DJ Lessons

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If someone ran a series of DJ lessons (aimed at the mobile market), what would you want to learn?

It could be anything from basic electrics to mic use etc etc

[OllieJames]

If someone ran a series of DJ lessons (aimed at the mobile market), what would you want to learn?

It could be anything from basic electrics to mic use etc etc

How to stream requests you don't have through YouTube?

Just joking :D

How to beatmix properly would be my lessons of choice.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Every year in my town, they have a big festival. Loads of different stages with live music etc and for the past 2 years they have had a tent with some breakdancers, mc's etc and a guy teaching people how to beat mix, scratch etc..

I know it's not the same thing a teaching people to do what we do but I thought I'd mention it. I'm one of those people that believes it comes natural. If you've got it, you've got. Mind you, there are plenty of people out there that could probably (more likely) out-beat mix me easily etc etc but can they read a crowd, use the mic properly etc etc? If you could teach that then yes, I think it would work.

[flatliners]

how to programme dmx

[Charlie Brown]

Just mixing and how to set up uplighting properly.

Marketing is important too.

[Corabar Entertainment]

We must be psychic Darren!

I have been thinking about how 'tutorials' / 1 day courses in specific aspects of DJing would be useful.

Give someone the 'how & what' basics - enough for them to go away and take it further by themselves.

Yes, beat-matching would be an obvious one, but I would also love to see things like:-

DMX programming
H&S law for the DJ
Basic maintenance

...I did think of others, but that's the ones I can remember atm!

[MagicMusic]

DJ basics such as how the equipment works, when to mix a song in / out etc.

How to actually connect all of the equipment together and general tips and tricks.

There would also need to be a business aspect covering basic information regarding what is involved when running a mobile dj company.

[WWDJ]

How to 'play something decent' ? :D :D :D lol

Aside from the fact that i know everything already ... ;)

- tips on how to really get the crowd going (tunes to play and where to cut / mix / drop them)
- what to do with a lethargic crowd
- how to upsell, because round here people have a low image of discos generally and it seems i am bashing my head against the wall even at my bargain prices ... :bang:

[simonp]

For Me it would definitely be DMX - explain it to me like a three year old and don't let me out of the room until I understand it :(

[Jiggles]

I might be able to help on the DMX front this time next year. :D Doing an HNC course in technical theatre that covers most lighting subjects. :)

[womble]

I'd like to know that what we're doing is right. We've been running for <1 year and mainly run karaoke nights, which we're happy with. We do the occasional birthday or wedding and nearly always get great feedback* but is it luck or judgement?

We'd like to break into the wedding market more in the next 12 months, we've upgraded the look of the show (stands and lighting etc.) and we're virtually got a full back-up rig in place in case of any incidents, and we're happy with working all the equipment, so I guess what we'd like to know is - are we structuring our wedding sets well? How do we get a boring crowd up and dancing? How much mic-work is necessary?

From a business side it's a case of building relationships with venues, wedding suppliers, bridal web-communities :p etc., selling your business to secure the deal, marketing for weddings (fayres, brochures, etc.) and paperwork (letters, contracts, etc.).

I could probably think of loads more too.

We've been working on moving into the wedding market already and think we're doing ok with a bit of common sense, experience and help from sources such as MDD.

I guess the next big question for most would be how much would someone pay for such a DJ course?

[Leicester Ben]

I have been contemplating setting something like this up for a while but just havent got round to it.

Once I get my bottom into gear and get this up and running I would imagine that it would work in 2 parts, the first is that DJ's come to me for advise on mixing etc and the other would be where I go to them and see them work / how they reply to enquiries etc.

I would reckon that a service like this must be worth at least £800 - £1000 for a weeks mentoring.

[Tony Scott]

I don't feel there's anything I personally would want to learn but I think a Mobile DJ course on 'How to be a good Wedding DJ' would be a great benefit for those that are just starting out.

It can be a daunting task being totally responsible the for the entertainment at a Wedding reception, if you mess up there's no second chance for the client... this is a one off event that has to be got right!

