DJ Rob Swift's Cardinal Scratch Rule #2

[@TheStuF]

"Doing what the music is asking..." This is the real secret of all truly GREAT improvisation/creative composition. Thanks Rob, this is another great lesson for all musicians!

[@Sonnylintag]

@Rob Swift Rob, you are a legend and love that you are still sharing the knowledge to young DJs because a lot of real emotion and skill is missing in today's competitions. I recently gotten into a debate with a recent DMC winner on how technology and buttons/cues has actually taken DJs steps backwards, and they got offended. I argued that even tho a routine should be virtually skipless nowadays with the new tech out there (serato, phase, traktor, etc), all of the winning routines are surprising a bit sloppy, and they all seem 'in a rush'. The scratching is fast, so fast it begins to sound like mush. No rhythm, and almost a quick double baby scratch before every kick throw in. There seems to be a carelessness out there because now there is a complete reliance on the buttons and effects to make the music, and very little manipulating of the turntable. Now I definitely think you can take routines to another level when you use those tools in the right way (turntable manipulation with the cues and effects aiding the manipulation, but not just pushing buttons in 90% of the routine). DJ Craze's routine for Serato showed how you should incorporate cues. It is definitely a new day for the DJ where turntables are almost just there for aesthetics, just a prop on stage. There is a missing history here where the bare bones patterns they are using came from, and how complex the patterns were when DJing as an art grew from 80s thru early 2000s. DJ Q-Bert once talked about DJ David's routine, how there were a lot more theatrics making his basic trick-mixing look a lot tougher than it really was. I found those gimmicks coming back a lot more nowadays. And the buttons, I mean, why even have turntables if you are only going to push buttons most of the time? Some people think this is a debate between old and new heads, but it's really a debate on the art of using the turntable as an instrument vs. using your mixer buttons as an instrument. I love this video because it breaks down the thought process how insightful you should be about what you are doing. I remember Steve D talking about how if other DJs did a baby scratch to throw in the beat, he give it a little more flare and style to do something different. DJs also had to have skills before buttons and cues came in, because if the record skipped, they had to backspin forward or backwards to find their place again. People don't even backspin anymore to play the sounds because they can just push a button for that sound. Young DJs ask me, why is that bad? And to me, that isn't DJing. DJing is kind of a grey term because you don't even need turntables to be called a DJ. What do you think about the state of DJ competitions and how cues/effects, etc are used today in battles? I am a huge advocate of technology, but I think the way it is used now, 99% of kids aren't doing it right because they ditched the turntable in favor of the easy safe buttons conveniently locating right on the mixer. Juggles aren't even juggles, they are just glorified button pushing sampling. Maybe I am too old, but there is an art in somebody taking two records in an unedited from their format, and making it completely new with just turntables, faders, and your skill. I think there's a place for tech, I just think in these competitions, it's become DJ David all over again.

[@djrobswift]

I agree with you 100%. I guess that makes us both old. But with age comes wisdom and you speak of is pure truth.

[@crazycuts6891]

I agree with you as well Sonnylintag! And to add to your statement, I totally agree with the DJ titles that's attached to those who aren't authentic (disc jockeys). So in that case, I would rename those people as MJs (Music Jockeys) because then in that term, music can be played on any device other than, or aside from any vinyl disk format. Also, I would even go out on a limb to coin the term for those that use CDs, (CD jockeys) or, (CD jocks) because, hence the name and medium, CD. So as for the mediums like, the Rane 12 controller decks for example, in my opinion, I would classify those under the MJ format, simply because, they are controllers, not actual discs. So that's a topic that should be talked about, to clear up the grey area of the "DJ" naming titles.

