Hi, im thinking about learning to dj, does anyone know anywhere
good in sheffield? :headbang:

.learning to DJ???. just call yourself one and get a gig:) its that simple....

no it isn't!

.learning to DJ???. just call yourself one and get a gig:) its that simple....

Depending on what you want to play, he's right to a certain degree! If you're not intent on any form of mixing as such then you just need the music collection and the love for the music :love:

If you're talking mixing then I know there's a school that was Point Blank but I think has changed names, it's next to Spearmint Rhino anyways, opposite Sound Control. Whether or not learning to mix in a classroom is the best way to go about it is a whole other debate, I didn't and don't know anyone who did, but I guess from your post this is what you mean.

If you know anyone who DJs and has the kit then I'd recommend mucking about with them first, see if you catch the bug before you lash out £££ on a course. You may even decide it's not necessary and just want to continue learning as you experiment - definately how to go about developing your own style anyways.

I be interested to hear the other side of it mind, if anyone has used or teaches one of these courses.

no it isn't!

what sort of music do you dj?

Hi, im thinking about learning to dj, does anyone know anywhere
good in sheffield? :headbang:

what style?

house / breaks / d 'n b / cheese / mobile dj .....??

what sort of music do you dj?house mainly. Essentially anything i feel will work on a dancefloor and get people wiggling

no it isn't!

yes it is!! ....I decided to be a DJ one day in 1994, the same day put together a case of 100 compilation CD's in plastic sleeves covering ALL GENRES from dance, disco, chart, indie and rock/alternative. I rang up 3 clubs, wanted to start right at the top (1994/5 club scene very different then), and landed a full club gig 3 nights later at the last minute due to the house resident DJ being ill. It was on a very very busy Monday student night playing up-tempo dance and chart, which was a complete stroke of luck, but it paid off...I worked my ass off as had not a clue what I was doing so played most of 'The Best Dance album in the world...EVER, parts 1 2 and 3 just mixing between those albums, mixed with 4 Now thats What I call Music CD's and the crowd loved it...so did the Manager, he put me on every week by myself and sacked the other one the next day!!!..:D

in less than 4 MONTHS I was playing a full 4 hour night weekly at the Leadmill, doing the full 4 hr POP TARTS at Sheff University, the Tuesday night hi NRG dance night and the Friday night LOVESHACK dance/chart disco at the same place, + working a rock night at ROXY, a 70's/80's night at CAIRO's, several bars/pubs as well as private bookings.....I had more work being thrown at me than some superstar Ibiza dude....

Don't believe the hype you have to study techniques and research other top DJ's for years to be a DJ, that's all hype. ...It's down to the following factors :

1) WHO YOU KNOW: Other DJ's won't do you any favours as they all want work too, so make friends at the TOP, direct to the Management or chief Promoters of the best clubs/nights in town....its easy..you just pick up that phone or knock on the door
2) Put together (bribe) a crowd of dedicated groupies ..it works like a charm...especially important at very early gigs you get, it really impresses the promoters/management if at your 1st gig you have a crowd come JUST to see you!
3) Don't ever appear to accept the fee offered, name your own (not to stupid to start with), it looks so professional if you expect MORE than what is offered even if you work for the offered fee in the end......clever but effective way of getting you noticed......
4) WORK THE CROWD......vital ALL the time, its the ONE thing that Management really notice, they won;t care if your technically not brilliant at mixing, do not wear a stage suit or have your own private bouncer, but if you can work the crowd with your choice of tunes(and that has NOTHING to do with technical skills at all), you are laughing...
5) Do not use a microphone......most Dj's use it only to cover the gaps in less than perfect mixes/crossfades and as an extension of their ego....no one likes DJ's with microphones up their ass

PLUS LUCK???? Maybe......

yes it is!! ....I decided to be a DJ one day in 1994, the same day put together a case of 100 compilation CD's in plastic sleeves covering ALL GENRES from dance, disco, chart, indie and rock/alternative. I rang up 3 clubs, wanted to start right at the top (1994/5 club scene very different then), and landed a full club gig 3 nights later at the last minute due to the house resident DJ being ill. It was on a very very busy Monday student night playing up-tempo dance and chart, which was a complete stroke of luck, but it paid off...I worked my ass off as had not a clue what I was doing so played most of 'The Best Dance album in the world...EVER, parts 1 2 and 3 just mixing between those albums, mixed with 4 Now thats What I call Music CD's and the crowd loved it...so did the Manager, he put me on every week by myself and sacked the other one the next day!!!..:D

in less than 4 MONTHS I was playing a full 4 hour night weekly at the Leadmill, doing the full 4 hr POP TARTS at Sheff University, the Tuesday night hi NRG dance night and the Friday night LOVESHACK dance/chart disco at the same place, + working a rock night at ROXY, a 70's/80's night at CAIRO's, several bars/pubs as well as private bookings.....I had more work being thrown at me than some superstar Ibiza dude....

Don't believe the hype you have to study techniques and research other top DJ's for years to be a DJ, that's all hype. ...It's down to the following factors :

1) WHO YOU KNOW: Other DJ's won't do you any favours as they all want work too, so make friends at the TOP, direct to the Management or chief Promoters of the best clubs/nights in town....its easy..you just pick up that phone or knock on the door
2) Put together (bribe) a crowd of dedicated groupies ..it works like a charm...especially important at very early gigs you get, it really impresses the promoters/management if at your 1st gig you have a crowd come JUST to see you!
3) Don't ever appear to accept the fee offered, name your own (not to stupid to start with), it looks so professional if you expect MORE than what is offered even if you work for the offered fee in the end......clever but effective way of getting you noticed......
4) WORK THE CROWD......vital ALL the time, its the ONE thing that Management really notice, they won;t care if your technically not brilliant at mixing, do not wear a stage suit or have your own private bouncer, but if you can work the crowd with your choice of tunes(and that has NOTHING to do with technical skills at all), you are laughing...
5) Do not use a microphone......most Dj's use it only to cover the gaps in less than perfect mixes/crossfades and as an extension of their ego....no one likes DJ's with microphones up their ass

PLUS LUCK???? Maybe......Would you accept that you were exceptionally lucky?

Would you accept that you were exceptionally lucky?

I don't know......at the time I thought what I did was fairly typical......of course this was the mid 90's and things may be different now, far far more DJ's around perhaps.......

Things are very very different now. Its damnably hard to get a gig in sheffield even harder to get a paying gig. Its a cutthroat business and there are people who'd set your mum on fire if they thought it meant they would get ahead of you.

I would imagine that if someone tried what you tried they would get nowhere. Going out with barely a clue of how to use the equipment, know their audience, not be prepared and to be barely competent would get you nowhere. The OP if he started tomorrow the only person who might give him time of day would probably be chris at bring it on and even he would think twice

house mainly. Essentially anything i feel will work on a dancefloor and get people wiggling

Girls Aloud? Steps?

Things are very very different now. Its damnably hard to get a gig in sheffield even harder to get a paying gig. Its a cutthroat business and there are people who'd set your mum on fire if they thought it meant they would get ahead of you.

