The Chirp: Using the Chirp
The difference between the Baby Scratch and the Chirp is that the Chirp requires the record and fader hands to move together, while the Baby Scratch uses only the record hand. When the record and fader are in time, the Chirp sounds clean, sharp, and rhythmically precise. Each sound is short and clearly separated, with a defined attack as the fader opens and a tight release as it closes. This separation affects each sample differently. On non-drum sounds, the Chirp often produces a higher-pitched tone. On drum sounds, it creates clearer separation between each stroke. The result is a crisp, percussive texture shaped into precise rhythmic bursts.
In contrast, the Baby Scratch produces a smoother, continuous forward and backward sound that can feel more connected or more fluid depending on the record speed. When alternating between the two, that contrast in articulation creates variation and adds another dimension to the phrasing and groove, even when the notation remains the same.
At this stage, coordination moves into the background. You focus on what you hear. Cutting it too short makes it feel choked, inconsistent, and unpleasant to listen to. If it is too long, it loses its percussive effect. You start to make the corrections as you play through the rhythm, then return your attention to the sound, refining the process with each line and repetition.
As you begin to focus on sound quality, you also begin to think about where and how you want to use it. At this point, the goal is not to execute the technique perfectly and chase that perfect sound, but to improve steadily and learn when and how you want to use the Chirp.
When used, the Chirp can:
- Shape the sounds envelope by creating a sharp attack and tight release
- Change the articulation by producing short, staccato notes instead of connected ones
- Alter the texture by making the sound sharper and more percussive rather than smooth
- Create variety by contrasting its tight, clipped notes with the smoother Baby Scratch
Placement and Application
You determine where the Chirp falls within the rhythm, how often it appears within a phrase, and which sample is used. Together, these decisions shape how the technique fits into the overall performance.
Taste and Restraint
The Chirp leaves room for personal preference and experimentation. It is a practical scratch, and how and when it appears within a phrase is up to you. Because it involves the fader, it can feel more complex and naturally draws attention, which can make it tempting to use often. At the same time, when something becomes repetitive, it can lose its impact. Exploring different placements and frequencies helps you develop your own style and sound while finding a balance that feels right within the music and situation.
The original transcript for the video is below.
Hey what’s up? It’s Ronin here with another Scratching Made Easy video for you. In this lesson we are going to continue with chirping eighth notes, but this time we are going to throw in some quarter notes and quarter rests. You can find a link to the sheet music and everything else mentioned in this video in the description below. Let's get started! The tempo is at 87 beats per minute. Here we go!
Rhythm 1
Let's do it again, but this time be sure not to rush through the rests. Make sure that you say the count properly. We want to be accurate with our counting. If you are rushing the count, it means that you are ahead of the beat. If you are ahead of the beat, it usually doesn’t sound good. Alright, here we go!
Rhythm 2
As I’ve said before; having good timing is important, but unfortunately for some of us, it doesn’t come naturally. A few ways to overcome this are by working hard, being patient, and getting in lots of repetition. Alright, let's move on to the next example. Here we go!
Rhythm 3
A lot of times people are unaware of the importance playing in time, especially beginners. Just being aware of the importance of playing in time can help you focus on it. But often, that is not enough. That’s why we here at Scratching Made Easy stress the importance of reading music. Notation gives us a visual representation of the rhythm. If you can read it, you can play it. As long as you can read the rhythm, the next step is just working out the timing. Let’s move on to number three. Here we go!
Rhythm 4
If you want to challenge yourself, go ahead and increase the tempo. BUT if you find that you're having issues playing accurately, slow down the tempo. Alright let’s move on to number four. Here we go!
In order to help develop your timing, go over this lesson several times until you get the hang of it. Remember that having good timing is one of the basic foundations of being a good scratch DJ. If you focus on this vital area, you are setting yourself up for future success. Thanks for watching. If you have comments, please leave in the comment section below. See you next time! Peace!
FAQs
1. What gives the Chirp its crisp, percussive sound?
The Chirp’s crisp, percussive sound is created by short, clearly separated sounds with a defined attack as the fader opens and a tight release as it closes.
2. Why does the Chirp sound different on drum and non-drum sounds?
The Chirp sounds different on drum and non-drum sounds because the separation affects each sample differently. On non-drum sounds, the Chirp often produces a higher-pitched tone. On drum sounds, it creates clearer separation between each stroke.
3. Why does sound quality become important when using the Chirp?
Sound quality becomes important when using the Chirp because cutting it too short makes it feel choked, inconsistent, and unpleasant to listen to, while making it too long causes it to lose its percussive effect.
Summary
The Chirp requires the record and fader hands to move together. Focus on perfecting the timing of the technique and the sound it produces. As you refine the sound, adjusting how long it plays helps keep it from feeling choked when cut too short or losing its percussive feel when it is too long.
About the Authors
Jason E. Bullock and M. Dwayne Bullock (DjRoninTokyo) are the creators of Scratching Made Easy and the authors of Scratching Made Easy Turntable Method Book 1: A Guide to Scratching. They created a scratch notation system that uses standard musical notation to apply fundamental music concepts to scratching.
Pt. 3 → Pt. 4
Continue to: How I Learned to Scratch With the Cross Fader - The Chirp (Part 4)
