A lot of people out there have a very simplistic idea of what a DJ is and what a DJ does. But if you have recently embarked on this journey, you will know that it is not as simple as standing up in front of a crowd and flipping a record. There is also a huge gap between being the kind of person who can DJ at a party for their friends, and the kind of person who can electrify a crowd at a live venue when they do not know a single person out there.
If you have decided to take the next step and get into DJing seriously, it can be daunting at first. There are expenses that you will have to figure out, such as finding the right equipment. There are the hours that you will have to put in honing your craft and getting to grips with your own unique style. Then there is the part where you will have to put yourself out there and network to find the opportunities to show off what you can do.
The landscape is evolving, and the industry is finally starting to give DJs their due. If you have decided that you have had enough of being the person who picks the playlist at house parties and that you want to start taking this seriously, here are a few tips to help you get started.
You Need The Right Equipment
If you are looking at DJing professionally, then you need to invest in your own equipment so you can get to work on creating your sound. A lot of people think that there are two different mediums that you can choose from: digital and vinyl. Vinyl was seen as the old school choice for years, but it has stuck around because of the unique sound quality that it creates. There’s also the nostalgia factor, which we are all a sucker for.
Digital is easier for many reasons, principally because it gives you a lot more choice, but it’s also a lot cheaper to build a collection when you don’t have to commit to physical media. However, there is the third option which is blending the two.
One of the best and most available tools for budding DJs is their laptop. That’s right, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on bits of equipment, you can work on your skills on your laptop using DJ software. There are many kinds of DJ software on the market, and it can be a little tricky to sort the good from the bad.
Research can help you make the right choices, and DJing on a laptop is made easier with these tips. PIRATE has a wealth of resources available for DJs of all experience levels, and their recording and rehearsal spaces are perfect for anyone looking to work on their craft. Which brings us to…
Practice, Practice, Practice
This is just as true for DJs as it is for anyone else looking to make their name in the music industry: you need to practice. We all know that spontaneity is important, and that you need to be able to not only feed off the energy of a crowd but also to react to it and change your approach if it’s not going the way you want it to. But it is also true that practicing gives you the blueprint that you can build your spontaneity from.
You need to make sure that you give yourself the time and the space to put in those hours. However, it is also important to remember thatthan there is going to come a point when you are going to playplaying for more than an audience of one.
You Need To Be Comfortable Performing For A Crowd
Even if you think that you don’t suffer from stage fright, you never really know until you are up there in front of a crowd of people who are waiting to see what kind of choices you are going to make. If you want to be a DJ, then you need to get used to the idea of being in front of an audience. Now, we mentioned parties earlier as something that you might be trying to get away from, but they are a great way to start getting comfortable in performing for and reacting to a crowd.
The good news is that another fact of DJing that you will have to get used to is that you won’t be playing for big numbers right away. While playing for those early, or extremely late, audiences may seem like you are not living up to your full potential, it is an invaluableis invaluable experience.
You Are Going To Have To Network
Since March 2020, live music has been in a state of crisis. Nightclubs and music venues around the world closed up, and we all hoped and prayed that they would be back even as livestreaming established itself as one of the waves of the future. The good news is that all these places are reopening, if they haven’t already, but there is still a lot of trepidation and a lot of uncertainty, and it is going to be hard for new acts to break in ahead of more established names. What that means is that you are going to have to think about how to get your name out there.
The important thing to remember is that everyone started on the ground floor at some point. Do not be afraid to approach people who might be able to help you, whether that is people at a venue you would like to play, or fellow DJs whose style or career path you hope to emulate. You should also think about how you present yourself online. Start thinking about building your brand early on.
Think about what kind of work you can share on social media channels and remember that you should find a DJ name that works for you. Above all: you are going to have to hustle. You won’t get every opportunity the first time you ask for it. Success will come from persistence as much as it will come from your skills.
You may also like: 6 Reasons You Should Start Your Own Podcast
