Looking for dj lessons? I spend a lot of my free time cruising DJ message boards, online magazines and blogs to stay on top of whats new in the dj lessons industry and to constantly find new ways to help aspiring DJs like you that are looking for a dj lesson.
One common thread I always see on message forums is new DJs having troubles finding gear, learning how to dj mix and get their beat matching tight. You probably have or currently are experiencing similar problems and have thought about looking for dj lessons in your city or online dj lessons as well.
I see so many threads saying “I have been trying to learn how to dj mix for months now and I can’t get beatmatching“.
Here is what seems to be the standard dj lessons response: “Spend more time teaching yourself. It took me a year so it will take you a year as well. Don’t bother with dj lessons!”
Dj Lessons Are Very Important
To be honest these guys on these message forums are LYING! If you want to learn a new skill (like DJing), why not look towards resources like dj lessons that can help you learn it faster and easier like this blog or dj lessons? It doesn’t matter if they’re free dj lessons, online dj lessons or you find a private dj lesson…
Grizzled old DJs on message forums (who probably never played any big shows) will say “You don’t need dj mixing lessons… just teach yourself…. don’t waste your money”. Others will say “Just make friends with an established DJ and get dj lessons from him.”
Okay… well how do you find a DJ to give you dj lessons? They aren’t that easy to access. So you have to go meet them at the club or a party. You’re going to pay $10 per club night to get in a meet a dj mentor anyway. It doesn’t matter weather you are looking for dj lessons in New York (NYC), Chicago, Miami, Manchester or Mumbai! It will take you a few visits to get to know the DJ well enough to ask him to mentor you with ongoing dj lessons. Why not just use the $100 you would have spent on cover and drinks for your new DJ mentor and spend it on online dj lessons that will get you mixing like a pro dj TODAY.
There Are DJ Lessons Online For Everything
It doesn’t matter what you are learning to dj on.. there are dj lessons for everything from dj software such as Ableton Live, dj cd players such as Pioneer CDJs or vinyl and turntables. There are dj lessons in your area or online that will teach you everything you need quickly and easily. It doesn’t have to be expensive either!
$100 may be a lot for you now but you can make $100, $200, $500 + per dj gig. Keep in mind that your time is money. You can save the $100 and spend the next 6 months teaching yourself . Of you can spend the $100 now on dj lessons online, get mixing and playing payed gigs within a few weeks.
I say why not just save the time and effort of struggling to teach yourself and take some DJ Lessons or buy a DVD full of great dj lessons. Despite what the message forums say, these dj lessons – online, DVDs or in person - will get you DJing a lot faster and easier.
My mates said it aint worth it but you make some great statements against what they saying.
I will look at getting some dj lessons.
Wrong RT… Most great DJs learned by themselves.
well i guess some of those djs who learnd by themselves (yes, me too) are really good. but thats not because they might have had no lessons, they needed no lessons. They where so excited getting a dj, maybe they´d listen to music for ages before even thinking of start to dj. so when those decided, them where “up to groove”, just had to get confirmed with their new gear.
thats the difference.
I just completed dj 101 beginners lesson at a dj academy and i still have no idea how to dj. I feel like it was a waste of time. Do you know any other ways of how to dj? Any dvd programs, places, or personal instructors?
NIkasio,
I disagree. Even for those people that are natrually talented, they could still learn faster with the help of a professional.
I agree with getting lessons, i have been trying for a year on my own and whilst i mix some nice mixes i also mix some terrible ones too, does anyone know any personal teachers in melbourne australia dance tunes are my one and only passion
Hey boys and girls,
Just wanted to share my two cents. I own and operate a school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and have always been very up front with people about the DJ industry. Just like many industries it’s more about who you know and when you know them than it is about what you know. I know some pretty bad DJ’s (relatively speaking) who are getting some great shows. They obviously need to have some talent but I know gals/guys who are better that are not landing the shows because they don’t know how to market themselves and to whom.
Now…with that being said…ask yourself this simple question. Can I get to know who I need to know by buying a DVD about DJing or by enrolling in a DJ school with DJ’s who are probably working in clubs?