[@Sonnylintag]

@@djrobswift Rob I can't tell you how blessed I am because the wisdom of DJing started with the X-Men. My brother and I bought 'In- Xcercise' and this was after watching Roc Raida in 1996 DMC World. We became battle Djs because of you and your crew, and I'd say most of these younger kids have no idea where this all came from. Or maybe it's just that they don't appreciate where it came from because again, 'DJing' as an art form weather it's rocking parties, a dope mix tape, or the most technical turntable routine ever, a lot of this got lost in technology. The shit you are teaching to the younger generation, I have more hope we'll see the art come back and DJs that compete will rely less on cues, and more on real skill. We taught my nephew DJing and told him he isn't allowed to touch the buttons lol. And he got to understand 'what he was doing why he was doing it' (Quote Rob). Take all those buttons away, and we'll see who the real DJ is. Thanks for keeping us inspired. I love your videos and seeing how these kids grow through your art and wisdom #thankful

[@Sonnylintag]

@@crazycuts6891 I couldn't agree more. DJing has become a generic term. I mean nowadays, you can download an APP that does the mixing for you, without learning how to mix and go to a party, plug in your phone, and then give yourself a DJ name. You couldn't fake it back then. What bothers me is some of the newer kids disregarding pre-button era. There his a library of juggles, scratches, and techniques that flew by. No disrespect to the DMC but it's tough to see top 3 winners with routines that aren't completely on the turntables. There are even points in some of those routines they don't even touch the decks for over a min and just pushing buttons. 'Music Jockey' is a brilliant term. Again, no disrespect to current DJs competing, but they have no clue. Absolutely NO CLUE how lucky they are that there isn't a Craze, Rob Swift, Raida, Netik, etc competing anymore. These kids wouldn't even make it past the eliminations. Advice to current DJs, learn your ART first, not your theatrics, or what gimmick you'll do in the intro, or what kind of tough B-Boy stance you can do at the end. They need to watch Rob really lol. Rob battled cool as cat, and murdered you with his routine. Nowadays, it's the Apollo

[@crazycuts6891]

@@Sonnylintag That's correct, but you know what though? It's useless to be emotional, bothered or disappointed anymore because, it won't change anything. I felt the same exact way as you did so, instead of being disgruntled of how those "Music Jocks" are finding easier ways to get paid gig without doing much in the way of putting in the work to be creative, I just continue to use authentic vinyl to play at parties, events, etc. Or if those Music Jocks will use the term "DJ", then they coin that t term to define them as "Device Jocks", which would be even more fitting. And believe it or not Sonnylintag, people are still amazed to see a DJ use vinyl that turns heads. I recognize the overflooding of digitized devices that's being used within the music playing realm however, vinyl has never went away, it's just that people have gravitated to the flashy music playing tools to make things so called "easier" for them, not realizing that, those digitized tools are nothing special. Case in point, there were a few times, where one of my peers offered me, not once, not twice, but three times to give me one of his older Serato boxes but, I declined his offer all three times. I tried to play with both Serato/Traktor Scratch DVS systems, but for my experiences, it didn't feel authentic. I caught myself watching the laptop screen basically the whole time I used those systems, thus losing the energy to the crowd that I played for. And when I went back to using vinyl, the energy was amped 2.0 because, people saw the tracks I dug up BEFORE I played each track. And once I mixed those vinyls that they either saw, or requested, they were more than satisfied. And I mixed those tracks WITHOUT the use of ANY echo effects in between the transitions because, those transition that was made, were flawless. So it's just my experiences but, it's an individual thing. So what worked for me, will not work for anybody else, and vice versa. So like anything else in the world, the digitized/analog music playing has it's pros and cons. I just choose the pros and cons using vinyl, as oppose to deal with the pros and cons, of using the DVS systems. Especially because, the digital cons outweighed the analog cons. And it's unfortunate that since 2009, I went through five Macbooks, and one PC. So that's just a few reasons that I choose to stick to using vinyl. However there will be many opposing voices, that will make excuses for using the DVS systems. And a few of those have made excuse for using those digital gadgets, and other DVS systems but, I'm sticking to using vinyl, hands down. So as for the battle topic, it's very unfortunate of how DMC is handling those competitions. First of all, they had things twisted and confused since it's beginnings, just the name DMC is a bit misleading in itself. Case in point the acronym DMC in it's foundation, is suppose to mean, "Disco MIXING Club" but, they should rename it "DSC" (DIsco SCRATCH Club). Plus the many political sides to those competitions, but I digress. And as for the advice for current aspiring DJs/MJs, they really should take lessons from Rob Swift because, he drops some serious knowledge as he teaches the practical aspects, as he teaches. And his students at the very least, REALLY learn the history plus, he interviews pioneering DJs during his courses as well. So I give infinite honor to him.

