This lesson continues the beat four transition series by ending the scratch phrase on the “and” of beat three before dropping the record on beat four. It also reinforces practicing these transitions with both hands to develop clean, even strokes and a more consistent sound, especially when working with your weaker hand.
Below is the original transcript from the video.
What’s up? In the previous video of this transition series, we scratched and ended our phrase with a sixteenth note, the “a” of beat three, and then dropped the record on beat four.
We’re still going to scratch and drop on beat four, but now we’ll end the phrases with the ‘and’ of beat three. Time to go over the phrase. Here we go!
Rhythm 1 Phrase
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to practice these transitions with both hands. As I’ve said before, we want clean, even strokes, and we want to get a consistent sound.
But if you haven’t been practicing with both hands, you’re more than likely going to hear a difference in tone with your weak hand. That’s normal, so don’t worry about it. Let’s move on to the transition. Here we go!
Rhythm 2 Transition
Being able to use both hands is convenient. The thing is, you have to work on it. If you haven’t been practicing with your weak hand, it’s probably going to feel uncomfortable.
Don’t let that discourage you. Check out our Baby Scratch and Chirp playlists. Go through the series and practice with both hands.
Make sure to download the PDFs; they’ll make practicing the rhythms much easier. Links are in the description. 15-20 minutes a day will surprise you! Get the reps in! Peace!
FAQs
1. Where does the scratch phrase end before the transition on beat four?
The scratch phrase ends on the “and” of beat three before the record drops on beat four.
2. Why should these scratch transitions be practiced with both hands?
These scratch transitions should be practiced with both hands because the goal is to develop clean, even strokes and a consistent sound with either hand.
3. What should you expect when practicing with your weak hand?
Practicing with your weak hand may feel uncomfortable at first, and you may hear a difference in tone until you get more practice.
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.
