This is the essence of all scratching. Every technique and pattern starts here. Try basic movements, moving the record back and forth to the beat of the music. Experiment with different speeds and lengths…. fast and slow, long and short, as well as using different scratch samples to help understand different approaches. Baby scratching is all about learning and experimenting, just like a baby!

It may sound trivial, but practicing this technique will help you achieve more variations in your cuts. Push or pull the record very slowly, oftentimes using the entire length of the sound. Work on slow pushes and pulls but fast changes in direction.

This cut always impresses people, even though it is not too difficult once you’ve got it down. Try to tense your arm muscles so hard that your arm shakes; almost imagine yourself shivering. The goal is to achieve a very fast baby/rub, almost vibrating, scratch effect.

This is a great technique to stay in time (or on the beat of the music) while transitioning between scratches. Drills are fast babies immediately after a pull back, usually to a record release (when you lift your hand off the record).

This scratch can be difficult to get right, but it can sound and look really cool when done well. Flick the record quickly back and forth, using either thumb and index finger or just index finger. It helps to use longer, more consistent scratch samples like tones or ahhhhs.

These can add some really cool off-beat cuts to your repertoire. Space bubble taps between more complicated and intricate cuts. Lightly tap the record as it moves forward to achieve a stuttering sound. Try varying how many times you tap during the scratch sample and for how long you stop the record with the tap.

Another flashy two-handed scratch. While holding the record with one hand, use the other hand to push the record forward, creating a very sharp/staccato sound. Can be used to create a “pew pew” laser gun type effect.

A two-handed technique that achieves four sounds. While doing consistent babies, use your other hand to “swipe” across the record in the opposite direction the record is moving. Creates a more rounded/legato “1 click-flair” sound.