It was sacrilegious to own a vinyl record back in the day.The techniques we now take for granted were pioneered by early DJs like Grand Wizard Theodore.If you want to participate in disc-jockey culture, you need to learn how to break beats, scratch, looping, and punch.What equipment and basic skills you'll need to develop, as well as how to build your fanbase and experience into a potential career are some of the things you can learn.
Step 1: Start with the basics.
DJ's do a lot more than just play music.Learning to structure a set, mix on the fly, and get a crowd moving all starts with your deck.A basic DJ setup needs to include two turntables or two CD players, but you can invest in bigger speakers, a monitor, an audio interface, mics, and various plug-ins, depending on your ambitions for playing out.
Step 2: Decide if you want to go digital or analog.
CD-style and straight-digital set-ups are becoming more and more common for playing DJ sets.Both are great for playing gig and becoming a DJ.The most traditional way to DJ is with an analogue set-up, which allows you to learn the skills of scratching a stylus against vinyl.You will need a large collection of vinyl records to play this.Digital set-ups allow you to be extremely mobile, and the learning curve will be much smaller when you're working with them.Learning to beat- match and transition will be easier with a software system.
Step 3: There is a mixing software package.
It is possible to read any format of music and select songs with the help of a computer program interface.You may want to look into products from Pioneer and Numark.You will be able to access a library of mp3s on your hard drive with these programs.Live looping and scratching capability, delays and reverberations, real-time control and video and karaoke options are often provided by these programs.A program called Ableton allows you to connect mixing controllers via a cable and operate like a DJ.It's good for beginners.
Step 4: Be economical.
Don't buy top-dollar equipment right away.You should spend most of your money on turntables and a mixer.For now, forget about the other stuff.Purchase your decks used and your mixer new.Chances are you're aware of a few DJ's in your area.Hit them up for help with their system.They'll give you a minute of their time if they're half as passionate as you are.
Step 5: Don't forget to stay in your home studio.
DJs record demos at home.Make sure the equipment you bring to the club is compatible with what you use at home.If you're a hip-hop DJ, you will probably want to invest in a scratch/battle mixer at home to recreate a competition environment.If you ever plan on producing, this will be useful.It should be an avenue of your career later on down the line, but we'll get to the value of that in a bit.
Step 6: Know what you need to do.
If you plan to play for a venue that already has a DJ setup, you might only need a laptop with music mixing software.If you want to play in private venues, you'll need to provide your own equipment.Take a look at what you need and don't need for your job.It may be difficult to learn some music mixing software.There are great online tutorials for most types.If you know how to do it yourself, DJ schools can teach you about it.
Step 7: There is a big collection of music.
Do you know what else you need?Music.You don't want a third-rate mp3 download version of those songs.You will eventually have to pay for the music you get if you want to be a DJ.It will be an expense later on in the game if you work with what you have.You need to know a lot about music.Hit up your friends and check out the charts, YouTube channels of record companies and websites that cater to DJs such as Beatport.Here's a list of genres to listen to.
Step 8: You can learn the BPM of the songs you are playing.
The beats per minute of a song will determine how easy it is to mix it with another song.You can use a stopwatch to count the beats, but that's a lot of work.Most DJ software will calculate the BPM of a track for you, although this may not be completely accurate, so it's good to have a sense of it yourself.You can use a pitch warp to match the beats, but it's best to choose two songs that are only a few beats off.Use it on the song that doesn't have vocals yet.It messes with everything if you speed it up or slow it down.
Step 9: You can learn the outros.
The vocals are not at the beginning of the song and a corresponding outro is not included in most dance songs.Blending is when one song's outro is used with another.Knowing when an outro starts is important to live beat mixing.The second song should be added.As your first song is winding down, have your second ready to go.If your BPMs don't match, use one hand on the turntable or CD player's pitch to adjust speed, and the other on a crossfader to increase the volume of the second song.
Step 10: You can learn how to scratch.
