Beatmatching; a lost art?

[olafmol]

i am not talking about turntablists, i am talking about DJ's. I am also not talking about what is valued more, i am talking about the fact that beatmixing is often made out to be some kind of higher artform that only a few can achieve and master, while i think it is not. I see that some people are trying to create some magical aura around DJ'ing to make it special what they're doing, and it bothers me. Beatmixing is just one technique you *can* use to be a good DJ, but you don't have to use it. I know a very good DJ that cannot beatmix for the hell of it, or maybe he can but he doesn't bother, and still he can rock a dancefloor with the most amazing musical selection, while another super-technical DJ can clear a dancefloor in a few minutes using all technologies available but playing the wrong records.

So, to come back to the OP and the topic-subject (beatmatching, a lost art?) my answer is: no, because it's not an art, it's simply a technique you can learn, a tool in your DJ toolbox you *can* use, but don't have to. Maybe sometimes a DJ can create art, when all the aspects of DJing come together and something greater than the sum is created. But that's something else. Comparing beatmatching to an art is like comparing sawing or mowing to an art. You can use a saw to create art with, but the saw and the sawing in itself are not an art, and if an electrical saw comes along instead of an handsaw, it doesn't make a difference for the artfullness of the end-product that is created imho.

Again, this is simply my opinion, people don't have to agree.

[DvlsAdvct]

I agree with you whole heartedly. Beatmatching does not the good DJ make. But, my point, is that knowing it helps. I think every DJ should learn how to do it. That doesn't mean they need to do it, but they should know.

And your opinion is just as worthless as mine, buddy

[Monika.mhz]

Woah woah woah. ok wait, back up. yes. beatmixing isn't an art by any stretch of the word.

but DJing sure as hell is. can we agree on that?

[olafmol]

Woah woah woah. ok wait, back up. yes. beatmixing isn't an art by any stretch of the word.

but DJing sure as hell is. can we agree on that?

if you think bartending is an art, then you could also say, yes, DJ'ing is an art too.

I agree, it *can* be an art, if performed by an artist. But that's a very difficult discussion, because what exactly *is* art? I will ask a budy of mine who is a student in art-history about it, i am sure he can say some interesting things about it.

Great discussion btw

[Monika.mhz]

Ok so it can be can art just like playing the piano can be an art, if performed by an artist.

cool. done.

[olafmol]

I agree with you whole heartedly. Beatmatching does not the good DJ make. But, my point, is that knowing it helps. I think every DJ should learn how to do it. That doesn't mean they need to do it, but they should know.

And your opinion is just as worthless as mine, buddy

i tend to agree with your opinion, but when thinking about it some more i think that it might not be true that it helps. Maybe it even works against us? Maybe someone that doesn't think in BPMs and beatmatching can DJ more freely and creating something entirely new and fresh and interesting? I dunno

[olafmol]

Ok so it can be can art just like playing the piano can be an art, if performed by an artist.

cool. done.

true, i aree

[Monika.mhz]

I mean, to be fair. There are a LOT of hacks in any medium. DJing, Production, Symphony, Rock....

Not all the performers are artists, but the general consensus is that each is an artform, but the validity of each 'artist' is what comes into question, not the artform. I don't call all music "not art" because there are a buncha songs out there that aren't artful in any way shape or form. I just dont call those performers artists.

[olafmol]

On this note: one of the coolest parties i ever attended was when David Mancuso invited me to one of his Loft parties in London. He played all the records from the beginning to the end, no mixing at all. Still the atmosphere was amazing, the energy on the dancefloor was something quiet special. All because he has such a great taste in music and can "program" a DJ set with the right sequence of the right music. The music had a flow that was comparable to a mixed set, very special.

[olafmol]

I mean, to be fair. There are a LOT of hacks in any medium. DJing, Production, Symphony, Rock....

Not all the performers are artists, but the general consensus is that each is an artform, but the validity of each 'artist' is what comes into question, not the artform. I don't call all music "not art" because there are a buncha songs out there that aren't artful in any way shape or form. I just dont call those performers artists.

i tend to have a more negative view on things, i try to be different about it, thanks for reminding me the glass is half-full instead of half-empty