Arts & Entertainment, Music
A Questlove Flow: Technology
Lesson time 13:55 min
Learn how to increase your artistry with Questlove’s favorite technology.
Students give MasterClass an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars
Topics include: Emracing Change • Tempo Arm • DNA • Using Relative Mode
Teaches Music Curation and DJing
The iconic DJ and Roots drummer Questlove teaches you how to be a better DJ, deepen your love of music, and make a perfect playlist.
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[MUSIC PLAYING] QUESTLOVE: The number one thing that I think every DJ, old and new, should be aware of is that technology is not a four-letter word. It's constantly being reinvented. And you can figure out creative ways to make it work for you. Even the art of scratching was-- that's-- that's advancing technology. Like a turntable wasn't made for making these noises. It just so happens that, you know, a 12-year-old is making too much noise for his mother and she startles him [RECORD SCRATCH] and he turned the turntable like that. And then suddenly, when she leaves, he's like-- Grand Wizard Theodore is like, "wait a minute." [RECORD SCRATCH] "Oh, snap, I can do." [RECORD SCRATCH] And, of course, you know, he told me that adults were like, "You'll never do that on my turntable. You'll break the needle." But you can't be afraid of pushing the boundaries and technology. So Serato gives you devices that allow you to create music and DJ at the same time. So I'm a guy that will sometimes put on a really good soul song. And I'll hear a loop like, yo, that was kind of dope. And I'll bring it back. And I'll edit it in real time and still make the people dance to it without having to stop the song. And that's something that you normally couldn't do if I was just using regular wax. I'd have to wait I go home, get a drum machine, figure that out. But Serato kind of helps you in real time to do editing tricks that you otherwise couldn't do. [MUSIC - ROY AYERS, "LIFE IS JUST A MOMENT (PART 2)"] [RECORD SCRATCH] La, la, la, la, la, la. [RECORD SCRATCH] La, la, la, la. - I can bend notes. [MUSIC - ROY AYERS, "LIFE IS JUST A MOMENT (PART 2)"] La, la. (LOWER PITCH) La, la, la, la, la, la. La, la, la, la, la, la. - Go back to the top. [MUSIC - ROY AYERS, "LIFE IS JUST A MOMENT (PART 2)"] (HIGHER PITCH) La, la, la, la, la, la. [RECORD SCRATCH] La, la, la, la, la, la. [RECORD SCRATCH] La, la, la, la, la, la. La, la, la, la, la, la. La, la, la la, la, la. [DRUMS ADDED] - So, again, I can bend notes and have-- make a new song out of it. [MUSIC - ROY AYERS, "LIFE IS JUST A MOMENT (PART 2)"] La, la, la, la, la, la, la. - Like these key changes aren't in the song. [MUSIC - ROY AYERS, "LIFE IS JUST A MOMENT (PART 2)"] La, la, la, la, la, la. Life is a moment, yeah, yeah. QUESTLOVE: Say you can make new songs up, new arrangements. [MUSIC - ROY AYERS, "LIFE IS JUST A MOMENT (PART 2)"] Life is just a moment, yeah, yeah. Life is just a moment, yeah, yeah. [MUSIC - THE JACKSON 5, "ABC"] Love can be, that's how easy love can be. Sing a simple melody. 1, 2, 3, you and me! Ah, ya! - So often, I have to use the tempo arm right here where I can slow it down-- [MUSIC - THE JACKSON 5, "ABC"] --want you to do is repeat after me. QUESTLOVE: --or go as fast as I want to. [MUSIC - THE JACKSON 5, "ABC"] Say A! A. Say B! B. Say C! C, honey. I think she's got it! I say 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3....
About the Instructor
Ahmir Thompson—better known as Questlove—is an iconic DJ, the drummer for The Roots, and the “coolest man on late-night,” but his first love is collecting and mixing music. Now the Grammy winner is sharing his passion with you. Explore DJ techniques, expand your musical vocabulary, and learn how to glide from genre to genre—including hip-hop, neo-soul, jazz, R&B, and more—to curate your own perfect playlist.
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Questlove
The iconic DJ and Roots drummer Questlove teaches you how to be a better DJ, deepen your love of music, and make a perfect playlist.
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