February 11, 2026
Romance, Remixes, & Vibes: Valentine’s Day Starts Here
Valentine’s Day gigs coming up? We made it easy. DJcity just dropped three themed playlists to help you lock in the right vibe, no matter the crowd. R&...
Thursday, December 11, 2014
DJ Rob Swift Explains How to Articulate Scratches
Legendary turntablist and former X-Ecutioners member DJ Rob Swift explains how to articulate scratches, in the latest video tutorial from Scratch DJ Academy.
“You don’t wanna keep repeating the same scratches over and over again,” Swift says. “You wanna stimulate the person that’s listening to you, that’s watching you scratch. You wanna keep them engaged.”
The veteran turntablist explains in detail how to make scratches more interesting by following the rhythm and sounds of the beat. He also encourages DJs to consider the vocals and not just the drums. “Follow the pattern and the nuances of vocals on a track,” Swift says.
“You have to go beyond just mastering the technique and perfecting it. Always figure out a way to inject who you are out of the turntable.”
Related: How to Drum with a Turntable
