#basic scratching

Whats included in Basic Scratching?

Basic Scratching with DJ Rob Swift teaches the 9 cornerstone scratch techniques. Faderless scratches: baby, scribble, tear. Forward scratches: forward release, forward stab and forward drag. Intermediate scratches: reverse drag, transformer and chirp scratches. The fourth tutorial teaches how to combine all of the scratch techniques covered and how to phrase them. This will help you take your knowledge to the next level, creating scratch routines, improving social media content and more.

Each lecture has a accompanying Training Camp designed and hosted by DJ Rob Swift to help you practice your scratches and improve your confidence and fluidity.

Basic Scratching with DJ Rob Swift Breakdown

Faderless Scratches (Baby, Scribble and Tear)

Forward Scratches (Stab, Forward release, Forward Drag)

Intermediate Scratches (the Chirp, Transformer and Reverse Drag)

Combining the nine cornerstone scratches

Basic Scratching also includes Scratch Training Camps which match each lecture. These help you practice and are more focused on sharpening the techniques rather than learning the methods. These will help you hone in on your technique.

Review

Basic Scratching will teach you the cornerstone scratch techniques through information packed training to take you to the next level of your skills. This course is best suited for beginners and intermediate DJs who want to perfect the nine cornerstone scratching techniques.

Rob Swift’s hollistic approach to basic scratching will have you expressing your personal style through the cornerstone techniques. Focus is on finding your personal style and empowering DJs to be able scratch in a funky and exciting way.

Not sure if this course is for you?

Basic Scratching is for students who have some foundations in the techniques of DJing. The best way to learn the art of DJing is by building your skills one block at a time, taking the time to learn about each technique with intensity. Check out our other courses such as Basic DJing, for more foundational work such as hand alignment which will really help with the Basic Scratching course. If you’re looking for more advanced scratching work, check out Training Camp or Advanced Scratching. For Beat Juggling, check out the 10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling.

Whats included in Basic Scratching?

Basic Scratching with DJ Rob Swift teaches the 9 cornerstone scratch techniques. Faderless scratches: baby, scribble, tear. Forward scratches: forward release, forward stab and forward drag. Intermediate scratches: reverse drag, transformer and chirp scratches. The fourth tutorial teaches how to combine all of the scratch techniques covered and how to phrase them. This will help you take your knowledge to the next level, creating scratch routines, improving social media content and more.

Each lecture has a accompanying Training Camp designed and hosted by DJ Rob Swift to help you practice your scratches and improve your confidence and fluidity.

Basic Scratching with DJ Rob Swift Breakdown

Faderless Scratches (Baby, Scribble and Tear)

Forward Scratches (Stab, Forward release, Forward Drag)

Intermediate Scratches (the Chirp, Transformer and Reverse Drag)

Combining the nine cornerstone scratches

Basic Scratching also includes Scratch Training Camps which match each lecture. These help you practice and are more focused on sharpening the techniques rather than learning the methods. These will help you hone in on your technique.

Review

Basic Scratching will teach you the cornerstone scratch techniques through information packed training to take you to the next level of your skills. This course is best suited for beginners and intermediate DJs who want to perfect the nine cornerstone scratching techniques.

Rob Swift’s hollistic approach to basic scratching will have you expressing your personal style through the cornerstone techniques. Focus is on finding your personal style and empowering DJs to be able scratch in a funky and exciting way.

Not sure if this course is for you?

Basic Scratching is for students who have some foundations in the techniques of DJing. The best way to learn the art of DJing is by building your skills one block at a time, taking the time to learn about each technique with intensity. Check out our other courses such as Basic DJing, for more foundational work such as hand alignment which will really help with the Basic Scratching course. If you’re looking for more advanced scratching work, check out Training Camp or Advanced Scratching. For Beat Juggling, check out the 10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling.

Masterclasses at Brolic Army DJ School by Guest Teachers are here!

This course is a hub for DJ tutorials by our guest teachers. From Battle routines, to scratch composition this course will offer you a cornucopia of perspectives to draw inspiration from.

Hand-picked guest teachers representing the most creative and talented DJs around teach our Masterclasses. ‘Masterclasses’ at Brolic Army DJ School are an exciting added feature to help diversify your learning experience.

We strive to give a holistic approach to DJing at Brolic Army DJ School and how better to do that than bringing the pioneers straight to you. From other members of the X-ecutioners to DJs who have worked with the likes of Public Enemy and other Hip Hop icons, these masterclasses lift the veil on the mystery of the DJ world.

