Dizzy on the decks
Dizzy is the turntablist in the school band. He uses record decks like a musical instrument.
Let's listen to Dizzy on decks
Listen (23 secs: mp3)
DJs control turntables to put together interesting and imaginative mixes of music for dancing. Some DJs also make and perform music by scratching, sampling and mixing.
Some turntable techniques are listed below.
Scratching
DJs can play rhythms by stopping and starting a record with their fingers (scratching). This must be done carefully or records can be damaged. It takes lots of practice to scratch interesting rhythms.
Cutting
DJs mix records during their performances. They need to know which songs go together well.
To introduce, or 'cut in' another song the DJ has to match the speed (tempo) of both songs. Skilled DJs usually cut in several songs during a performance.
Looping
DJs can select part of a song, or sample, to be played over and over. This is called 'looping'.
Sampling
Speaking in rhythms over the mix is called 'Em-Cee-ing'. Sometimes, DJs also record or 'sample' their voices. These samples can then be added to the mix. DJ Pogo works live with Courtney's band. He samples the musician and loops these as part of a live performance.
Watch Courtney performing with DJ Pogo
In Jazz Daze, Dizzy performs on trumpet and turntables! Courtney Pine's inclusion of turntables in his instrumental line-up has opened up exciting new musical developments.
- Learn about different scratch techniques with Cantaloop
- Babyscratch - watch the video
- Forwardscratch - watch the video
- Tearscratch - watch the video - Find out about ‘beat juggling’ and other turntable techniques
- Listen to turntables on the Courtney Pine album Back in the Day, identifying techniques
- Listen to Dizzy playing the decks with the school band - decks1
- Explore DJ effects available on electronic keyboards
- Practise playing these in time with a groove
- Improvise a 'call and response' over the groove featuring voices, instruments and effects