I'm sure those among us who are old hands at Wedding work would agree that there are thing that you have to learn to be a great 'Wedding DJ'. That knowledge is quite often gained by using your clients as guinea pigs, it would be much better to learn about it in advance at the:

'Solitaire School of Mobile DJing' ;) ;) :D :D

[womble]

Oh and, if a rooms this big, and my amp is this wattage and my speakers are that wattage have I got enough oomph?

[yourdj]

I have just finished one (not for me :p ).

£10 an hour and he is buying all my rubbish lights too!

Some bloke called me out of the blue yesterday as he is doing a mates wedding and a friends 21st and needed some advice.
I taught him how to use the software, tracks to play. How to set up stuff and when to play certain things (ie wedding etiquette).

I think this is a good part time way to earn money as long as you dont train too much competition.

:D

[Tony Scott]

£10 an hour and he is buying all my rubbish lights too!

Better hope he's not reading this then eh? :D

[STEVE HANLEY]

How to tell a guest that the track they're wanting me to play this instant, will totally kill my full dancefloor.

Without resorting to telling them to go and throw sh:Censored: e at the moon:D :D

Obviously beatmatching is awesome when it's done properly, But I don't think it's necessary for the mobile game I.E Long intros and outros not sure if that would work at wedding

[Penfold42]

How to beatmix properly would be my lessons of choice.
On with this....another string to the bow. :)


DMX programming
H&S law for the DJ
Basic maintenance


Good shout. :)

All these are good.
I would add -
Good communication skills
How to defuse awkward situations
....and how to spot a drunk punter at 10 paces....:p :D


...and don't turn it up anymore can't you see the red stuff out of their ears yet!
Sound Levels. :)

[Excalibur]

Mixing and DMX.

[rob1963]

I don't feel there's anything I personally would want to learn

Same here, but I'm a bit confused as to whether the question is directed at us as we are now...or what we would want if we were just starting out in the business.

:confused:

[JTRS]

Mixing and DMX.

The local NADJ arranged for an expert to explain DMX lighting to the members and guests a few weeks ago and I learnt so much, I have to say it's well worth learning if you can find someone willing and able to explain it in a way that makes sense.

JTRS

[DJ INDIE]

people attending classes like these may all be about the music and mic, but a section on buying your equipment wisely would pay huge dividends in the long run.

ie looking for Spl & dispersion rather than Watts, better lights rather than more, etc etc

[DeckstarDeluxe]

i think most things you learn at a gig rather than in a classroom but stuff like setting up equipment correctly and dmxing is useful

[Spirits High]

I have been contemplating setting something like this up for a while but just havent got round to it.

I would reckon that a service like this must be worth at least £800 - £1000 for a weeks mentoring.

I did a week one to one course at DJ Academy in September of 2008 and it was £750, tailored to what I wanted.

[STEVE HANLEY]

I did a week one to one course at DJ Academy in September of 2008 and it was £750, tailored to what I wanted.

I'm glad you got what you wanted out of it, But to me thats a lot of cash for one weeks course. What on earth was involved for that kind of cash?

[Leicester Ben]

Its only a lot of cash if you arent serious about building your business!

People invest in equipment, Cd's etc, why not invest in themselves and learn how the industry works.

If I had done an intensive weeks training when I left uni I may have alreay retired :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

well its the difference from going out for 120 and 600 a week?

Do the maths ;)

[DJmissbehaving]

Mine would definately be mic work.....
I feel this is the only draw back i have. I struggle to be confident on a mic but i suppose most of this is down to me not being a confident person and I have only been djing on and off for a year and a hlaf i would say.
My voice is the same when i speak through a mic to when i speak normally and i feel my voice is very dull so it would definately be mic work for me

[STEVE HANLEY]

Its only a lot of cash if you arent serious about building your business!

People invest in equipment, Cd's etc, why not invest in themselves and learn how the industry works.

If I had done an intensive weeks training when I left uni I may have alreay retired :)


well its the difference from going out for 120 and 600 a week?

