So, you want to be a DJ? [Part One]

In todays day and age, everybody wants to be a DJ. Our generation has become so tech savvy , we have honed skills that most generations before us cannot grasp. Welcome to the digital age. Even with technology at our finger tips it takes great perseverance and dedication to become a electronic music disc jockey. It's a really awesome undertaking if you decide to get into it. I've done it and I enjoy it to the max, so I'm going to share with you some tips on getting deeper into the music that you love so much.

1. The Collection

First of all, you need to have a pretty extensive collection of music. It does not have to be a single genre in EDM, but a good mix of music can get you far.  You never want to limit your imagination when you are mixing. On top of having around 50-100 GB of music, make sure you know that music inside out. Love each and every track in your collection as if were the most bomb track you have ever heard in your life. It's all about the passion. With that said, always be on the hunt for new music. You must have the hunger for music.

2. Professional or Hobby? You choose.

Secondly, you have to choose whether you want to do it as a career, or just a hobby. Let me warn you though, it can be a very expensive hobby. If you want it to be a career, it can be a good idea to invest in lessons at music academies. Making an investment here will pay off in the long run so don't worry about the costs of lessons. Some people may need many lessons and others very few. It all depends on how fast you can pick up on it. 

As a hobby, it's certainly a costly venture, but it may lead to a career or even a part-time career. Make sure you have some money in the bank before you decide to go this route. (It's surprisingly the most popular one to take!)

3. Know Thy Sound

This is the toughest part for those deciding on becoming DJ's. (especially professionals) Each big name DJ has something that sets them apart from the competition. Their sound. Your sound can be what genre you love the most, certain kinds of breaks you have in your tracks, anything that will set you apart. The worst things I've seen amature DJ's do it trying to copy sounds of the big boys and girls. Never do this because you will fail miserably. Don't expect your sound to pop up over night because  it takes years of practice and development to finally conjure up something that you can call entirely your own. Choose whether you want to be commercial, underground or a specialist in a particular category and life will become much easier. You'll know how to market yourself and network effectively with your sound identified. (More to come on that topic later.)

4.  The Right Gear

Next, having the right equipment is very important. Depending on what you want to achieve, buy the right equipment. As a beginner into the scene, you may not have a ton of knowledge about the ins and outs of equipment, but the guys and gals at the local DJ depot will! Don't be afraid to go down and ask questions about what you want to accomplish and what would work best for you. In relation to having the right sound, your equipment will help to determine it. There are so many options these days for DJ set-ups. You can be pure analogue like Sydney Blu (who by the way can still rock any room with that simple set-up) or you can make it more complex with software such as Traktor Pro or Serato.(I will be doing a full article later on about software and its uses) The equipment you choose will help determine your sound, so choose wisely. 

5. Practice, practice, practice

After all is said and done, this is all that remains. You and your music vs. your gear. Practice as much as you can and get very comfortable with your stuff. Don't be afraid to experiment and never ever shun genres of electronic music. If you love something, find a way to use it.