[@colossus808e]

As someone who has scratched for 22 years, I agree with every word you said, Rob. DStyles is arguably the greatest skratch DJ of all time and does a great job of serving the music like no other. His production of scratch routines and scratch compositions are musically speaking, second to none.

[@barrywatts8501]

And that's why I watch everything D does and try to learn from him. My online teacher

[@exquisiteoath]

@rob_swift, this may be the most important video on scratching I've seen so far. Awesome lesson and huge heart.

[@djrobswift]

Respect!

[@alhudson5322]

1 of my favorite scratch songs ever!!!

[@seanpatrick6006]

I’m going to sound silly but I just got home from work I’m about to fall asleep you tube is playing and I hear this Salsa scratch that Rob made and I got teary eyes because it’s beautiful never heard it before I’m not Spanish but it’s amazing wish I was in that class I fucking love music!!!!

[@djrobswift]

sean conley Max respect ❤️

[@Omarock]

I remember seeing a video with A-Trak scratching an electric guitar sample. It was insane, it's like he was playing notes on the turntable.

[@HolisticDramaFree]

yeaa ikr you can improv on turntables. its just like coltrane and the einstein theory

[@rmsamonte]

Love watching your videos and learning from your philosophy of the art. Very inspiring and motivating.

[@jfc4798]

Very important lesson here. A lot of dj's want to be super technical but sound terrible in the execution of it. Simplicity can be amazing when it is a master performing.

[@NOCDIB]

That's basically at least half the DJs at any given DMC finals. Nothing more embarrassing to watch than a DJ scratching hard and sounding terrible.

[@crazycuts6891]

I agree totally, simplicity is key.

[@crazycuts6891]

@@NOCDIB I agree with you 100%. And the other half of the battling thing, is that it also depends on the judges' criteria. Because they themselves are super technically proficient, or too technically proficient, depending on how they are viewed. So if they see routines that don't their standards, then DJs that have the really dope simple routines will not succeed. It's unfortunate but, that's the political side of battling. So it's up to the judges to change the criteria in order to make battling more fair.

[@rjmn1]

Damn! Wish I could attend this school, Australia is a bit far though!😳🤣🤣🤣🤣 Rob Swift=Jedi master

[@EazyELDee]

Man... Thanks for sharing all these videos Rob!!!! you are a great teacher!!!! Love what you doing!!! Thank you!!!!

[@masterblockwarrior]

So glad to see D-Styles get the respect he deserves!! For me it either him or Toadstyle, when it comes to pure funk & flava... But for showboating & throwing it down Mix Master Mike is untouchable! Thanks for the tutorial Rob!

[@djrobswift]

Always!

[@hot4futureyears2come]

Really cool. basic patterns is what i grow up on, Also with a S9 you can do the same song using the 4 bar echo sample ,

[@aarondavidson6060]

rob you is very very good teacher big ispiration,like gold

[@Sonnylintag]

Dr. Rob is what his name should be. Love that he is spreading the intricacies of djing and the art of scratching and being a turntablist. These students are lucky as fuck to learn from a musical IQ like Rob. Blessed that there is even an opportunity to be in a class to learn like this. Would of killed back in my day to be in a class like this. We learned the old way, vhs tapes and mixtapes lol. Blessings to Rob and all the students eagar to learn the art

[@alexanderfuhri2084]

Some wholesomeness right here... Awesome

[@gunchief0811]

Sooooooooooo . dope! what a great college prof..

[@MaviAntwerp]

True turntablism right there. Keepin' it simple, yet the result is an extraordinary composition of sounds.

[@crazycuts6891]

Honor to you bro, I'm glad that you brought this topic up because, I've always felt that D Styles was the DJ who Q was inspired by. Not the other way around because in my opinion, D Styles is the west coast scratcher, like Dr. Butcher or, Steve Dee was to the east coast. Not taking ANYTHING away from Q, but for me, D Styles is the ultimate scratcher at least since the 90's. So when DJ scratch, they should FEEL the music while they're scratching. Or let the music make them express the scratching better through the music, simplicity is key. And that salsa scratch you did on that track, sounds so fuckin' smooth as well. Keep up the good work brother.

[@djrobswift]

Respect.