I would imagine that if someone tried what you tried they would get nowhere. Going out with barely a clue of how to use the equipment, know their audience, not be prepared and to be barely competent would get you nowhere. The OP if he started tomorrow the only person who might give him time of day would probably be chris at bring it on and even he would think twice

In that case, it would be to be good luck..and a lot of it!...Miraculously the equipment was a DENON 2000F dual CD deck, which are simple to work out....also amazing was the fact the mix I performed worked like magic and I don't know to this day HOW I did it....the headphones worked in one ear only and were crap, but the DJ from sat night had left, prob by mistaker, his hand written playlist , many of which were on my new comp CD's...I followed the list and added a few of my own too when I felt brave enough......talent, no, just...luck?......I never said I had talent, as I don't, nor do I pretend to have any.....so that must leave being in 'the right place at the right time' and a 'lucky break' ....who knows, could still happen...I bet there are some DJ's out there now who have had a lot of unexplainable lucky breaks that has pushed them way ahead of the competition simply by being in the right place,

Girls Aloud? Steps?Girls aloud almost certainly i love them they're a secret guilty pleasure and all the cool DJ's i know will now disown me for admitting it!

steps almost definately not

In that case, it would be to be good luck..and a lot of it!...Miraculously the equipment was a DENON 2000F dual CD deck, which are simple to work out....also amazing was the fact the mix I performed worked like magic and I don't know to this day HOW I did it....the headphones worked in one ear only and were crap, but the DJ from sat night had left, prob by mistaker, his hand written playlist , many of which were on my new comp CD's...I followed the list and added a few of my own too when I felt brave enough......talent, no, just...luck?......I never said I had talent, as I don't, nor do I pretend to have any.....so that must leave being in 'the right place at the right time' and a 'lucky break' ....who knows, could still happen...I bet there are some DJ's out there now who have had a lot of unexplainable lucky breaks that has pushed them way ahead of the competition simply by being in the right place, right time, etc....but I accept its generally a tough world and survival only of the fittest............setting anyones mother on fire is indeed suggestive of a cut throat world....You are an exception to the rule

Its sounds a bit cheesey - but I'd recomend the book "How to DJ Properly" by Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton - which is a great sensible (and funny) run through of the essentials (ie not just the technical bits) of DJing - its about a tenner in Waterstones or from Amazon

Girls aloud almost certainly i love them they're a secret guilty pleasure and all the cool DJ's i know will now disown me for admitting it!

steps almost definately not:suspect::suspect::suspect:

steps almost definately not

I once played the very last set in the chillout area at a psychedelic trance festival and finished with "Reach for the Stars" - went down very well...

the right tune at the right time...

:)

You are an exception to the rule

He's not - I did the same back in the '80s with vinyl and, aside from a bit of a break when CD decks became the norm and my music collection needed replacing, I've been not only DJing but running club nights and events since.

It's possibly different in the rock/alternative scene to other genres but it's how a lot of DJs I know started.

He's not - I did the same back in the '80s with vinyl and, aside from a bit of a break when CD decks became the norm and my music collection needed replacing, I've been not only DJing but running club nights and events since.

It's possibly different in the rock/alternative scene to other genres but it's how a lot of DJs I know started.Same here - eight years ago I was at a mates daughters christening do, and all they had was a portable cd player...

The manager of the pub said if they knew anyone who could use the equipment they had, they were more than welcome.

I had a load of cd's in the car so went and got them........2 hours later, a couple that had another pub came and offered me the friday and saturday nights in their pub.

Eight years later, I have worked in various pubs, done countless private bookings and even a season in Ibiza.

Sometimes, it is just being in the right place at the right time :D

I once played the very last set in the chillout area at a psychedelic trance festival and finished with "Reach for the Stars" - went down very well...

the right tune at the right time...

:)

Seriously?! After seeing Prodigy last year, immediately after they finished, that old 'love is in the air' song was played. It was weirdly totally appropriate! It was midnight, in the open air, it had just started raining, we'd already been at the festival for 9 hours and everyone was euphoric!

Planet Zogg always finishes off (after 8 hours of banging trance techno) with "Its A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong.

Anyway - back on track - I suppose courses could be very good for teaching you the mechanics of DJing ( I think Red Tape may very well do some) - but the wider stuff of what to play (obvioulsy what you are into - unless you are a commercial pub/event type DJ) & how to react to a dancefloor is very much stuff you learn along the way. And you cannot really teach luck or persistance - which is what leads to a lot of breaks.

I venture to say that even today its STILL possible to become a 'household name' DJ very fast, with just a few lucky breaks. (I think it would be a great TV show, like X factor concept, to audition a few Dj's and pick one and try and push them right to the top in just a few months..hey I might copyright that idea and produce a TV show)...

.I believe it can be done, REGARDLESS of skill, music genre, technical ability, etc, its all about getting your foot THROUGH the door and not just in it.....I think that most wannabe DJ's dont have the personality to drive them forward.....forget sending out demo tapes, get out there in the field and just do it!!!!

I know a DJ who has been slogging away for years playing bars in Manchester, and got nowhere other than 2nd rate bars and never done a club yet....why? Just not PUSHY enough...you get to play clubs by going down and doing it, not sitting around waiting for phones to ring after you posted off a demo tape and a CV....that does not work!!!

I am willing to suggest very boldly that I could take ANYONE who wanted to be a DJ and get them playing at the TOP night in any town on good money within 6 months, and not by pulling any strings or calling in favours from promoters and club owners, but by showing them how to do get that foot firmly in, around and through that door. And that person may be rubbish at mixing and with no experience, but they could be headlining at the top clubs in no time....

Once again, and sorry to shatter any urban myths about DJ'ing, but it is nothing to do with tech skill or mixing abilities, etc. (Most DJ;s go wrong and go nowhere fast as they spent all their time trying to create the 'perfect mix' or 'perfect set' of technical brilliance). It's about YOU, the person behind the decks, and what you do with that gift or 'learned asset', and NOT what you do ON the decks!!!

The CULT of the DJ in both the old fashioned 'sex symbol opening supermarkets and appearing on TV chat shows, ie Tony Blackburn, etc), and the modern 'superstar dance club DJ's' relies purely on ONE universal factor.....having the guts to get up and do it!!!

And remember, some of the biggest name DJ's got where they are today by doing things against the grain, ie totally outrageous or non acceptable forms of mixing or set creation, never try and emulate another, invent your own technique....even if its playing non stop NOW CD's like I did.....it worked.......

I venture to say that even today its STILL possible to become a 'household name' DJ very fast

....

I am willing to suggest very boldly that I could take ANYONE who wanted to be a DJ and get them playing at the TOP night in any town on good money within 6 months.

Fraid I cannot agree with you there. Although believing in yourself and getting "out there" are key attributes - with the best will in the world it takes time to build up a reputation (and contrary to popular belief - at least some skill). Even someone like Paul Oakenfold - who is as career minded and pushy as its possible to be - tooks years to become a well known name

BTW I f you are so certain - why arent you running the biggest DJ agency/management co in the world instead of a (no doubt very fine) rock pub?

