Hi Everyone!! I might be the old man in the house now. I'm 55 years old and I've DJ occasionally for friends parties, Christmas parties, etc. I must have done a decent job with just two CD decks, cuz I've been asked to do a wedding, a class reunion party, and another Christmas party. Anyway, to be a DJ has always been a dream of mine; so I've finally decided to take care of this "Bucket List" item and take DJing seriously. But I'm gonna need help and hopefully I can count on people like you to get my DJ career pumping!! I love Hip Hop and R&B, classic Rock N' Roll (70's & 80's), and can jam to 50's & 60's music. I'm concentrating on being a mobile DJ; weddings, small parties, etc. I've just purchased my laptop, and I'm leaning to using the Rock It DJ software. But I'm a rookie and I need to learn. With help from people like you I should be rockin and blowin da house down soon.
Newbie, Rookie, In Da House!!
- Thread starter Dragono
- Start date
Well you have come to the right place. Rick (Rockits author) is a regular member here and there is lots of good advice to be had
Welcome aboard
Welcome aboard
Awesome Welcome!!
Thanks for the awesome welcome and positive responses. Yes, I will have a back up with two CD decks until I can afford to buy another laptop. So, what should be my next purchase? External sound card, amp, mix controller, or speakers? I plan on practice, practice, practice my beat matching and getting use to the Rock It software until the Christmas party.
Thanks for the awesome welcome and positive responses. Yes, I will have a back up with two CD decks until I can afford to buy another laptop. So, what should be my next purchase? External sound card, amp, mix controller, or speakers? I plan on practice, practice, practice my beat matching and getting use to the Rock It software until the Christmas party.
Welcome aboard......
There are a ton of options for today's modern DJ... best thing to do is lay out what you have now, see what you can continue to use and then augment with what you don't have in order to step forward. Let us know what kind of budget you are working with, etc. Then once you start making money you can replace the older gear.
The goal is not to break the bank before you go out on your first gig.
There are a ton of options for today's modern DJ... best thing to do is lay out what you have now, see what you can continue to use and then augment with what you don't have in order to step forward. Let us know what kind of budget you are working with, etc. Then once you start making money you can replace the older gear.
The goal is not to break the bank before you go out on your first gig.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
I suggest you put the beat mixing practice on the back burner and instead take that time and energy to:
(1) Increase your music knowledge - know what music you have and what can work in certain situations. If you don't know what music you have, it's gonna be a lot tougher. Music is your inventory.
2) Work on your MC skills - it's gotta be natural, not forced. Use your true voice - not a made-up radio/DJ voice. This is a skill that will be always be in need of review, rework, practice and adjustments.
3) Perfect your people skills - at every event every guest is a potential client. It's a simple concept, but be genuinely nice. Again, being yourself goes a long way.
So many DJ's I've seen are a little on the arrogant side and not approachable. Be approachable, be open, and above all SMILE! It's infectious.
Music and your equipment are just tools. YOU will be the difference, your attitude, your confidence, your experience and your SKILLS.
(1) Increase your music knowledge - know what music you have and what can work in certain situations. If you don't know what music you have, it's gonna be a lot tougher. Music is your inventory.
2) Work on your MC skills - it's gotta be natural, not forced. Use your true voice - not a made-up radio/DJ voice. This is a skill that will be always be in need of review, rework, practice and adjustments.
3) Perfect your people skills - at every event every guest is a potential client. It's a simple concept, but be genuinely nice. Again, being yourself goes a long way.
So many DJ's I've seen are a little on the arrogant side and not approachable. Be approachable, be open, and above all SMILE! It's infectious.
Music and your equipment are just tools. YOU will be the difference, your attitude, your confidence, your experience and your SKILLS.
Welcome! Experience and time teaches. Practicing is good because it will come as second nature to you during a live performance.
You wrote"I love Hip Hop and R&B, classic Rock N' Roll (70's & 80's), and can jam to 50's & 60's music. "
What is more important is learning what your audience likes. Don't push your taste on them. There are a whole lot more genres out there that will be requested from you.
Once again, welcome to the Board.
You wrote"I love Hip Hop and R&B, classic Rock N' Roll (70's & 80's), and can jam to 50's & 60's music. "
What is more important is learning what your audience likes. Don't push your taste on them. There are a whole lot more genres out there that will be requested from you.
Once again, welcome to the Board.
Great Advice
Wow!! You guys have given me a lot of great advice. Yes, I plan on giving myself one year to get all my music together and becoming very familiar with all my jamz. I have been reading up on music theory; i.e. beats, bars, phrases, measures, etc., to help me with beat matching and creating my own mixes. In the few gigs I have worked, I've discussed with my clients what music are "must have" for their party. That way I include their music with my own.
Wow!! You guys have given me a lot of great advice. Yes, I plan on giving myself one year to get all my music together and becoming very familiar with all my jamz. I have been reading up on music theory; i.e. beats, bars, phrases, measures, etc., to help me with beat matching and creating my own mixes. In the few gigs I have worked, I've discussed with my clients what music are "must have" for their party. That way I include their music with my own.