[@TheCurls1]

so inspiring Rob. thanks very much

[@djflowzzz]

The breakdown of the forethought that should go into planning a set is incredible! Those cuts at 15:22 though🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@djrobswift]

Thank you Ernest.

[@daflowjoe2788]

I like the LaTin-scratch. Real relaxed

[@bmon3100]

Peace DJ Rob Swift. X-Ecutioners!!!!!! These videos are really dope and I think it's amazing that kids in school are learning bout things that actually matter to them!! And that needle looks nuts.

[@rokstaz]

Such a good vibe class... great teacher 🙌

[@itimmy101]

Wow a free album? Best day ever! Nice one, rob!😁👍

[@EdgarIza]

Great teacher Dj 👍

[@djrobswift]

Thank you!

[@authorless]

It is what everyone says of any great musician. A guitarist doesn't always need the most mind blowing guitar riffs. A drummer doesn't always need the most intricate rhythms. A piano player doesn't always need 32nd note runs up and down the keys. It just needs what the song needs.

[@Sheepblagger]

Ahhh fuckin hell I’ve always wanted to see salsa scratch being done. My favourite off sound event. Summer music.

[@1ruffrican]

Great video. Gonna sub bro. Wish I would of met you years ago

[@DJ_JCRUSH]

I want to take a Rob Swift class so bad

[@crewchief507]

Awesome!!! I had no idea that was your mom on the intro because I STILL have that album bruh!! I always thought that was Celia Cruz! Lol Off da chain! :-D

[@djrobswift]

My Mom's made the song complete. Respect!

[@rabite831]

Great vid!

[@Derfmurc]

still love the track

[@djdubba.u8917]

Wikid salsa scratch Rob,fuckin amazing

[@djITALYLaChanceDeGonza]

Crazyyyyyy-DOPE!

[@Elevated805]

Max & the dude next to him are high as hell.

[@Bigheadedwon]

He's bad ass and he's wearing a Cross Color shirt when his video was clearly made like 2 decades after the company was long dead lol.

[@djgquk2967]

ya got a keen eye bro ;) thats one of the first things i noticed and thought the same thing lol

[@obentov974]

bro i like ur doing and have just got my new machine would like to represent serato official in uganda plz any advice

[@biggdrake]

It took me a while when I first started but I started just scratching along and in synch with the music like if the actual artist had added it himself so it's not like I was trying to outshine the song but add to it. Doing a house party where people wanted to hear the music would get mad with the focus being taking away from the beat. Really depended on the mood and the song to me.

[@biggdrake]

Wow. Perfectly demonstrated in Salsa Scratch. Sometimes scratches being done as a musical instrument or accompaniment is what works. Reminds me of the movie Beat Street where the DJ was just building layers I think it was that scene with Rae Dawn Chong where it was simplistic but fit the mood.

[@djrobswift]

WORD!

[@sunnylo31st]

LOVE

[@djITALYLaChanceDeGonza]

Rob a G!

[@dantesmith5954]

This is something that Scarface should have seen. Keep the culture alive.

[@harlemvega5208]

Eloy,arizona in the house 🤣

[@Cubanlink73]

HarlemVega 520 for real 👍🏿

[@hadbl12]

Dope

[@greatness3928]

What's the name of the beat and record he is scratching

[@cyberbrainmfk]

the professor !

[@OzamaProducer]

Como dice la señora de tu vinyl, UNA CLASE DE SCRATCH EN ESPAÑOL LATINO!

[@Djsneakrfreak1]

Hall of fame

[@Dj_JohnMac]

o shit yh DStyles is the best scratcher in the world no doubt abt it qbert is second some will say 1st but its down to you but regardless there both amazing

[@juandavidgomez5757]

👊🏾✌🏾

[@bannerrj41]

Where is these classes

[@djrobswift]

The New School (NYC).

[@Run4Kova]

👍👍🤟🤟👊

[@Housecatcollect]

Less is more 100% even in house music haha Dude is faded!

[@1Tpoetic]

After watching the 1st part of the video I think I'm 100% sure I wasn't impressed with that technique at all. Maybe I missed something

[@deejayaviva]

Swift. Get you a proper mic setup.

[@Swisspastel80]

Girl is distracting