;)

I venture to say that even today its STILL possible to become a 'household name' DJ very fast, with just a few lucky breaks. (I think it would be a great TV show, like X factor concept, to audition a few Dj's and pick one and try and push them right to the top in just a few months..hey I might copyright that idea and produce a TV show)...

.I believe it can be done, REGARDLESS of skill, music genre, technical ability, etc, its all about getting your foot THROUGH the door and not just in it.....I think that most wannabe DJ's dont have the personality to drive them forward.....forget sending out demo tapes, get out there in the field and just do it!!!!

I know a DJ who has been slogging away for years playing bars in Manchester, and got nowhere other than 2nd rate bars and never done a club yet....why? Just not PUSHY enough...you get to play clubs by going down and doing it, not sitting around waiting for phones to ring after you posted off a demo tape and a CV....that does not work!!!

I am willing to suggest very boldly that I could take ANYONE who wanted to be a DJ and get them playing at the TOP night in any town on good money within 6 months, and not by pulling any strings or calling in favours from promoters and club owners, but by showing them how to do get that foot firmly in, around and through that door. And that person may be rubbish at mixing and with no experience, but they could be headlining at the top clubs in no time....

Once again, and sorry to shatter any urban myths about DJ'ing, but it is nothing to do with tech skill or mixing abilities, etc. (Most DJ;s go wrong and go nowhere fast as they spent all their time trying to create the 'perfect mix' or 'perfect set' of technical brilliance). It's about YOU, the person behind the decks, and what you do with that gift or 'learned asset', and NOT what you do ON the decks!!!

The CULT of the DJ in both the old fashioned 'sex symbol opening supermarkets and appearing on TV chat shows, ie Tony Blackburn, etc), and the modern 'superstar dance club DJ's' relies purely on ONE universal factor.....having the guts to get up and do it!!!

And remember, some of the biggest name DJ's got where they are today by doing things against the grain, ie totally outrageous or non acceptable forms of mixing or set creation, never try and emulate another, invent your own technique....even if its playing non stop NOW CD's like I did.....it worked.......

Sorry mate that's ********, no matter how good you are at selling yourself, you'd last all of two records at a top club if you can't mix them together. They'd spot you for the imposter you are and have you out on your ear, then proceed to give your spot to someone with talent who deserves it.

Perfect example is young John Dixon, he's not afraid of a bit of self-promotion and has worked his way to some very prestigious gigs - HOWEVER, it's only the fact his determination is backed-up with ability that he's got them. If he was cack at what he does, they'd tell him where to go.

James Zabelia famously badgered Sasha et al for gigs and stuff - he got them because he blew them away with his ability and he now helps design Pioneer DJ products.

Perfect example is young John Dixon, he's not afraid of a bit of self-promotion and has worked his way to some very prestigious gigs - HOWEVER, it's only the fact his determination is backed-up with ability that he's got them. If he was cack at what he does, they'd tell him where to go.



I don't rate John Dixon, he's very average.

I don't rate John Dixon, he's very average.

I think its fair to say that the biggest names aren't always the best DJs - but they do have to be very competant

I think its fair to say that the biggest names aren't always the best DJs - but they do have to be very competant

sorry i wouldnt say he is even that.

Sorry mate that's ********, no matter how good you are at selling yourself, you'd last all of two records at a top club if you can't mix them together. They'd spot you for the imposter you are and have you out on your ear,

who would? Club management generally would not recognize a good mix from someone playing NOW CD's back to back, come on.....been there done it, they don't have a clue.....not naming any clubs but the Management at one I worked at in the 90's did not know the difference between trance, funk or hip-hop, and had as much of a clue as what a good DJ sounded like as what his annual VAT return was.......

I don't rate John Dixon, he's very average.

Well music tastes aside, what I mean is he has technical ability and those who are into the same thing as him obviously recognise that.

Now by comparison, my mate's just downloaded his first set of tunes, hasn't got decks and only uses mine now and then - will he be playing at Plug in 6mths? No, not for all the good will and enthusiasm in the world. I therefore must disagree with the venerable Mr Fleece.

I know what you're saying about some club owners, the faceless fat cat who wants to make money from the night time leisure industry, but try pulling that one somewhere where those involved are passionate, dedicated and knowledgable and you'd get laughed at. I somehow can't see me turning up at Fabric/Sankeys/Basics/Plug etc with a load on Now cds!

think your talking about completely different nights/clubs boys....

I venture to say that even today its STILL possible to become a 'household name' DJ very fast, with just a few lucky breaks. (I think it would be a great TV show, like X factor concept, to audition a few Dj's and pick one and try and push them right to the top in just a few months..hey I might copyright that idea and produce a TV show)...

Its already been done. It was called 'The Joy of Decks' and it was on ITV. Same priciple as X-factor djs got voted off each week.

Same here - eight years ago

Sometimes, it is just being in the right place at the right time :DAre you not seeing the connection, 8 years ago for you, over 10 years for goldenfleece, longer than that for somebody else and you all agree you got lucky.

Getting lucky is not a career move. Getting lucky is just that. A fluke. To advise someone to just do it is giving them false hope.

That said this applies only to dance music i would imagine. For other genres there may be different circumstances.

Heres a challenge for goldenfleece, (s)he owns a venue why don't they give the OP a set knowing they have no records, no technical skill and only a basic idea of how to use the equipment?

who would? Club management generally would not recognize a good mix from someone playing NOW CD's back to back, come on.....been there done it, they don't have a clue.....not naming any clubs but the Management at one I worked at in the 90's did not know the difference between trance, funk or hip-hop, and had as much of a clue as what a good DJ sounded like as what his annual VAT return was.......Management might not know the difference but promoters and punters do and to suggest you can pull the wool over their eyes is plain wrong

I venture to say that even today its STILL possible to become a 'household name' DJ very fast, with just a few lucky breaks. (I think it would be a great TV show, like X factor concept, to audition a few Dj's and pick one and try and push them right to the top in just a few months..hey I might copyright that idea and produce a TV show)...

.I believe it can be done, REGARDLESS of skill, music genre, technical ability, etc, its all about getting your foot THROUGH the door and not just in it.....I think that most wannabe DJ's dont have the personality to drive them forward.....forget sending out demo tapes, get out there in the field and just do it!!!!

I am willing to suggest very boldly that I could take ANYONE who wanted to be a DJ and get them playing at the TOP night in any town on good money within 6 months, and not by pulling any strings or calling in favours from promoters and club owners, but by showing them how to do get that foot firmly in, around and through that door. And that person may be rubbish at mixing and with no experience, but they could be headlining at the top clubs in no time.... Do it with the OP then. I'll bet you £100 you can't get him playing in the main room at plug on a peak time set by June next year.