Masterclasses Course Breakdown:

001: Total Eclipse’s DMX Routine

002: Johnny Juice on How to Arrange your Scratches

003: John Swan’s “Hit Me Wit’ Da Horns” Scratch Routine

004: DJ 8-Ball teaches “Tone Play”

005: Mista Sinista’s “S.W.A.T.” Routine

006: Grandmaster Supreme teaches Body Tricks

007 – DJ P teaches how to DJ on Vinyl

008 – DJ P teaches how to mix Acapellas

009 – DJ P discusses trusting your creative instincts

010 – DJ P discusses curating an energetic playlist

011 – DJ Supreme on how to build a battle routine

012 – John Swan breaks down Scratch Drumming

013 – Branden Creado on improving your hand control

014 – Mista Sinista’s “Method Man” Routine

015 – Mista B’s “Mophono” Routine

016 – DJ P teaches the basics of multi-track recording

017 – Mike C teaches fundamental Trick Mixing

018 – Critical examination of composing a Beat Juggle routine with Mike C

019 – Mike C’s guide to recording studio scratches

We regularly update Masterclasses at Brolic Army DJ School. More lessons coming very soon!

Having strong DJ foundations, or ‘turntable instincts’ will make these lessons much easier to digest, absorb and learn from. If you’re looking to set those foundations, check out Basic DJing, Basic Scratching and 10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling. Taking these courses will make learning these guest routines much easier!

For requests for guest teachers or suggestions for who you would like to see on this course, email us.

This post will detail our recommendations for how beginners should work through the courses.

Beginners are considered individuals who are completely new to turntables, even if they are experienced on DJ Controllers of CDJs.

This pathway shows the complete journey from Basic DJing to Advanced beat juggling.

Where to Start?

A good place to start is by making sure you have your DJ setup connected with all the necessary equipment. If you are unsure what you need or want to double-check, please refer to our Equipment Guide.

Which course should I begin with?

We recommend working through the courses in this order:

Basic DJing

This course touches on everything you need to know to begin your DJ journey. From hand mechanics to listening and basic mixing techniques, this course will help you manually control the tools of the trade, hone in on your listening, and learn basic mixing styles. Rob Swift also gives a detailed comprehensive example tutorial on how to compose a DJ set.

Basic Scratching

In this course we review the 9 cornerstone scratch techniques, the baby, scribble, tear, forward release, forward stab, forward drag, reverse drag, transformer, and chirp scratches. As well as learning each technique, this course is designed to help you learn how to phrase scratches so that you can take your knowledge to the next level, creating scratch routines, improving social media content, and more.

10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling

Rob explains how to manipulate drum beats, words, etc. on both left and right turntables simultaneously through the application of the 10 Root Movements of “Beat Juggling”. This course is our most popular course. As a pioneer of beat juggling and creator of the ‘Swing Pattern’ there is no one better to teach these techniques.

Advanced Beat Juggling

This advanced beat juggling course will help you take your skills to the next level. Now you have learned the root moves, you will learn to create your own patterns, how to combine all of the root moves to become a unique and more creative beat juggler. The emphasis in this course is creativity and self-expression. Beat Juggling is not just being able to do somebody else’s pattern, but creating your own unique patterns and combinations too.

Once you reach the end of this learning pathway you will be well on your way to becoming a master of the DJ art.

DJ Rob Swift teaches this Advanced DJing course at the Brolic Army. Rob Swift covers techniques such as EQ mixing and incorporating loops into mixes. This course focuses on elevating DJ sets and routines and features tutorials on more complex and elevated mixing techniques, as well as ways of incorporating the three main facets of DJing (mixing, scratching and beat juggling) into your work. Other Upper Level classes include Advanced Scratching and Advanced Beat Juggling. Refer to the courses page for these!

Advanced DJing Course Breakdown:

EQ Mixing and Looping: How to camouflage transitions from one song to the next using a mixer’s equalizer.

More lectures coming soon!

Best suited to intermediate or advanced DJs that want to elevate their sets and routines.

Advanced DJing is for students who have strong foundations in the techniques of DJing. DJing is best-learned step by step, building your skills one block at a time, taking the time to learn about each technique with intensity. Check out our other courses such as Basic DJing, Basic Scratching and Training Camp or the 10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling if you’re looking to develop your foundations before setting off on the advanced work.

Want to show off your progress? Send us your videos for your chance to be featured in our weekly Progress Patrol!

This learning pathway will help Advanced DJs navigate our courses and find the best learning pathway to suit their needs.

We consider advanced DJs to be those with solid foundational skills in mixing, set building, fundamental scratching.

Where to start?

We recommend browsing over the Basic Scratching course to ensure that you do cover the scratching bases in terms of skills, technique and undoing any bad habits that self-taught DJs may have encountered.

We assume that an advanced DJ is set on mixing by ear, dropping on beat, set arrangement and hand alignment and mechanics.

What course should I begin with?

10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling

This is our most popular course for intermediate and advanced DJs. This course takes you through all 10 of the root moves in details. This is the most comprehensive beat juggling guide out there.

Rob explains how to manipulate drum beats, words, etc. on both left and right turntables simultaneously through the application of the 10 Root Movements of “Beat Juggling”. This course is our most popular course. As a pioneer of beat juggling and creator of the ‘Swing Pattern’ there is no one better to teach these techniques.

