Scratching is no walk in the park, folks – trust me, I’m not trying to dampen spirits, just laying out the facts.
It may appear as a walk in the park, but embarking on the journey of mastering the scratch can be one of the most daunting tasks in a DJ’s career. With today’s tech doing most of the heavy lifting, some mix-masters choose to bypass this skill completely.
But, take it from me, skipping out on learning to scratch is a cardinal sin for any serious DJ. It’s an essential technique in our bag of tricks. Stay persistent and practice diligently, and soon enough, it’ll feel like you’ve unlocked a hidden DJ talent. You got this!
No matter if you’re an absolute newbie or already knee-deep trying to fine-tune your scratches, this guide is your best friend. It’s packed with a step-by-step routine plus lots of insider advice to get you scratching on par with the industry’s hotshots.
Here’s what we’ll explore in the ‘Learning to Scratch’ guide:
The Essence of Scratching
When we talk about ‘scratching’, we’re throwing back to the classic record players and radio airwaves. Picture the unique noise and sensation that comes from forcefully moving the record back and forth on the needle.
Originally coined “back-cueing” by radio DJs in the 1940s who needed to restart tracks without delay, the action took place in their headphones right before going live.
This art form evolved and gained the name ‘scratching’, taking root in the music scene by the 70s when DJs could manipulate vinyl on direct-drive turntables without risking damage.
The resultant percussive sounds and effects brought a new flavor to DJ performances. Starting in the club and hip-hop scenes, scratching has since spread its wings across various music genres.
Today, scratching isn’t limited to vinyl and needles – digital era DJs can cut on both records and digital players. There’s a whole world of scratch techniques out there, from crab to flare scratches and beyond.
In this guide, we’ll focus on ‘baby scratching’, the most straightforward and fundamental scratch technique around. Mastering the baby scratch sets the stage for any other advanced methods you’ll want to learn later.
What Exactly is ‘Baby Scratching’?
This technique is the scratch bread and butter where a DJ swings the vinyl or jog wheel back and forth in a steady motion, keeping the crossfader open. Simple, yet effective.
The Optimal Gear for Scratch Training
Nowadays, you’ll find DJs scratching on a myriad of setups. All you really need is a mixer and a touch-sensitive control surface, but if you’re serious about honing your scratches, some gear works better than others.
The key is surface area. The more you have, the freer your fingers are to fly. With that in mind, vinyl players often trump the rest due to the vast canvas they provide, allowing DJs to focus less on finger placement and more on nailing that perfect rhythmic scratch.
Another vinyl plus is the tangible feedback from the turntable’s motor, which fine-tunes the feel of each scratch.
So, look for equipment that gives your digits room to roam and a jog wheel or platter that offers a little resistance. Beware of compact controllers with tiny jog wheels — they could make your scratch-learning journey a tough one. If there’s no pushback when you nudge that jog wheel, you might be in for a surprise, and it may be time to consider an upgrade.
That said, don’t underestimate some of the digital wonders out there. High-end CDJs and controllers boast motorized wheels and cool features like ‘vinyl mode’ to emulate the vinyl experience. Some even come with tension adjusters to simulate that turntable feel.
Essentially, you’ll need a setup that affords plenty of space for finger acrobatics and a jog wheel with just enough give. Start on something that’s barely there, and you’re setting yourself up for a real struggle to master the fine art of scratching.
How to Use the Crossfader
Getting savvy with the crossfader is crucial. Typically, a fader’s curve starts off gradual, increasing or decreasing the volume smoothly as you transition between tracks – also known as ‘constant power’ fade.
This is fine for blending tracks, but for scratching, you’ll want to tweak to a ‘fast cut’. This setting ensures that with just a slight fader nudge, the volume jumps to its max, giving you razor-sharp precision to slip those scratches into your set at just the right time.
What looks like aggressive crossfader manipulation is actually a scratch DJ’s timed precision, adding and removing their handiwork fast and clean. If you find a curve setting knob, crank it up to max speed, or if your kit has presets, go for the Fast Cut.
Picking the Perfect Samples
While the pros might scratch to their heart’s content with any audio snippet, when you’re starting, being choosy is key. A few guidelines to pinpoint the perfect practice samples:
Getting to Grips with the Jog Wheel
If you’re new to the scratching scene, you may be baffled about where to even start with your hands on the platter. Don’t copycat experienced DJs who can scratch from any angle – they’ve earned that freedom with hard-earned skill.
Instead, map out a specific zone, direction, and method for maneuvering. Right or left really depends on what feels most natural to you, but here’s a quick breakdown for optimal control:
Synchronizing All Your Skills
You’ve got the low-down on all the elements, so let’s see how they harmonize. You’ve got the right gear, crossfader set to fast mode, your a cappella queued up, and your hand placement’s on point – time to hit the groove.
Here’s kicking off your beginner’s luck to a full-blown scratch streak:
Consider yourself the DJ’s answer to the Karate Kid – mastering the elemental “Scratch On, Scratch Off.” Once the movement becomes second nature, you’ll blend scratches seamlessly with beats without a second thought.
Slide the pitch fader down on the sample for slow and steady repetition. Move in time with a metronome, synchronizing a single forward-and-back motion with each beat.
Practice Makes Perfect in Scratching
As I’ve hinted, scratching prowess doesn’t happen overnight. It’s countless hours for DJs to conjure up that confidence to scratch center stage. Push through, and soon you’ll savor that moment when your audience erupts with glee at your skill.
If scratching was a breeze, everyone would be doing it, and the novelty would fade. But it’s a testament to real DJ artistry, and with this deep-dive, you’re on your way from scratch novice to proficient pro. Stick to the plan, repeat the steps, and let the beat breathe through you. Embrace the climb – you’re destined for scratching success. Here’s to not breaking a sweat – or maybe just a little; it’s all worth it in the end.
