How to Become a Turntable Artist (Turntablist)

Scratching is one of the ultimate techniques in the art of sound performance using turntables, vinyl records, and mixers (turntablism). While DJs generally focus on playing tracks, turntablists are artists who create innovative music through their craft. By learning how to choose the necessary tools for DJ music creation, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the vast world of rhythmic creativity. Mastering the techniques and aesthetics of this genre will enable you to perform at your peak level!

Prepare your basic DJ gear. For most DJs, this means you’ll need a turntable with a direct-drive motor, a mixer, and a collection of vinyl records to practice scratching and creating samples. However, digital controllers and CD turntables (CDJs) are becoming increasingly popular. These devices offer diverse functions such as scratching, quickly looping beats, and playing tracks at extremely high or low speeds, all of which are very useful for a turntablist.

• If you don’t own a turntable, you may feel anxious about purchasing your first one, especially since you will eventually need two if you aspire to become a turntablist. While scratching with one turntable is possible, it won’t produce music. However, as long as you own a model with a direct-drive motor, you’ll be able to scratch. Don’t overspend.

Look for a mixer with a horizontal slider that allows you to adjust various modes and switch between tracks. These adjustments will help you control the sound between turntables more easily. A good mixer for scratching does not require the horizontal slider to be at the exact center before the sound shifts to another channel. While it's not a necessity, it does make mixing much easier as you start practicing more advanced techniques later on.

Use a slipmat between the turntable and the record. Anti-static slipmats are essential for any DJ who scratches records. They allow you to place a finger or even your whole hand on the record and stop it without stopping the turntable.

• If you have cheaper turntables, you may need to cut out pieces of plastic, wax, or leather to insert. Even plastic bags from the store work well for this purpose.
• You can purchase a product called a "magic mat" to reduce friction. If you prefer using your own mat or struggle to stop the record, you can buy a product called a "butter mat" and use it as a permanent slipmat. These are the smoothest mats available. You may still need to reduce friction further, depending on your musical style and equipment.

Build a collection of vinyl records for sampling. A turntable artist needs a variety of records to create music. Turntable artists are skilled at mixing by using rhythms from multiple recordings and samples from other tracks to create sound. This style of creative music-making is 'patchwork' and can only succeed with extensive practice on various records.

• Most records used for scratching contain a series of sample tracks, alternating breaks, and sound effects. Avoid buying random records online. It’s best to listen to them first to make sure they are useful for practice and performance.
• For DJs, essential records are those designed to loop sample sections. These records work on the principle that when the needle jumps (and it will definitely jump), you will still get the sound you want to use. If you don’t have your usual records, try exploring a record a little by searching for sections you like, then spin it back and forth to understand the groove and the needle’s movement on the vinyl.
• You can use records with no backing tracks or ones you already own and try to find a sample, but most DJs select only a few records to scratch when practicing and performing.

Find a sample or audio segment from your records to practice scratching. Listen closely to your vinyl for a period of time to create full tracks. Breaks—moments when other instruments stop and only the drums remain—are often isolated for use as background in hip-hop songs, while instrumental-only tracks usually have catchy melodies perfect for mixing.

• Listen to the records carefully and stop the turntable when you hear a sound you want to use. Rewind and find the exact moment the sound begins.

Mark the groove of the record. In the past, DJs used small round pieces of paper, often used by teachers for grading, to mark the grooves on the vinyl next to the sample music section. This act provided a visual signal for DJs to know when the sample began, helping the needle drop into the groove to play the sample again.

• Some DJs dislike placing paper on the vinyl, despite it being a classic method. You can mark the groove in any way that works best for you, especially if you're planning to record or mix your loops quickly.

Use your finger to stop the record. Once the sound stops, slowly rotate the record backward at a speed close to its forward motion. This creates the sound of a reverse turntable. The scratching sound comes from selecting an appropriate break, such as a trumpet section or long sound effects, and then moving the platter back and forth over that sound to create a unique scratching effect.

Play a different song and repeat the process with the break. A scratch on its own can be like a movie full of explosions. Fun at first? Absolutely. But tiring after a few minutes? Certainly. To scratch properly, combine sample loops and your turntable movements with a break. Look for a good break to build your sound, especially in classic soul tracks or R&B samples that feature great break sections to develop your music over.

