So, you've mastered the basics—baby scratches, chirps, stabs. Now what?

It’s time to level up your scratching game with advanced techniques to add new textures, rhythms, and complexity to your cuts, helping you develop a unique style.

The following five scratches demand precision, coordination, and practice.
Some focus on fader speed, others on record movement, but all will challenge you in new ways. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your battle skills or add depth to your routines, these techniques will push your scratching further.

Let’s break them down.

1. Crab Scratch – Lightning-Fast Fader Work

The Crab scratch is a high-speed fader technique that creates rapid, machine-gun-like cuts. It was pioneered by DJ Qbert and the Invisibl Skratch Piklz in the ‘90s and remains a staple in battle routines.

This technique involves using multiple fingers to tap the crossfader open and closed in quick succession—similar to how a crab moves its claws. The result? Super-fast, rhythmic cuts that can be applied to various scratch patterns.

• ✅ Why it’s important: The Crab scratch unlocks new speed and fluidity, making it a must-have for any turntablist.
• 🎯 How to use it: Start with a two-finger crab (index and middle) before progressing to the full three- or four-finger crab for maximum speed. Timing and record control are key!

2. The Tears Scratch – Expressive and Melodic

The Tears scratch focuses on manipulating the record in a way that creates a wavy, multi-tone effect—almost like a "crying" sound. Unlike traditional scratches that move in a steady back-and-forth motion, this technique involves splitting the forward and backward movements into separate audible sections.

• ✅ Why it’s important: It’s great for adding texture and musicality to your scratches, making it perfect for funkier, more expressive scratch patterns.
• 🎯 How to use it: Break your forward/backward motion into two or three separate movements. Experiment with different speeds to find the groove that fits your style.

3. Boomerang Scratch – A True Coordination Challenge

The Boomerang scratch requires precise timing between hand and fader movements.
It involves a combination of forward and backward record movements with quick fader cuts, creating a continuous looping effect—hence the name "Boomerang."

This technique is challenging because it requires both smooth record control and precise fader coordination, making it a real test of skill.

• ✅ Why it’s important: It develops hand independence and precise fader control, essential for high-level scratching.
• 🎯 How to use it: Start slow, focusing on breaking down the movement into smaller sections. Once you nail the pattern, gradually speed it up for seamless execution.

4. The Autobahn Scratch – Speed and Fluidity Combined

The Autobahn scratch is all about maintaining fast, continuous motion while controlling the record’s rhythm with crossfader timing. Named after Germany’s high-speed highways, this technique is designed for fluid, non-stop scratching at high tempos.

It involves a series of rapid record movements, with subtle fader control to create a smooth, rolling effect. Unlike more choppy scratches like the Transformer, the Autobahn is about maintaining a flowing groove.

• ✅ Why it’s important: It’s perfect for fast-paced beats
• 🎯 How to use it: Focus on keeping the record moving steadily while integrating fader cuts at precise intervals. Once you find the rhythm, increase the speed for a seamless, high-energy scratch.

5. The Drum Scratch – Turntables as a Percussion Instrument

The Drum scratch transforms your turntable into a beat-making machine. This technique mimics drum patterns by using sharp, rhythmic cuts to create kick, snare, and hi-hat sounds from a single sound sample. DJs like DJ Rafik and DJ Craze have perfected this technique in live routines.

It’s a mix of stabs, chirps, and fader cuts that, when executed correctly, allows you to build entire drum patterns using just a single record.

• ✅ Why it’s important: It helps you think like a drummer, improving your rhythmic precision and making your scratch routines more dynamic.
• 🎯 How to use it: Start by mapping out a simple drum pattern (kick-snare-kick-snare) and use different scratch techniques to mimic each sound. Experiment with crossfader timing to create unique grooves.