You can use the decks to find your place in a song or use them as pseudo-records.There are baby scratches that work at different pitch levels.Get them all down before you head out there.Some songs are better for scratching than others.When it's right and wrong, you'll know when to scratch.
Step 11: At first, keep it simple.
If you want to make mixing easier, stick to two songs that are within 3 beats per minute.There are two songs in the same key that you should use.Your software should be able to tell you this.After you nail that down, start experimenting with looping and adding effects.Try different methods on your mixer.There are more than one way to do most effects.One method is a very do-it-yourself way and the other is more automated.
Step 12: The transition between the songs was smooth.
One of the most important parts of DJing is transitioning between songs, matching beats so that the beat remains constant, letting people continue dancing.Using conventional DJ hardware, this involves listen to the second song's introduction in your headphones, then cue the song simultaneously with the preceding one.DJing requires learning to do this smoothly.The volume levels of the songs need to be adjusted.The song you are mixing out will be playing at full volume, so you need to adjust the second up slowly, listening closely to the tune to bring it up subtly.Don't mix vocals with vocals.You need to be familiar with the songs in order to avoid creating awkward noise.If the songs are within a few beats of one another, it's possible to use beat-matching software to do this.This is a fundamental skill and it's good to learn how to do it.
Step 13: Think long term.
It is possible for a hobby to turn into a career in some time.You are about to embark upon a large task.DJ's spend years working magic on others' music.You won't get good for a long time if you start in an hour.This isn't a Wednesday afternoon hobby.You will need to work at it if you want to develop any level of skill.Counting to 4 is an important part of DJing, but it's not the only skill that has to be learned.
Step 14: Do you want to be a crowd-pleaser or a music specialist?
Certain jobs will require you to make compromises.When you're just trying to forget Last Friday Night, a college bar may want to play the singer.Being a specialist may give you more credibility with the DJs, but it may mean less work.Songs that hit the taste of the biggest number of people in the crowd are known as crowd pleasing.This style of DJing can be used at private events.Regardless of what the crowd wants, a music specialist sticks to a particular genre of music.DJs play nightclubs who have specific genre standards or they have an established following based on a certain type of music.
Step 15: Go ahead and observe.
You can find a DJ who has a style you like.Pay attention to how the crowd is managed.Ask the DJ for some tips after you've watched them a few times.If they know you're serious, most DJs will guide you.Listen to the DJs that hit it big.It can be helpful to look up professionals such as Headhunterz, Tiesto, Avicii, Knife Party, Sebastian Ingrosso, Deadmau5 and Skrillex.
Step 16: You should be a multi-genre DJ.
If you have multiple genres under your belt, you can still be a specialist.Being good at more than one genre of music sets you up to be the best in the business.This will give you more opportunities in the future.If you don't want to go to one or two clubs in the area, you can do a few other clubs.You have to know the classics, the deep cuts, and the current stuff for each genre.A healthy mix will keep the party going.
Step 17: Stay up to date with the latest music trends.
To be viable in today's fast-paced world, you need to be on top of all the charts and where the trends are going.You have to be focused on the present and not the future.When you're sitting down and doing your thing, you should keep a list of ideas for later, as well as writing yourself notes and finding out what song you just heard.When inspiration calls, keep your phone or pen handy.When your best friend is working on a new track, he wants you to hear it.
Step 18: You should get recurring hours.
You need to build up play time like a pilot does to get cred.If you want to do this in a serious way, you should get recurring hours through an established company.There are companies that provide DJs for weddings.You will be getting your foot in the door.Do you want to work at a radio station?There are some venues that need DJs.Let that be you!
Step 19: You'll be dealing with a crowd.
It's important to know who your crowd is before the event starts.If you're playing a wedding, be prepared to play more slow songs than usual and try to get a grasp on the bride's musical tastes before the wedding.If you're playing a nightclub, you should know what the club owner likes and what his or her regulars like.The regulars keep the club going and you can learn how to keep them happy by paying your fee.It's a good idea to be careful with requests.If you're playing a nightclub that caters to a hip-hop crowd and you have a tourist requesting a song that doesn't fit with the genre, consider carefully before you play it.Your aim is to keep the core of the audience happy.You should visit the venue before.It's a good idea to get a feel for the crowd before you go.
