoping for the best (which best describes the previous 17 attempts back in the day). I have consumed hundreds of hours of videos on Youtube, been reading books, signed up for Qbert's SkratchU and practice whenever I can which unfortunately is maybe half an hour a day. I am definitely off the blocks skills-wise but still in skratch primary/elementary school.

So who here scratches?
Are you beginner or Grandmaster?
What are you learning right now?
What's been the hardest technique for you to learn?
How did you or do you learn?
What's your setup?
What do you scratch to?
Would you like to go to dinner?
- I edited this list as I had a repeat question on setups.

Would love to hear people's stories and views on this!
Verona Spradlin
23.10.2012		Hah, I haven't seen a post in here in months! Anyway, I'll try to get a video of some ambidextrous cuts. I'm just so terrible righty, it's pretty embarrassing, lol.
Ginger Vinegar
21.10.2012
Originally Posted by hipnopath
Good luck! I'm scratch lefty (left on record, right on fader even though I'm right handed) and I'm trying to learn right handed with the right on record and left on fader. I usually try to practice righty, then I get frustrated and scratch the other way because I know I can two click flare easy with my right hand on the fader, but I can do chirps, stabs, transforms, tears righty and I believe that's enough for me to get by. Have fun and post up your progress!
you should do a video of you scratching right handed :P
Evelyn Navarijo
16.08.2012		Trying to transition over to hamster style, it's so much easier to do Chirps n other "open scratches", getting some difficulties with transforming though.

Also, kinda difficult when I only get to practice like... Once every 2 months or something
Ira Alsadi
14.08.2012		I haven't been able to practice too much lately, but I am balancing my practice between both hands. The individual scratches are getting easier but combos are still insanely difficult with my left hand on the fader.
Lilliana Perris
14.08.2012		Same...fader with my right....record rub with my left.

I try the other way....but its just tooo dumb!



When I play out, backing up my mates Live act, I only use 1 deck anyways....so fine with it.

BUT....need to learn to use both hands. Else its just....not the proper deal.
Verona Spradlin
13.08.2012		Good luck! I'm scratch lefty (left on record, right on fader even though I'm right handed) and I'm trying to learn right handed with the right on record and left on fader. I usually try to practice righty, then I get frustrated and scratch the other way because I know I can two click flare easy with my right hand on the fader, but I can do chirps, stabs, transforms, tears righty and I believe that's enough for me to get by. Have fun and post up your progress!
Eden Effland
13.08.2012
  • So who here scratches?
    Although I am a mainly a Deep, Soulful and Tech House DJ, I do dedicate approximately 30% of my practice time to scratching and beat juggling. When I started DJing in the 1980's, most House and Techno DJs could scratch and do basic beat juggling routines in the Detroit area. This is mostly attributed to the influence of Jeff Mills and Charles "The Electrifying Mojo" Johnson on most DJs in Detroit at the said time.

    When I returned to DJing this year, I was surprised to find that hardly none of the House DJs scratch or beat juggle anymore, with the exception of Terrence Parker whom also started DJing in the Detroit area in the 1980's. This is probably attributed to the shift from turntables to CDJs as the preferred deck in House music.

  • Are you beginner or Grandmaster?
    I am at an intermediate level. I can do the basics, transforms, etc.

  • What are you learning right now?
    I am working on various flares and orbits, and learning how to scratch well with my left hand. In the past, I kept both of my turntables on the right side of my mixer. Since returning to DJing this year, I changed to a standard club configuration, which meant that I must learn to use both hands to scratch.

  • What's been the hardest technique for you to learn?
    Learning to scratch with my left hand is the hardest aspect for me at this time. It is getting better, but still feels uncomfortable. Although not necessarily scratching, beat juggling is also a skill that I am struggling to regain consistency.

  • How did you or do you learn?
    I learned how to scratch many years ago from listening to other DJs, experimentation and friends. Back then, the transform was the most difficult scratching technique. Since returning to DJing, scratching has become much more advanced. Some of the newer scratches were fairly easy to pickup, but some, such as flares, are still a challenge.