Speed up the record faster than the sample, instead of playing it at the usual speed or slowing it down. You'll get a higher pitch sound. Do the same when reversing, adjusting the speed to match. Then, apply this technique to the music. This technique is sometimes called 'baby scratch'.

• Start with a slower break and gradually play faster throughout the track. As you master higher speeds, diversify the rhythms by adding in breaks you’ve developed.

Pay close attention to the work of your favorite beatmakers. Take some time to study how your preferred DJs and producers create beats, incorporating sounds and textures from a variety of sources. Whether your goal is to compete or just craft impressive tracks, learning from the masters is essential.

• RZA pioneered the use of lo-fi techniques (producing sound with technical flaws) by incorporating samples from classic soul music and samurai films, adding extra elements to the beats used in early Wu-Tang albums and the solo projects of its members. Check out Raekwon's “Ice Cream,” which features a guitar sample sped up for an easy-to-listen vibe along with a matching beat.
• Madlib's incorporation of jazz records and 80s hits helped him become one of the most sought-after producers. He merges the old and the new in remarkably innovative ways. Check out Madvillainy, his project with MF Doom, and his recordings with Freddie Gibbs to learn more about his technique as a turntable artist.

Learn to quickly blend beats from different tracks. Combining the beat of one track with another is crucial – if done incorrectly, your music will sound disorganized and downright bad. A metronome can help you gauge the beats per minute of the samples you want to use and blend together. Build music by seamlessly connecting beats.

• Many DJs mark the beats per minute on the surface of their records. This helps them quickly and easily create beats and tracks when working.

Experiment with different sounds to create unique music. Play around with various sounds and structures to make your beats stand out. For some DJs, the ultimate goal is to take small samples from unexpected sources: Latin jazz, spoken word recordings, or relaxing easy-listening music. Transform these into tracks that keep people grooving!

• A principle learned from turntable artists: When paired with a drum break from The Meters, almost any sample will sound amazing.

Play records at different speeds. Don't limit yourself to playing a track at the exact same speed to match the beats. RZA took a melancholic guitar sample by Earl Klugh, sped it up, and raised its pitch to create the unique sample that runs through the track “Ice Cream.” The only limit to music production is your imagination.

Don’t overdo the scratching. No one wants to hear a DJ that only produces scratching sounds throughout the entire performance. Consider it a 'spice' for the track, not the main technique for creating music. Typically, there are only a few guitar solos in a rock song, and likewise, there should only be 1-2 scratches in a DJ’s beat.

Learn some basic music theory. A turntable artist is a percussionist, meaning you need to have a deep understanding of rhythm. You'll need to practice scratching in sync with music to create beats using records. When you scratch along with a track, you're creating a rhythm. By mastering rhythms, you can refine your skills to accurately replicate these beats.

• Most hip-hop and dance tracks are in 4/4 time. This means there are 4 beats in each bar. Each beat can be subdivided in different ways. Try counting these beats out loud as you listen to music. Each beat is placed between [brackets]:
• [1] [2] [3] [4]
• [1 and] [2 and] [3 and] [4 and]
• [1 e and a] [2 e and a] [3 e and a] [4 e and a]
• [1 triplet] [2 triplet] [3 triplet] [4 triplet] (Triplet: a group of three equal notes played within the time of two notes of the same value).
• [1 triplet and triplet] [2 triplet and triplet] [3 triplet and triplet] [ 4 triplet and triplet]

Practice counting rhythms with your favorite tracks.

• A great way to get familiar with rhythms is to play with a practice pad. You can visit the Vic Firth website below to learn how rhythms are divided and how these divisions include rests. Once you can vocalize these rhythms or at least a few beats of them, you can start using them as the foundation for the scratching routines you're developing.

• Rent or purchase DJ 101 and DJ 102 by DJ Shortee
• Protect your ears so you don't suffer hearing loss later.
• Rent or buy Do It Yourself Scratching by Qbert Volumes 1 and 2
• Visit the DMC website to check out past champions from their annual DJ competitions
• Look for DJ performances online

• Protect your ears! Wear over-ear headphones or in-ear buds if you need to play with loud sounds.