Once again, and sorry to shatter any urban myths about DJ'ing, but it is nothing to do with tech skill or mixing abilities, etc. (Most DJ;s go wrong and go nowhere fast as they spent all their time trying to create the 'perfect mix' or 'perfect set' of technical brilliance). It's about YOU, the person behind the decks, and what you do with that gift or 'learned asset', and NOT what you do ON the decks!!!I agree to a point. However being a DJ is not about you and it is pure ego to suggest it is. DJing is about the crowd and about being able to manipulate that crowd to a point but at the same time to respond to the crowd and provide what they want. Any DJ who thinks its all about them is foolish and wrong. Without a crowd you're just a person in a room playing records

The CULT of the DJ in both the old fashioned 'sex symbol opening supermarkets and appearing on TV chat shows, ie Tony Blackburn, etc), and the modern 'superstar dance club DJ's' relies purely on ONE universal factor.....having the guts to get up and do it!!!This is quite true

And remember, some of the biggest name DJ's got where they are today by doing things against the grain, ie totally outrageous or non acceptable forms of mixing or set creation, never try and emulate another, invent your own technique....even if its playing non stop NOW CD's like I did.....it worked....... But you already have admitted you were exceptionally lucky to get a break.

Finally i apologise for breaking your post up its quite rude but it was necessary to address individual points

I don't rate John Dixon, he's very average.Just out of curiosity are there any local DJ's you do like? (i'm not being sarcastic or trying to be confrontational, its a genuine question)

Just out of curiosity are there any local DJ's you do like? (i'm not being sarcastic or trying to be confrontational, its a genuine question)

i really don't see the need for this question at all - and how you can say its not got confrontational undertones is beyond me!

hmmm

i didnt say i disliked john dixon, i said i dont rate him or his abilities.

i particularly disliked the last set of yours i heard you do in club xes, however...

its all down to personal taste, after all.

:loopy:

Are you not seeing the connection, 8 years ago for you, over 10 years for goldenfleece, longer than that for somebody else and you all agree you got lucky.

Getting lucky is not a career move. Getting lucky is just that. A fluke. To advise someone to just do it is giving them false hope.

That said this applies only to dance music i would imagine. For other genres there may be different circumstances.

Heres a challenge for goldenfleece, (s)he owns a venue why don't they give the OP a set knowing they have no records, no technical skill and only a basic idea of how to use the equipment?He has already done that with a young lady who asked to do a set......turned out fairly well.

DJing covers a very wide area, there are all types, I used to mix in the 80s, but don't anymore, nowadays I concentrate on mainly Pubs/Hotels and Private Functions I'm now in my 29th year and enjoy every minute of it, and employ 6 others.

So what I do, I believe needs a person who can entertain on the mic as well as play the music, the most important having the knowledge of the music, especially when playing from we'll say 50s upwards.

But one thing that you do need is the stamina to stick it out, I think it's fair to say it's one of those Jobs you will either love or hate and you won't know till you try it!

I have trained up DJs from scratch who I now have out working at various pubs. If you know music, aren't afraid of technology and wiring up equipment, can 'read' a crowd and have great customer service skills, then it's not rocket science.

I have trained up DJs from scratch who I now have out working at various pubs. If you know music, aren't afraid of technology and wiring up equipment, can 'read' a crowd and have great customer service skills, then it's not rocket science.

It certainly is NOT rocket science, well said. It makes me chuckle when I hear wannabe DJ's gasping in "awe" at videos of performances by some of the so called dance DJ legends....because anyone can do what they do! They just happen to have got where they are today thro lucky breaks, and not always by hard work and pure skill. There are all these 'DJ Schools' everywhere where they rip you off with £1000 fees for a 3 week Learn how to DJ course, when seriously you can learn this stuff in half a day with a couple of decks and a handful of records/CD's/mp3 trax. Forget all the 'How to be a DJ' books as well, its' all been done before!

I think any good DJ learns from their own mistakes and experiences, and not by fanatically studying the techniques of the 'big names'. The best DJ's break the established moulds, they do their own thing, (even create their own sub-genre's) and have their own exclusively developed styles....not copy the so called 'big boys'.

But it's a very addictive career I must say. I have been DJ'ing professionally for 11 years and it's a lucrative job indeed. In fact making things a bit more 'difficult' for myself shortly by going back to using CD's for a while instead of digital DJ software, a step backwards yes, but just to remind myself of how I started out, 2 CD decks and a case of disks and no auto-mix software.........wonder if I can remember how to do it!!!!!!

Cue button, play button, disk eject button.....yes I think I have it!!!!!

It certainly is NOT rocket science, well said. It makes me chuckle when I hear wannabe DJ's gasping in "awe" at videos of performances by some of the so called dance DJ legends....because anyone can do what they do! They just happen to have got where they are today thro lucky breaks, and not always by hard work and pure skill. There are all these 'DJ Schools' everywhere where they rip you off with £1000 fees for a 3 week Learn how to DJ course, when seriously you can learn this stuff in half a day with a couple of decks and a handful of records/CD's/mp3 trax. Forget all the 'How to be a DJ' books as well, its' all been done before!

I think any good DJ learns from their own mistakes and experiences, and not by fanatically studying the techniques of the 'big names'. The best DJ's break the established moulds, they do their own thing, (even create their own sub-genre's) and have their own exclusively developed styles....not copy the so called 'big boys'.

I know for a fact however many lucky breaks I get I will never be able to do stuff like Jeff Mills or hip hop dj's like cash money, DJ Noize or DJ Shadow. Those guys have got natural talent, just like Tiger Woods has a natural talent for golf.

I know for a fact however many lucky breaks I get I will never be able to do stuff like Jeff Mills or hip hop dj's like cash money, DJ Noize or DJ Shadow. Those guys have got natural talent, just like Tiger Woods has a natural talent for golf.

So what precisely do they do that is impossible to emulate? What is so unique to them that no one else can 'learn' this process?

So what precisely do they do that is impossible to emulate? What is so unique to them that no one else can 'learn' this process?

Some examples as you clearly have no idea:

Jeff Mills - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bLanIfR13A

Kentaro - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0sOF1-9oYo

Some examples as you clearly have no idea:

Jeff Mills - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bLanIfR13A

Kentaro - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0sOF1-9oYo

re the Mills video....whats so special about that? I repeat the question, what is so special about that???......Anyone could learn that technique in half a day no problem and if you can't, why are you calling yourself a DJ!!!!!

..there is nothing there I have not done before with other music genres, it's basic mixing, crossfading, scratching, etc, nothing unique....he just knows each disk backwards, you can tell that....its just practice, that's all.....

re the Mills video....whats so special about that? I repeat the question, what is so special about that???......Anyone could learn that technique in half a day no problem and if you can't, why are you calling yourself a DJ!!!!!.

Thats a bit like saying anyone can play like Beckham if they practice a bit.

I've noticed that the Djs saying anyone can get to a reasonable standard in a few weeks tend to be playing rock - which tends to have a very narrow pool of records* to play and tend to just play one tune after another with very little technical jiggery pokery. So anyone with a keen interest in rock could do it.


* no doubt someone will say they've got 20 million records on file - but in reality most punters just want to hear the same 100 records on a sat night.

re the Mills video....whats so special about that? I repeat the question, what is so special about that???......Anyone could learn that technique in half a day no problem and if you can't, why are you calling yourself a DJ!!!!!