  • What's your setup?
    Two Stanton ST-150 turntables and a Denon DN-X1600 mixer.

  • What do you scratch to?
    Various break beat recordings and loops, as well as House music.

  • Would you like to go to dinner?
Reda Holdsworth
12.08.2012		again the fader costs more than the mixer fyi...
Reda Holdsworth
12.08.2012		I have a DMXo6 with a innofader & it's a nice scratch mixer. Hamspster switch is on the faceplate in a good spot & lit up when on & off.
Verona Spradlin
05.08.2012		DXMPro is the only good scratch mixer from the DXM series although some will really like the DXM06.
Len Lukawski
05.08.2012		Don't repeat history by buying cheap, getting annoyed, selling said item at a loss and then buying what you really need

I would go used Vestax over new Numark.
Glennis Bischoff
06.08.2012		what do you guys believe of numark DX series mixers?
Verona Spradlin
05.08.2012
Originally Posted by Jhamilton831
Quick question? Ive been looking on many community s looking for a good scratch mixer for a beginner...Ive gotten many answers (DJM 909,numark m1, m2, m3, m4, gemini ps626x...) just looking for opinions on here thank you. I want something that is $100-$150 range.
Used Vestax PMC series or Stanton SK Series.
Debrah Arnaout
04.08.2012
Originally Posted by Jhamilton831
Quick question? Ive been looking on many community s looking for a good scratch mixer for a beginner...Ive gotten many answers (DJM 909,numark m1, m2, m3, m4, gemini ps626x...) just looking for opinions on here thank you. I want something that is $100-$150 range.
ive got a numark M1. its cheap and does the job. its only got a two band eq which kinda blows but it might suit your needs
Zana Chevallier
04.08.2012		Quick question? Ive been looking on many community s looking for a good scratch mixer for a beginner...Ive gotten many answers (DJM 909,numark m1, m2, m3, m4, gemini ps626x...) just looking for opinions on here thank you. I want something that is $100-$150 range.
Verona Spradlin
02.08.2012
Originally Posted by Cybertrash
You had a Rane, but went and bought a Numark?

You mad bwoy, you mad.
Hah, just noticed this reply. I got the Numark because my 05Pro3 dies and I liked having a spare mixer for just scratching or bringing to a friends house to jam. I still use my 56.

Ira Alsadi
27.07.2012		💩⚠
Lilliana Perris
26.07.2012		KE?

^ Is spam...
Craig Mcguffee
26.07.2012		"Queens Construction is your Brooklyn and Queens Construction Expert. Call 1-800-218-9607. We specialize in kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, home additions, window and door replacements, Electrical, Plumbing, Brick and Block Construction, Flooring installation and Carpet Installation."
http://www.shifraconstructionny.com/
Evelyn Navarijo
26.07.2012
Originally Posted by hipnopath
You had a Rane, but went and bought a Numark?

You mad bwoy, you mad.
Ginger Vinegar
18.07.2012		im back! just got my new mixer a couple weeks ago so iv been learning the chirp scratch and stuff, i might post a video next week if i build up enough confidence but yeah, loving my new pioneer djm-t1. magnetic crossfader
Reda Holdsworth
11.07.2012		Oh well i'll still leave the post for the bump.
Reda Holdsworth
11.07.2012		<object width="400" height="266" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/10151883319490582" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10151883319490582" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="266"></embed></object>

Bump from page 2....

A friend shot this & I pulled it from facebook. Hopefully the link will work.
Verona Spradlin
29.06.2012
Danae Dumler
25.06.2012		My latest practice session is uploading now; focused mainly on 2- and 3-click flares:



As you can see I still have a ways to go....
Danae Dumler
25.06.2012		Nice work! Digging the sound, and I love that it comes from an Amy Grant record.
Verona Spradlin
24.06.2012		Decided to try again on the MPC and try to make beats that don't sound like shit.



