To be A Pro DJ

DJing is art. To be a DJ means that you are on top of the music scene. To be a REALLY good DJ means that you are on top of all the other DJs around you. That is simple logic.

So what makes a good DJ? We believe, first and foremost, playing for the crowd. If the crowd is jumpin' n screamin' to your cuts, then you know that you are rocking the party.

These days, everyone wants to hear the latest and hottest tracks. This responsibility lies upon the DJ. Exclusiveness has certainly brought about the success of some of the top DJs out there today.

In today's club scene however, being able to play the tracks the crowd wants is not simply enough. You need to hype the crowd up by being able to pull 'stunts' on the decks that no other DJ can. We all know of one such way, and that is turntablism. The problem with scratching is though, unless done to perfection, the crowd is not going to respond to it.

Technology is great these days, and due to this, DJing has come a very, very long way. Still, no DJ can do the things a remix can, live on stage. Well perhaps, but not on every single track. It will take planning and a lot of pre-work. Why go through all that when most of the crowd will think that you're playing a remix anyway? The only real thing you should be doing is be able to switch tracks to fit the mood of the crowd, or be able to change the mood of the crowd by selecting the tracks you choose to play.

Playing DJ remixes is the answer to that problem. We have remixes in the DJ industry today, simply because they are effective in what we want to achieve, and that is, dance floor hype.

The only set back is, most of the remixes that you have that are not done by you, the next DJ to jump on the decks will probably have. In fact, it will probably be on the net for the whole dance floor to download anyway. Not very 'exclusive' is it?

So, if you can play what the crowd wants, which is essentially the latest material mixed up with old crowd favorites, and you can deliver it in a such a way that the crowd is dazzled, and nobody else can do what you can do, then Mr. DJ, put the record on, because you are going to be the latest craze in the club scene. 

DJing economy profession

At this point I go into detail to let them know that not only am I paid well, but I don’t have to necessarily worry about the local or national economy.  Sure the economy affects everyone in different ways but dj’s have the safety net of the “good times/bad times” rule. The rule is simple … in good times or bad, people will celebrate birthdays, holidays, anniversaries,  and even get hitched. Bars and clubs are always full of patrons on both ends of this spectrum.  Step into a nightclub and the dim lights combined with sexual tension, can provide a temporary hiatus from reality.  The dj plays a vital role in this see-saw. The music and adult beverages provide a cloak in which to hide temporarily. Notice how many local restaurant bars are now having theme nights and even karaoke?  These specialized nights are geared towards making the venue more money. Why not hire a band? Well, they can be very expensive, they take frequent breaks, and play only a limited amount of tunes.  A smart dj can even market yourself to a band to make extra money! How? Two different ways come to mind. (1) team up with a band and provide the tunes for their clients while the band breaks. (2) Make music mixes that they themselves can play at a event. Mixed dj sets keep the flow going until they return from hitting on every skirt in the room.

So to my dj brothers and sisters,  don’t worry about going down in flames in the current climate. You have more control over the money you make than ever before. The internet via blogs, Twitter and Facebook, is a free window in which you can shout out to the world “I’m open for business!”

What Radio Station??

Have you always wanted to be a disc jockey (DJ) at a popular radio station? Do you want to know what radio stations consider when searching for an on-air personality? Being a sought-after DJ takes more than just a great voice; it takes knowledge of how the radio industry operates while expressing diversity in his or her music choices. Below is a list of what you’ll need to break into the competitive radio broadcasting business, as well as what qualities radio executives or program directors may look for in aspiring radio personalities.

A dynamic personality – This is probably the most important quality that radio stations look for in a DJ. If a DJ doesn’t have a good on-air personality, he or she won’t be able to interact with the audience well. A DJ’s personality must be on target to the demographic and station’s other on-air talent. DJs represent a radio station and radio executives look for professionals who can mesh well with the station’s format and are comfortable behind the microphone. 

The ability to think on your feet – Quick thinking is a good quality to have in the radio industry. It shows you are able to respond fast in any situation. It’s essential in live radio, as there’s no time for mistakes or awkward pauses. 

Know how to operate a soundboard and other industry equipment – Radio station executives expect you to know how to operate the equipment on Day One. Training is sometimes provided for the right candidate or if the station receives new equipment, but a DJ should be fully trained in this area before stepping into the studio. 

Be available to work at any hour – DJs should be willing to work the afternoon shift or the overnight shift. Oftentimes, radio stations hold special events or promotions requiring DJs to be present. These events could take place on the weekends or at night, usually opposite of the DJs scheduled air time. DJs may often be asked to record spots or commercials before, during or after a shift. Having a flexible schedule can help to make a real impact in the radio industry. 

Stay updated on current events – News, weather and sports are a large part of radio, even if you work with just music. It’s good to always keep up on the latest events; you never know when you’ll be talking about it on the air. A successful DJ will discuss topical events with audience participation through phone calls, email and text messages. 

Be willing to adjust to a format – A newly trained DJ should choose a genre to specialize in, whether it is Rock, R&B, Hot Adult Contemporary, Country or Top 40 Hits. This gives DJs experience in that specific format, allowing for further growth in a larger market. A DJ should also be open to switching formats. Versatility is key because your first or second choice is not always hiring. 

An impressive audio resume tape – Audio resumes, sound clips or demos are often short snippets of a DJ’s best work. DJs will often send their work to various radio stations for consideration when a station is hiring. 

Experience – If you’re just starting out, use your experience from radio broadcasting school to help find a position. Starting off in a small market can provide enough experience to allow you to move into a bigger radio market after a few years.