Learning to Be a Disc Jockey?

This is probably the most common question for allThis takes time to develop but once you have
beginner disc jockeys or also referred to as a D.J. formastered this step it allows you to explore new songs
short. The first thing to do is to do a little research.in the club that you might not otherwise play due to
What type of D.J. do you want to be? There areinexperience. This is a great way to make a livelihood
different types of D.J.'s because they D.J. in differentif you can get a residence in several clubs.
ways. The three major types of D.J.'s are:Battle D.J. or Turntablists
- Mobile D.J./ Mobile EntertainerThey are a special group of highly skilled disc jockeys
- Club D.J.that do tricks with the turntables and mixer. Through
- Battle D.J.years of practice they have been able to develop their
Mobile D. J.skills of scratching, mixing and most importantly beat
They take their equipment on the road and do gigs atjuggling.
Universities, private parties, special occasions and theBeat juggling is when a D.J. is able to manipulate two
like. They use just about all types of disc jockeyrecords to the point where it sounds like he is creating
equipment including karaoke equipment.one new beat from two different ones. Because
Mobile D.J.'s are entertainers also.these skills are highly developed most battle D.J.'s can
They get the crowd involved by playing games withbe a club D.J. or a mobile D.J. because the skills cross
the music, singing, playing music and other partyall categories of disc jockeying.
favorites that involve entertaining the crowd.After you know what type of D.J. you want to be you
Mobile D.J.'s usually have a disc jockey PA systemneed to find out what type of equipment disc jockeys
that they bring with them to the gig.use.
This allows the disc jockey to broadcast the musicThe 4 questions any new disc jockey must ask
being played. A PA system consists of an amplifierbefore buying any new equipment are:
and 2 speakers.
Club D. J.1. How or in what capacity will I be using my D.J.
It is the Club disc jockeys ability to play many types ofequipment (e.g. club D.J., remixing, for parties)?
music and make it sound good that makes them stand2. How much do I want to spend?
out. That is why they get paid the big bucks.3. Where will I buy all of this D.J. equipment?
To most it is not a mystery why the club disc jockey4. What D.J. equipment do I actually need? Each one
is the most sought after D.J. One of my favorite clubof the three types of disc jockeys that I mentioned
disc jockeys that cross all categories of disc jockeyingabove uses the same D.J. equipment for the most
is D.J. Cash Money out of Philadelphia, PA. He haspart.
some of the fastest hands on the faders andThese are:
turntables that I have ever seen.- Two (2) turntables like the NumarkTTX1 Turntables
For their music most club disc jockeys use Technics- Two (2) slipmats
SL-1200/1210 Turntables. Now you can find club D.J.'s- Two (2) cartridges like the Shure M44 7 mounted on
using Final Scratch by Stanton or Serato Scratch Livea Technics Headshell
by Rane. Club D.J.'s "play the crowd" meaning they- One (1) mixer like the Rane TTM56 (Mixers)
have developed the ability to read the crowd and- One (1) pair of headphones like the Stanton Pro D.J.
know what songs to play based on crowd response.