In ancient times, the idea of touching a vinyl record was considered a violation of the rules. However, pioneering DJs such as Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Grand Wizard Theodore pioneered techniques that we now take for granted, yet can make a crowd sway because of their artistic nature. Break beats, scratching, looping, and punch phrasing are DJ skills, and you can learn to get started if you want to be a part of disc-jockey culture. Learn the basic tools and skills you'll need to develop, as well as how to build a fan base and gain experience to take this job as a potential career.
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Part 1 of 5: Gathering the Equipment
Step 1. Start with the basics
Being a DJ requires you to do a lot more than just playing songs. Learn to stage, mix spontaneously, and get people dancing, starting with your DJ deck. You can invest in buying bigger speakers, monitors, MIDI controllers, audio interfaces, microphones, and other extras in the future. It will depend on your ambition to become a DJ, but right now, all you need is standard DJ equipment, which includes:
- Two turntables or CD player
- Mixer with 2 channels
- Headphones
- Loudspeaker
- Software for mixing purposes (optional)
Step 2. Decide whether you want to play analog or digital music
Traditional DJ equipment used turntables to play vinyl records, but now the use of digital equipment with CDs is becoming more and more common. Both types of equipment have their own advantages and disadvantages, but are very effective for playing music and DJing.
- Analog gear will allow you to live the DJ profession in the most traditional way, learning DJ skills the way they were developed: scribbling a stylus on a vinyl disc. You'll have to put together a collection of vinyl records to play, so this method may be a bit pricey.
- Digital equipment allows you to be able to carry out the DJ profession more practically, and the learning process will be much shorter. For example, learning beat-match and transition techniques is much easier with BPM counters and software systems.
Step 3. Consider purchasing a software package for mixing purposes
Serato Scratch or Tractor are quality programs that can read all music formats and select songs through a computer program interface. Pioneer and Numark also offer a variety of products that you may want to consider.
- These programs will allow you to access the MP3 library on your hard drive, to complement your selection of CDs and vinyl records. Often, these programs offer live looping and scratching, delay and reverberation functions, real-time control, and video and karaoke options.
- Ableton is a program that allows you to connect a mixing controller via a USB cable and operate in a more classic way. This program is good for beginners and friendly to the pocket.
Step 4. Be economical
Do not immediately invest by buying expensive equipment. Most of your money should be spent on turntables as well as mixers. Forget the other stuff for now. And, spend wisely – buy a used deck and a new mixer.
If you're serious about DJing, you probably know some of the other DJs in your area. Contact them for advice or tutorials on the systems they use! If they're at least excited, they'll be happy to take the time to explain how they make music
Step 5. Don't forget your home studio
Most DJs record demos, playlists, and original music at home. Make sure the gear you bring to the club complements the gear you use at home. For example, if you're a hip-hop DJ, you might want to invest in a scratch/battle mixer to simulate a competitive environment in your home.
This is especially useful if you plan on producing your own music. We'll get to that later, but know that you can consider this option in your career
Step 6. Figure out what you need to perform
If you plan to play at a venue that already has DJ equipment, you may just need a laptop that has software for mixing. If you plan to play at private events, you may have to provide your own equipment. Find out what you need and don't need for a particular job.
Some of the software used for mixing purposes while playing music may be difficult to learn. You can find quality tutorials online for most types of software. Otherwise, you can learn from a DJ school to master the latest software – but know that you can also learn it yourself
Step 7. Develop a large music collection
You know what else you need? Music. Don't be that bad in third class mp3 download format. To be a respectable DJ, you have to at least pay for the music you get. Nowadays, you can make music with what you already have, but know that you will eventually have to pay to buy other people's music. You have to be a music expert. Call your friends and check out hit lists, record company channels on YouTube, and websites specifically made for DJs, such as Beatport. Here's a list of genres you can follow:
- house
- Trance
- Techno
- Electro
- glitch
- Dark Alternative
- Progressive
- Breakbeat
- Hardstyle
- Hardcore
- Downtempo
- Jungle
- Drums and Bass
- Dubstep
- Hip-Hop
Part 2 of 5: Working on the Music
Step 1. Learn the BPM of the songs you are playing
The BPM (beats per minute) count of a song will determine how easily you can mix it with other songs. You can calculate BPM by doing manual calculations using a stopwatch, but this is quite tiring. Some mixers already have a BPM counter, while most DJ software will calculate the BPM of a track for you, although this calculation may not be 100% accurate every time. So, make sure you yourself have the feeling to guess the BPM in a song.
