Those new to DJing, and maybe even those who have been doing it for a while may be wondering how their methods and execution compare to everyone else’s. You may be asking yourself, “Do I know how to DJ right?”
The truth is, the word “right” has a very subjective meaning. Since music is art, DJing is technically a type of art, and art is usually extremely subjective to whoever is viewing it. Because of this, there is essentially no “right” or “wrong” way to DJ, rather there are just several different strategies—some of which work better than others depending on the situation.
Read below and ask yourself the following questions to discover what we mean in terms of “how to DJ right”.
1. “Do I have the right equipment to deliver a quality performance?”
If you want to learn how to DJ right, you definitely need to have the appropriate gear. Your DJ setup can vary from CDJs to turntables to a DJ controller and laptop, and none of these are wrong—in fact, all of these are right. Learning how to DJ right involves developing skills on at least one of these devices.
Yes, you could technically plug an iPod in at a party and call yourself a DJ, but if you want to be respected like professional DJ’s are, you need to put more effort in than simply plugging in an iPod or tablet. This is the number one way to not be taken seriously as a DJ, and also a large reason why DJ’s have been stigmatized with the “push play” stereotype.
2. “Can I beatmatch?”
Beatmatching is an important part of learning how to DJ right because it separates the professionals from the amateurs. If you can’t beatmatch and want to be taken seriously in the DJ community, you must learn. This is one of the most basic pieces of a DJ’s skillset.
During a performance, a professional DJ’s tracks are beatmatched practically the entire time and this is what’s responsible for the smooth-sounding, continuous set. Learning to blend your tracks into each other to transition, regardless of BPM and pitch differences, is a solid example of how to DJ right by industry standards.
3. “Am I a crowd reader?”
Reading the crowd or audience you are playing to is one of the most important skills a DJ can have. In our opinion, this is a highly important factor in determining how to DJ right. If you play to a crowd and are unable to notice that they aren’t enjoying what you’re playing, your career as a DJ may not last as long as you had hoped.
Pay attention to your audience and use your natural instincts to get a feel for their energy and overall vibe of the room. Are people dancing? Do they look happy? Did they all turn around and head to the bar? Being aware of your surroundings is a must in order to walk away from a successful DJ set.
All three of these questions are a great place to start if you’ve ever wondered how to DJ right. However, it’s important that we reiterate that DJing “right” is relative and as long as you’re taking care of all the above, you’re in a perfect position to become a quality DJ.
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