Riddle me this. Who is the most important person in a room who is invisible when they are doing their job right? The answer is the DJ. The goal of any good DJ is to please the crowd with music that matches the tastes of most the people at an event. Once a DJ becomes established, they can get away with introducing some new material and maybe even some original mixes and potentially trendsetting sounds. There are few ways to become a DJ.
Get Schooled
One way to become a DJ is to take a music production class. This way you learn about sound mixing and the technology behind putting rhythms and beats together in an appealing way. There are schools that offer courses specific to becoming a DJ. Some of these classes are offered online. Some of these classes include instruction by real disc jockeys currently working in the industry. This is great for getting some hands-on experience and advice from people doing what you want to be doing.
Tip: Some community colleges have courses in music production and DJ mixing with minimal attendance fees. Some larger universities may offer free classes to students.
Get the Right Equipment
If you are going to be a DJ on a regular basis you will need the right equipment. This includes turntables, headphones, speakers, CD players, Mp3 players and a mobile case to transport your equipment from one gig to the next. The equipment you choose depends on you plan to use your DJ skills. If you are going to be a club DJ, most clubs have their own base DJ setup that includes a CD player setup, turntables, speakers and sometimes lighting mixers and other equipment to put on an entertaining show. If you are going to perform mostly parties and solo gigs, you will likely need a carrying case and your own portable system. Another option is to bring your laptop and mix some mp3s on it and put on a show that way.
Tip: Buy your equipment used to start and upgrade to more professional equipment once you become established and know this is what you want to do.
Know the Music
As a DJ, you will need to have a basic knowledge of several genres of music. As a general rule, you should know some hit songs from multiple genres. These are likely to be the ones a crowd will instantly recognize and want to hear. Common genres for a DJ include: house, techno, dance, trance, break-beat, hardcore, down-tempo, electronica, hip-hop, dubstep and drum and bass. Match the music to the event or venue.
Develop Your Own Style
Every DJ is not the same. Remember that as a DJ you are not the star, the music should be center stage. Learn to step back and let the people enjoy the music and the moment. Constantly talking before and after songs will get annoying fast. Learn techniques to pick up a party that has become dull. Taking requests is a good way to engage the crowd. Learn some party games to retain the interest of the crowd. The more people are engaged, the more memorable the experience will be for them. This, in turn, makes you more likely to be asked back.
Start Small
Start with a few small gigs. Offer your services at a lower price than an established DJ would charge. You may find yourself performing at birthday parties or senior dances, but you will gain experience and get your name out there. It takes time to become established as a DJ, but it can a rewarding career or hobby.