Who scratches here?
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! | |
| Len Lukawski 07.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by djlotus
Mr. Lotus: Could not have put it better myself. You are one of the heroes my friend. |
| Ira Alsadi 07.03.2012 | Can't view the video. Says it is private. Welcome to the thread. Please leave pride at the door as humility reigns supreme in this thread. |
| Cordie Redmann 07.03.2012 | Hey guys, I'm new here, I picked up scratching in December. I usually just mix dubstep but I figured, I have turntables, might as well try something new. I went through DJ Angelo's tutorials on youtube and i've been basically just scrounging up tips from various youtube videos and websites. I have a video of myself practicing some scratches over a Koan Sound track... upon watching it I'm bad at scratching on beat, but I'm gonna link it anyway... any tips or criticism would be appreciated! Especially about sounding smoother, I believe I rely too much on quick taps which make that kind of popping sound, which is cool, but not all the time. |
| Len Lukawski 07.03.2012 | I am available to script your hilarity. |
| Ira Alsadi 07.03.2012 | I like this idea. There should more satire and parody in turntablism.
Originally Posted by hipnopath
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| Verona Spradlin 07.03.2012 | Yeah me too haha. I'm going to finish this one into a full two minute routine for the online DMC and my local town's elimination rounds. I have no idea what to for a full 6 minute set. I don't know whether to make it all Euro style or poke fun at it (like vocal samples before each part of my routine saying, "and now, here the mandatory extremely fast cuts over fast electro beats" or before a juggle, "and here is the necessary beat juggle to show you can't only scratch" poking fun at all DMC routines. Just a thought). |
| Len Lukawski 07.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by djlotus
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| Ira Alsadi 07.03.2012 | That is sounding so much better. Keep it up man. I am looking forward to the whole routine. |
| Len Lukawski 07.03.2012 | This is SmiTTTboT. I am a highly malicious and dangerous script. Well, I say "script" I believe I have some work to do before most other scripts would consider me one of their own. Anyway, I digress. I am a bunch of text that's up to no good and hell bent on infiltrating your computers as soon as I have figured out how (anyone know of any good books on it?) For now all I am really good for is insisting that you go take SmiTTTen's DJ survey. He is my creator and if I don't do his internet bidding he has promised that I will be confined to the temp folder forever. You can take the survey right HERE Anyway, my malicious ascii-based horror file has to take itself off to mitten kicking classes now. Hastas!!!!! SmiTTTboT version 1.some |
| Verona Spradlin 07.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by djproben
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| Danae Dumler 06.03.2012 | yeah I agree, that drum pattern is way too busy. It's cool as hell though; it would be great to work out a way to use it without having it bury your technical skills. Maybe do more shutting off the beat (shut off the channel fader on the beat and continue scratching for 4 bars and then bring it back), or maybe make your own beat with some loops from this and some loops from a much less busy track at the same tempo. Or like Smittten said, find a way to EQ it so that the scratches aren't competing with the drum pattern. |
| Verona Spradlin 06.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by smittten
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| Len Lukawski 06.03.2012 | I meant wrestling in general, not just at the end - sorry. I guess I'd go for something that allows your skill to really standout rather than a sound that competes with it. It might just be a case of eq'ing it differently. |
| Verona Spradlin 06.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by smittten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMyke7at2X4 Unkut is also actually using the same record that I pulled my samples from Le Jad - Nervous Shock. Chock full of samples and beats. I have no where near the skill of Unkut, but it's nice to try. In retrospect, I probably won't do a Euro routine because here in South Texas, I believe many people people would boo fast electro sounding routines. It's too bad, I do like how some of it sounds even though other swear it's what killing the DMCs. Le Jad is known for making DJ Netik's/Rafik's/Fly's and Ligone's DMC routine that won in their respective years. |
| Len Lukawski 05.03.2012 | Granted I was only watching on my iPhone but the the drums come across as very bright and seem to obfuscate the scratch sample. When you switched the 2nd sample the contrast was way better and your cuts came through brilliantly. Still wonder if the beat pattern is going to end up wrestling with your scratching... |
| Ira Alsadi 05.03.2012 | Sounds good. Timing in the beginning is a little loose, but that's just forcing myself to find something. I am insanely jealous of your ability to go from "insanely fast" 2 clicks to a slow stab and back again so effortlessly. I will get there one day. One far off beautiful day. |