Do the maths ;)

So go on then I'm going to give you X amount of cash what are going to teach me thats going to triple my amount of bookings? Sorry profit?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Mine would definately be mic work.....
I feel this is the only draw back i have. I struggle to be confident on a mic but i suppose most of this is down to me not being a confident person and I have only been djing on and off for a year and a hlaf i would say.
My voice is the same when i speak through a mic to when i speak normally and i feel my voice is very dull so it would definately be mic work for me

I had the same thing for awhile but one day it kidda clicked. I do put on a voice though slighty and helps having the mic settings correct too

[yourdj]

Better hope he's not reading this then eh? :D

:D

Well the par cans are battered but i sold him a tri phase and four cans for £145 which is not too bad :)

Right! Im planning the sylabus and getting on gumtree asap. ;)

Basics - mixing, DJ tequnique, basic equipment/gear
Equipment - buying the right kit first time round - personal shopper
Gig coach - etiquette for different events, mic work, gig organization/admin
Technical help - sound systems, lighting, playout, backup etc.

£10 an hour :confused:

[Dance FX]

I did a week one to one course at DJ Academy in September of 2008 and it was £750, tailored to what I wanted.

I contacted DJ Academy about a course for Phill and they just weren't interested in the least. :eek: I called them and they said they would call back but didn't, I left it a few weeks and called again, got hold of the boss and he was just not interested in talking to me! Said they didnt have any DJ's available due to the recession!!!

Phill has taken a mixing course with a company called Subbass and had a great time, all staff friendly and helpful and the instructor was very impressed with Phill's mixing skills too so happy all round :)

We have booked a logic course with them now to get him on the road to producing!

There is a big gap in the market for Mobile DJ training.

[A1DL]

Oh and, if a rooms this big, and my amp is this wattage and my speakers are that wattage have I got enough oomph?


Perhaps Lesson No.1 in these classes should be to teach some basic physics, i.e. that the "wattage" of speakers is about as useful an indicator of whether you have enough "oomph" as whether it's raining outside.

[Spirits High]

I contacted DJ Academy about a course for Phill and they just weren't interested in the least. :eek: I called them and they said they would call back but didn't, I left it a few weeks and called again, got hold of the boss and he was just not interested in talking to me! Said they didnt have any DJ's available due to the recession!!!


Must admit their admin leaves alot to be desired. I'm still waiting for my certificate to say that I attended despite numerous phonecalls , emails etc even grabbed hold of them last year at NADJ but still nothing :bang:

[rob1963]

Perhaps Lesson No.1 in these classes should be to teach some basic physics, i.e. that the "wattage" of speakers is about as useful an indicator of whether you have enough "oomph" as whether it's raining outside.

The same lesson should also state that if the speakers RMS wattage is NOT looked at & taken notice of, the first time you use your system you could blow the speakers up!

[yourdj]

The same lesson should also state that if the speakers RMS wattage is NOT looked at & taken notice of, the first time you use your system you could blow the speakers up!

Yes advice on buying the right stuff is the most important i think as i think most DJ's have bought a load of gear they wished they hadnt :)

[Excalibur]

I did a week one to one course at DJ Academy in September of 2008 and it was £750, tailored to what I wanted.
I did the cheaper course. Thirty five years in the University Of Life, School of Hard Knocks. ;) ;) :D :D :D


Mine would definately be mic work.....
I feel this is the only draw back i have. I struggle to be confident on a mic but i suppose most of this is down to me not being a confident person and I have only been djing on and off for a year and a hlaf i would say.
My voice is the same when i speak through a mic to when i speak normally and i feel my voice is very dull so it would definately be mic work for me
I'm not a confident person either Pam, but give me a mic, and all Donkey hind legs in the area are in great danger!!I've been unable to make anyone understand that I don't have a different voice on the mic, but a different persona/personality.


Perhaps Lesson No.1 in these classes should be to teach some basic physics, i.e. that the "wattage" of speakers is about as useful an indicator of whether you have enough "oomph" as whether it's raining outside.
I must have missed that day at school Tony. :o :o What units is "Oomph" measured in? :confused: :confused: :confused:


Yes advice on buying the right stuff is the most important i think as i think most DJ's have bought a load of gear they wished they hadnt :)
Guilty as charged. :o :o :( :(

[Steve the DJ]

I would reckon that a service like this must be worth at least £800 - £1000 for a weeks mentoring.

