It may seem like being a sought-after DJ is all about the music, but its not . . . at least not entirely. There is so much more that goes into being a truly great DJ, especially when it comes to performing.

The best of the best don’t just understand what songs work together and how to seamlessly mix one tune into another; they know they are putting on a show when they are in the booth. This matters more than many people might guess.

If you’re either just starting out as a DJ or if you’re considering becoming a DJ, you need to spend some time watching performances of others, not just listening.

If you’re already thinking about DJing out in public as an artist (as opposed to simply creating mixes in the comfort of your bedroom and uploading them online for people to enjoy), you’ve probably already invested an incredible amount of time in listening to and breaking down the mashups, mixes, and playlists constructed by others . . . but have you watched them?

If the answer to that question is no, don’t fret! It’s not something many people think about, and you still have time to catch up and put in the work. Head to YouTube and search various phrases that will not just give you crowd shots of someone DJing on a stage at a festival somewhere, but which will actually give you closeup shots of what the musician is doing with their instruments.

Look for tutorials from others who have come before you. There is a lot out there that can be helpful, you just need to track it all down and dedicate the time to viewing.

Having a good ear for what track can blend into another and being able to sense the vibe in a room are very important qualities a great DJ needs, and it can be tough to teach those things. More often than not, those are simply given talents, but thankfully, a lot of what being a DJ entails can be learned.

Now all you need to do is go out and educate yourself or find someone to help you through the lengthy process of becoming a DJ. If you’re going to go the solo route and do most of the work on your own, you have an incredible number of resources to help you become better informed, more knowledgeable, and better equipped to one day take to the stage and entertain an entire crowd of people.

You might not realize it if you’re just getting started, but there is so much you don’t know you don’t know about DJing and all that goes into it. Here are five ways you can learn the art of DJing as well as everything that surrounds it.

Watching tutorials online is one of the best ways to learn the basics of DJing, from setup to mixing. With the vast amount of available tutorials on YouTube, you can watch professionals who have already mastered the craft and learn from them.

Another great way to start your exploration of the art of DJing is to ask other DJs questions. This can help you understand their journey and experience, and possibly even learn from them. Talk to as many DJs as you can and take note of the advice they give.

Reading everything you can about DJing is key when beginning to learn. Look for books written by experienced DJs and read up on the technical aspects of the craft. Not only will this give you a foundation of knowledge to build upon, but it will also provide you with insight and inspiration.

Taking a class is an excellent way to gain a comprehensive understanding of DJing. There are many online classes and schools available, so you can find one that best suits your needs. From beginner classes to more advanced ones, you will definitely be able to find something that can help you become better at the craft.

No amount of knowledge can replace practice. With DJing, as is the case with so many other skills, jobs, and hobbies, the only way to learn is to actually do it. Even if you don’t get the desired results at first, keep trying and you’ll start to see progress. Don’t get discouraged and keep going!

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Next, if you haven’t been scared off by any horror stories or the realization of how long creating a career can take and the fact no matter what, it simply might not work out, you’ll want to spend a lot of time researching the equipment you’ll be using to make music and perform.

What do you already know about the computer programs Logic, Ableton, and Pro Tools? Do you understand what computers are best for music makers and why? What do these things cost, and are you willing to spend a big amount of money long before you make anything back?

This last question can turn some people off, as it does take a sizable budget to afford the right computer and a license for one of the most popular DJ software programs . . . and those only help you get started.

This may be the most daunting part of the outset of your lifelong job as a DJ, but keep in mind you don’t need to know everything before you craft a single mix. In fact, it wouldn’t be smart to attempt to know every single in and out of the business and the technology that backs it before you begin.

You can be learning and making at the same time, but you should have a baseline education before you invest significant sums of money into programs, headphones, microphones, decks for playing live, and so on.

You won’t get a feel for the software used by all the most successful DJs in the world until you spend hours, days, probably even weeks or months tinkering with them and seeing what you can come up with. Don’t worry — it’s how it goes for everyone! But, you have to have the items to even venture down this path, and it can be tough to cough up the required cash with no promise of a return in sight.

This step is as simple as it sounds. Once you’ve read up on what others have done, thought long and hard about how much you want this and what you’re willing to do to see if you can make something special happen with your love of music, and once you have a proper computer and at least one program at the ready, there’s nothing left for you to do but begin making music.

