How To Be A DJ: Perfect The Art Of Playing Records On The Decks!

When you think of a DJ, you may think of someone who plays songs on a radio, someone who plays songs at a wedding or someone who spins records on decks at clubs. DJ is an acronym for a disc jockey, a term that began in the 1950s when radio personalities first came into the picture. Although music was played over the airwaves for decades prior, the DJ was a personality figure who appealed to teenagers. The 1950s was the first decade where the value of marketing to teenagers came to light. As a result, those who played popular songs on the radio not only had to play the top songs, they had to also have personalities that the teens admired so that they would listen in to their broadcast.
The DJ has been an institution in the radio industry over the past 50 years, although the role has changed dramatically, especially over the past 20 years. In the 1980s, new technology made it possible for people to become a DJ for a wedding as well as other events. Hiring a DJ to play music at a wedding over amplifiers was considerably cheaper than hiring a live band. As a result, there was a whole new venue opened up for those who had considerable knowledge of music and the money to purchase the equipment.
House music was also born in the 1980s. This consisted of mixing various different types of music, usually from recordings, and making them into a unique sound of their own. This can be done in a variety of different ways, although a good DJ who plays in a club will use vinyl records to create their own sound. Vinyl records and turntables, once considered a relic of the past after the advent of the CD and CD players, made a comeback in clubs.
Putting it simply, a DJ is someone with a considerable knowledge of music, a large collection of music and who knows how to play the music in a way that others will want to listen to the music. Someone can be a DJ on the radio, a DJ in a club or a DJ playing for weddings and parties. Although you should go to school for broadcasting if you want to get on the radio, you do not have to have any type of degree to start your own business as a DJ who plays at weddings and other events. You do need a following in order to become a DJ for a popular club.
The most important attribute a DJ has is a vast knowledge of music and what people want to hear. The second most important attribute of a DJ is their personality. Both of these factors combined can make someone into a very popular and well paid DJ. These attributes are not learned in a classroom, but they can be acquired through studying music as well as the art of entertaining others.
By reading this book, you will learn how you can get started in the exciting world of spinning records for others. Whether you hope to get a job in a hot club as a DJ, or if you just want to do your own thing and have a business where you earn money on the side for playing at weddings and other events, you can do it by following the instructions that are outlined in this book.
Chapter 2 - Learn All About Music
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The most important attribute a DJ has to have is a vast knowledge of music. Not just popular music, because this comes and goes throughout the decades, but all music. A good DJ will know the right song to play and when. Even a DJ who mixes vinyl in a club knows which sounds go well with one another. Being musically inclined is vital to someone who wants to be a DJ. This does not necessarily mean that they know how to play a musical instrument, but they should know all about music, from classical to hip hop, in order to be a successful DJ.
The most successful of all of those in the DJ business have a great appreciation for music. They are well aware of all the genres and although may prefer one over another, realize that all music is basically a combination of several different types of music. Musicians today all got their inspiration from musicians from the past. Who got their inspiration from musicians of the past. And so on.
Consider, for example, the band Oasis. Not difficult to realize their basic influence, which was The Beatles. The Beatles, on the other hand, were influenced by a variety of different musicians, including Elvis Presley. Presley was influenced by other musicians as well as other genres, including gospel. All music today stems from a variety of different genres.
Most people think that the club DJ only spins vinyl using club mixes. However, they have to get the music for these mixes in some way. Many of them will use a combination of pumped in sound through synthesizers as well as vinyl records that they spin in a certain way that alters the sound. By doing this, they are creating a specific sound. This is similar to playing a musical instrument. However, as anyone who has ever attempted to play a musical instrument knows, not all the sounds that come from the instrument are good. Some of them are bound to be real clinkers if the person who is playing the instrument does not practice...