Step 20: You should market yourself.
Making press kits, handing out business cards, and always expanding your network are things you should be doing.This is not a normal job, it's a full time job.It's important to keep a busy schedule.If you want to get your name out there, play as many shows as you can.Keep your interest alive and your creativity fresh by booking yourself on a tight schedule.At the beginning, take whatever you can get.
Step 21: You should develop an internet presence.
If you don't have the time or money to build your own website, you can use social media to promote your DJing career.Make time to connect with your fans and respond to their messages.The more you are a real person, the better.Make a list.Share your playlists with your fans.This will allow you to introduce people to new music you want to use in your shows.The purpose of them coming to see you is unaffected by this.
Step 22: Find your own work.
If you want to advance your career, you can either play small, private events for a low fee or take a slow, weeknight shift at a club or bar.If you can DJ, ask a friend.If you're inexperienced, you won't make much money at first and you will probably have to keep a second job.If you had to, you would do this for free.People may book you on the condition that you bring a certain number of people.This doesn't mean anything.You are not friends with the promoter.Sometimes you have to take what you can get.Don't work with these guys in the future, they are only the ones you're working with now.
Step 23: Become a producer
Producing your own music is the next step in your career as a DJ.You can still work with other people's music, but you're making it better by mashing it all up.DJ Earworm was famous for doing that.When you start making your own stuff, you can make more money.You can hit up record labels once that happens.Even if you don't end up being a top-billing artist, you can still work with other artists and do what you love.
Step 24: You need to build your charisma.
DJ's are responsible for entertaining a large group of people by themselves.You need to pay attention to how you act on stage, even though the music is important.Don't be hunched over your decks.That is boring.Someone who attracts attention in a good way is what you should try to be.Let the group dynamic take over when you step back.
Step 25: Don't forget to read the crowd.
The music can be used to drive the event forward.There are different styles of songs.Slower, quieter songs should be played at the beginning of the party.Pull out the heavier songs at the end when you slip into a jazzier grooves.Look at the crowd and notice what they're saying.Don't play fast songs at a wedding.The romantic atmosphere will be taken away by this.At a gathering of kids, don't play slow songs.They will get bored quickly.
Step 26: You should be professional.
Prepare for your events and show up on time.You should give each gig your best effort.Since you never know who's watching, have fun with the crowd, but keep your interactions professional and respectful.The DJ world is full of scumbags.You don't want to be part of the group.If you're not a professional, there are many other guys who are willing to take your spot.
Step 27: The BS should be handled with care.
It's not always a pretty picture working in clubs.Most people listening to your music will either be drunk, high or both.They can give you a hard time.This needs to go into your ear and out the other.In addition to rowdy crowds, you'll also be dealing with technical disasters.Let your people skills help navigate through these issues and you will be all the better for it.
Step 28: Have a good time.
Imagine going to a show and seeing a DJ pushing buttons that are more suited for hauling rocks.It's terrible.A DJ that doesn't like their own music is worse than a three-piece polka band.The crowd will follow suit if you make it clear that you're enjoying yourself.You can go a bit crazy.Your inclinations will be spot on if you feel it more than once.The more you are in front of the crowd, the more they want you back.
Step 29: You should live the dream of working for yourself.
It's time to up the ante after all the hard work of working with a company and modifying equipment.If the money is coming in more than a trickle, you should upgrade your equipment.You can upgrade from the industry standard, the Technics 1200.You'll make it back and then some in the long run, but you're looking at a few thousand dollars.You should start figuring out your rates.How much do you make?You don't want to be a DJ diva, but you would rather not sell yourself short.Account for distance traveled, if you're bringing your own equipment, and the general realities of the gig.Are they feeding you?