Alone in your room, listening to songs on Napster or Spotify, did you dream of being a Sacramento Wedding DJ? Surrounded by pretty bridesmaids and other guests who think you're super cool? Here are some ways to make that happen.
Pick your Music Sound
When you decide on a genre, there are different things to keep in mind: what are you making? Who are you making it for? Why are you making it? If you’re making music in multiple different genres, your purpose might not be clear, but once it is, it will make more sense for you to trim your genres of interest down to only a few (ideally, just two). I like to encourage people to be interested in two styles because you might get bored of one, or it will become difficult to introduce new elements to your routine.
Have Fun
New music is the number one source of inspiration for DJs. It is after all, why we started in the first place – through a desire to share something we love with others. So, if you are feeling a little over the craft, go back to the well and start digging for new music. For those that have a well entrenched listening style or specific “sound” I recommend trying something totally new and ideally fun to mix. Classic examples or “fun” genre’s are those that are easy to blend and lend themselves really well to DJ manipulation like, Dub, Reggae, Drum and Bass, breakbeats etc…
Select the Right Equipment
Your DJing experience will very likely have started with a simple PC with a DJ software. Once you decide this is something you really enjoy, it is time to go for quality equipment that will make your learning more professional, and all the more easier. This is an exciting but delicate step in your career that you don’t want to rush into. Although it might seem easy, you can easily find yourself with the wrong equipment, one that doesn’t suit your style. Selecting the right equipment early on to suit your sound and targeted career path will aid your practice and professional growth.
Maintain a Single Genre
Besides the obvious reasons discussed above for knowing your music preferences, there’s even more reason to stick to one genre of music when you begin. Learning to beatmatch by ear is a difficult process. And the process differs from one music genre and BPM to another. You can prolong your learning process infinitely by switching between genres. By learning to beatmatch perfectly in one music genre, you are better able to adapt your technique from one music genre to another.
Count to Eight
With your beatmatching skills figured out, it is time to get your tracks lined up by counting the beats. The bulk of the dance tracks you deal with will come in counts of 8 and phrases of 4. When cueing your next track, the timing of the next beat matters a whole lot. The first beat of the new track should be played right on the first beat of the playing track. This is important if you are to get your mixes to be flawless. Those into theoretical music or dancing will better understand this, so you can speak to a friend who is into it.
Get Obsessed with Music
A healthy obsession with music is a must if you are to push your DJing skills from beginner to pro. Take in music of all forms. Soak it in. Learn to understand the structure of different music types and genres, and develop your ear to take note of beat structures and timings. This will be important when you begin blending different music types into one big party hit.
Learn to Scratch
Okay, this is a little bit on the more advanced side of DJing, but you want to have it in mind. Scratching is something that gets the audience gyrating to your tunes. But they don’t get to hear it often. Learning to scratch – at the right time and moment – gives you something different. Interestingly, you can scratch over any music genre. If you scratch too much, though, you will get your audience off negatively. Know how the scratch blends in with your music, and throw it in once in a while to give life to your beats.
Record your Mixtapes
You need mixtapes. Many of them. As a beginner, you are not yet ready to record your professional mixtapes, but you still need them. Get your mixer, press record, and go. When that is done, go back and listen to your records. Now you know what your audience will hear if you had played this to them. This will help you decide where you may need improvements. You can also enlist your peers to listen and offer constructive criticism. When calling for peer review, be sure to avoid the temptation of editing the mixtape before sending it over; it defeats the point. Go on with this practice until you are happy enough with the results.
Practice, practice, and practice some more
Think of the biggest DJ you might know, a role model you look up to, and think of how good they are by your estimation. None that comes to mind was born a DJ star. For many, DJing started out as a side practice in the confines of the bedroom, to the hearing of a few friends, for a few years. Some have gone on record to have practiced for over 3 years before debuting their first gig. While consideration will always be given to a beginner for a few errors, thoroughly honing your skill prepares you for a killer debut that leaves your name on the lips of your audience. This is the kind of launch you need.
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