The Turntable's Hidden Secrets Revealed

In this video, I try to answer the age old question "is the turntable an instrument".
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[@semyonboyk0]

100% an instrument, and an incredible one. I've never once DJed in my life, but I absolutely love scratching over my tracks, it completes them. I treat turntable the same way as I treat my drums, bass or keyboards when writing music, it's a fully-fledged member of the band.

[@MNToThat]

I see a Si Hargreaves vid, I click like. Genuinely one of my favourite channels on youtube

[@SiHargreaves]

Yooo thanks so much. That's crazy!

[@mattclay513]

Young Numark and Cut 😂😂

[@SiHargreaves]

Heh they got good bantz, would love to see more interviews with those guys.

[@namelesswon]

Would love to see a vid on the turntables evolution. Its development through accident as much as innovation is imperative and coincidental to its nature and hip hop’s nature . The turntable is post modern in its inception, response and use, the fact it can reference music and “quote it” directly from source is so special. The use of records as live sampling creates another discourse on capitalism and ethics. If you look at the turntable as a metaphor to help us explain our existence it also carries this idea of the “supernal artisan”, the fact it was created with the idea in mind to play music- for us to hear other people’s playing but somehow has become itself “sentient” and is itself a musical instrument is nuts. When you look into its ability to self reference it’s just incredible. I don’t know if you ever got the chance to speak to or find out about Phillip Jeck about his experimentation? There’s a bunch of stuff, ideas and thoughts about record players as instruments on some threads on Ricci Rucker’s old asisphonics site and on Gizmo’s old Scratchworks site. ❤

[@DJYoungGuns]

So happy to see you back posting! Made my day, as always incredible content.

[@SiHargreaves]

Thank you! Ya it's been too long. I really enjoyed making this vid though and it only took my a few weeks!

[@DjBahrain]

Welcome back 🙏🏽 agree that’s why they call turntablism the Art of deejaying. thank you for your effort in gathering all of that information, this video is a full study in just 12 min

[@SiHargreaves]

Ah cheers, took me a while to put it together

[@scottbeard7741]

Si when the fader fingers fall of go watch SI thank you brother you don't know the pleasure you bring KEEP SCRATCHING dj abc Macclesfield UK 🇬🇧

[@marylewis3311]

Kid Koala’s Drunk Trumpet was a seminal moment for me. Genius 🙏🔥❤️🔥🙏

[@SiHargreaves]

Maaan, I was with some jazz musicians and this came on. They had to turn it off coz it was too out of key for them. It made me sad lol

[@djclubberlangley]

As a purist vinyl house DJ, I can categorically say that turntables are an instrument. Nice video by the way :)

[@SiHargreaves]

Fair enough! Great DJ name too ha

[@djclubberlangley]

@@SiHargreaves Thanks! 😁

[@DrGeta666]

Incredible video. so engaging and informative.

[@djsmiley1965]

Superb video. I have spun vinyl since 91 and I can personally say that turntables in the right hands are without a single doubt musical instruments.

[@SiHargreaves]

Word, thanks for the kind words and keep spinning the rekkids!

[@dgdundidit]

Awesome vid as always!

[@ConnahJay]

Good to see you posting again. I'd love to see you get a D-Styles interview.

[@SiHargreaves]

Almost made it happen a few weeks ago! Will try and get him next time, he's a quiet guy! Super cool dude though

[@djphiliptan]

Good video! From a music composition/production point of view, the turntable could also fit nicely in the category of Mellotrons, guitar pedals, and samplers. Physically, there's not much similarity between these, but they all are used to alter an existing sound for musical purposes.

[@djackulate]

Great work and study 🙏

[@AlexMesrobian]

This was great. Really well done.

[@SiHargreaves]

Heh thanks. Should have watched it one final time before clicking publish coz I noticed some weird jankiness in the edit that I'm going to have to live with forever now haha

[@the1gresh]

Glad you're back, homie. Never gonna stop scratching. Probably my favorite hobby. And you're one of the guys who's helped me along. Cheers!

