Career Description
A Club DJ provides
the soundtrack to the party, and is usually the main event, similar to going to
see a band. DJs must constantly work to refine their craft and to produce new
music under their own names, if they want to stay competitive. They must have a
deep love and knowledge of their chosen genre in order to keep the crowd on the
dance floor. A Club DJ works most frequently with Promoters, Bookers, Talent
Buyers, club General Managers, other DJs and his or her Personal Manager.
Alternate Career Titles:
DJ, Deejay, Disc
Jockey
Career Overview: A
Club DJ plays songs at a nightclub, bar, rave, or party using vinyl records,
CDs, or MP3s. The traditional DJ setup includes a mixer, two turntables, a
sound system and headphones, although many now use CDJs or digital mixing
software.
Advancement
Beginner DJs
sometimes work for free or for drink tickets, so the highest form of
advancement in this career is to become one of the few globetrotting superstar
DJs who take home millions every year.
Education &
Training
At this time, there
are no degree programs in DJing. Although DJ schools and classes do exist, a
large portion of DJs are self-taught. To lay a solid foundation for success as
a DJ, practice is integral. Get familiar with multiple types of technology and
mixing software, so that if there’s ever a technological malfunction at the
club, you can still play.
Experience & Skills
DJs must have
experience with more than one operating system (i.e. CDJs vs turntables), as
technology can often backfire, and it’s always good to be prepared. Production
experience is essential for those who want to create their own tracks and play
them out when they perform. Networking and social media skills are vital for
any DJ to build up a fan base. It’s important to get to know Promoters, Talent
Buyers, and other DJs. You also have to interact with your fans, whether it’s
through conversations and interactions on social media, or through just
straight up putting on a good live performance that communicates your passion
for the music. To take their career to the next level, a DJ must also know how
to produce their own tracks and write their own songs. DJs who write their own
songs provide a unique experience for concertgoers and can also capitalize on
licensing income.
Personality
“First and foremost
you must love music. Without the love you’re nothing more than a jukebox,” our
DJ source, Josh Chambers says. For a Club DJ, money can’t be the main goal. “I
always tell people if you’re in this for the money then you’re in the wrong place.
When you’re starting out there is always someone who will be willing to take
your gig and play for free so you have to know that you’re not going to make
much, if anything at all, until you build up your fan base.” To build that fan
base, as well as their professional contacts, DJs must also be comfortable
networking and meeting people. In the same way, fun-loving and outgoing types
make the best DJs because their excitement translates to the audience, who will
also respond in a similar way. Versatility, adaptability, and a hunger for
knowledge and improvement are key.
Lifestyle
Many Club DJs work
weekend nights, with the most popular nights being Thursday through Saturday.
Shifts are usually a few hours long. Beginner DJs usually hold down day jobs
and start off by playing slower nights. Depending on the events, DJs will work
with Promoters, Bookers, Nightclub Managers, Talent Buyers, other DJs and bands
and the DJ’s own Personal Manager.
Employment
Most DJs initially
get jobs through networking before building a fan base, and therefore a
reputation. Competition is fierce. Many people get started in this career by
offering to play sets for free so that the bar/club gets to know them, their
work ethic, and how audiences react.
Earnings
DJs earn money from
performing, and those who produce their own tracks earn royalty money. Income
from Club DJing can vary greatly, based on if you live in a major metropolitan
area, how often you perform and how popular your chosen musical genre is. Certain
types of music draw bigger crowds and therefore have a greater demand, and the
opposite also holds true. Income also varies based on whether you’re just
starting out, or if you’re a world famous DJ headlining festivals and raves
across the globe. On average, a reasonably successful DJ can expect to make a
few hundred dollars per show.
Unions, Groups, Social Media, and Associations
Most Club DJs are
not part of a formal organization, but networking is important. DJs who also
produce their own tracks belong to a music royalty/publishing/licensing
organization such as BMI. Online, it’s important to follow your favorite DJ’s
Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, and Beatport pages to keep up to date with their
latest news and to network both with the artist and his fans. “You can follow
your favorite artists and a lot of us will respond to you when you want to say
hi or ask a question,” Chambers says.
Getting Started
Get to know the
people who book clubs and become friends with them.
Offer to play a show
for free to get your foot in the door.
Pass out demo CDs or
put your mixes online so you can build a fan base.
Download
high-quality MP3 or wav tracks from DJ specific sites like Beatport, instead of
stealing them or getting them from iTunes. Your audience doesn’t want songs
with bad sound quality.
Check out mixes by
your favorite DJs, then try to replicate what they do, either at home or in
your studio.
Big Ideas
What is the single
biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?
“Practice, practice,
practice.”
What’s the #1
mistake people make when trying to get into this career?
“Not learning how to
mix on more than one device. Technology can backfire on you easily. That’s why
I always show up with my laptop, CDs and a USB stick to make sure I can play no
matter what happens.”
What is the question
people should ask about this career but rarely do?
“What does it take
to go from a local DJ to one that is known around the country/world? The answer
is you have to produce music. If you’re not writing music that is getting
released, you will never make it to the next level.”
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