Adaptability To Low And High Action Sounds As A Scratcher
It’s totally common for DJs in the middle of a set to cruise through their list of MP3s on their laptops in search of the beloved “Ahhhhh” or “Freshhh” sounds before they integrate scratching over the music they’re playing. But while scratchability of the sound under your fingertips is important, you shouldn’t prioritize comfort over spontaneity. Otherwise, when and how you scratch become predictable.
The 3 most important factors when it comes to how dynamic your scratches sound are your relationship with low action and high action sounds, and your adaptability to them.
LOW ACTION
The action within the sound you choose to manipulate directly impacts whether you as a DJ are operating in or out of your comfort zone of scratching. If you’re fairly new to DJing, my use of the word “action” might lead you to believe I’m talking about the patterns you’re coaxing out of the turntables when you’re moving. But I’m actually referring to the distance of the sound being moved. A low action sound is short in distance and discontinuous, Brrr (space) Brrr (space) Brrr (space).
HIGH ACTION
On the contrary, high action sounds are long and constant. In other words, any physical space is a potential musical space. Therefore, your hands can utilize whatever portion of the “Ahhhhh” or “Freshhh” sounds for example, they choose to produce sound on. Your hands literally can’t get it wrong so long as you’re a serviceable scratcher.
ADAPTABILITY
Your potential as a scratcher should be adaptable though. Never codify your arsenal of scratches to the two scratch sounds everyone else uses. Instead, the ultimate goal as a scratcher is to have all of the riffs practiced to a “T” on low action and high action sounds. This brings forth a more flexible code of behaving as a scratcher. When you reach that level of mastery, whatever notions you may have about how previous DJs scratched a sound are eclipsed by the creativity and energy inside the only person that matters while you’re scratching, YOU!
