How To DJ For Beginners

DJing: A Cool Path

DJing is such a cool path that can be a great hobby or even take you to rocking clubs. If you’re a beginner just starting out learning how to DJ, you’re going to need a few basic things that every DJ has— a love for creating music, a basic understanding of music theory, and a passion that drives you into creating the best music you can. Whether you are curious about a future in the music industry, or you have serious goals of becoming a DJ with worldwide acclaim, you will need to begin by learning how to DJ properly.

First Things First

Having the right equipment and learning how to use it correctly is the first step in becoming a DJ. Beginners learning how to DJ should start by spending time learning their way around their gear. This means spending hours setting up your software, controllers, launchpads, etc., and experimenting with noises, beats, effects- the works. At first, it might seem difficult to even create a basic drum track, but with practice and dedication, you’ll figure out how to navigate your setup in no time.

Once you’re feeling comfortable, start refining your skills and learn a bit about music theory. Theory isn’t the most flashy aspect, but by knowing the basics, you’ll have a handle on what the rules are in order to create solid tracks.

Build Your Library

It’s also important at this stage to start building your library. Your library is one of the most important parts of DJing. Always be thinking about what kind of music you want to play and start collecting the tracks that vibe with you. To help with this, a huge piece of advice is: listen to music everywhere! What are they playing in the grocery store? Restaurant? On the Radio? During a TV commercial? Listen and take note of it and collect good songs you think will translate well to the dance floor.

Pro tip: Subscribe to a DJ Pool

DJ pools are an excellent tool for collecting high-quality tracks. For a monthly fee, you have access to thousands of songs that you can download. Many professional DJs use this service to make sure that the tunes sound great no matter the sound system you’re using. Some pools focus on certain genres like electronic music, open format, Latin music, and some have a grab bag of different genres. Some popular ones are:

• Beatport
• BPM Supreme
• DJ City
• MP3 Pool

Build Your Stage Presence

For beginners, remember that learning how to DJ properly is something that takes time. While you work on your mixing skills, it’s also a good idea to figure out your style and stage presence.

It’s also good to work on being adaptable. Every venue and crowd is different, so it’s very important to understand what they are looking for in terms of style and genre. Teach yourself the art of fluidity so you can match the vibe of the audience, but still keep the essence that makes your DJ style unique.

Who You Know

You may have heard the old adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” While what you know is always important to the music you mix and remaster, who you have in your network of musicians, event coordination, nightlife, and industry professionals will absolutely play a role in your success.

This is a great step for a beginner because you don’t need to know how to DJ to form connections. Be personable and show up to events. Mingle and get to know the people and DJs at the venues. Then, once you’re spinning like a pro, let those people know you’re looking to put on a set and see if they have any openings you can fill.

The Ultimate Mix

When you’re learning how to DJ properly, there is nothing more satisfying than having all the pieces come together in a banger of a track. To create hit after hit, resist the impulse to rush through building your fundamentals. Develop a growth mindset and embrace the process of learning. Give yourself permission to be curious about new ideas, and take a deep dive into your DJ education. Don’t forget to look for inspiration from other DJs. Go out and hear other DJs spin and listen to their mixes online.

Education

Moving from how to DJ for beginners to becoming a pro depends on the amount of effort and energy you put into nurturing these foundational processes. The key to your success will be realizing that you should be growing your knowledge, experience, and network constantly. What begins as learning how to DJ can very quickly blossom into a brand new future, not just for you, but also for those around you.

If you’ve been inspired and want to learn more, the educators at 1500 Sound Academy would love to work with you to help you reach your dreams. Our renowned faculty arms you with the knowledge you need to get ahead in the DJ world. With Grammy Award-winning industry experience, our instructors know how to help you succeed. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve already got some gigs under your belt, we can help you take your set to the next level.

Sign up to stay up to date on the music industry and get a feel for the courses we offer. If you’re ready to start your education with 1500 Sound Academy you can enroll now by starting the application process.