Britannica Sources used in this answer

How does scratching create a rhythmic sound on a turntable?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

In the context of hip-hop culture, scratching is a technique of turntable manipulation used to create rhythmic sounds. It is achieved by manually sliding a vinyl record back and forth underneath the phonograph needle while the record is playing. This physical movement of the record against the needle produces the distinct, percussive rhythmic effect that defines the practice.1