Hey folks!
Welcome to Day 13 of 30 Days of Scratching. For a full overview and instructions on how to join in please visit 30 Days of Scratching Day 1.
Day 13
Beat used: Trippin’ At The Disco Instrumental – People Under The Stairs
Scratch Record Used: Super Seal
Background Info
Today I had to be finished recording before 10am as I had to be out. I spent some the morning practicing and choosing the beat and samples to scratch with. At 9.50am I finished recording and pressed the stop button on the camera. I was happy. I switched off my mixer and then was hit with a sinking feeling as I realised that I had not saved the audio recording in Scratch Live. Oops! With 10 minutes to go until I had to leave the house I managed to laugh it off, stay positive and hit record again. Today’s video is the result.
I have looped up the beginning section of the instrumental. Such a funky, energetic track, which really gave me the energy and inspiration I needed for the day and to keep going when I needed to do the second take.
I used Serato Scratch Live to record and play the beat and samples.
Todays quote:
“To become a master at any skill, it takes the total effort of your heart, mind, and soul working together in tandem.”
– Maurice Young
Reflections On Todays Video
- This beat is 103 bpm which is more upbeat than most of the hip hop tracks that I have used previously and gives for a really funky, bouncy vibe.
- I aimed to do really funky scratches and to keep things lighthearted. The chirp flare is a great scratch for funk and swing.
- Airplane mode helped me stay focused today. I find that switching off all distractions helps with focus and accomplishing things you really need to get done.
- Consider using the first part of the morning as your time to create. I find that once I have woken up, this is the freshest part of the day with an energy that is not found later in the day. I cannot imagine recording in the evening after the day is done and my energy is lower from focusing on other tasks and the day’s demands. Why not give it a go?
- Try using 100 – 105 bpm energetic beats to give a higher level of energy to your scratching. Maybe it’s because there is less time to think about the scratches you are doing and you have to go with the flow.
- When I messed up the first take, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to scratch as well the second time around and replicate the best cuts. I find these thoughts are best ignored whilst you carry on. Like anything, half the battle is in the mind! Keep going!
- I played around at 4:28 with rewinding the record so that the samples were in time. DJ Timestretch showed me this once.
- The 1, 2, 3, 4 sample is good fun to scratch with.
- Give it your best shot at staying positive, laugh, remaining playful and persevere when things don’t go to plan or you are under pressure.
- Todays lesson – if you want to learn, create or achieve something new, consider making it a priority and moving it to first thing in the morning before you do anything else (checking email, instagram, twitter, facebook, browsing the web, etc.). Watch what happens. Oh and remember to save your audio recording!
Official 30 Days Of Scratching Playlist
You can see all of the videos here: 30 Days Of Scratching YouTube Playlist
Your Turn!
If you would like to join me in this challenge throughout October / November, post links to your own practice videos in the comments below. Tag your videos on social networks with #studioscratches and #30DaysOfScratching. You don’t have to do the full 30 days so feel free to dip in and out posting your videos where you want to, but it would be super awesome to have you along as company for the full 30 days! Who knows where you might end up!
If you have a beat suggestion or want to send me cool beats to use in this challenge, please email me via the contact page.
If you have any questions please let me know.
See you tomorrow!
Happy Scratching! 😀
– Emma Short-E