As musicians, do you feel that Turntablism is a skill on-par with playing other traditional instruments? Why or why not?

no

For sure. Except the gap between when you start, to sounding good is prety big.

but how much about music theory and keeping beat/etc do you need to know about in order to play turn table?

When you compare to more classical instruments instead of more traditional electric guitars/bass/drums...it takes in alot more factors


Things like Jazz, big band, etc where you have to be on the ball with your job in relation to the rest of the group

In my opinion yes, of course. To combine the beats, create new ones, scrath like a maniac, keep the crowd dancing for hours.. that is a skill
Today you can't think away the electronic music, it's a big part of the music world.

OP said to compare to skill playing traditional instruments, but thats kinda vague, because some instruments might be traditional to some people and not traditional to others

well it doesnt' take much skill for your hands...

it's all about the music eh.

To be fair: would this be comparable to people who are self-taught in other instruments?

no

just because a person is self taught dosnt mean they didnt learn theory and other things