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SCRATCH TUTORIAL ★ Which Hand to Use on the Crossfader?

Which hand should you use on the crossfader for scratching?

I get this Q on the regular so let’s solve this pesky paw predicament once and for all. 🐾

First, let’s get nerdy with it and dive into the anatomy. It’s so important to think about how many bones are in each hand. Do you know how many?

A handful, probably. 😹

Ok but forreal… which friggin’ HAND?!

The quick answer?

It’s BOTH.

(Yup! The same advice I gave you for the record hand.😘)

Wait wait wait… don’t have a finger freak out.

You do NOT have to be ambidextrous.

Chill with me for a sec and let’s dive a little deeper to demystify this maddening mitt mystery shall we?

Back in the mid 90’s when I was first learning how to scratch, most DJs just picked a side and stuck to it. (Many still do.)

I preferred my dominant hand on the record for the faderless scratches I was learning at the time, so I mainly practiced on that side.

As time went on, I forced my non-dominant hand to learn all the cuts on the fader while keeping my dominant hand on the record.

And I rarely scratched any other way.

Yup, that’s right…I straight up ignored the other side.

I figured, why waste time on the other side when I could devote all my time focusing on the one ‘power’ side?

(Psssst… this is NOT what I suggest YOU should do!)

Big mistake!!!

And huuuuuuuuge lost opportunity.

We’re talkin’ over a decade of potential practice time wasted. 😭

It wasn’t until years later that I FINALLY started practicing on the other side… and guess what?

Not only did I become more ambidextrous, and better on BOTH sides —

I learned SOOOO much from that other side!! And still do!

My so-called “weak” side had an untapped well of strengths and wisdom that I didn’t even know existed.

It was like my inner baby Yoda was just set freeeeeeeeeeee.

This ONE simple shift in my scratch practice unlocked a powerful trick that helps me to learn new techniques as fast as possible…on BOTH sides.

Check it…

Each scratch requires a different type of hand movement. Some require bursts of power while others require a more relaxed touch.

This means the hand that feels easier on the fader is usually relative to the scratch itself.

Now, you’ll typically want to try your dominant hand first…

Buuuuut be sure to test the other side too!

Sometimes you may find that your non-dominant hand feels a little easier on the scratches that require a lighter touch, so you gotta give ‘em both a shot!

Your goal is to figure out which side is easier and then learn the technique on that side first.

Once you’ve got it down, analyze everything you’re doing and then TEACH the other side how to do it.

Check out this 10-min video on how to choose which hand to use on the crossfader for each scratch so you can learn and teach yourself new techniques super fast!

Remember homeslice, there’s never just one right way to do something in the DJ world (or in the world-world!)

We all have unique styles, strengths, and gifts.

So experiment a ton, learn a few different methods and then do what feels right for YOU. 💖

Hope ya dig it! ⚡

xo,

Shortee
#ScratchLikeAGirl 

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