7 Scratch DJ Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started

Scratching and turntablism are quite misunderstood until you really get going. Here are a few things I wish I knew before I started so I could have done things differently.
-- Related Links --
7 Scratching Fails to Avoid: • 7 Scratching Mistakes ...
8 Scratching Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier: • 8 Scratching Tips I Wi...
-- Related playlists --
- Scratching Playlist: tinyurl.com/4tpfaaye
- 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
#Turntablism #Scratching #DJ #Si_Hargreaves
Start 0:00
Scratching is Hard 0:45
Endless Possibilities 2:10
Turntable Weaknesses 3:04
The Public Don't Care 4:18
Apply your New Skill 5:10
Community Help 6:48
Don't forget to actually DJ 7:50
-- Link ups --
/ si_hargreaves
/ hargreaves_si
twitch.com/Si_Hargreaves
-Gear I use (Affiliate links)-
kit.co/Si_Hargreaves
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/sihargr...

[@ll-gj8oj]

I still get the same childlike anticipation feelings when I go on my turntables... that feeling never goes away.....

[@SiHargreaves]

Ha awesome. Yeah I just love the look and feel of my techs still. Need to buy more records really to get that feeling back

[@ll-gj8oj]

@@SiHargreaves I've got some vinyl for sale 80s 90s 2000

[@hodgeboy]

Hi Si, have to say you've nailed it here. Everything you said was spot on. I found when I've dj'd people haven't even realised it's me and just scratching ahh and fresh has no impact on a crowd.. despite the years of work I've put into learning. I started back in 2001 and I'm the only one of my mates still doing it. Really hope the scratch sunday comes back as I had no idea these kind of events were happening if they do I'm there! Love the channel good work man 👍

[@SiHargreaves]

Ah it'll be back when we can do it! Theres a Facebook group in sure you can find so you know when the next ones out. Got another vid regarding scratching to crowds too so keep an eye out for that

[@Clownstyle1982]

Digital Vertigo! Props. I still remember when that forum was created because I was a moderator along with Steve and Deeswift. RIP Deeswift Then kids and life happened.. Now I've finally got my Vestax PDX2000 repaired and looking forward to adding scratching to my music production.

[@Clownstyle1982]

PS great channel BTW. I've been really enjoying the videos. Even got me to spend some money on new wax (copy and paste) Although I've literally got every dirt style record and loads of other battle records stashed in my loft. I'm looking forward to getting my new wax and messing with lots of phrasing :D

[@robhearn2080]

Your videos are really well produced and informative. You are sadly right that people just don’t care about scratching and it being a niche within a niche. I did have one experience where I drunkenly forced my way onto the decks at a club because the dj was trying to cut (and couldn’t). The MC treated me like a joke because I was pretty drunk, and was hyping up the crow, “this guy reckons he can scratch”. I think everyone was expecting me to embarrass myself, but for the time I was a good scratcher (clean transforms and chirps) and I had good muscle memory despite being drunk, and compared to the DJ playing I was amazing, so loads of people starting cheering when I starting cutting it up But this was 20 years ago when scratching was more popular in the mainstream, and it’s never happened since. Still a great memory!

[@SiHargreaves]

Haha that's awesome. I've had a few similar experiences but they're few and far between unfortunately

[@CaptainDugog]

I'm really glad I found your channel, this was the exact rabbit hole I needed to find for this medium. I'm really glad you mentioned being in a band and with even having a clip of Chris Kilmore up. Us turntablists in bands get like zero representation anywhere so it's really cool to see you actively talk about it in this video.

[@dustyrhodes1655]

Great video!

[@djmiz4618]

It's PRACTICE! We talkin about PRACTICE man!!

[@SiHargreaves]

True. True.

[@brucep383]

Awesome vid. Tons of really great points. Got me thinking!

[@SiHargreaves]

Nice one bruce 👍

[@DJJohnnyTapia]

Really good points, there is a love and hate with scratching and turntablism.

[@Up2ScratchBTN]

Thanks for the shoutout Si! Great work again. Massive cosign on #6 (Community)... I've learned more since I started running our sessions, attending other events, regular practice/jamming with others and now teaching than I did in maybe 10 years cutting (or trying to cut) before that.

[@SiHargreaves]

Big ups man! Thanks for putting on all the events you have done all this time. Can't wait till I can come to some more! I saw you were teaching. It certainly helps solidify everything doesn't it?

[@jon-rossennest6879]

Thanks for the video. Watching your videos inspired me to buy a turntable; I just got it yesterday, and am excited for the learning journey! Thanks!

[@SiHargreaves]

Bro! That's the coolest thing I've heard in a while! That's awesome man. Enjoy the journey

[@TurkmanSouljah]

Thank you! 🙏🏽 on point notes

[@SiHargreaves]

Boom thanks man

[@dtm13397]

Nice video man. I'm very new to turntablism, I only started about 2 months ago. Your videos are very informative thank you 👍

[@SiHargreaves]

Glad to help. Lemme know if you have any questions,

[@waxjuggler8945]

great video!