You can use a pitch warp to match the beats, though it's best to choose two songs that are only a few BPM apart. However, use a pitch warp only on songs that don't yet have a vocal track. Speeding up or slowing down a song will change the key and mess things up
Step 2. Study the intro and outro sections
Most dance songs will have an intro with the music playing, but the vocals are silent at the beginning of the song, with a corresponding outro at the end. The mixing process usually means mixing the intro of a song with the outro of another song. Knowing when the outro and intro start is important when you're mixing live.
Prepare your second song. Make sure this song is ready to play when the first song has started to end. Use one hand on the turntable or the pitch of the CD player to adjust the speed (if the BPM of the two songs don't match) and turn the other on the crossfader function, so that the volume of the first song decreases as the volume of the second increases
Step 3. Learn how to do the scratching technique.
As such, this technique can be used to find locations in a song where all the music is stacked on top of each other, or as a pseudo-record to get you started scratching. There are baby scratch and scribble scratch techniques, as well as drag and scratch, which work at different pitch levels. Master it all before you show up!
Some songs and spots in certain songs are a good time to start scratching techniques, while others are bad for the technique. Knowing when to scratch is like finding the right time to make a joke: you'll know when you picked the right time, or when you picked the wrong one
Step 4. Keep things simple at first
When you get started, make the mixing process a lot easier by using only two songs that differ by up to 3 BPM. You should also use two songs with the same key. Your software can tell you about this. Once you've got the hang of it, start experimenting with the looping process and move on to the toggle functions and adding other effects.
Also make sure you experiment with different methods on your mixer. For most effects, there is more than one way to do it. You will find what you want (usually consists of two methods: the first method is your own very unique way, and the other method is more automated)
Step 5. Transition between songs smoothly
One of the most important parts of making music as a DJ is transitioning between songs, matching beats to keep the beats constant, allowing people to continue dancing without being interrupted. With conventional DJ hardware, you have to listen to the intro of the second song on your headphones, move the pitch slider so that both songs play at the same speed, and simultaneously connect the first song with the second. Learning how to do this seamlessly is one of the mandatory skills for a DJ.
- You also have to adjust the volume level of the song. The song you're mixing out has to play at full volume, so you'll have to adjust the second track slowly, listening carefully to the notes to play it softly.
- Avoid mixing vocals. You'll want to avoid making an uncomfortable sound, which means you'll need to be very familiar with the intros and outros of the songs you're working with.
- Digitally, you can use beat matching software to do this automatically, if your songs are within a few BPM of each other. It would be best if you could also do it analogously, as this is a fundamental skill that a DJ should have.
Part 3 of 5: Studying the Art
Step 1. Think long term
What starts out as an expensive hobby can eventually become a career. The task you are about to undertake is no small task. Being a DJ is spending years working wonders on other people's music. You may be able to start in an hour, but you won't be a real expert until you spend a lot of time.
DJing is not a hobby that you can do any day of the week. If you want to develop a skill level in this career, you have to practice it. Being able to count to 4 may be an important part of being a DJ, but being able to read what your audience wants and knowing what kind of music goes well with other music is a skill that must be honed
Step 2. Decide whether you want to be a DJ that pleases others or a music specialist
Some looks will force you to make a few compromises. A university bar may want to hear Katy Perry's music, even though you're trying to forget Last Friday Night. Becoming a music specialist will give you more reputation among DJs, but you may receive fewer performance orders.
- Pleasing other people means that you play the songs that most people in a crowd are likely to like best. This DJ style is best suited for private events, such as weddings or small parties.
- Music specialists stick to a particular genre of music, regardless of what the listeners want. Usually, these DJs play in nightclubs that have certain genre standards, or are liked by people because of certain types of music.