..there is nothing there I have not done before with other music genres, it's basic mixing, crossfading, scratching, etc, nothing unique....he just knows each disk backwards, you can tell that....its just practice, that's all.....

this feels very much to me like a sunday league player claiming that with a bit of practice he could run Ronaldinho off the park, it's just basic kicking, dribbling, passing etc...

this feels very much to me like a sunday league player claiming that with a bit of practice he could run Ronaldinho off the park, it's just basic kicking, dribbling, passing etc...


But practice makes perfect...you can't deny that....work at anything long and hard enough and you can be the best.....

i really don't see the need for this question at all - and how you can say its not got confrontational undertones is beyond me!

hmmm

i didnt say i disliked john dixon, i said i dont rate him or his abilities.

i particularly disliked the last set of yours i heard you do in club xes, however...

its all down to personal taste, after all.

:loopy:I can say its not got confrontational undertones because it hasn't got any. I was asking a genuine question because i was interested in who you rated as a DJ not as a person. You obviously know about music and I wanted an opinion if you feel i'm being confrontational I apologise that was not my intention.

For the record the last set I played at xes was the worst i've ever played anywhere ever. I'm not surprised you hated it because that night I was awful. I was so bad I didn't accept any money for the set because I didn't feel i earned any. I should have apologised to everyone in there.

in this world, you make your own luck.

if you send your cds/mixes & introduction letter to venues, rest assured they will file it for a rainy day....and when they are looking for someone new/different etc which fits your bill, youll get that call.

simple as.

how many cds you sent out around sheff disco????

quite honestly for the longest time none. i learned long ago that i wasn't going to get a break and pretty much gave up in sheffield.

i think the difference between making it as a dj or not is the love of music. As mr fleece says anyone can stick cd's on... damn.. even me! but the real ones that show out are the people that have a passion for what they do rather than the money and the ego massaging! Ive worked with many of the top dj's and their ego's are massaged by their helpers that live and breath them... where as a chap I know is quite frankly one of the best dj's I have listen to for a long time but is under no illusion that he is the worlds best... he just loves what he does. Never complains about what he makes financially but the rewards will come to him.....

As mentioned (I think in the second post) get a set of decks and practice. Learn the basics and create your own style. I love watching 4 dj's, 4 decks, 2 mixers and 4 different songs all played together for the fun of what they do.....(oops a little hint of who i am there! :hihi:)

i think the difference between making it as a dj or not is the love of music. As mr fleece says anyone can stick cd's on... damn.. even me! but the real ones that show out are the people that have a passion for what they do rather than the money and the ego massaging! Ive worked with many of the top dj's and their ego's are massaged by their helpers that live and breath them... where as a chap I know is quite frankly one of the best dj's I have listen to for a long time but is under no illusion that he is the worlds best... he just loves what he does. Never complains about what he makes financially but the rewards will come to him.....

Thats all very true....it IS an art form in itself......and a good artist LOVES his art. But.....an artist who produces a pile of dirty building site bricks and makes a fortune by exhibiting at the national Gallery, or someone who paints a bit of cardboard yellow and sells it for 1 million at auction, is NO different to someone who spends years and years painting the technically perfect oil on canvas masterpiece.....its about PASSION for the art.....

I enjoy DJ'ing immensely.....the fact is I don't consider myself talented in any way at all, but I have a stonking good time, and that's what it should be about....PASSION FOR ART!

Hiya, I've not read the whole thread but thought i'd add my bit.

My little brother (link to website is in my sig) bought his first decks when he was 13 or 14 he just played around and learnt how to dj by himself. When he was 15 he started doing private parties and then got to play at the empire bar and matrix (unpaid gigs)
He did a short music course at red tape studios but he said that he didn;t 'need' to as he'd already taught himself most of the techniques.
At 19 he got his 1st residency at a club, but it gradually fizzled out. Now he's a love to be resident and he's recently played at ministry of sound in manchester, and gatecrasher in leeds and he may be getting another big named residency.
Now he not only mixes, but is creating his own music too, with the money he's saved up from djing, he bought a home music studio and is just in the final stages of finishing his own track "you make the sunshine"

I have to say, he's worked bloody hard, it hasn't come easily, and he's still working hard. Sending out dozens of mixes each week to promoters across the country.

If its something that you're really serious about then I'd suggest investing in a have decent set of decks and just keep practising.
Good luck

I don't rate John Dixon, he's very average.

oooh..... only just seen this post........:o

well everyone is entitled to their opinion.:P

He has just played at ministry of sound in manchester and they said that he's the best warm up dj they've ever had........:huh:

If its something that you're really serious about then I'd suggest investing in a have decent set of decks and just keep practising.
Good luck

This is true, but I think the days of die-hard DJ's using vinyl are on the way out, it's just a matter of time. The cost for example of getting your own music or mix onto vinyl is still very very expensive as its an antiquated medium. (whereas it costs pence only to make a CD) The digital DJ software you can get now is superb, and blows the pants off 'old skool' turntable methods......check out some of the DJ and DJ studio software available, it's the future for sure....

Having said that I do know a DJ in Europe who makes his own vinyl mixes, and invested £8K in one of those Vestax Vinyl recorders

http://www.djdevices.com/acatalog/vestax_vinyl_recorder_vrx_2000.html

which is a home based vinyl record making kit......but as he gets paid £1.5K a night plus, it was just pocket money to him....

But practice makes perfect...you can't deny that....work at anything long and hard enough and you can be the best.....

I think there's different types of djs we're talking about here, the more traditional set up playing in city centre bars and clubs normally using cds etc. And then there's the true innovators juch as Jazzy Jeff, Mixmaster Mike and so on. They take the artform of djing to another level and it is simply untrue to say constant practice will get you to their level, otherwise there would be nothing special about the DMC championships. Check this old video of Mixmaster Mike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6iGexp7Pn8 who breaks down exactly how he does his routine and you can see what he's doing all the way through...Copy and practice that as much as you like and I can only think of a handful of Sheffield djs for example that could emulate that...One of them being Andy H, and he's regarded as one of the best djs in the country!!

I think there's different types of djs we're talking about here, the more traditional set up playing in city centre bars and clubs normally using cds etc. And then there's the true innovators juch as Jazzy Jeff, Mixmaster Mike and so on. They take the artform of djing to another level and it is simply untrue to say constant practice will get you to their level, otherwise there would be nothing special about the DMC championships. Check this old video of Mixmaster Mike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6iGexp7Pn8

That is most certainly an art form in its own league.......unique maybe

This is true, but I think the days of die-hard DJ's using vinyl are on the way out Sadly you may be right, the futures bleak for vinyl. that said I doubt it'll die out entirely

Sadly you may be right, the futures bleak for vinyl. that said I doubt it'll die out entirely

vinbnyl will remain as long as the demand holds....the new age of digital DJ software is making a huge dent at the moment. But actually to see a 'new age' DJ on stage surrounded by computers instead of decks is a treat for the eyes, it takes DJ'ing to a new level of technology and makes it look incredibly complex....I have seen a pure digital DJ at work in manchester, he had a whole rack of computers and some digital synths and stuff, and a mixer the size of a nightclub! it was amazing to watch him create his music....forgotten his name though, he put together the most impressive overlays and dubs I have ever heard though......the equivalent of using 20 turntables all at once at least, and all with just 2 hands!!!