[@SiHargreaves]

Cheers dude 😊

[@NOCDIB]

To your first point, yes, it is biting to take someone's scratch routine and perform it as your own but it's not biting to imitate in private practice to learn techniques and draw ideas from.

[@SiHargreaves]

Agreed, I don't there's anything wrong from learning something for practice reasons

[@BboyCorrosive]

Practicing your DJ'ing can be like being someone that only works out at home, it's easier to get up and go if you say right I've gotta go to the gym monday, wednesday, friday straight from work.

[@SiHargreaves]

True dat. I always enjoy myself once I'm on the decks but if I don't force myself weeks can pass and I don't even miss them.

[@Yemsky]

With lockdown coming to an end (hopefully) please post some info about these London events resurfacing.

[@DanielBouley]

Yo Si, I'm loving your content and overall vibe. I've been a professional drummer for 20 years and got my first turntable last August (modded PT-01). I love the community and I love hip hop and I just love to cut. You're right though, most people don't care. I've streamed on Reddit over 60 times now just for kicks and there are definitely fans, but few and far between. I would love to hook up with a turntablist in person but I'm an American in Cornwall and you know that dope beats aren't really flying down here. I've been able to apply a lot of typical drum exercises to the record where RLRL is replaced with /\/\ (essentially), and that's been a blessing: Prism = RRLRLL (inverted 6-stroke roll) or //\/\\ I'm wary to get another table and try juggling because it just seems like such an investment (records, time, space, cartridges...) when I really just enjoy cutting over a beat. I still need to regularly keep up my drumkit chops for my job. I also don't really consider myself a DJ because I don't dig beat matching or Serato. It seems robotic and almost cheating. Am I just being stupid? Anyway, what a dumb ramble. I just wanted to say thanks and ask what you might recommend as my next big purchase when it comes to a standalone scratch turntable with mixer..? Cheers, dude

[@SiHargreaves]

Ah that's dope dude. I reckon drumming must help with scratching loads. I see what you mean about prizm being like paradiddle or whatever you call it. I wouldn't worry too much about learning to DJ if it doesn't interest you. My mate didn't learn to mix for years but now is much more into it. You might change your mind a bit once you have a proper set up for playing music, you never know. I guess what's nice about DJing is you can rock a party completely on your own. As a drummer it's hard to do that! I'd always recommend techs as a long term investment. They only seem to go up in value. Although they are expensive and there are plenty of cheaper options in terms of turntables. A lot of them these days are the same turntables in different packaging. The Epsilon for example is pretty good. Vestax PDX series are a turntable favourite too coz of their ultra pitch. You can just buy one TT and a mixer for your scratching needs and build up slowly. You can do instant doubles with a DVS so you really only need one Turntable at first.

[@petes6817]

Great point about loopers. I make a point of only scratching over vinyl instrumentals unless I'm using my portable. Benefit is you get to practise at different bpms and there's no distracting screen but the problem is that I end up trying to fit whatever scratch I'm practising with the music when sometimes it doesn't go.

[@SiHargreaves]

Heh yeah Loopers are dope for getting used to weird rhythms and beats. I guess sometime we can forget to develop ideas beyond that sometimes

[@J.M.Stigner]

Big up the Dj Derek shout out

[@SiHargreaves]

Yeah man, RIP, dude was awesome

[@SuperRuss26]

Great content 👍 really helpful! I noticed your turntables are in the corner (as are mine). Any advice on speaker placement? Mine are on the wall angled in (equal triangle, as recommended online) problem is I got a lot of bass build up. I’ve treated walls in corner with acoustic tiles and bass traps. Not made a great difference. Where are your speakers placed? I can see you have some connected to your computer. Any advice much appreciated 👍

[@SiHargreaves]

Ah mate, this is a problem I have too as my room is really narrow. At the momeny I just have them set up near my computer as that's what I use more. I just point them to my turntables when I'm practicing. It's not an ideal set up. I'm working on putting everything on wheels so I can move stuff about easily for filming and speaker placement more easy. Might do a vid on that once everything is set up.

[@SuperRuss26]

@@SiHargreaves my room is also narrow, the corner is the only option lol. Yeah a video on this subject would be awesome sometime in the future. Cheers

[@Ronald-Reggae]

I very rare scratch to beats or music i would not listen to and enjoy. So all my favorite hiphop track sorted out by bpm so it fits what im practicing/training.

[@SiHargreaves]

Nice, deffo a good thing to not go down the 'looper' rabbit hole too much if you can help it I think.