Here is a details breakdown of the course content.

Backspinning and Backspinning with eighth and quarter note fills

the Breakdown Pattern

the Snare Pattern

the Offset Backspin

the Rock the Bells Pattern

the Swing Pattern

the Chase/Strobe Pattern

8th Note Linear Single Fills

8th Note Linear Double Fills

8th Note Linear Triple Fills

See the course here.

Advanced Beat Juggling

This advanced beat juggling course will help you take your skills to the next level. Now you have learned the root moves, you will learn to create your own patterns, how to combine all of the root moves to become a unique and more creative beat juggler. The emphasis in this course is creativity and self-expression. Beat Juggling is not just being able to do somebody else’s pattern, but creating your own unique patterns and combinations too.

See the course here.

Training Camp with DJ Rob Swift

This mini-course is designed for DJs who understand the 9 cornerstone scratches, have the correct alignment, technique, etc. but want to perfect their skills. We have four training camp sessions:

Faderless Scratches (baby, tear, scribble)

Forward Scratches (forward stab, drag, and release)

Intermediate Scratches (chirp, transformer, reverse drag)

Total Training (all 9 cornerstone scratches combined and phrasing)

This course will help you improve your skills and hone in on your scratch technique.

DJ Rob Swift explains in Fundamentals of Beat Juggling how to manipulate drum beats, words, etc. on both left and right turntables simultaneously through the application of the 10 Root Movements of “Beat Juggling”. This course is one of our most popular courses at the Brolic Army DJ School. As a pioneer of beat juggling and creator of the ‘Swing Pattern,’ there is no one better to teach these techniques.

10 Root Moves Breakdown:

Backspinning + Backspinning with 1/8th and 1/4 note fills

Breakdown Pattern

Snare Pattern

Offset Backspin

Rock the Bells Pattern

Swing Pattern

Chase/Strobe Pattern

Single 8th Note Linear Fills

Double 8th Note Linear Fills

Triple 8th Note Linear Fills

This course features over 10 hours of information-packed training on basic to advanced beat juggling patterns and techniques.

All patterns are applicable to all genres of music.

Tutorials are complete with cultural and historical information making this the most comprehensive course in beat juggling available.

10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling with DJ Rob Swift is for students who have strong foundations in the techniques of DJing. Learning the art of DJing is best done one step at a time, taking the time to learn about each technique with intensity. Check out our other courses such as Basic DJing, Basic Scratching and Training Camp, or the 10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling if you’re looking to develop your foundations before setting off on the advanced work.

Want to show off your progress? Send us your videos for your chance to be featured in our weekly Progress Patrol!

This learning pathway guide will help intermediate turntablists find out the best way of navigating our courses.

We classify intermediate an intermediate DJ as somebody who has experience with turntables, can mix by ear, has the correct turntable fundamentals down such as mechanics, hand alignment, and can drop on beat.

If you are experienced with CDJs and controllers but have no touched turntables before or are not used to using turntables, please see the beginners learning guide.

Where to start?

We advise that intermediate DJs do browse over the Basic DJing course, in order to ensure that they have strong and correct fundamental skills. See here.

Most DJs overlook these fundamentals but without having these turntable instincts perfected, it will be difficult to correctly engage with the next courses.

What course should I begin with?

We recommend that DJs who are confident in their basic skills start with:

Basic Scratching

An intermediate DJ may know how to execute some of the basic scratches, but its critical that you review all of this course material. Rob teaches that correct fundamentals of basic scratching, along with training camp videos that will give your skills longevity and full creative potential.

In this course we review the 9 cornerstone scratch techniques, the baby, scribble, tear, forward release, forward stab, forward drag, reverse drag, transformer and chirp scratches. As well as learning each technique, this course is designed to help you learn how to phrase scratches so that you can take your knowledge to the next level, creating scratch routines, improving social media content and more.

See the course here.

10 Root Moves of Beat Juggling

This is our most popular course for intermediate DJs. This course takes you through all 10 of the root moves in details. This is the most comprehensive beat juggling guide out there.

Rob explains how to manipulate drum beats, words, etc. on both left and right turntables simultaneously through the application of the 10 Root Movements of “Beat Juggling”. This course is our most popular course. As a pioneer of beat juggling and creator of the ‘Swing Pattern’ there is no one better to teach these techniques.

See the course here.

Advanced Beat Juggling

Now we start to move into advanced DJ territory.

This advanced beat juggling course will help you take your skills to the next level. Now you have learned the root moves, you will learn to create your own patterns, how to combine all of the root moves to become a unique and more creative beat juggler. The emphasis in this course is creativity and self expression. Beat Juggling is not just being able to do somebody else’s pattern, but creating your own unique patterns and combinations too.

See the course here.