What do you believe?
Glennis Bischoff
18.06.2012		So who here scratches?

i do... well, i try

Are you beginner or Grandmaster?

noob with some skills down, like tears and some transformer.

What are you learning right now?

everything i already know, but with opposite hands. i plan on mastering things ambidextriously

What's been the hardest technique for you to learn?

basically anything with my left hand on the X-fader.

How did you or do you learn?

DJ Angelo's tutorials on youtube

What's your setup?

see signature. 2 geminis and a vestax mixer

What do you scratch to?

instrumental beats. i plan on scratching for a rapper locally.

Would you like to go to dinner?

if you buy. im broke as the common sense on Wall St.
Danae Dumler
14.06.2012
Originally Posted by hipnopath
Looks like you got your flares down! Now try the two click flare.
hehe still working on those but I did a few of them at :48 or so and again starting at 2:06... even tried out some three-click flares at about 2:39 I find I can't go very fast on either of those without twiddling or crabbing though, at least so far.
Ira Alsadi
13.06.2012		Good lord hipno. It'll be a year before I can answer that.
Verona Spradlin
13.06.2012		Looks like you got your flares down! Now try the two click flare.

Here's a Q&A I recorded incase someone wants to try and "scratch battle" with me. Hope you guys like it!

Danae Dumler
08.06.2012
Originally Posted by hipnopath
Damn, now that's something I've never seen before. I'm somewhat used to normal TTM, but writing it like that looks like it's easier to learn especially if you can equate scratching to normal musical notation. Props.
That's how I learned it, starting with that book Turntable Techniques (and then later in classes with Faust and Shortee at Scratch Academy), and since I took drum classes long long ago, the notation makes more sense to me than anything else.

Here's a new little battle routine of mine. I messed up some parts, oh well.
Damn son! I was just uploading my own practice session, but how the hell can I follow that act Sounding great!

Nevertheless here's my practice session (it's not uploaded yet but should be by the time anyone reads this):

go easy on me
Verona Spradlin
08.06.2012
Originally Posted by djproben
starting to practice these patterns to learn tears in both directions: http://instagr.am/p/LogBkKqnph/

I still suck at it tho ...
Damn, now that's something I've never seen before. I'm somewhat used to normal TTM, but writing it like that looks like it's easier to learn especially if you can equate scratching to normal musical notation. Props.

Here's a new little battle routine of mine. I messed up some parts, oh well.

Danae Dumler
08.06.2012		starting to practice these patterns to learn tears in both directions: http://instagr.am/p/LogBkKqnph/

I still suck at it tho ...
Lilliana Perris
08.06.2012
Originally Posted by hipnopath
DJ Lotus currently has my 05Pro3 in hopes he can get it working as it shorted out two weeks ago. Besides that, I got my MacBook repaired from Apple with a new display ready to roll (hopefully). Here's a quick video I made with Traktor and some Dicers.



Also, I made a follow up tutorial video explaining what I've been doing lately in my patterns.

HOLY SHIT!

Dude....you are fucking EXCELLENT!

Seriously...thats some good technique! Can see your passion and hours you have put into it.
Very cool tut too....gave me lots to believe about and to try.

Props dude!
Reda Holdsworth
07.06.2012		I just started using the white ones as well. The are much heavier.
Lilliana Perris
07.06.2012

My iPhone is dead...so no pics or freaking vids from me. Nothing else to record with..

I so badly want to join in!

Started using my White Timecodes again.....kinda like em more than my Black ones for scratching.
Dunno if its due to the White being heavier....but I like it.

Verona Spradlin
07.06.2012		Thank you. It's a shame that that 05Pro3 may be done though. I'll probably hear the final work from Lotus soon.
Danae Dumler
06.06.2012		that might be my favorite one of your videos yet; just relaxed and musical. good stuff!
Verona Spradlin
04.06.2012
Originally Posted by Cybertrash
Agreed, only thing missing is getting your audio recorded externally.
I sometimes do it for random freestyles, but for a tutorial I record with a microphone so I can talk. I do own a Shure SM48 but I don't have a mic stand.


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