In this lesson, we scratch a 4-bar phrase that ends on the “and” of beat four, then release the record on beat one to make the transition. We also break down how to practice the final bar, time the record release, and use chunking to work through each bar before putting the full phrase together.
Below is the original transcript from the video.
In our previous scratch transitions video, we focused on scratching and dropping on beat one, right after the “a” of beat four. That’s the last sixteenth note in the bar.
In this video, we’re going to scratch and drop on beat one, but this time we’ll be ending the phrase on the “and” of beat four, then drop the record on beat one. Alright, let’s check out the phrase. Here we go!
Rhythm 1 Phrase
If you have problems timing the release of the record, you can break things down and just work on bar four. Scratch the rhythm until you have it down.
Next, work on scratching bar four and releasing the record in time. When you drop the record, try to make the release as seamless as possible. Okay! Time to go over the transition. Here we go!
Rhythm 2 Transition
Hopefully, you’re getting the hang of this by now. But if you’re not, it’s no big deal. Just break the phrase down even more. Work on each bar by itself.
Once you get the first bar down, move on to bar two, and so on. This practice technique is called chunking. Once you can play each bar clean, start putting the 4-bar phrase together.
Before you know it, you’ll be transitioning on beat one. I hope this information helps. Peace!
FAQs
1. How can you practice a 4-bar phrase if you’re having trouble with the transition?
You can break the phrase down into smaller sections and practice each section until you can play it clean, then start putting the full 4-bar phrase together.
2. What is chunking?
Chunking is a practice technique where you break a phrase into smaller sections and work on them separately before putting the full phrase together.
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.
Continue to: How I Scratch and Transition into a Song | Lesson 3
