DJ-ing Skills

This workshop is accessible to most clients depending on their understanding of how the equipment works, and is therefore more suitable to seven year-olds and above. The workshop will start with an introduction to the equipment, how it works and how to use it. We normally use this opportunity to show off our skills as DJs, which brings the workshop to life, gives it meaning and raises the excitement of the workshop. At this point, we also explain who we are and talk to them about our experiences as professional DJs.

Moving on from the introduction, we explain, using a combination of verbal and visual methods, how we are able to mix two tracks together – beat-matching/mixing. At this stage of the workshop, we try to get an idea of the skill and confidence within the class. With simple exercises, such as learning how to count a bar, keep in time and the relevance and importance of these skills to us as DJs, we can also get an idea of how to approach the workshop (size and time is also a factor). As a guide, 3 clients per hour will give them ample time to learn the basics. The first class is always made simple so that a feeling of accomplishment is achieved quickly, also giving the client more confidence to use the equipment. From past experience, these workshops can help build the confidence and performance skills of the young people who take them, especially those who lack confidence, as DJ-ing has such as “cool” status. We normally find that this workshop is popular because of the music that we use to teach as we usually use music that the young people listen to at home. We will provide the records but the young people are welcome to bring their own, so long as we are advised in advance of the workshop session.

Subsequent workshops, over a 6-week period for example, would involve:-

Week 1 Introduction to equipment and DJ-ing basics
Week 2 Refreshing week 1 and learning how to beat-match
Week 3 Honing beat-matching and learning how to mix
Week 4/5 Learning how to build up sets (average 20mins to begin with)
Week 6 Performance of the set and informal coaching on performance skills

We can also teach advanced DJ-ing skills such as scratching, using effects (FX) and mixing different styles.

Examples of music styles include:-

Hip hop, House, RnB, Drum&Bass, Techno, Garage, Trip hop among others

We can provide vinyl decks, CD decks and mixer at an appropriate hire cost.

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