Coaching & mentoring is very different to teaching in a classroom or workshop environment and requires specific skills for it to be really effective.

A professional Life Coach would certainly be charging far more than that for a week.


I guess the next big question for most would be how much would someone pay for such a DJ course?

A professional trainer with specialist knowledge will be charging a day rate of around £500 + expenses.

Many training providers bring them in on a freelance basis to deliver say a 3 day course to 6 - 8 delegates all paying £800 - £1200 each.

Also it is important for a trainer to understand different learning styles, how to conduct a thorough TNA and how to check understanding to ensure delegates actually learn the things that they are attending for.

You can't just stand up and deliver stuff like this without the right set of skills, it can be a disaster!

Knowing how to do a job doesn't mean you are the right person to tell everyone else how to do it. Being able to stand up in front of a crowd and entertain is a world away from helping people learn and I know this because I do both.

[Excalibur]

Knowing how to do a job doesn't mean you are the right person to tell everyone else how to do it. Being able to stand up in front of a crowd and entertain is a world away from helping people learn and I know this because I do both.

" Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach"

Not one of mine, sadly, and if you don't observe the commas, it's gibberish. And it's not aimed at Steve, just a truism which has a modicum of truth attached from time to time.

[yourdj]

Guilty as charged. :o :o :( :(

i bought a load of rubbish when i started and sold it all very quickly. What a waste of money. :o

[Excalibur]

i bought a load of rubbish when i started and sold it all very quickly. What a waste of money. :o


Penmare will be here in about half an hour, opining that I'm still using my rubbish.
;) :D :D

[OllieJames]

I must have missed that day at school Tony. :o :o What units is "Oomph" measured in? :confused: :confused: :confused:

It's measured in GBO's, Peter. Great British Oomphs. There are kilaoomphs as well. ;) :D

[womble]

It's measured in GBO's, Peter. Great British Oomphs. There are kilaoomphs as well. ;) :D

Ah! I thought it was OMGs?

[Tony Scott]

Same here, but I'm a bit confused as to whether the question is directed at us as we are now...or what we would want if we were just starting out in the business. :confused:

I'm guessing the latter hence the rest of my post.. :)


Mixing and DMX.

When do you want me to start.. :D

[DJMaxG]

It depends on what the person already knows :

I would say :
- Presentation
- Correct type of sound system to use, and how to use it
- Setting the overall music volume and microphone settings correctly
- How to be confident using a microphone, and not overconfident
- How to deal with situations such as fights, powercuts etc
- Dress Code
- What to play
- Demonstrating that there are several products available, not one
- How to market themselves (eg not Youtube videos filmed with a camera phone)
- Pricing
- Administration
- Customer Service
- Different equipment options available
- How not to bore crowds by being sat down behind a box with a table lamp
- Mixing Skills (something hardly mentioned on the MDD) ;)


There seems to be no set rules with DJing, hence a wide range of standards. Some will arrive with a budget setup and a load of ileal music files, where's others take pride with what they offer and how they present themselves. Some believe one thing, others believe another.

[DazzyD]

For me it would have to include proper mixing/beatmatching, DMX and business skills (admin, promotion, etc.)


I have just finished one (not for me :p ).

£10 an hour and he is buying all my rubbish lights too!

...

:D

£10 an hour? Where do I sign? In 1993 I worked for Apple and part of my job was to teach clients (mostly corporate and education clients) how to use new Apple systems and software packages. For this, my company charged £125+vat per hour per head. I was meant to be an in-house programmer but there wasn't much call for this so they had me diversify!


I'm glad you got what you wanted out of it, But to me thats a lot of cash for one weeks course. What on earth was involved for that kind of cash?

A lot of cash for a week? I know of trade (not ours) seminars lasting two days that cost double this. Unfortunately, I can't afford to attend any so I can't commentate further! :(