TURNTABLIST
THE INTRO
The word 'Turntablist' was first coined by DJs Babu (Beat Junkies, Dil ated Peoples) and Q-Bert (Invisibl Skratch Piklz) in 1998 and was meant to distinguish DJs who play tunes from DJs who "Use the turntable as a musical instrument". Due to the level of skills shown by DJs such as Qbert and Babu etc. plus the emergence of DJ teams such as The Beat Junkies, Scratch Perverts and Invisibl Skratch Piklz in the last ten years the turntable has taken on a different role for those dedicated enough to learn to use it as you would the guitar or drums...
Out of this philosophy also came scratch music, with DJs using simple recording equipment (4 track) to build tunes from scratch (no pun intended). First you can layer a simple breakbeat using a kick and snare, then you can layer hi hats/horns/bass line (using certain sample albums) then scratch over the top of the whole lot. This kind of music can be found! on an excellent series of albums called 'The Return of the DJ' series on Bomb Records.
 
This section will look into the tools required to begin scratching (sample albums) the techniques used by the professionals (Scratch Tips) and Internet links for further research. The one thing to remember is no matter how long you have been DJ'ing or how good anyone may seen the real secret is ‘practice’.
SAMPLE ALBUMS:
Sample albums are the ammunition in the scratch DJs arsenal. They are the source of all the ‘ash’s’ and the ‘fresh‘s’ that you commonly hear being manipulated. The records are specially produced by DJs for DJs, this section will look at 5 of the best and most used sample albums and what can be found on them:
• Super Duck Breaks - Babu - (Stones Throw, USA)
This came out a few years ago and dominated the battle circuit for a while; the secret was the instrumental beats are fantastic to scratch to and the album features two ‘Scratch Sentences’.
These are sections of the record with samples in time so you can either use the samples to scratch or ‘Juggle’ them using two copies.
• Toasted Marsh Mellow Breaks - Qbert - (Dirt Styles)
This is another of the records that dominated for a number of years in competitions. The album also features a never-ending bass tone which can be used by teams using the pitch control to ‘play’ a bassline.
The album also features the famous "all that scratchin’ is makin’ me itch" sample.
• Hee Haw Breaks - Flare - (Dirt Style)
This was the first release for the inspirational inventor of the scratch which bears his name - DJ Flare. The album features nearly every sample you could ever want in close proximity to each other.
There is one full side of samples to use plus some good Electro beats on the flipside.
• Gag Seal Breaks - Qbert - (Dirt Style)
Second in the groundbreaking Super Seal breaks series, these records are produced in such a way that they are ’un skippable!!’. Needles skipping are the scratch DJs Achilles heel, this record has popular scratch samples looped so if the needle skips it picks it straight up on the next groove.
An indispensable tool in any DJs box.
• Super Duper Duck Breaks - Babu - (Stones Throw)
The long awaited sequel to Super Duck Breaks, the same excellent ‘scratch sentences’ and beats, plus a ‘tones section’ at the end of the record.
Two copies of both records are a must for some real practice fodder…
TECHNIQUES:
In this section we shall look at the methods used to manipulate samples to produce the ‘wiki wiki’ sounds associated with scratching. Before we go into these scratches you must understand how to find the beginning of the sample you want to scratch. First of all put a sticker on the middle of the record and use it as you would use a clock. If the sticker is right at the top of the record this would represent 12 O’clock. Now you have to use the very beginning of the scratch so find the beginning of the noise and note where the sticker is, then when you bring the record back always bring it back to where the sticker was.. Confused? You will be!
 The Baby Scratch - this is about moving the record back and forth. This is the most basic scratch and is easy to do, imagine when you’re mixing and you have found the beginning of the song you want to mix and you are there pushing the record back and forth whilst you wait for the right bit to come on the other tune to start the mix… well you are doing the baby scratch… back and forth (like a Jane Fonder work out).. Try moving the cross-fader in time, push forwards - cross fader in, then cut the fader and put it back in for the back push. Repeat and you’ll hear when you begin getting the ‘wiki wiki’ effect.
Transforming - First invented by legend ‘Cash Money’ this scratch requires you to tap the cross-fader quickly and in time and moving the sample slowly back and forth, the cuts of the cross-fader determine how the scratch sounds. The secret here is rhythmic tapping the cross-fader in and out and moving the sample from the beginning to the end and back again with varying degrees of speed to get the different sounds. The best way to do this is to let the sample play then tap the cross-fader four times as you drag the sample back. Repeat this with a beat on and listen to the difference in sound as you drag it back quicker - improvise.
Back to Back - This is not a scratch but the method by which scratch DJs repeat a certain section (the break) of a record utilising two copies of the same tune. First of all you need that all important ‘marker’ sticker so you know where to bring the samples back to. Find the beginning of the beat - put a sticker at 12 O’clock, then do the same on the other copy of the record. Let one go with the cross-fader on that side (right?) then set the other side off after one bar and transfer the cross-fader across whilst pulling back the first side. This is a very confusing technique and is best done by watching someone else or DMC videos and observing first hand - then try it at home.
Words by Nick
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