Are you in the Ann Arbor/Detroit area interested in learning more about DJ’ing as a skill, hobby or business? DJ Lessons can be a valuable tool if you are interested in pursuing this as a career. Send us a message, here’s what we can cover and teach you!
Course Title: Essential DJ Skills
Course Description: This course is designed to provide aspiring DJs with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the art of DJing. From beatmatching to mixing techniques, students will learn the essential skills that form the foundation of DJ performance. Through hands-on practice and theoretical instruction, participants will gain the confidence and ability to create seamless transitions, read crowds, and deliver captivating DJ sets.
I. Introduction to DJing A. Definition and a basic history of DJing B. Roles and responsibilities of a DJ C. Overview of different DJ setups and equipment.
II. Understanding Music and Beats A. Basics of music theory for DJs B. Introduction to BPM (Beats Per Minute) C. Identifying and counting beats D. Understanding song structure and phrasing
III. Beatmatching and Tempo Control A. Introduction to beatmatching B. Manual beatmatching techniques C. Using pitch control and tempo adjustment D. Practicing beatmatching with different genres
IV. Mixing Techniques and Transitions A. Introduction to mixing B. Crossfading and volume control C. EQing and frequency blending D. Transition techniques: cuts, blends, and fades E. Utilizing Stems in Mixing
V. Music Selection and Preparation A. Building a diverse music library B. Understanding different genres and styles C. Analyzing and organizing music files D. Creating playlists and setlists E. DJ Tools like record pools & Crate Hackers.
VI. DJ Equipment and Software A. Overview of DJ controllers, mixers, and CDJs B. Introduction to DJ software (e.g., Serato, Rekordbox) C. Understanding audio interfaces and sound systems D. Setting up and troubleshooting equipment
VII. Performance Techniques A. Reading the crowd and adapting to different venues B. Creating energy and flow in a DJ set C. Harmonic mixing and key matching D. Using effects and samples creatively E. What are stems?
IX. Live Performance and Mixing A. Introduction to cueing and headphone monitoring B. Proper microphone handling and announcements C. Handling requests and interacting with the audience D. Troubleshooting common live performance issues
X. Advanced DJ Techniques A. Beat juggling and advanced scratching techniques B. Remixing and mashup production (Ableton edits) C. Using loops, samples, and acapellas (stems) D. Digital DJing and MIDI controllers
XI. Introduction to Scratching and Turntablism A. Basic scratch techniques (baby scratch, chirp, stab) C. Incorporating scratches into DJ sets D. Introduction to turntablism culture
XII. DJ Promotion and Networking A. Developing an online presence (social media, websites) B. Creating DJ mixes and where to post C. Collaborating with other artists and promoters D. Marketing yourself as a DJ and finding gigs E. Live Streaming
XIII. DJ Ethics and Professionalism A. Copyright and licensing considerations B. Respecting artist rights and intellectual property C. Maintaining professionalism in the DJ industry D. Ethical behavior and responsibility as a DJ
XIV. Final Project and Evaluation A. Students create and perform a DJ set B. Individual feedback and evaluation of student performances C. Opportunities for peer feedback and collaboration
Note: The outline provided is a general framework and can be adjusted and expanded based on the desired depth and duration of the DJ class.