The only advice I have for someone who is thinking about DJing, is speak slowly when you talk on the microphone and think about what you are going to say before you open the mic. There are some examples of awful DJing from an established DJ in woodseats who opens the mic far too often and talks so fast that you can't tell what he is saying. He thinks he is right cool, but it just makes him look like a 15year old who is doing it for the first time.

Hey

In my opinion along with Disco Down, Chris at BRING IT ON is the best way to get a gig if you want to play in Sheffield.

You have to know what to do first behind a set of decks becuase your gonna struggle if not as there is a lot to learn...what music you like and want to play, how to mix and beat match properly, tune selection etc

BRING IT ON is a great way to get out of the bedroom and put yourself into an enviroment where other ppl can hear you play.

I'm 20 now and played there when I was 18 as I was looking to get playing out and about. I invited a promoter to come see me play along with all my buddies and thats how I started getting gigs.

The best advice I can give to a budding DJ is to be confident and enjoy what you are doing, get out there into clubland NOT as a DJ with a biassed view of all other DJ's but for the experience and enjoyment.

It is the best way to get to know ppl too, socialise and become a face amongst the clubbing crowd. Not only are you gonna get to know ppl, but also knowing what the latest tunes are in a club and the type of ppl, the crowd etc. This will open your eyes to what is happening in clubland by getting out there and experiening it yourself!

Hope this is helpful stuff and good luck:)

*****I'm playing at Secret Sessions 24th November at a secret location in Sheffield.

£25 a ticket which includes a FREE BAR ALL NIGHT LONG!

If you want tickets then contact me either by pm or by email john@djjohndixon.com*****

THIS IS GONNA BE HUGE!

vinbnyl will remain as long as the demand holds....the new age of digital DJ software is making a huge dent at the moment. But actually to see a 'new age' DJ on stage surrounded by computers instead of decks is a treat for the eyes, it takes DJ'ing to a new level of technology and makes it look incredibly complex....I have seen a pure digital DJ at work in manchester, he had a whole rack of computers and some digital synths and stuff, and a mixer the size of a nightclub! it was amazing to watch him create his music....forgotten his name though, he put together the most impressive overlays and dubs I have ever heard though......the equivalent of using 20 turntables all at once at least, and all with just 2 hands!!!all of which is fine but at what point do you stop being a dj and start being a computer programmer?

all of which is fine but at what point do you stop being a dj and start being a computer programmer?

Surley the point of DJing is not how you do it - but the interaction with the dancefloor and what comes out of the speakers?

Yes it is. I'm just a purist. I believe that the records should be enough. If the tracks are good enough and you are sensitive enough to put them together in the right way you don't need effects and loops and extra bits and bobs it just overeggs the pudding

It certainly is NOT rocket science, well said. It makes me chuckle when I hear wannabe DJ's gasping in "awe" at videos of performances by some of the so called dance DJ legends....because anyone can do what they do! They just happen to have got where they are today thro lucky breaks, and not always by hard work and pure skill. There are all these 'DJ Schools' everywhere where they rip you off with £1000 fees for a 3 week Learn how to DJ course, when seriously you can learn this stuff in half a day with a couple of decks and a handful of records/CD's/mp3 trax. Forget all the 'How to be a DJ' books as well, its' all been done before!

I think any good DJ learns from their own mistakes and experiences, and not by fanatically studying the techniques of the 'big names'. The best DJ's break the established moulds, they do their own thing, (even create their own sub-genre's) and have their own exclusively developed styles....not copy the so called 'big boys'.

But it's a very addictive career I must say. I have been DJ'ing professionally for 11 years and it's a lucrative job indeed. In fact making things a bit more 'difficult' for myself shortly by going back to using CD's for a while instead of digital DJ software, a step backwards yes, but just to remind myself of how I started out, 2 CD decks and a case of disks and no auto-mix software.........wonder if I can remember how to do it!!!!!!

Cue button, play button, disk eject button.....yes I think I have it!!!!!

do you have the technical ability of james zabiela? that is talent. mixing 2/3 records with a sampler is a little 1990's. nothing wrong with it but to be innovative one needs to create their own 'sound' or brand. zabiela did just that.

Yes, James Zabiela is talented, but the sight of him stood fiddling with all his equipment just doesn't do it for me. It's basically just like bringing your studio to the stage. Sparks and Kraftwerk have been doing it for years. There are still DJ's out there who can make my jaw drop to the floor with two records or a couple of CD's.

Yes it is. I'm just a purist. I believe that the records should be enough. If the tracks are good enough and you are sensitive enough to put them together in the right way you don't need effects and loops and extra bits and bobs it just overeggs the pudding

I one hundred percent agree with you. I saw Jeff Mills on Friday night and he absolutely blew the room apart with tunes alone. Although, he has now started playing some of his stuff on CD.

Yes, James Zabiela is talented, but the sight of him stood fiddling with all his equipment just doesn't do it for me. It's basically just like bringing your studio to the stage. Sparks and Kraftwerk have been doing it for years. There are still DJ's out there who can make my jaw drop to the floor with two records or a couple of CD's.JZ does nothing for me either. Theres far too much dicking around with equipment and not enough letting records play for me.

I think there's different types of djs we're talking about here, the more traditional set up playing in city centre bars and clubs normally using cds etc. And then there's the true innovators juch as Jazzy Jeff, Mixmaster Mike and so on. They take the artform of djing to another level and it is simply untrue to say constant practice will get you to their level, otherwise there would be nothing special about the DMC championships. Check this old video of Mixmaster Mike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6iGexp7Pn8 who breaks down exactly how he does his routine and you can see what he's doing all the way through...Copy and practice that as much as you like and I can only think of a handful of Sheffield djs for example that could emulate that...One of them being Andy H, and he's regarded as one of the best djs in the country!!

Agree with what you're saying about djs such as Jazzy Jeff there. However, I feel Andy H isn't really pushing the boundaries any more, he always seems to do a similar set every week and it does get noticed by people who go to the Tuesday Club week in week out... He seems like a really nice guy though and he is a good dj.

As for vinyl, I think it does have to do with demand and plenty of djs would never ditch it!

Agree with what you're saying about djs such as Jazzy Jeff there. However, I feel Andy H isn't really pushing the boundaries any more, he always seems to do a similar set every week and it does get noticed by people who go to the Tuesday Club week in week out... He seems like a really nice guy though and he is a good dj.

As for vinyl, I think it does have to do with demand and plenty of djs would never ditch it!

Hear what your saying funkymiss but I think Andy plays a similar set week in week out to get the crowd going with a reliable selection of bangers, doing the classic job as a warm up dj if you like :) Having just discovered his own productions, thats where he's pushing the boundaires, his tune 'Move and Progress' with Testament is a cross genre future classic!!

And yep as for vinyl, as long as they sell it, I'll keep buying it!! :love:

Hear what your saying funkymiss but I think Andy plays a similar set week in week out to get the crowd going with a reliable selection of bangers, doing the classic job as a warm up dj if you like :) Having just discovered his own productions, thats where he's pushing the boundaires, his tune 'Move and Progress' with Testament is a cross genre future classic!!

