What Is A Dj If He Can't Scratch ?

Some might argue that being able to scratch is what it takes to make you a real DJ. There was once a song that asked the question, "What is a DJ if he can’t scratch" by The Egyptian Lover that may have started this saga. Although having that skill can be a valuable asset in certain situations there are more skills needed to be considered as a good DJ. Being able to M.C. on the microphone with charisma, beat mix and read a crowd are a few of the other important elements needed also if being a great DJ is your passion.

First let’s find out what’s the definition of a DJ is - a disc jockey, also known as DJ (or deejay), is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, (disk) - referred to phonograph records, while (disc) - referred to the Compact Disc, and has become the more common spelling. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium. Medium - meaning the source from which you use or choose to play the music whether it is records, cd, cassettes, or mp3. Nowhere in the definition does it state that you must use a specific tool or device to be considered a DJ, although more recently many turntable DJs claim that if you don’t use records/vinyl then you’re not a real DJ. Others say that if you don’t use turntables and scratch live during your performances, you are recognized as a push button DJ. Isn’t it true that you have to push a button on a turntable to start the record to playing or push buttons on most electronics? Many DJs started with vinyl and turntables but over the years more ways of playing music using newer technology have emerged. Numerous methods came into existence to play music in a variety of formats such as: cd, mini disc, hard disk players and now mp3, mp4, wma’s, etc. that are being routed through DJ based programs on computers. New DJ programs have been invented to help the way DJs play music more convenient, but it still takes skill with the new technology to move a crowd. Having the best programs for computers without having knowledge, creativity, or knowing the history about being a DJ does not provide any advantages to the overnight DJ. Hard drive storage has increased the capability to store more music than any DJ will play in a lifetime. With all of this new technology some DJs have chosen to upgrade for the new benefits while others have not but a real DJ is still good regardless, not because of what he uses but by how he uses it. Let’s face it who still wants to carry around 5 to 10 crates of records to a party when you can bring a 1 terabyte hard drive that can store more music then you can ever carry? No one, and this is not to say that turntables have become or are obsolete because with programs like Rane Serato, a DJ who loves the real feel of vinyl still can show his skills playing music via mp3, mp4, etc. Scratching is still possible through most of the newer programs that allow you to sync turntables and cdjs (cd turntables) to your computer through an interface. Scratching is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. There have been many styles and techniques of scratches created over the years by some of the greatest turntablist of all time. Scratching was started by Grand Wizard Theodore in 1977 by mistake. Supposedly when his mother walked into his room as he was working on his turntable he was startled and pulled the record back and it sounded good.

There are others who deserve acclaim like DJ Herc, his attribution to turntablism began the moment when he put the same record on two turntables and switched between them to make one seamless rhythm of indefinite length better known as beat mixing.

Also Grandmaster Flash’s contribution to the DJ lifestyle can’t be left out because in the long run he took turntabling to new, almost ridiculous heights. DJ Scratch, DJ Herc, Jam Master Jay, Jazzy Jeff, and many other great DJs all over the globe have all added greatness to the art applying multiple techniques of scratching, beat mixing, beat joggling, etc. To sum it all up, saying that scratching and turntablism is all that it takes to make a real DJ is like saying that every basketball player must know how to slam dunk to be called a professional player. Now we all know that every basketball player can’t dunk, some are good at rebounds, others are great 3-point shooters, some at lay ups and many are just good at assisting defensively or offensively. Even though they all have different skills the one thing that they all have in common is that they all have their on uniqueness which adds value to the game and that makes them all great. So the answer to the question, "What is a DJ if he can’t scratch" is, A DJ is as good as his or her own unique creative approach to keep a crowd entertained by whatever means or format that brings constant success.