This lesson introduces dynamics and crescendos in scratching, explains how playing harder or softer affects the sound, and defines what a crescendo is. It also demonstrates how a crescendo can be applied over a beat and explains how dynamics add emotion and feeling to your scratching.
Below is the original transcript from the video.
Hey, what’s up? In this video we are going to cover dynamics. To put it in simple terms, dynamics are how hard or soft we play. For scratching, this applies to how slow or fast we push the record. When pushing or pulling the record fast, the pitch is higher. When pushing or pulling the record slowly, the pitch is lower.
Dynamics can be played with a kick, a snare, or any sound that you want to use. I’m going to scratch from low to high. This is called a crescendo. You can also do this with different techniques like the chirp. Now that we covered the basics of crescendos, I’m going to change things up and play over a beat.
Rhythm 1
Dynamics are important because they allow us to express emotion in our playing, and they give our scratches feeling. You can find examples of crescendos in our book Scratching Made Easy Turntable Method; links are in the description. Peace!
FAQs
1. What are dynamics in scratching?
Dynamics in scratching are how hard or soft you play, which applies to how slow or fast you push or pull the record.
2. How does record speed affect pitch when scratching?
Pushing or pulling the record faster produces a higher pitch, while moving the record more slowly produces a lower pitch.
3. What is a crescendo in scratching?
A crescendo in scratching is pushing or pulling the record from a lower pitch to a higher pitch.
4. Why are dynamics important in scratching?
Dynamics are important in scratching because they allow you to express emotion and give your scratches feeling.
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.