I think the answer is obvious. Hopefully the schools you have access to are taking an active roll in trying to place you into the industry if they think you have the talent and desire. Don’t expect to get placed if you are just going to slack off. I place the best of the best in the school out into the industry.
Just in response to a couple comments made….
Briana…two comments…one either you are not talented enough to “get it” or you think DJing is a simple thing you should be able to pick up in a single set of lessons. You have to keep going and ask the right questions to learn properly. Maybe you did get a dud instructor so maybe you should try someone else. You’ll still get further faster with live DJ lessons then a DVD.
Marcco…most great DJ’s 1) didn’t have access to DJ lessons so they had to learn on their own which takes alot longer but probably help ed them to retain the information better and 2) most great DJ’s understood marketing.
Check out your local DJ school and get involved. Work hard at studying your music (even music theory) and learn how to market yourselves properly.
Briana…feel free to visit my website and send me an email. I may be able to help you understand things better if we can chat.
Thanks guys…I hope this was helpful.
PS – I have countless guys coming into the school who have tried to teach themselves through YouTube videos and DVD and have nearly thrown their turntables out the window because they don’t have anyone there to correct their mistakes and they are still finding it difficult. I have a video testimonial going up on my website soon regarding peoples opinion on taking DJ lessons vs. trying to learn from videos. Don’t start developing bad habits.
Sincerely,
DJ Damage
I will comment. I too own a DJ School in Vancouver. Digital Roots. I actually went through the school before I was an owner. I now spin throughout the city on a regular basis.
Our curriculum has been designed with DJ’s for DJ’s, and we cover what will get you spinning. We have different level courses for different skill sets and starting abilities.
We have the professional DJ Instructors, facilities, the software, the hardwear, and what I find most valuable, the community and networks to advance you and answer a lot of your questions, much more than doing it in your basement.
Check out your local DJ School
Ask: What will I learn, what style are your instructors teaching (we recommend learning the skills that can be applied to all genres), do you have any real life testimonials, what are your instructors credentials, can I see the course outline, how many hours do I get to practice…just a few.
To us, DJ’ing is an art form and a skill, just like painting, golf, piano etc.
All the best in your endeavors,
Dom
Awesome advice Damage and Dom!
Thanks!
nice bro…
I think I do have a lot of potential the only problem for me is to find a structure for my songs which I think comes with practice so far Ive been making songs in fl studio but I still hear that it needs improvement what I need is feedback to tell me what im doing wrong and right.
i think i know a little about how to dj bt all i need is to be fully equiped…i love house music with all my heart and soul especially Deep and commecial(im 4rm S.A)
I felt like I was listening to a friend when I read your story posted on your blog.
Fairly good entry, very enlightening information. Never ever imagined I would find the facts I need in this article. I’ve been scouring all around the web for a while now and had been starting to get disappointed. Luckily, I stumbled onto your website and got precisely what I was searching for.
Please, keep up the good work and continue to post topics like this. I am really fan of your page!
This is why I keep coming back to this site because its the best.
hi ive been doing dj as a hobby on off now for about 3 years and still think im not up to scratch (or pretty awful if im honest)the thing is i havnt got time to keep teaching myself due to work but i also cant afford to do private lessons which is a bit catch 22 as im self employed as a labourer so if i take time off to spend time on my mixing i wont get paid and if i did want to do lessons i wouldnt be able to afford the time off to go on lessons plus with the price off a decent set of decks these days i wont be getting a new set(as mine are battered) till im about 82 (exaggeration but still a long time till i get new ones)to do some self tutoring ….i didnt come here to moan i just need more help as i really want to get into clubs and play the music i love and at 18 i think its the best time to start…and thanks this site is a massive help already
oh and p.s. if theres any djs on here from the essex region i will gladly clean your car make tea and all sorts just to be taught what im doing right and what im doing wrong and put it right many thanks
I think to become dj you can take help online. But the real thing is that you have to practice harder to play harder.