This lesson focuses on scratching and transitioning into a song by releasing the record on beat two instead of beat one. The phrase demonstrates how changing where you enter the song gives you more options and allows you to choose your placement more creatively. Counting out loud is especially important here because it helps you know exactly where you are in the music and avoid releasing the record on the wrong beat.
Below is the original transcript from the video.
What’s up? In this video, we’re switching things up a bit. Instead of dropping on beat one like we usually do, which is the standard, we’re going to drop and release the record on beat two.
Being able to scratch and transition on beat two gives us another tool to use, and that’s important because not being limited to beat one opens up more options.
Since we can use beat two, we can start choosing exactly where we want to come in. Hence, we can be more creative. Let’s check out the phrase!
Rhythm 1 Phrase
Dropping on beat one is a given. We all do it, and it’s the standard. I didn’t say it was easy; I said it was standard.
Up to this point in this series, I’ve refrained from using my mantra, but because we are dropping on beat two, I have to bring it back. COUNT OUT LOUD!
The reason I’m saying this is because I have a feeling some of you might be finishing your scratch phrase and accidentally dropping on beat four instead. So, remember to count out loud. Alright, go over the transition.
Rhythm 2 Transition
Here’s the thing: the reason I said that some of you might be dropping on beat four is because I’ve done it a million times at the crib. I used to do it all the time before I knew how to count.
I was unsure, and I was feeling my way around the decks. Look, I know counting isn’t the most fun thing to do, but when we do it, we know exactly where we are and where we’re going.
This gives us the ability to identify where we are and where we’re having problems. That means we can fix them. I hope that helps you out! Peace.
FAQs
1. Why would you scratch and transition on beat two?
You would scratch and transition on beat two because it gives you more options for choosing exactly where you want to come in and allows you to be more creative.
2. Why should you count out loud when dropping on beat two?
You should count out loud when dropping on beat two because counting helps you know exactly where you are and prevents you from accidentally dropping on the wrong beat.
3. How can counting help identify problems in a scratch transition?
Counting helps identify problems in a scratch transition by showing you where you are and where you are having trouble, which gives you the ability to fix those problems.
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 Learned to Scratch on Beat - The Baby Scratch (Part 5)
