There’s a lot more to DJing than people make out. It’s part euphoria, part chaos. There’s an emotional impact to being in the spotlight, taking requests, and often delivering on a wide range of unexpected moments. All while keeping a smile going. So here’s some encouragement for DJs of all levels, courtesy of the DJ professionals behind DJ Courses Online!
You’re doing a good job
Reading a crowd takes some getting used to. But ultimately, it’s the reason that the client isn’t hiring a Spotify playlist. DJ for long enough and you can sometimes start to feel like nothing more than a mindless button-pusher. The job does involve a lot of waiting for tracks to end, after all. But believe me, the vibe is better off because you’re there. There’s nothing more vibe-destroying than autoplay drifting off into bad music territory while your party host is running amok. People with taste are still required. Be comforted by the knowledge that you’re doing a job that the crowd appreciates, even if they don’t know it.
Don’t take it personally
You want people to hear your mixes and tracks so much. You want to see yourself going viral. You want production value, exposure, paychecks and ongoing performance inquiries from event bookers. But why? Is your identity really so dependent on popularity? Are you genuinely so helplessly addicted to these images of success? Don’t take it personally. This is not about you. It’s about the audience you are trying to serve. Relax. The DJs who make a name for themselves are generally too business-minded to be having any much fun any more, which isn’t a path for everyone. Nobody makes a long-standing career out of actually believing that they are what their brand promises. Be cool.
It’s about fun
So much of the professional events scene involves bidding wars and egos. So much good music is sacrificed in the name of a nepotistic, strategic, statistical approach, often at the expense of the fun. It’s meant to be a laugh, not a chest-beating contest. So have a laugh every so often. If the people are open to it, play a silly song or sample in your set. Throwing in a trap remix of your favorite childhood TV show theme tune does a lot for your sense of freedom, and the crowd might love it. Every so often, you have to forget the career moves and image. Try spending one night imagining being not just a DJ, but just someone with two decks, a mixer, a PA system and the ability to use them. Not everyone can.
DJing is a fusion of technical ability, pure taste and the willpower to show up, time after time. It’s more than the hype reel. You honestly have to just keep doing the work that lazier DJs don’t want to do. You have to earn your reputation. But through it all, remember that you’re in this for the long haul. With that approach, the art of DJing will be something that brings you joy for the rest of your life. So go ahead and get into it today by signing up for one of the DJ courses offered by DJ Courses Online.
John Bartmann is a music producer and DJ.