how do you hold your scratch box?

[nyhunter]

All new to the scratch box and just wondering how you guys hold the? any help would be greatly appreciated.

[jed clampett]

Al Shoemaker has got a YouTube video of him holding and running a scratcher...it helped me...

[Sir-diealot]

Al Shoemaker has got a YouTube video of him holding and running a scratcher...it helped me...

Me too. Here it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ua3OCRj74E&index=13&list=PLbF6qMoJbTLzkdmzIrqSSxeTkJKKmXVg8&t=144s

[jed clampett]

That's a good one..but that's not Al

[crenshawco]

Al Shoemaker has got a YouTube video of him holding and running a scratcher...it helped me...

Me too. Here it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ua3OCRj74E&index=13&list=PLbF6qMoJbTLzkdmzIrqSSxeTkJKKmXVg8&t=144s

I run mine opposite of most folks. I'm right handed, and hold the box in my left and play the striker with my right. It's just the way I learned to play one, but the sounds and principles are the same for the most part

[Sir-diealot]

Al Shoemaker has got a YouTube video of him holding and running a scratcher...it helped me...

Me too. Here it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ua3OCRj74E&index=13&list=PLbF6qMoJbTLzkdmzIrqSSxeTkJKKmXVg8&t=144s

I run mine opposite of most folks. I'm right handed, and hold the box in my left and play the striker with my right. It's just the way I learned to play one, but the sounds and principles are the same for the most part

If I did not have the problem with my left hand that I do I might give that a try.

[crow]

Russell Beard,------ Beard Hunter turkey calls has a good one on youtube

[va longbeard]

I am new to the scratcher game also. 

For the ones I have now I really think it depends on the scratchbox design how to play it best. 

The bigger ones I cant run with the thumb box call method. 

I actually like the bigger ones better but everyone is different. 

Biggest thing I have found is to put your index finger on the top and hold the corners keeping your fingers off the soundboard seems to be the key for me to making good sounds.

[Sir-diealot]

That's a good one..but that's not Al

Oops.

[sixbird]

As others have said, you place your index finger over the top of the call, thumb on the front and middle finger on the edge nearest your wrist. That'll give you the higher pitches. If you want to mellow the sound some, you can put your pointer finger over the far end of the call (again, from the wrist) and your middle finger over the center of the soundboard. Your ring finger a little farther back and your pinky on the end of the soundboard closest to your wrist. You can adjust your fingers up or down (meaning farther up or farther down the soundboard) to get the variation in sound that sounds good to you.
Doing this, you can have two or more very different sounding calls in one little scratcher...

[sixbird]

Something else that may be useful is the pressure you put on the striker, as in how tight or loose you hold it. If you squeeze it really tight, you get a sweeter, more melodic sound. If you hold it loosely, you get more rasp.

[va longbeard]

Something else that may be useful is the pressure you put on the striker, as in how tight or loose you hold it. If you squeeze it really tight, you get a sweeter, more melodic sound. If you hold it loosely, you get more rasp.

Solid advice right there!  I figured that out thru trail and error great tip for someone just starting out.