If you have ever looked at someone spinning records in the club with envy, then you may enjoy DJing as a hobby or a profession. DJ’s look cool, professionals get paid well to create music and they get to spend their work hours partying. However, some skill is required before you can rock a turntable and pump up the crowd. Fortunately, anyone can become a pro.
If you do not have a love of music or a big personality, then consider carefully before buying all the equipment a DJ needs. Otherwise, your music taste can consist of popular tunes, club beats or an eclectic mix because you just need to collect a lot of music. You will turn your selection into danceable beats, and a loud, energetic personality will keep the party going through the night.
If you are committed to DJing, then it is time to buy equipment. First, you need an amplifier and speaker so you can perform and be heard. A mixer is also a crucial tool because it allows you to switch songs without leaving silence. You need a way to play music to bring it all together. This can be turn tables, CD players that allow variable speeds, minidisc players or anything that lets you play two sources of audio.
Music, equipment, and personality are the tools you will use when DJing. Learning to use these tools to your advantage will take practice. Scratching is a good place to begin because it is essential and simple. A basic scratch involves moving a record back and forth while it is playing. Tricks to scratching include using the right volume and not scratching over song lyrics. You should enhance the music not take focus away from it. Once you are comfortable with a basic scratch, then you can start manipulating the crossfader to learn more complex scratches.
If you can scratch and beatmatch confidently, then you are on the right track to becoming a sensational DJ. Beatmatching is the foundation for DJing because it synchronizes two different tracks. This is what allows you to play original sounds and have the music flow. Learn the tempos of your favorite tracks to mix songs with similar beats until they flow smoothly. Some mixers can help you beatmatch.
DJing is enjoyable and profitable, but all DJ’s must learn their trade first. Get the right equipment, perfect your stage presence, start learning skills and practice until you sound like the professionals.
Author Bio
Jennie is a professional audio engineer working with professional sound systems and pro audio equipment. Away from her job, she enjoys DJing the occasional birthday and wedding.