Learning how to be a Pro is not just about beatmatching and mixing. Just like any other career, DJing has a learning curve. As you master your skill, there are mistakes that you will make along the way. Even the best DJs make mistakes.
Though mistakes are unavoidable, there are certain mistakes you can avoid. Avoiding these mistakes will help you grow in your career and push you closer to being a pro.
Buying Poor Quality Equipment
Cheap is expensive. You may find something that looks like a steal, but it will end up costing you more in the future. When you buy equipment, go for the quality. As a DJ, you need to invest wisely in equipment that will produce the best sound, and let’s face it, cheap gear will affect your sound.
If you are unsure about what to get, Channel DJ recommends DJ controllers and other affordable DJing equipment to help you produce quality sound.
Not Learning Your Equipment
Knowing how your equipment works is the first step in growing as a DJ. Take time to read your manual and understand what each part does. Do not neglect the secondary functions on your DJ controller or mixer.
If you can take classes to develop your skill. You can also take time to learn from other DJs who have been in the game for a while. What you learn from them will be invaluable.
Ignoring Red Lights
Do not ignore the red lights on your equipment. Paying attention to the audio signals will help you avoid distortion. Unless you are extremely skilled, you may not be able to hear the distortion but the crowd will.
Not Being Prepared
Preparation is key. Showing up to a gig unprepared is a bad look for your brand. To prepare for a gig:
- Have your set list planned out.
- Have a checklist of what you will need.
- Do your research on the venue.
- Do not rely on your client’s equipment.
- Understand your client’s expectations.
Being Unprofessional
When a client hires you, they are hiring your brand, and there are specific things that can impact your professional reputation. If you are unprofessional, people will not hire you, no matter how great your mixes are.
One of the ways unprofessionalism shows up is when you drink on the job. Many DJs love to have a drink before they start their gig to get them in the right space, and the nature of the job usually promotes this. However, partying too much before a gig will ultimately affect your work. Chances are you will get sloppy, and the crowd will notice.
Another way that shows unprofessionalism is inviting your friends to your DJ booth. Having a crowd of people in your booth may look like a mess. Your friends can come to the event but should not crowd the booth.
Not Reading the Crowd
Ideally, you should know which audience you will be entertaining. Research their age range and the type of event. Nevertheless, if this is not possible, learn to read your crowd. If you get a chance, interact with the crowd to gauge if your set is great.
Playing Your Bangers Before Peak Time
One benefit of reading your crowd is that you will know when to play your bangers, and this should not be done before peak time. Take time to warm up your crowd and give them time to get into the music.
Sticking to one Genre
Having one specialized genre of music may make you known and help you master your skill. However, this can potentially hold you back in the long run. Experimenting with different genres may be challenging but it will grow your DJing muscles. Before you know it, you will be able to blend music from different genres.
Sticking to one Playlist
Yes, the last time you played that set, the crowd went wild. However, sticking to only one playlist will ultimately affect your career. Fans will know you by that specific list and will get bored after a while.
Take time to create different playlists for different events and read the room to know which playlist you should use if the crowd is not enjoying the one you have.
Not Taking Requests
Learn to take requests from your crowd. Though someone may request a song not on the list, be spontaneous enough to change up the list. Play for the crowd and not yourself. You can also create another list with popular songs that may be requested.
However, do not give in to every whim of the crowd. If you take every request, you will not be able to play your set, and transitioning will become a nightmare. You can say no in a respectful manner.
Conclusion
Making mistakes is part of life. However, once you recognize your mistake, correct it and learn from it. Practice what needs improving. This will build your brand and separate you from the rest and make you great.