Originally Posted by
Raver Ste
Try turning your cue monitor output level up. Getting the right balance between the cue monitor level and the level of the output from my monitors was a big help for me. Don't be afraid to adjust the cue level as you transition and don't forget to either switch what's cueing or put both headphones on once the incoming song has "taken over" the main output. This will help you to keep the two songs in sync as you're fading out the outgoing song.
Just keep counting for your phrases. You'll start to get a feel for the start of a new phrase, but some songs - especially stuff I like to spin, deep house is very repetitive and without a drum fill or something I'm not really positive if I'm in the 4th bar, 8th bar, etc. Listen to your songs - what's typically different musically/rhythmically in the 8th bar or 4th bar, if anything? Oftentimes there's something that can cue you off where you're at in the song.
Just keep at it man. Don't get discouraged, and if you have the money for the academy without worrying about food, maybe do it? As much as I advocate trying to learn on your own, and there's a lot you can do to learn on your own with the Internet and your own ears, nothing can replace being face to face with someone that knows what they're doing and the ability to ask them questions.