Learn to DJ — Set the World to Rockin’
Learn to DJ like the best of them and the world will be your oyster. Whether it’s Oysters Rockefeller or smoked oysters in a tin, depends on your skill level, growing clientele, and your own personality and knowledge. An ability to listen to people, transition between music tracks, owning some good gear, and the having fun — should all lead you into a prosperous career as a DJ.
Finding additional or new vinyl records at swap meets and garage sales is not difficult. Grab some from various estate sales on the weekend. Know how to store them properly so they don’t get warped. Temperature and positioning on a shelf are key points for avoiding the latter. Dig up those hidden vinyl treasures and look forward to your searches. Dome DJs want to be crowd pleasers and some do the gigs for themselves. If you accomplish both, then you’ll make more money!
There are DJs who use CDs or vinyl records, and for the latter you do need a turntable. Most DJs love using vinyl more than anything else. It’s traditional and a crowd favorite. It depends on the DJ — use CD tabletop players for house parties and small corporate events. To be a big league player you need to learn how to make use of vinyl and turntables. Most clubs and other locations already have Serato Scratch Live in place for their DJs so you just have bring the old laptop and plug yourself in.
Purchase two good turntables and a mixer first and these will be your basic tools. When you buy good quality used turntables and a new mixer, it will make your money stretch a bit. Don’t forget extra needles and cartridges. Practice your new trade a lot. You may not need to be perfect for your initial smaller gigs, but you certainly should be when you start to move up in the trade. Be clear if you want to have this DJ profession as a hobby, or a way to make a living. It can get expensive. Learn everything you can about music. A few of the genres you’ll use are Hardcore, Breakbeat, Techno, Downtempo, House and Trance.
Learn what tempos to play when, at events. Go slow at the beginning, at the end, and when people are eating. They can’t be dancing to an upbeat or fast tempo while juggling their buffet plates in the air. A piece of carrot or a shrimp could land in hair, down a bodice, or somewhere else that’s not very comfortable! Play jazzy tunes in the middle of the event, and practice a lot. Weddings need romantic and slower songs but kids don’t like slow ones as they can’t pay attention to a song for that long. Think Disney and a catchy beat.
Practice your charisma in front of a mirror because when you learn to DJ you need to project well and possess a great deal of charm and attraction. If you make up a few games, include all, because if the host gets left out, for instance — sure as shooting you won’t be invited back! And, a party should be fun for absolutely everyone!
If you are interested in DJing and want to learn to dj check out the website learntodj.org
