How to do the Chirp Scratch?

First of all it is Jeffrey Allen Townes, a.k.a. DJ Jazzy Jeffwho invented the Chirp Scratch. Jazzy Jeff says in an interview: "It's funny because when you create the story, you never think that's what you're doing. You know, I'm in my basement, then I go to a party. I do this Scratch and then the world goes away, and I'm like, Wow, I've done this thing that everybody likes. At that point you don't think they're going to call it the Chirp Scratch, and it's going to be in the books and go around the world. Believe me, though, I'm amazed when I watch a DMC video and DJ's in Norway or Australia know who Jazzy Jeff is."

Here's how to do it right Chirp Scratch :

Note that for the Chirp Scratch, the vinyl hand does not come off. You must start well at the attack of the sound on your vinyl. So you have to start with the crossfader open, then launch the vinyl while keeping your hand on it. Then, and this is the typical sound of the Chirp, close the crossfader before the end of the trip. Proceed to the beginning of the return, and open the crossfader so that "cut"At the end of the sample only. Look at the graph. You can see that the movements of the 2 hands are synchronized with an offset for the crossfader hand.

Chirp Scratch is a unique sound. No matter what sample is used, this technique produces a sound that is not produced by any other scratch technique. With the Chirp, we can go very fast on the amplitude of the movement with the vinyl (dragging). This has the effect of producing very high pitched and percussive sounds depending on the sample used.

Use the audios to practice and improve your speed on the Chirp. You can change the tone of the sound by changing the amplitude. For example, a faster go every other time. The effect is guaranteed.

Finally, practice slowly at first and then gradually speed up. Little by little and with practice you will get the typical sound of the Chirp Scratch. Take a sound with a clean attack and long enough to stay in the sample. Then you can take shorter and shorter sounds, like snare drums or kicks. If you don't have enough sounds to scratch look hereYou will find what you need. Note that this technique is part of the Scratch DJ Class among many others.