So you want to learn to scratch, and you’re a diligent reader of this website who’s noticed that we actually have two scratch courses available to buy. They are Scratching For Controller DJs and DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Scratch Skills Masterclass – both great courses with thousands of students.
So the question is, which one is right for you? This article contains five points of difference between these courses, and by the end of it, you should be sure of the right route for you to take.
Our Scratch Courses: 5 Key Differences
1. The tutors
Scratching for Controller DJs is taught by our own Steve Canueto, alongside DJ Angelo and DJ Rasp, two DMC-winning scratch DJs, so you’re getting a variety of approaches and viewpoints. Scratch Skills Masterclass is, of course, taught entirely by DJ Jazzy Jeff himself – just one DJ, but I’m sure you’ll agree, a pretty influential one!
2. The music
Scratching For Controller DJs uses a wide range of music across many genres and decades. Part of its appeal and design is to show scratching used in a wide variety of musical situations. DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Scratch Skills Masterclass, on the other hand, predominantly uses old school hip-hop and breakbeats.
3. The style
Scratching For Controller DJs is designed to teach you primarily how to be a scratch DJ, so you can perform technical routines and ultimately get to a battle DJ/competition level. Scratch Skills Masterclass is different: the purpose of DJ Jazzy Jeff’s course is to teach you his unique way of scratching – in other words, exactly how HE does it.
4. The gear
Scratching For Controller DJs is aimed at controller DJs first and foremost, and uses all types of controllers and software, big and small, expensive and cheap. Scratch Skills Masterclass, on the other hand, is taught exclusively on Jeff’s set-up, namely a Serato DVS set-up with a pair of traditional turntables and a Pioneer DJ scratch mixer (although it’s important to know you can still follow along and learn on whatever gear you have).
5. The culture
Scratching For Controller DJs is purely a technical course. Scratch Skills Masterclass also features stories, behind-the-scenes secrets and classic hip-hop scratch routine breakdowns, designed to teach you more about hip-hop culture as well as help you learn to cut and scratch.
Finally…
We have several students who have taken both courses and benefited from the individual approaches of all the tutors involved. Nevertheless, hopefully having studied the key differences above, you’re now clear about which scratch course is right for you. Both assume you know nothing about scratching, so both can get you the “result” – it’s up to you which approach you prefer.
Read this next: How To Find Time To Learn DJing (Proven Method For Busy People)
Our advice is to watch the presentations on both Scratching For Controller DJs and DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Scratch Skills Masterclass and go with the one that feels like the best fit for you. Whichever choice you make, your tutors will always be there to help you make the most of your investment.
Phil Morse
