8 Scratching Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier // Scratch DJ Habits to Get into

8 Scratching Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier // Scratch DJ Habits to Get into
Scratching is akin to learning an instrument, except there are no scales, songs to learn and you have to improvise everything from the start... It's hard. Here are a few scratching tips that I wish I knew earlier. You can actually apply a lot of these to anything else you are trying to learn too.
-- Related Links --
Scratch DJ Fails You Should Avoid!!: • 7 Scratching Mistakes ...
How to Crab Scratch: • The Best Crab Scratch ...
How to Film a DJ Set You Can be Proud of: • How to Film a DJ Set Y...
Tiny Chat: tinychat.com/room/ttw
How to Practice Effectively (TED): • How to practice effect...
The Gap (Daniel Sax): vimeo.com/85040589
Jimmy Smithson (Old DMC Vids): tinyurl.com/y2cna5wg
Beat Junkie Podcast - Scratches on Wax: tinyurl.com/yxnm6728
-- Related playlists --
- DJ Streaming Tutorials, Tips & Tricks: bit.ly/2X2VAgd
- DJ & Producer Tech Reviews & Tutorials: bit.ly/30TiHen
- Filming, Editing and Design Tutorials for DJs: bit.ly/304q2Za
#Scratching #ScratchDJ #Turntablism #Si_Hargreaves
Start: 0:00
1) Warm-Up: 0:34
2) Focus on Record Control: 1:16
3) Practice Effectively: 2:12
4) Practice Regularly: 2:53
5) Record Yourself: 3:51
6) Listen to Scratching: 4:28
7) Practice with Others: 5:39
8) Enter a Battle: 6:37
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[@samgarrod4781]

The best scratch tutorial video I've had the privilege to see. 👌🏻

[@MikeStrip]

Great tips! Seriously awesome way to break it down.

[@brucep383]

Great vid, love this channel and this type of content, and production quality is spot on. Really enjoyed the last two vids especially - need to watch them a few times each as there's so much good stuff, keep it up!

[@SiHargreaves]

Thanks Bruce! Cheers for tuning in every vid. Makes me wanna keep making em when I see people keep coming back. Peas

[@michaelmcpherson82]

Yo ..I. never thought about that.. great video..

[@ES-zi2xv]

Great work and materials are great 👍

[@BinaryAdventure]

I'm so happy you made the Iverson reference. I hadn't seen that in a good while.

[@petes6817]

I love this channel! I have recently started drilling the baby scratch before practicing whatever scratch I'm working on. Great tip!

[@barrywatts8501]

Iv just started doing non fader scratching to start my pratice session lol

[@SiHargreaves]

Nice one Barry... Actually it's reminded me to do that too.

[@petermixor]

Great Material And Info..! Thank You and respect from Colombia 🇨🇴

[@SiHargreaves]

Glad it was helpful!

[@undosequence6627]

Great video Si!

[@SiHargreaves]

Thanks!

[@randybonner9427]

Damn. Good technic and advice!

[@jonsaxon]

Just discovered your channel Si: great production values. I organised that 1999 ITF event you use to illustrate the 'watch older DMC videos' section of this video. Great work: slowly working through the rest of your KZbin catalogue.

[@bubz3t136]

I tried to get into the ITF Category Eastern Hemisphere battles, back in 2002. I sent some routines to an address, on a VHS tape, but never heard back from them. I think sent it was a Fat Beats shop in Amsterdam.

[@ianmatthews1724]

Great vid mate!

[@SiHargreaves]

Thanks!

[@Reyesthesoulful]

Such a great videos. With training and improving with any artforms, we tend to neglect the psychological approach. Definetely an unique video from alot that is going on.

[@SiHargreaves]

Thanks! I'm super interested in all that stuff. I have a pretty big love hate relationship with scratching in general by now haha

[@daveb8795]

You're videos are always so good. Thank you for putting together such high quality content! I also scratch while waiting for my cooking. It's a great way to be productive while waiting :)

[@daveb8795]

Also, great tip on record control. Too many people focus on the fader. The record hand makes the sound!

[@SiHargreaves]

Yeah man. I'm gonna keep harping on about that haha. Hopefully it won't get too annoying

[@goddamnsam]

another great one, thanks! I'll share a tip thats been helping me. I write a list of all the scratches I know and ones I'm working on, then I use an "Interval Timer" app and set it to however long I want to drill on a technique. The app I use has a warning bell for when the "set" is about to be done and you can set a rest period between sets and also put how many times to go through the set. I progressed a shit ton in 3 months. Download some loopers on your phone and practice everyday!

[@SiHargreaves]

Nice tip! I think a looper that showed what beat and bar your on could be really useful. I'd kind of help you unconsciously count in your head without taking too much brain power.

[@djfunky112]

very and extremely Funkabulous !!! thanks

[@mybraa835]

Gracias por los subtítulos en español 🙏❤️ además de la información valiosa que brindas, saludos desde argentina!