[@ll-gj8oj]

Love your channel I am 52 original bboy original turntable. I have recently switched to DVS.. and I am loving it... the info you give is spot on.. if you need to hit me up. And have an interview with an original turntable is from when it first began from the very first day I heard the r sample and fresh. I work as a drama dance teacher and I think it would make an interesting. Chat.

[@SiHargreaves]

Hey thanks for the offer man. Lemme think about how to work it and might get back to you

[@ll-gj8oj]

Thank you

[@zzk31]

great video, but so discouraging when you start and you're 42 years old haha😅 you broke all my dreams 🤣

[@SiHargreaves]

Ha. Just think, by the timwe you're 50 you could be a beast :D

[@zzk31]

@@SiHargreaves Texte source haha thank you for trying to reassure me it's nice 😁. In fact I mixed for years on vinyl and I also did a little scratching and I resumed after 17 years off . The main thing is to have fun 😀

[@nigeljuggiejugroop4017]

All great points...... its definitely a cult following, with little or zero returns.... With that being said there's nothing better than that feeling of finally getting a new scratch you've been busting your ass to learn.

[@SiHargreaves]

Ha yeah innit. Scratching is like meditation

[@michaldzekson]

Check Steve Nash and turntable orchestra

[@michaldzekson]

9 DJ’s and orchestra

[@SiHargreaves]

Thanks for the recommendation, I will

[@relentlessmc9071]

rethinking my over enthusiastic attitude now, lol Nice reality check tho and wake up call.

[@SiHargreaves]

Heh which part of this makes you think that?

[@relentlessmc9071]

@@SiHargreaves Positively speaking all of it lol or specifically at 44 secs in lol. Its not a game or a Party Trick. Watching you guys lured me into a false sense of security lol. Dis Shit is hard as Fuck especially if like me you want to be as good as the Jedi`s in your crew.... It ain`t happening. But fuck me am I having fun fun fun. Coming to you for some mixing tips soon. Your Channel is Bangin Broski.

[@SiHargreaves]

@@relentlessmc9071 Ha you knew that already bro! You been putting in the work.

[@barrywatts8501]

Yeah its hard. Im having down week where i just not sounding that good at all. I still have a passion for it. Just watch D-styles and im back up again! More pratice. I would say that its harder than playing other musical instruments. The touch has to be just right.

[@SiHargreaves]

Yeah man watching d puts me in the right mood too

[@barrywatts8501]

Its musical communication between skartchers.

[@rushdontrun]

6 is the new 7

[@SiHargreaves]

😒

[@barrywatts8501]

Right im off to pratice lol

[@mac8050]

Hey i’m in the uk would be good to attend one of those community meet ups.

[@SiHargreaves]

Dope man, where abouts you live?

[@mac8050]

@@SiHargreaves living in Birmingham man, you?

[@SiHargreaves]

Ah London innit. You ever come down these parts?

[@zakdee2732]

Yo man, I'm in Bushey, just north of London. Would be dope to get to a meet up. Can you post the details?

[@mac8050]

Missed that message apologies, not really to be honest.

[@rogermoore27]

For DJing to find a Renaissance, people needed to practice previous recognized routines or scratches

[@SiHargreaves]

Ya for sure. I think theres less of a stigma around biting these days. For instance Rob swift is teaching classic juggles to his students. I think there needs to be this change for the artform to be allowed to develop. Might do a vid on it actually heh

[@rogermoore27]

@@SiHargreaves I hope so. It was always my dream to see DJ's perform other Dj's scratches. Consider the hypocrisy of how hip-hop decries 'biting', yet it feels like it's being targeted for sampling other people's music.

[@darkabyss83]

not when you chop a cool ass sample re work it. but i guessing everyone has a different age or time when they start getting into djing, sampling. i think it comes with how your finances are also. some start when they become adults and buy gear later in life but its easier today because of scratch records and you tube as opposed to when i was in high school late 90s early 00s when i really was into the scene during limewire kazaa napster days but cdjs were everywhere back then weird

[@SiHargreaves]

Yeah it's deffo easier these days, sometimes we forget how accessible ever thing is these days.

[@itsphilfromtubesday8677]

SUPER SCRATCH SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SiHargreaves]

Yes phil! Can't believe we've been going so long...

[@ll-gj8oj]

If I can dance to the beat I can scratch to the beat...

[@SiHargreaves]

Haha fair do's

[@barrywatts8501]

It is just for us skratchers realy lol

[@keithchegwin1222]

I'm new to all of this, why is the "Rrrrrrrrr" and "Fresh" used constantly? They sound great to use, but surly there busy be 100's if not 1000's of things that sound just as good to scratch with.

[@SiHargreaves]

Funny you should ask mate, I did a video all about that! hehe kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5q9g6ymltajr7c

[@keithchegwin1222]

@@SiHargreaves . Excellent 👌 thanks