DJ Lesson #4 at Scratch Academy

DJ Lesson at Scratch Academy by our very own Djay Jung $50/$60.08

Up to now, we have been learning basic scratches. Baby, scribble, and release were

the only scratches we learned so far. Scratching with just those three got pretty

boring after 3 weeks. That’s when we learned the first two basic step in mixing,

dropping it on the one, and push/pull for adjustment.

Today is the day we learned the final step of mixing. Adjusting pitch is the last stage

when it comes to mixing.   Our exercise first included turning on a beat at high

pitch. We would turn our second beat pitched at neutral. While the leading vinyl is

playing, drop it on the one. When the beats are separating, push the following vinyl.

After you push your vinyl, increase the pitch by half a percent.  Repeat this action

until you no longer need to adjust the pitch control.

%You will be using same two vinyl, and beat for this exercise (this is going to take

a lot of practice for two different beats)

We also learned a new scratch technique called the Chirp Scratch. The Chirp Scratch

was invented by DJ Jazzy Jeff. The name originates from the sound it produces,

small bird sounds. The motion of the vinyl is the same as the other scratches we

learned so far. Forward with the beat, and recoil during the off beat. But this

scratching technique requires the coordination of the CROSS-FADER. Set your fader

in the middle, and close it as your move the vinyl forward.

You can reverse the movement of the fader and create a Chop Scratch. Vinyl

movement still goes forward with the beat. But the fader starts closed. Open the

fader when you are in forward motion with the vinyl.

%Mixing two beats with the basic scratches got boring pretty early on. Djay Jung

showed us a quick demonstration on how to mix using the chirp scratch. I must

say, I won’t get bored now with the New Technique in hand.

%%The female instructor at our place is so professional. She seems to know exactly

where we are coming from. She gave us a great hint. When scratching or mixing,

the bass is not a big concern to us. Scratching and mixing requires us to listen to

the most crisp sound. For example, snare and hi-hat sounds on a beat. Lowering

the Low EQ and increasing the Hi and Mid EQ will generate a crisp scratch sound

and cleaner snare sound for us to mix. SCRATCH!

 

A-TRAK Monekeyboy Breaks LP

A-Trak Battle Vinyl, $14.08/$14.08

“Monkeyboy Breaks” by A-TRAK (aka The #1 Spinna) is a battle vinyl for DJs.

The difference between a battle vinyl and regular vinyl is the collection of

scratch samples, word samples, and cool breaks to be used when turning

music  on for the BBoy battles.

The reason I bought this master piece is for my DJ lessons at DJ Scratch

Academy. We first learned how to scratch to a beat. That made us familiar

with equipments and operation of turning music on. But the main point

of a DJ is to create music. DJs would normally just turn on well known

music. As the role of DJs’ importance grew, so did their taste and artistic

ability. DJs now create their own version of musics by using the techniques

used from turntableism. A lot of music making is done digitally. It might

seem old school to buy an actual vinyl with scratch samples in it, but I

wish to know how I can express myself through music. And the biggest

step I can take today is through the old mechanical ways of

sampling, scratching, and beat matching with REAL BATTLE

VINYL.

%A fellow DJ student of mine told me that TRUE OLD SCHOOL DJs don’t

accept the concept of using battle vinyl. They believe the journey to the

actual source of the sound you are looking for is important. The journey

gives you more appreciation to the musicians before you. RESPECT!