[@SiHargreaves]

No problem, glad it translates!

[@dimosscratch2797]

If I may add one additional scratch tip: Try to first sing a scratch and only after that try to execute it. This can prevent you from falling into the habit of concatenating random scratch techniques.

[@hypercutz7883]

Dopeness

[@bubz3t136]

Hey, what are the records behind you? I only recognise the D-Styles album.

[@wickedwaiata2939]

Hey Si, could you demonstrate a typical record control warmup session please

[@SiHargreaves]

Hey dude, funny you should ask: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baOrla2pm7iLis0 ☺️

[@JonneyTdj]

Hi Si I’ve been mixing for 35 years now and scratching has TOTALLY eluded me even tho every now again I attempt it to much disappointment. I have absolutely no clue how to progress from the basic cue sound. Can you post or drop me a short message or if anyone else on here can help, as I’d love to be able to do it and at least start to get somewhere ❤

[@pn9658]

1. Warm up, stretch 2. Focus on record control by practicing drags, tears…. 3. Practice effectively. practice with a plan, Goldie locks zone (within your capacity) 4. Practice routinely and persistently 5. Record yourself, listen to your progress 6. Listening to others scratching. Gap: historical fundamental scratches. 7. Scratch with pals. share info. Tiny chat community; link in description. 8.Enter into battle. gives energy of spurt to get better

[@marcpoolke6528]

Hey, I got a question in regards to the record slipiness (is this even a word? 😂). There seems to be a compromise between the record slipping too light or to heavy when scratching. What’s your recommendation in that regard?

[@SiHargreaves]

Ha yeah it's the never ending battle with records. I personally prefer them as slippy as possible these days. Then I can get some really nice stabs and flicks going on. There's a few things you can do but it's mostly just luck of the draw how concave or convex your record is

[@marcpoolke6528]

@@SiHargreaves thanks for your reply! Highly appreciated. I actually have Rane MK2s which come with rings one can add to make the record more slippery. I figured though that when too slippery, the record starts off slow when releasing which is a real issue when releasing in quick breaks. If you keep it super slippery, have you trained yourself not to release the record but rather simulate the release with your hand?

[@mugzycuts706]

I have dystonia in my hand so I understand

[@djcorleonedk]

Since i bought decksavers i tend to scratch more daily because it’s easier than before with the coffin closed

[@SiHargreaves]

Ha, so funny how such a small thing can make a difference. I just put the Maschine back on the table in the hopes I'll jump on and make some beats again.

[@djcorleonedk]

@@SiHargreaves Yeah its like the 5 min a day is better than one long session.. Small things can do good.. Hope it helps you when its on the table :)

[@IphoneTsay]

Where are you master? Where is new video 😢😢😢

[@SiHargreaves]

Brooo, yeah I been slack innit. Can't seem to motivate myself to record anything

[@itimmy101]

Im subbed to ericuk but he hasn't done any videos on his KZbin channel as of lately!

[@paulmccallum8407]

Me too mate! He hasn't answered my question on his drum and bass scratching video yet haha!

[@itimmy101]

@@paulmccallum8407 👊😃

[@SiHargreaves]

Ya it's a shame, Erik has sort of dissappeared from the scene, the footage from this vid is pretty old now.

[@SiHargreaves]

What questions did you have? ha

[@paulmccallum8407]

@@SiHargreaves thanks mate but I was just getting ahead of myself so it doesn't matter haha. I'm focusing on getting my Joe Cooley's nailed and just the basics in general at the moment. Good videos mate

[@nobbystyles4807]

he does speak a lot of sense this guy but as for warming up your hand.... nah not in thirty years of djing have i ever need to do that nor have i ever known anyone else to do it. he might be referring to the classic battle dj hand rub at the beginning of battle sets but this was more of a bit of theatre or stage presence than actual calisthenics.

[@SiHargreaves]

Ha yeah that was just a random shot of B Roll I took just to make my point. I do stretch my fingers before I cut though. Qbert has talked about warming up on his videos before too. It makes sense man... There's a lot of repetitive movements going on in scratching and plenty of people I know suffer from RSI. So that's why I bring it up.

[@mugzysmokes163]

I have dystonia in my hand I hear you

[@moochonthemic7228]

Castle climber I see

[@SiHargreaves]

lol yeah, how'd you figure that from this vid??

[@moochonthemic7228]

@@SiHargreaves You have a brief shot of you climbing in the Mez at the castle haha

[@alanahduncan2634]

I enjoyed this a lot. I have been trying to find for a video that educates the stuff in this KZbin video.Your content really reminds me of the channel from Dr Ethan. Dr Ethan's tips are actually insightful and I really learned a lot for my school. He is an educational Dr on KZbin and he talks about diseases and health symptoms. You should watch his KZbin out and give the doc a like over here! ➡️ #DrEthanCare