Step 3. Observe
Find a DJ whose style you admire and observe him as often as possible. Watch how he composes his songs and manages crowds. After you've watched him a few times, approach the DJ and ask for some tips. Most DJs will be happy to help you if they know you're serious.
Get inspired by famous DJs. Sometimes it can help to study professionals like Headhunterz, Tiesto, Avicii, Knife Party, Sebastian Ingrosso, Deadmau5, and Skrillex
Step 4. Be a multi-genre DJ
You can still be a specialist DJ even if you can play multiple genres – this means you're a specialist with logic. Most DJs are great in one genre of music – having expertise in more than one type of music will make you stand out.
- This way, you will also get more opportunities to be asked to appear. Instead of relying solely on one or two clubs in your area, you can perform at several other clubs, as well as weddings or bar mitzvahs.
- For each genre, you should know the classics, deep cuts (the B side that should be the A side), and current trends. Having a sufficient collection of music on your list will ensure the party keeps going.
Step 5. Follow the latest music trends
To stay successful in today's fast-paced world, you need to keep up with the hottest songs and keep track of trends. You must master today and welcome tomorrow.
You'll need to keep jotting notes, figuring out the titles of songs you've just heard, and keeping a list of ideas for later use when you perform. Always have a phone or a pen with you, because inspiration can come at any time. Likewise with your best friend, when he wants to play his latest song on you
Part 4 of 5: Developing a Fan Base
Step 1. Make music constantly
Just as a pilot has to increase his flying hours to be more trustworthy, you have to increase your playing time. The best way to do this in a serious style is to continue to make music in well-known companies – not just occasionally at special events.
- Look for companies that channel DJs to weddings and the like. You are not a part-timer here, but a musician who is invited to perform.
- Sign up for work at a local university or community radio station.
- Some places may require a DJ to make music in between bands. Why didn't you do it?
Step 2. Identify the characteristics of the people who will be watching your performance
Knowing their characteristics before an event starts is essential for your performance to be a success. For example, if you're playing music at a wedding, be prepared to play more slow songs than usual, and try to learn the bride's musical tastes beforehand. If you play in a nightclub, familiarize yourself with what the owner wants and what kind of customers usually come to the club. These customers are what keep the club going, and, indirectly, pay you; learn to please them.
- Be careful with requests. If you're playing at a nightclub frequented by hip-hop lovers and a tourist or a newcomer unfamiliar with the nightclub scene asks for a song that doesn't fit the genre, think carefully before you grant the request. Remember, your goal is to keep key customers happy and coming back.
- If possible, visit your previous music venue. Trying to get a feel for his regular customers before you perform can help keep you from being nervous about playing music in a new place.
Step 3. Market yourself
You should create a profile of yourself, share business cards, email regularly, and always, always grow your network. This job is not an office job from 9-17, it is a job you do 24 hours and 7 days a week.
Keep a busy schedule. As your fans grow, appear as often as possible to market your name. Keep your schedule tight at first to keep people interested and your creativity in check. In essence, take whatever show offers you can at first
Step 4. Develop your presence on the Internet
If you don't have the time or money to build your own site, create a Twitter or Facebook account to support your DJ career. Promote your looks, and take time to socialize with fans and respond to their messages personally. The more real you are as a real person to them the better.
Create playlists. Create playlists on iTunes or Spotify and share them with fans. This allows them to try your taste in music, and you can also introduce new music that you want to use in your performance. The fans won't lose their desire to come and see you perform, but will only get hungrier
Step 5. Find your own orders
Depending on how you want to advance your career, you could start playing at small private events for a low fee, or playing music on weekday evenings at a club/bar. Ask a friend who is throwing a party if you can be the DJ. If you're inexperienced, you won't make much money at first and may have to keep other jobs. However, you'd be doing this for free anyway if you really needed to, right?