| Len Lukawski 05.03.2012 | Will check out the vid later. Regardless, you're an amazing scratcher and have given a boat of help to this group. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER. |
| Verona Spradlin 05.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by smittten
New video showing a possible DMC Routine probably for the online DMC or my local one in 3 weeks. I'm pretty nervous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkCTt...hzr_OXQZI8e6p1 |
| Ira Alsadi 05.03.2012 | I don't have any beeps which precede the samples on my battle vinyl. Now I feel left out. I need to check out these super seal records you guys are talking about. Hard to justify $35 for a double LP though. |
| Len Lukawski 05.03.2012 | So how many of you scratch with the beep the precedes the sample on skipless vinyl like the super seal records? |
| Len Lukawski 04.03.2012 | Keep on, keeping on mate. The one great thing about scratching is that there are no short cuts, no ridiculous debates on whether one way is easier/cheating compared to others. We all just do what we can to get better. Some of us (I say "us" I mean all of you) master this stuff quicker than others. Some of us have more time but regardless, it's all about practice and keeping at it. I love this thread above all others because its just about trying to get better and helping those that we can help. D |
| Ira Alsadi 03.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by hipnopath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KQIG...ature=youtu.be |
| Verona Spradlin 03.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by smittten
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| Len Lukawski 03.03.2012 | Thanks! Gonna try out the chirp flare this weekend. I believe the challenge will be chaining the scratches together. Also transitioning between open and closed scratches looks tricky. Any tips? |
| Brunilda Kora 03.03.2012 | That DJ Excess tute was really well presented... |
| Ira Alsadi 03.03.2012 | Sounding good man. Keep it up. |
| Verona Spradlin 03.03.2012 |
Originally Posted by smittten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUaY6gMONmA It's the same fader movement, just doing a quick baby then a long baby. Edit: Once you start scratching drums, it gets real fun! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFQ4J...S1KLFiFSwITfpY |
| Len Lukawski 03.03.2012 | For those of us climbing that mountain! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NOhsKJLhEI |
| Myung Belski 29.02.2012 | Nice cuts hipno! Ya gots flow. |
| Paul Revoir 29.02.2012 |
Originally Posted by hipnopath
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| Ira Alsadi 29.02.2012 | What ever helps. I am finding it difficult to do more than 4 double clicks in a row, and transitioning from open to closed scratches make me want to eat a bullet. |
| Len Lukawski 29.02.2012 | I am sure this is nothing new but in my 34th effort to conquer the flare I have decided sticker and ink up the record, "Super Seal in the 4th Dimension". The green arrow is the start of the "Ahh" sample, the Orange segment is the "Flare Zone" (yes I am that lame) and the red inverted arrow is the end of the "Ahh". The idea is that this gives me a better set of visual cues which I have found to be helpful. Anyway....... we'll see. This DMC competition isn't going to win itself you know! |
| Danae Dumler 29.02.2012 | is that the stock fader in the S2? |
| Verona Spradlin 29.02.2012 | Still working on my flow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8NVz...hzr_OXQZI8e6p1 |
| Ira Alsadi 29.02.2012 | Very nice indeed. I need to find more time to practice damn it. I am falling behind. |
| Verona Spradlin 28.02.2012 |
Originally Posted by J-Reign
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| Myung Belski 28.02.2012 | Trying to get back in the game. Here's some cuts I just recorded on my new S2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saUEl...SZ3KVLDIQwXFL1 |
| Bertie Metro 27.02.2012 | Dj Keita's routine is so clean, i mean there is only one point where he isn't bang on time, and it's me being finicky because compared to other dmc champs routines this guy has a really really tight timing! |
| Verona Spradlin 26.02.2012 |
Originally Posted by guiltyblade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DEpAvtP_DA or Vajra's 2004 USA Finals routine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt54OfoQv_A I love both styles of music they used and even though Rafik's is premade, it's still very musical and I love how it sounds especially with his fast kick kick snare scaratching. Vajra's set is sick technically because of his incredible juggles/scratches and the funky hip hop used. |
| Alla Bluemke 26.02.2012 | Heres a little inspritation. Probably one of the best routines I've ever heard. Totally on point. Although there is not much scratching, but he blends songs amazingly, and juggles completely on point. Easily the best juggling I've ever heard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LrT5xoUax4 |
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