And yep as for vinyl, as long as they sell it, I'll keep buying it!! :love:

Yeah that's fair enough, and like I said he is a great dj and never fails to get it warmed up of a Tuesday night! Same for Testament on the mic!

Glad you agree on the vinyl, nothing beats it in my opinion!

As for the decks, I'm a bit of a slow learner really but it's fun to try (at home :hihi:)

Yeah that's fair enough, and like I said he is a great dj and never fails to get it warmed up of a Tuesday night! Same for Testament on the mic!

Glad you agree on the vinyl, nothing beats it in my opinion!

As for the decks, I'm a bit of a slow learner really but it's fun to try (at home :hihi:)

Female dj in the making eh? Excellent, we need more of them! :)

Why aren't there more girl DJ's? In my experience they are always good and usually bring something different to a set that boys somehow can't

Very few female djs and mc's in the drum and bass scene which is a shame! In terms of getting started men may be more confident with the equipment?

I'm no DJ! I like having a go at house parties though when there are people about to teach me how to do it properly :)

I think boutiquechoc is a DJ...

debbie mac - radio talent, and amazing club dj -

she plays in sheffield soon.

check it.

:hihi:

Very few female djs and mc's in the drum and bass scene which is a shame! In terms of getting started men may be more confident with the equipment?

I'm no DJ! I like having a go at house parties though when there are people about to teach me how to do it properly :)

I think boutiquechoc is a DJ...Really? I know very little about drum and bass so can't comment but women seem really over represented in harder forms of dance music

When ever the term DJ is used it's automatically assumed its connected with DANCE music and its many many derivatives.....don't forget that there are many other genres than also have DJ's, ie ROCK, INDIE, REGGAE, etc, and all have their own methods and styles. Ok so rock DJ's tend not to use dubs or backtracking that much, or even vinyl at all anymore, but that does not mean it's any less of an art form......

Really? I know very little about drum and bass so can't comment but women seem really over represented in harder forms of dance music

Yeah I have seen very few female D&B/jungle djs even at parties etc. It is a fairly male-orientated scene I think though. However saying that, I've definitely noticed more girls at events in Sheffield as time has gone on.

When ever the term DJ is used it's automatically assumed its connected with DANCE music and its many many derivatives.....don't forget that there are many other genres than also have DJ's, ie ROCK, INDIE, REGGAE, etc, and all have their own methods and styles. Ok so rock DJ's tend not to use dubs or backtracking that much, or even vinyl at all anymore, but that does not mean it's any less of an art form......



Cant agree I'm afraid.. I'm an indie DJ myslef and yeah there is such thing as a good indie DJ and bad one (obviosuly I think I'm amazing lol) but I would never in a million years describe DJing indie as an "art form". An artist (eg house / trance) pleases the audience while expressing their own personal taste, not playing requests. On the other hand an indie or rock dj will undoubtedly have masses of requests to deal with and if they care at all about pleasing the audience they will squeeze a good deal of them into the set, so it isnt as much of an "expression of self" so therefore not as much of an art form.

Still bloody good fun though! :D

When ever the term DJ is used it's automatically assumed its connected with DANCE music and its many many derivatives.....don't forget that there are many other genres than also have DJ's, ie ROCK, INDIE, REGGAE, etc, and all have their own methods and styles. Ok so rock DJ's tend not to use dubs or backtracking that much, or even vinyl at all anymore, but that does not mean it's any less of an art form......


How is rock DJing an art form? What do - or even CAN - you do to be creative? It's not like you can create something new whilst 'mixing' - or am I mistaken? Can you put a Foo Fighters acapella over a Led Zep instrumental? I appreciate like any DJ there's track selection, crowd reading etc but being creative isn't something I can imagine. You said yourself it's just pressing the play button and is a piece of pish.

I do a funk, disco and soul night every weekend and it's sooooo limited as to how creative I can be, since the music is so varied, different keys, tempos, vocals clashing etc. You get a few records you can cut together but mainly it's just a case of starting one record when the last one ends (thus putting the emphasis on track selection). It ain't no art form though.

How is rock DJing an art form? What do - or even CAN - you do to be creative? It's not like you can create something new whilst 'mixing' - or am I mistaken? Can you put a Foo Fighters acapella over a Led Zep instrumental? I appreciate like any DJ there's track selection, crowd reading etc but being creative isn't something I can imagine. You said yourself it's just pressing the play button and is a piece of pish

In the same way that an artist plonking a pile of dirty bricks into an art gallery and calling it a "work of art" can. Remember, the cult of the DJ is all about the NAME......top Dj's are not always technically perfect, but their name commands the crowds!!!!!

No you cant mix rock tracks like you can trance, for example, its a totally different style, but that is not to say it is not an art form. Its not just about mixing and scratching, that is a common mis conception of the DJ......a rock DJ is performing his 'art' if he can keep the dancefloor (mosh pit) buzzing, the crowd happy, deliver the right tunes in the best sequence for the event, etc. THAT part is the art of the DJ, not technical skills...that is not art, that is a learned technique.......

a rock DJ is performing his 'art' if he can keep the dancefloor (mosh pit) buzzing, the crowd happy, deliver the right tunes in the best sequence for the event, etc. THAT part is the art of the DJ, not technical skills...that is not art, that is a learned technique.......

I disagree then, that part is what ANY DJ has to do, even "Dave's Mobile Disco" at a wedding - selecting and playing tracks isn't the artistic part in my eyes, that's just the very bare minimum requirement. Art is creative, I see no creativity in choosing records and pressing play. Like I say, I do exactly this on a Saturday - yes there's a certain skill and intuition in making the correct selection, but I don't think I'm being creative or artistic in doing so.

However when I play house music I CAN be creative; loops, acapellas, samples, even just two tracks on top of each other to make something new for a couple of minutes.

In the same way that an artist plonking a pile of dirty bricks into an art gallery and calling it a "work of art" can. Remember, the cult of the DJ is all about the NAME......top Dj's are not always technically perfect, but their name commands the crowds!!!!!

No you cant mix rock tracks like you can trance, for example, its a totally different style, but that is not to say it is not an art form. Its not just about mixing and scratching, that is a common mis conception of the DJ......a rock DJ is performing his 'art' if he can keep the dancefloor (mosh pit) buzzing, the crowd happy, deliver the right tunes in the best sequence for the event, etc. THAT part is the art of the DJ, not technical skills...that is not art, that is a learned technique.......

Why don't you just come out and say that you think all dance DJ's are ****. I think that's what you're getting at.

The art in DJ'ing is crafting a set that will fill the dancefloor and keep it moving. The best way to do this is by moving seamlessly from one track to another to keep the crowd locked in. This can be by simply mixing from one track to another or creating loops/using acapellas to get you from A to B. Therefore, the art of DJ'ing is not only in the tune selection but in the technical ability of the DJ as well. I'll admit, not all the big names DJ's are great at doing this. But I think one reason fro this is the technology has moved faster than some of the original guys have. Some have embraced it, and some haven't. Therefore some of the people who were pushing the boundaries in the late 80's/erly 90's now don't sound as good. But they still have the basic ability to mix. I have never heard one 'big name' as you put it who can't at least beat mix.