When you're first starting out, people may ask you to appear on the premise that you'll attract a number of people. This is a bad thing. You are not a promoter and a friend attractor. However, sometimes you do have to take the opportunity. Know that these people are the kind of people you are currently working with; avoid them in the future
Step 6. Be a producer
The next step of a DJ is producing your own music. You can still use other people's music, but you'll be mixing it all up, mixing it up, editing it, and making it better. DJ Earworm is famous on YouTube just for doing this. You can make money much faster when you produce your own music.
And once that happens, you can contact the record label. Even if you don't make it to a top artist, you can still work with other artists behind the scenes, while doing what you love
Part 5 of 5: Make DJing Your Career
Step 1. Develop your charisma
As a DJ, you are responsible for entertaining a group of people on your own. The music you play is important, but you should also pay attention to your actions on stage. Don't just stand still behind your deck. That's a boring thing. Try to be someone who attracts attention in a good way. Also learn when it's time to hold back a little and let the group dynamic take over.
Step 2. Always read the mood of the group
Use music to manage events and make them more fun. Split different types of songs into different sections. Play slower, slower tunes at the start of the party. Slowly dip into the groovy vibe of jazz, leaving the heavier tunes at the end of the party. Most importantly, read the atmosphere of the group and pay attention to what makes them respond.
- Don't play fast songs at a wedding. This will get rid of the romantic atmosphere.
- Don't play slow songs at children's shows. They will soon get bored.
Step 3. Be professional
Show up to events on time and fully prepared. Give your best effort for every appearance. Have fun with the audience of your work, but keep your interactions professional and respectful, because you never know who's watching you.
Let's be honest, the DJ world is full of assholes. Make sure you are a good person who is not a member of their group. If you're not a professional, there are plenty of other men and women who will immediately grab the opportunity to take your place
Step 4. Handle nonsense with care
Working in clubs and similar places isn't always fun. Keep in mind that there is a 95% chance that most of the people listening to your music are drunk. They may annoy you sometimes. You have to respond to it in a "go in the left ear, out in the right ear".
Apart from rude or disrespectful people, you will be dealing with suspicious promoters and technical disasters. Use your social skills to work on these issues and turn them to your advantage
Step 5. Have fun
Imagine that you go to an event (or you may have experienced one) and see the DJ busy pushing buttons with an expression that says he'd rather pick up a rock. It is very bad. Watching a DJ who doesn't even like his own music is worse than a tuned polka band. So make sure you have fun and people will follow your passion.
You can really go crazy. The more you enjoy the atmosphere, the more effective your appearance will be. The more effective you are, the more people will want you to come back to play for them
Step 6. Live the dream of working for yourself
After all the hard work of showing up at small events and working with small companies and using poor equipment, it's time to level up your game. When you earn extra cash, upgrade your gear. The industry standard is Technics 1200, but you can upgrade yourself. You will spend tens of millions of rupiah in the long run, but you will get your investment back and make a profit.
Start setting your rates. What is your price? Do not let you sell too expensive, but also do not slam the price. Consider the distance to the venue, whether you brought your own equipment, and the general realities of the show (some shows do better than others). And, don't forget: do they feed you?
Tips
- Develop your own voice. Create unique mixes and become a master of a particular genre. Explore different tools and sounds and combine them in your mixes.
- Have fun and play a really lively opening song.
- Have a friend blend into the crowd to help you set the volume. Make sure the volume is loud enough for people to hear the beat of the song, but not so loud that they can't hear their partner speak.
- Try adding effects when mixing songs. This may be helpful, as effects can help mix songs.
- Try composing popular song titles into a continuous narrative work. For example: "Lady in Red" drives a "Little Red Corvette" towards "Funkytown.'
- Listen to edited tracks and practice.
- Develop a good balance between a sense of humor and appearance. People will want you to talk to them once in a while, but not very often.
Warning
- Place your DJ gear in a high place so that visitors don't spill anything on it.
- Don't get used to appearing free or cheap. Don't let yourself be seen as a "cheap DJ". Clients should hire you because you're great, not because you're cheap.
- Never underestimate other DJs. The DJ community is a small community. If you get a negative reputation, you will regret it.
- The most important thing is to choose the right events in the first place. This will make the audience happier, and so will the DJ!