[@SiHargreaves]

Bruh, that's dope. Hows it going? Sad to say I don't get much time any more (just had a kid)

[@freshcutsbcn]

Great work! Love the structured approach of the video

[@SiHargreaves]

Thank you! I spent a while planning this one

[@waxfiend7359]

Great video ! ❤

[@SiHargreaves]

Much love

[@milagroman75]

You're an excellent editor. I enjoyed the topic, but what really stood out for me was your editing and writing. You are very talented. Thanks for using those talents to spread our special culture in a manner that even a non-musician could understand. I feel like you may have been a technical writer at some point in your life. You certainly possess the skills for it. Thanks! - Demetrios

[@SiHargreaves]

Bruh you're too kind. I took my time with this one and really planned it out, shame the algorithm/audience didn't like it

[@superducker7899]

Love all your vids man, this is another great one. Yes, please do the vid on why the TT was used in the bronx!!

[@SiHargreaves]

I'll try and see if I can come up with enough material! It might be a short one .wondering if I can interview some people

[@superducker7899]

@@SiHargreaves Short is cool too. Or could be part of a different topic, like 'history of the 1200' to beef it out? anyway whatever you do in the future i look forward to it. great channel

[@Fran-or3lt]

❤this. Its for sure an instrument.

[@stuartpilkington6929]

Great video Si, thanks for sharing it with us. I'd like to see that Bronx record player video you mentioned. Bound to be interesting.

[@SiHargreaves]

Ya it was a cool bit in the book. Might struggle to make a whole vid out of it in retrospect. I can highly recommend the book though it's packed full of info.

[@goddamnsam]

Glad you got a new one! fantastic video! If you happen to be looking for suggestions, I've always wanted someone to do a video or a podcast on the evolution of the scratch record.

[@SiHargreaves]

Yooo, nice one. I in fact have already written the script for this video. I asked my wife to choose between that script and this one about which to make and she chose this one. You've given me permission to revisit it now hehe

[@goddamnsam]

@@SiHargreaves oh nice! look forward to it!

[@itsphilfromtubesday8677]

Doooooooooooooob! Nice vid! Chirps always feel to me like an up and down strum of a guitar

[@SiHargreaves]

Phil! How are you my G

[@markworthing3871]

Great vid si

[@SiHargreaves]

Cheers dude

[@barrywatts8501]

Great video Sy. Always great content. Be cool to get an excuse to interview Qbert one day 😮. Loved that ones you did with John and dopez

[@SiHargreaves]

Nice one my G. Time to get back on the grind for sure.

[@finkployd6110]

I think another thing about the turntable is that it offered an accessible entry into using recorded sound as an instrument. Looking at the history of sampling, it seems like composers were simply waiting for recorded audio to be invented because some were jumping to experimenting with it quite early on. The issue is that stuff like tape is finicky, harder to get into, doesn't look as "cool" as a turntable setup, frankly. Messing with a turntable was a lot easier for a little kid to try back in the day after they saw a movie like Wild Style or something.

[@SiHargreaves]

Yeah the fact it was available is certainly a major reason for its success. Why New York though, that's the interesting thing. It could have taken off any where in theory.

[@namelesswon]

Subscribed.

[@DJ_JTL]

Video looks great Si! There are definitely a lot of similarities between the turntable being used as an instrument and how a theremin is played - one hand modulating volume and the other pitch!

[@SiHargreaves]

May be we should get one and try it out lol

[@SiHargreaves]

May be we should get one and try it out lol

[@bigdaz7272]

As soon as you mentioned its like Bowing a Violin, yes thats the one :)

[@SiHargreaves]

Heh nice one

[@pjgladidiomas4180]

Great video Si. Definitely the tt has a dual identity. I'll share this with by DJ friends, and yes, please make a video about how the Technics made an impact in the Bronx.

[@SiHargreaves]

Word, in retrospect it's a hard subject to turn into a full video. I'll try and dig some more content out of that book to share, it's a really great book

[@SiHargreaves]

Word, in retrospect it's a hard subject to turn into a full video. I'll try and dig some more content out of that book to share, it's a really great book

[@mimasweets]

for the instrument comparison to me it feels like Hurdy-gurdy and cuica, it just.. it feels right to say that

[@EBSELPROAUDIO]

The question shouldn't be, is it an instrument? The question is, is it the instrument of the future when you consider, using synthesizers, finger tapping, beat juggling etc We're able to play any instrument, whether we use it percusively, to mimick other sounds and instrumental, making unique sounds using built in FX and samplers. All this allows the modern day turntablist to be a one man entertainer. Utilise DVS software and midi triggers to incorporate video and lighting then you have a full Audio Visual Experiantial Show!