Remember, the cult of the DJ is all about the NAME......

That's not true either, you're making assumptions. I'd rather go to a tiny venue and see an obscure DJ who's records I buy, regardless of whether or not anyone else likes them. Give me that over Carl Cox et al anyday. There's many a time I've enjoyed the residents more than the headliners, the likes of Krysko at Sankeys or Scott & Scooby at Shindig.

Totally agree with Chris on this one and the cult of the dj certainly is not just about the name. Fair play there has been some examples of this over the years, I remember reading an interview with Boy George in the mid 90s when he'd been djing a while and he was saying he'd only just learnt to beat match!!....an essential skill for a house dj and yet he'd been headlining clubs throughout the country! However, thankfully this is not the norm and the djs that have made a name for themselves within the genres of music that I'm into, such as Z Trip, Paul Nice, Andy Smith and countless others, have done so on skill alone.

Slightly off topic, but those off you into cutting, scratching, blending....however you wanna mix those tracks together, do you ever think, 'I wonder if anyone else has ever done this mix before?' I always buzz of that!! :)

Its sounds a bit cheesey - but I'd recomend the book "How to DJ Properly" by Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton - which is a great sensible (and funny) run through of the essentials (ie not just the technical bits) of DJing - its about a tenner in Waterstones or from Amazon


Excellent book, id recommend that too

Jody

a rock DJ is performing his 'art' if he can keep the dancefloor (mosh pit) buzzing, the crowd happy, deliver the right tunes in the best sequence for the event, etc. THAT part is the art of the DJ, not technical skills...that is not art, that is a learned technique.......Thats any DJ. A good Dj knows how to play a set not just records. A set is sum of the records and is greater than the sum of its parts. A set is taking a room full of people on a journey via the music. Its directing the emotions and the atmosphere in the room and causing the music to peak and trough while keeping the crowd happy and attentive to the music. Its a valuable and rare skill and it needs a decent amount of time to do it. At least 2 hours and more than that is better. This is the dance DJ's greatest skill.

I don't really see how a rock DJ can do the same. If you aren't really allowed to be creative due to the volume of requests and the music by its very nature doesn't flow its not really possible to be as creative

Rock Djs tend to be constrained by their crowd wanting to hear tunes that they know - so putting together a great but obscure set isnt really an option available to them.

A few hip hop djs have done interesting things with rock in their sets....If you can be bothered, check Z Trip's Live in LA set and the KROQ Radio Show here: http://www.djztrip.com/downloads.html

The fella mixes and scratches the likes of Nirvana, Led Zep, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd...with incredible ease. Its probably your traditional rockers worst nightmare, but when I've heard sets like this its torn the roof off! Caught The X-Ecutioners in Leeds a couple of years ago and when they played Smells like Teens Spirit amongst the hip hop the place went bonkers!! :nod:

Why don't you just come out and say that you think all dance DJ's are ****. I think that's what you're getting at.

WRONG....but there are SOME bad ones out there.....I have heard some fantastic ones, but not resorting to name dropping on here....

WRONG....but there are SOME bad ones out there.....I have heard some fantastic ones, but not resorting to name dropping on here....go on name drop, who do you like?! i'll tell you mine if you tell me yours!

Rock Djs tend to be constrained by their crowd wanting to hear tunes that they know - so putting together a great but obscure set isnt really an option available to them..How wrong can one person be ???? I can throw in a track that not many people know, or made by myself and will have people coming up asking "where can I get that track ?

WRONG....but there are SOME bad ones out there.....I have heard some fantastic ones, but not resorting to name dropping on here....

Saying who the best DJ's you've heard are is hardly name dropping.

How wrong can one person be ???? ?

Not very! I've been to enough rock bars & clubs in my time to know that virtually every rock DJ playing a fri/sat prime slot will play from a very limited pool of records - because their crowd will only dance to tunes that they know.

Not very! I've been to enough rock bars & clubs in my time to know that virtually every rock DJ playing a fri/sat prime slot will play from a very limited pool of records - because their crowd will only dance to tunes that they know.

This is always a hot issue.....its true some rock DJ's stick to well known and tested 'formulas' so as not to upset the dance floor or the regulars, but there are DJ's who will suddenly throw in unexpected new material in such a way that it blends seamlessly with the material both before and after........it all depends on the venue, the nature of the crowd, ie old or not so old....the latter is usually open to experimentation with music whilst the older crowd prefer to stick with their Whitesnake, Guns N Roses and Motley Crue, etc.......

its like a classic trance night where you cant really play any new stuff, the 'older skool' members of the crowd expect the tried and tested trance classic gems, and wont be in the mood for previously unheard or rare material....this concept crosses ALL genres of music, it depends on the TYPE of night, the age range of the patrons, etc

With Indie/Rock I think Bar DJing and Club DJing are a bit different You can get away with more obscure/up-front stuff in a bar, but in a club when you've got responsibility for the dancefloor you have to think twice

With Indie/Rock I think Bar DJing and Club DJing are a bit different You can get away with more obscure/up-front stuff in a bar, but in a club when you've got responsibility for the dancefloor you have to think twice

I agree. You tend to have more rigid play-list formulas in clubs.....as a general rule anyway, but it does depend on what sort of night it is..ie classic rock is really restricted to....well..classic rock, which is a finite selection of tunes in relation to dancefloor action.....

There is an art to rock DJing. For example you can't/shouldn't play Bon Jovi straight after a Slayer track. It sounds wrong.

The hardest rock night I do is a rock night which is mixed in with chart and disco. I get rockers in wanting to hear AC/DC and non rockers wanting to hear Robyn and Rhianna. I have to go from one extreme to the other - it's house policy. It sounds terrible, but the crowd love it.

I secretly get a buzz from finding the most extreme rock requests and the most clashing pop track that has also been asked for and blatently clashing them one after the other. Nobody really cares. I get a buzz because I wouldn't get away with it anywhere else! Great fun.

There is an art to rock DJing. For example you can't/shouldn't play Bon Jovi straight after a Slayer track. It sounds wrong.

The tried and tested route would be

Slayer>Metallica>GunsnRoses>Motley Crue >Bon Jovi

...I spent too many nights in dodgy clubs with a friend who DJ's rock...

;)

There is an art to rock DJing. For example you can't/shouldn't play Bon Jovi straight after a Slayer track. It sounds wrong.



Yeah but as a couple of us have said, choosing songs is just a minimum requirement of DJing, it's just knowing your music - what works and when - and frankly you shouldn't be standing there DJing if you don't know this before you start. Choosing the tracks is essentially ALL a DJ has to do, whether or not they then go on to do something artistic and creative with them is another matter IMO.

Like I said, I do exactly the same with soul/funk etc on a Saturday. Yes I have to choose the right ones at the right time, but I'm not being artistic by doing so, just doing my job. For example; If I play "Rapper's Delight" after "Pick up the Pieces" I'm just choosing tunes, but if I cut the drum break from the former over the horn break of the latter, I'm being creative, doing more than just playing the records.

I like horses!