So, you want to be a DJ. Or maybe you already are and you just want to improve. The question is how exactly do you go about accomplishing your goals, especially if money and time are tight?
Lucky for us, finding a teacher is much easier than it was even a couple of decades ago. Word of warning, though: there are a lot of schools and instructors out there who will claim to teach you all you need to know. Maybe they really do know what they’re doing. Be aware, though, that there are unscrupulous people out there who will claim to know a lot but really don’t.
The cardinal rule here is to always do your research. Ask your DJ friends where they learned, who they’d recommend, or even if they’d be willing to carve some time out to show you what they’ve learned. Becoming a DJ is not a quick path to fame and riches. Figure out what you want before you begin. That will help you know where to turn for help and how to stay on track.
What’s your dream gig?
Think about all the different kinds of DJs and decide what your goal is. Do you want to be a club DJ? If you can get it, this type offers a steady paycheck, and lots of opportunity to hone your skills. Better yet, playing to the same crowd regularly means that you’ll get to know their preferences, and they will get to know you and your style. Hooking up with a DJing company that plays weddings and other events is also a great way to get in some regular practice time.
Any DJ you ever meet will tell you that taking a course or teaching yourself is all well and fine. But, ultimately, you need to get out to venues and practice in front of a crowd. What kind of a DJ do you want to be? Are you tied heart and soul to your vinyl collection? Or is digital your thing? It’s a really good idea to try your hand at different ways of DJing. You don’t need to master all of them. Truth be told, it’s hard to master all of them. But, you should work on getting to know, and becoming comfortable with, the various types of equipment and styles of DJing. That way, no matter what you encounter, you’ll be able to handle it.
If you’re here, chances are good that you’ve already been DJing, whether as a hobby or as a full-time career. You’ve probably got a good handle on the basics. Now you need to improve on that. So, here’s the key. Even if you’ve been DJing a long time, there’s always more to learn and more to practice. Never stop learning.
Going back to the basics is never time wasted. It’s a good way to determine whether you’ve picked up any bad habits along the way. It’s also good to keep your skills honed. A karate master will continue working on perfecting his punches even if he’s been a black belt for years.
The full-on course
If you haven’t been DJing for long, consider signing up for a few courses. Being self-taught may make you feel proud of your accomplishment … as it should. But, having a teacher guide you will go a long way toward helping you to avoid mistakes and bad habits. What might take you a year to learn on your own, might take just 30 minutes under the watchful eye of a professional.
If money’s tight, see if you can sign up for one-off workshops. Or look for a DJ friend to teach you a few things. Beware, though, that your friend isn’t teaching you some of his own bad habits.
Check out these courses:
Dubspot offers courses in New York City, Los Angeles and online, too.
DJ Courses Online offers exactly what it claims … a whole array of learning opportunities online.
Spin Academy also offers a full slate of online courses focusing on Traktor, Serato or any other platform you’d like to learn.
Feel like heading off to university for a couple of years? Why not? Full Sail University, located in Winter Park, Florida, offers degrees and certificates in Djing through its Music Production and Recording Arts program.
The d-i-yer
Not in the mood for a formal class? No problem. If you’re the kind of person who’s really good at picking up what you need to know just by watching other people, then you’re in luck. There are a ton of great, free resources online.
YouTube is full of DJs wanting to show their stuff. Though they may still be learning themselves, watching other DJs can teach you a lot about what to do and what not to do. If you’re looking to learn from experienced instructors (for free!) give these ones a try:
Ellaskins the DJ Tutor is a popular and super informative instructor. He has lots of videos on his website that you can access for free. You can help keep him going by donating whatever you can afford, too.
Here’s a sample:
DJ Sean at How To DJ Fast decided to compile a list of helpful videos to help anyone learn how to DJ. Access is free, but you do have to register.
Over to you: How did you learn to DJ?