Sure, it won’t sound wonderful or particularly inspiring after your first several attempts (hell, it might not even sound like music at all), but that’s the process. As I mentioned above, you simply have to spend time watching how it’s done, listening and reading advice, and playing with the tools at your disposal.

You can do all the reading of manuals and how-to’s you like (and I suggest you do), but in order to really understand how something like Logic works and how you can come close to developing a sound and churning out tune after tune you’re happy with, you have to spend a lot of time navigating the interface yourself.

Like spending hundreds or thousands of dollars just to get your hands on what you need to compose, this can be terrifying to some people, because it takes an incredible amount of time and effort, and you have to dedicate yourself to sticking with it.

Once you have some tracks of your own, a few mixes you love, the equipment necessary (at least some of it), and the knowledge of how programs and decks work so you can create setlists and ensure everything runs smoothly in the moment, it’s time to find ways to perform.

Some people thrive in the spotlight, while others shrink from it, and while it might seem more natural those who fit into the former group would be more readily suited for this type of work, there are plenty of highly successful DJs who don’t like to show their faces or be the center of attention. For them it’s all about the music, so you can decide what kind of musician you want to be.

However, in order to get your first gigs, you might have to force yourself to be outgoing if you’re not, and you’ll need to do whatever it takes just to get your foot in the door. Spread the word as far and wide as you can that you are officially looking for any opportunity to play live.

Tell your family, your friends, and anyone who follows you on social media, as you should have been working on a following by now. Reach out to anyone having any type of party. Get together with other musicians and friends and plan your own event you can DJ. Reach out to companies hiring entertainers for weddings and other special events to see if you can work with them in some capacity.

Not all of these opportunities will be sexy, and there’s a good chance you won’t get to start with what you’re aiming for, but this is how many people enter the race.

If you’re extremely lucky and you’re a rare talent, you might be able to skip the previous step and jump right to this one . . . but I wouldn’t count on it. You need some performance experience under your belt and something of a name — even if it’s just one people have only heard of once or twice in a local scene — before you’re able to take to a bigger stage and truly begin growing your audience and adding to your resume.

The next step can take many forms, and it typically involves doing a number of exciting things you have likely thought of for a long time. Depending on your situation, you might want to reach out to a booking company or a management firm and see if they will represent you. This way, you can leave at least some of the booking to them, which frees you up to make more music and develop your brand more online.

If you’re not at that point in your career just yet or if you are not able to find someone who wants to take you on at the moment, you’ll be doing it all yourself. You’ll need to contact booking people at venues, parties, and festivals, as well as Promoters of all kinds.

It can be tough to find the right person to speak to, and then to even get a response, but if you aim low at the beginning (don’t think the mainstage at Coachella, but perhaps a branded event held offsite during the same weekend, or perhaps even the smallest stage early in the day) and keep your ultimate goal in your sights (and, of course, kill the performance, duh!), you might have a future ahead of you in this business.

On average, a DJ in a typical club in Los Angeles, Miami, or New York City can earn anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour. If they perform for a 4-hour shift, they can potentially earn a total of $200 to $400 for that night. However, it’s important to note that DJs playing in smaller locales outside the major cities usually earn less, with an average hourly rate of between $30 to $60.

When it comes to other events such as weddings and house parties, the earnings of DJs can vary greatly. The fee they charge will depend on multiple factors, but a common rate for DJing at a wedding might be between $600 and $800. It’s worth noting that these amounts can vary and should be considered as a rough estimate only.

Of course, there are also superstar DJs whose salaries blow everyone out of the water. Names like Calvin Harris, the Chainsmokers, and Steve Aoki travel the world performing at clubs and music festivals, and they can earn hundreds of thousands or even millions for a show.

Some of the skills DJs require can be learned, such as various technologies, beatmatching, and more. Others are more likely to be ingrained in a person from an early age, and it’s these qualities that can make for a truly spectacular DJ.

A good ear for rhythm is an essential skill to learn when it comes to DJing. Being able to recognize and identify different rhythms, beats, and tempos is a must in order to be successful as a DJ. Not only must you be able to distinguish between the various styles of music, but also have a feel for how they should flow together in order to create an enjoyable mix. This sense of musicality will help you develop your own style as a DJ and set yourself apart from others in the competitive field.