[@SiHargreaves]

Yeah you're right, who was that dj doing the syntablist stuff? That was pretty rad.

[@EBSELPROAUDIO]

@@SiHargreaves SirCut

[@nilespeshay1734]

Ah... one of my fave remixes of all time! (Sour Times (Lot More Remix)).. on OG vinyl. Nice.

[@SiHargreaves]

Classic

[@harrymoschops]

Thought provoking video, and very well put together. I liked the Quincy Jones anecdote. Musing on the subject I considered a classical music conductor being analogous to the role of the DJ...in that they are both intimately involved in communicating the musical experience to the listening audience. Conductors are regarded as musicians in the context of the orchestra, so why not DJs armed with an arsenal of wax-plates?

[@SiHargreaves]

Cheers mang

[@djdeemz7651]

Its probably the most versatile instrument there is , especially with a pair of reloop 8000s or vestax c1 where you get proper notes manipulation too ,

[@SiHargreaves]

Yeah would love a C1 not gonna lie

[@MrSethticles]

DJ DISK invented the term turntablists

[@SiHargreaves]

Ya I came across that in my research (cant remeber where) so there's deffo some ambiguity in the whole thing. He also claims a lot off bullshit stuff too though so I dunno. I can't really address every little thing like that I come across as it makes the vid too long so just went with the clip I had ha. But ya may be I could have put a little pop up text or something 🤔

[@MrSethticles]

@@SiHargreaves I saw him DJ in Melbourne around late 93 on the flyer had DJ Disk turntablist, I still have the flyer, this is the claim he is saying I’m just backing him up

[@MrSethticles]

Btw love your videos glad to see you’re back, honestly keep up the great content please

[@mattrockwell6214]

That Omnichord diss though...

[@SiHargreaves]

Lmao I mean I've never seen one played any where....

[@TheImperiumsFinest]

Dope

[@SiHargreaves]

Thanks

[@jbwernstrom4519]

I'd imagine a bit of snobbery also comes into play if you talk to musicians. But like most instruments, it takes time and a lot of practice to master, especially if you want it to sound musical. Definitely make that Bronx video as well 👍

[@SiHargreaves]

Heh yeah I've experienced it, but only when it comes to tone play type stuff and the tone not being completely in tune. If it was good enough for Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones it should be good enough for most other musicians.

[@jbwernstrom4519]

@@SiHargreaves Yep totally agree

[@tonysmith5878]

DEPENDING ON THE INDIVIDUALS SKILL SET. YOU CAN MANIPULATE SOUND BETTER THAN SOME OTHERS... MAYBE EVEN DIFFERENT FROM A DRUM MACHINE.

[@lucaslovesyouiii]

It’s an instrument in the same way a snare drum is an instrument

[@J.M.Stigner]

Does it make sound? Can you manipulate the sound? its an instrument.

[@J.M.Stigner]

Make that Bronx vid btw! cheers!

[@SiHargreaves]

Heh thanks for the encouragement, been slacking innit

[@namelesswon]

Skratching is like playing a bowed instrument for me.

[@djspliffyb]

pre watching Video my answer is YES it is.. ill comment Post video too

[@SiHargreaves]

Nice one, it means more coming from a multi instrumentalist I guess too!

[@barrywatts8501]

I'm still old school in my ways and still not met a single person that'd into skratching lol

[@SiHargreaves]

Yeah I was the same for ages. It can be hard depending where you live. There's always the whereby group you can jump on for I telnet cuts

[@barrywatts8501]

@SiHargreaves cool I will check that out bud. I'm still crap at crabbing lol. Great and helpfull video you did though. Just horrible to pratice as my fingers just don't want to know.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@djspliffyb]

finished, still is

[@SiHargreaves]

Ha thanks for watching

[@MRSTU1210]

Cool subbed

[@SiHargreaves]

nice one!

[@MRSTU1210]

@@SiHargreaves no problem