My Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Real-Life Real DJ

» by Danni Miller

Do you sort of feel like Pinocchio when you think about becoming a DJ? I mean, you want it so bad you can almost taste it, but it feels like something that is so far out of your reach that you sort of regret that you ever had the thought in the first place?

I sort of feel into the idea of becoming a DJ (on numerous occassions), and the avid realist that I am, sort of wishes that I hadn't. But that, I guess, is the funny thing about life, really – I remember this one time sitting in my room, fiddling with an old turntable I found at that thrift store down on 3rd street. You know the place with all those eclectic hats? If not you are really missing out. For a while, I imagined it held the key to unlocking some kind of musical genius within me, I was maybe 18 at the time. It was there, amid my hesitations and a scratchy rendition of Fleetwood Mac, that my journey into the ever elusive world of DJing began though I didn't know it at the time and it didn't happened until much later that I tried my had. And I will be the first to admit that at first glance, the whole DJ endeavor can look pretty daunting. But we beg to ask the question, is being a DJ hard? Well, let's take a spin, and yes that Dad joke pun was intended, through those initial steps, shall we?

Here's something I am sure you can relate to, rhythm surging through speakers, an entire room swaying to the beats you're orchestrating. The energy is electric. A DJ is often thought to be a sort of musical magician, the kind who can seamlessly blend tracks, elevate happiness, and maybe even transport you through time. At the heart of DJing are some fundamental skills: beatmatching, EQ adjustments, and song selection. Beatmatching – now there's a term I am sure you don't know yet! It's synchronizing the tempos of two tracks. Picture a conductor ensuring each section of his orchestra plays in unison. That's you with your records, getting them to flow seamlessly across the dance floor.

Before We Get Here We Need to Take the Journey to Become a DJ

Then there's understanding your gear. It's like the moment you're first handed a complicated-looking camera. Those buttons, switches, and dials can be overwhelming, but once you dive into it – there's this thrill akin to discovering an Easter egg during one of my garden hunts way back when. Each DJ gear setup, from turntables to laptops equipped with the necessary software, has its own quirks. Be patient, though, because before you know it, you'll be crafting sonic landscapes.

There is More Than One Type of DJ

Different DJs have distinct roles. You’ve got your club DJs, those masterminds turning downtown scenes into unforgettable nights. There's also the mobile DJ, often the life of weddings or local community events, ensuring Grandma's “Macarena” request gets its due airtime. And then there are radio DJs, curating playlists with personality and anecdotes – imagine spinning tales through tunes. So, if you're asking how to become a club DJ specifically? It’s much more than just mastering the mix. Because becoming a successful DJ has more akin to starting a small business than it does to living the jet-setter lifestyle than you might think hope.

Still...

Becoming a club DJ feels like weaving your personal story into each set. It starts with understanding your local scene and how to promote yourself and your services therein. Maybe hit some clubs not as a DJ, but an observer. Absorb the atmosphere, feel the crowd's pulse. There's something raw ‌and authentic about the nightlife energy that you want to capture. Networking is crucial – chat up local characters, maybe share an afterthought while waiting for that two-dollar taco after hours. Sometimes opportunities arise from the most unexpected encounters.

Have patience. Hone your craft at small gatherings first. Share your mixes with friends. Yes, those mixes you were bashfully tweaking in your room are your ticket to getting noticed. Social media and music platforms? Essential tools. They bridge the gap between you in your living room and a club somewhere itching for a new sound.

For me it is about going on the journey. A couple of weeks ago I had this sort of wonderful scary experience. There I was, fingers slightly trembling, handing over a mix CD (yes, physical CDs in a digital age!) to the register guy, Paul, at the local coffee shop where they gave free refills on bad coffee. We'd talked a bit about the subject in the past. He seemed ever so slightly interested then, so I though, why not. I didn’t expect anything. But one day, as I ambled in for my caffeine fix, my mix was echoing softly from the speakers, catching wary nods of approval from the eclectic crowd. It was just the spark I needed.

So dare to journey into the world of DJing with joyful inquisitiveness, much like embracing an old, storied box of records. Face it with courage, yield to its nuances, and tune into the narrative you’re destined to spin. Who knows, the soundtrack of your life might just become someone else's favorite anthem. Let's just say that old turntable taught me more than just music – its scratches became my stepping stones, and I bet it could do the same for you.