Getting Started

Well whatever it is that made you want to become a DJ this area will tell you the real deal and the truth even though it may hurt a little.. 

Some facts before you start.

• Chances are you will never become a famous DJ so don't get your hopes up and quit your job and think that DJing parties is going to put food on the table cause its not.
• Have a job before you start, DJing is a expensive hobby and the equipment can cost thousands.  So have a steady source of income and make sure your serious about it cause your going to end up blowing serious loot.
• 99.9% of DJ's are guys so every dj event you go to will be  giant sausage parties. The only girls you will see at dj events are dj groupie girls that really don't understand anything about the art they just want to tell their shallow friends they date DJ's.
• Don't do it to be popular or think its going to get you more friends or instant woman cause it won't.
• It takes at least 2 years of serious practice to get good enough for you to start feeling that its all worth it.
• Don't even start unless you live near some record stores or know some really good places online to buy records. See the Fresh links area of the page to see some great places to buy records online.
• Before you really start buying equipment take some time and really try to think about if you have what it takes to become a DJ and realize that everybody and their baby momma's first cousin is a friggin DJ.


So you still want to be a dj?

OK so you don't care about any of that stuff  and  your fixed on becoming another dj.. Great I am very happy to see a new comer I will help you and give you very important advice so here's what you do to get started.

First ask your self  What kind of DJ do I want to be?

• House Club
• Scratch DJ or Turntablist
• Party DJ (All around)
• Or you may just really like vinyl cause their endless shit on vinyl you can find that was never released on CD.

So you've figured out what type of dj your going to become.. Excellent.  Now its time to go out and blow your wad on some equipment, a first time dj can hook up turn tables to about any stereo that has a audio input in jacks.  Eventually you may want to purchase an amp and some speakers to get that extra kick.  But for starters a stereo is fine.

The House DJ

Your main goal is to develop skills to learn how to mix house/dance music all night.  The equipment for a house dj is different from that of a scratch dj or a party dj.  House music is all mixing and beat matching so a battle mixer isn't for you.  Look into buying a mixer that has kill switches for the highs, mediums and lows.  And buy some needles that are specifically designed for house DJ's.  See my equipment reviews and make the decision for yourself.  But my experiences with house music is this... It's very hard to shop for house music because when you hear a song and you like it they basically all sound very similar.  Finding the names to the songs can be also very difficult so try to record some of the songs and play them for people and maybe they will know.  Hang out in a club on the main floor and keep an open ear to how some of the pro's do it and maybe that can give you some idea's.

Scratch Dj or turntablist

Think scratching sounds phat? Well so do I and nothing gives me more pleasure than scratching for hours at a time.  Your in luck cause becoming a scratch DJ these days is easy,  so many people do it so there is a lot of information on the subject.  Start of with getting 2 technics 1200 turntables and a nice battle mixer that has a long lasting fader.  Also because of the way you move the records you will also need a pair of needles that don't skip.. I highly recommend shure brand needles or ortofon brand needles.

Watch all the Dj battle video's you can get your greasy little hands on and watch carefully.  Don't get discouraged.... in the beginning it will piss you off  because your hands don't obey your brain.  Just be patient your scratching will get tight in time.  Watch other skratch DJ's and ask questions until they want to ring your neck, most Dj's will be happy to show you the ropes. The main thing is to practice, practice and practice.  Even if you sound terrible and your friends cover thier ears when you cut tell them to go eat a dick sandwich and do your thing until you sound dope.

The Party Dj

Nothing can explain the feeling you get when you have a party bumping and everybody is dancing because of you.  Being a party dj has the most rewards.  Your the center of it all you have complete control of the party. Basically without you there would be no party.  Your going to need a nice sound system to be a party dj and I have some great suggestions in the equipment review area of the site.  But remember if you decide to become a party dj you have to stay up to date with all your records and most of the time you will be buying records you don't like but you know they are popular and people WILL ask for them.  Party DJ's must be well rounded so that means you have to be all of the above when people ask you what type of DJ you are. 

Here are a few tips.

• Know what kind of crowd your going to be spinning for.
• DON'T SCRATCH TOO MUCH WHEN YOU DO A PARTY. (unless your super ill)
• Always have a good understanding with the people that are hiring you.
• Don't feel bad about doing your first few parties for free.  People don't know you yet so doing some charity work won't kill ya.
• Have a way of transporting all your equipment. Try to bring a few of your boys to help you and watch your back.
• Be prepared for the cops to come and ruin your party.. Listen to the host when they tell you to lower the music .. You might not be able to hear it loud but the neighbors can and they have a hard on for ruining the fun.
• Check out the place before you spin.. Ask questions about how many people will show up and what kind of crowd its going to be so you bring the right music.
• Always know what's popular and ask girls what they want to hear..
• Stay with a theme if your playing dance don't just blow right into a slow jam have some transition and play all the shitty joints in the beginning of the party.  When everybody shows up then start playing your newest joints.

Hope this helps e-mail me if you need some more advice.....

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