A sense of timing is another important skill that any aspiring DJ needs to either have or develop if they want their mixes to sound professional and polished. As with any art form, knowing when something specific should happen makes all the difference in creating something special on the dance floor that can move people emotionally and physically. It takes practice and experience, but over time, having this ability will make all the difference in your performances as a DJ.

A desire to discover new music is essential for anyone who wants to become a successful DJ because trends come and go quickly these days so being ahead of them means staying up-to-date with what’s popular at the moment while still playing classics from time-to-time too – which brings us nicely to our next point…

A knowledge of old music may seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning again because it really does pay off! Knowing about classic tracks from decades past gives you more options when mixing. Plus, there’s nothing quite like putting on some throwback tunes every now and then!

Technological know-how is something else that DJs need these days. Being able to understand how computer programs such as Ableton Live work (as well as hardware such as turntables) can give DJs an edge and prove they’ve done the work. Taking some time to learn about this stuff will absolutely make you a better DJ.

Learning how to DJ isn’t easy, nor is making it into a career either, so persistence pays off here too! Having patience while mastering your craft (and building up contacts within industry) are both skills needed here along with determination if someone wants success within this field – no matter how long it takes them to get there.

Being able perform night after night requires physical strength and mental stability, whether it’s playing gigs around town or festivals further away from home, oftentimes each performance has its own unique atmosphere which requires different approaches to ensure the crowd stays engaged throughout the entire event. A DJ must remain energized and motivated the whole way through a set, which will ensure the best possible outcome overall.

A producer is an individual who makes music by using a combination of software and analog equipment to layer sounds and instruments on top of each other. This process results in the creation of new music. Some producers craft music for themselves, while many others partner with singers, bands, and others to help them put music out into the world.

A DJ is a live performer who plays pre-made music for an audience at clubs, parties, and other gatherings. They are skilled in mixing tracks together to create a seamless, high-energy musical experience for their audience. DJing is a highly active and dynamic form of music performance that requires both technical proficiency and an understanding of how to engage and entertain a crowd.

Some DJs have expanded their skillset to include music production, combining their expertise in DJing with the ability to create their own original tracks. By producing their own music, DJs are able to bring a unique and personal touch to their performances, elevating their DJ sets to new heights. This integration of DJing and music production has led to the creation of a new breed of artist who can both play and create music, offering a complete musical experience to their fans.

The list of specific programs, hardware, and other items a DJ might want (or even need) when working could be rather extensive, so instead, we’ll focus just on a few categories of things that are commonly used by DJs around the world.

Monitor speakers are an essential tool for any DJ, as they allow the DJ to hear the music they are playing in real-time. Without monitor speakers, it would be difficult for a DJ to mix and blend tracks together seamlessly. The importance of having good quality monitor speakers cannot be overstated, as they play a crucial role in ensuring the sound quality of a DJ’s performance.

The mixer is the central component of a DJ setup, serving as the interface between the DJ and the music. A mixer allows the DJ to adjust the levels of each track, add effects, and blend tracks together seamlessly. The mixer is a critical tool for any DJ, as it gives them the ability to shape the sound and create a unique musical experience for their audience.

Turntables are a traditional tool used by DJs to play music. They offer a tactile and hands-on approach to playing music, allowing the DJ to physically manipulate the music by adjusting the speed and scratching the vinyl records. While turntables are not essential for every DJ, they are still a popular choice among many DJs who appreciate the traditional and classic feel of vinyl records.

Headphones are another essential tool for any DJ, allowing them to listen to the music they are about to play without disrupting the sound on the dance floor. DJ headphones come in a variety of styles and designs, with many featuring noise-cancellation technology to ensure that the DJ can hear the music clearly. Headphones are a must-have for any DJ, as they allow them to cue up the next track and make sure it is ready to play before transitioning to it.

This one is obvious. Vinyl records or a laptop computer are the most popular sources of the music that a DJ will play. Vinyl records offer a classic and nostalgic feel, while a laptop is more versatile and can store a vast amount of music in digital form. Many DJs use a combination of both, utilizing vinyl records for some of their performances and a computer for others.

DJ software is an essential for modern DJs, offering a wide range of features and tools for mixing and manipulating music. From beatmatching and mixing tracks, to adding effects and samples, DJ software provides a comprehensive suite of offerings for today’s tech-focused performer. Many of these software programs also include a library of tracks and sound effects, making it easier for the DJ to access the music they need for their performance.