You can’t be serious. You put way too much value in somebody who ultimately just plays other people’s music.
I like to play music. I can play on any format. I don’t care what that makes me. It isn’t like the title “DJ” is, in any way, prestigious.
To the OP…
I get what your saying but I think we all were those kids at one point. Maybe we didn’t openly criticize (I probably did) but we all thought we could either do better or be better. That drive helped me play some huge venues and get to some places I may not have been to in life. The reality is that most of us are our own favorite DJ’s. I know what I like better than anyone else does. Kids are going to be kids and talk, it’s part of growing up. As a young DJ I used to go out and listen to every mix and judge how good it was. It was part of my learning process. I took all of that info into the lab and formulated my own style and technique. I think as an older DJ we stop doing that just because we can understand what is involved in rocking a show. I believe a seasoned DJ understands the difference between technical skills and programming skills. IMHO a skilled programmer can rock a show even if he/she can’t mix well. Back in the day we practiced hard to blend records to perfection. These days, sync does a bunch of work but the programming part always takes front seat. Yes those kids are annoying, yes they don’t get it yet, but those kids are also the future of music. We have to embrace it for what it is. The days of being the mysterious DJ are over. Now it is front and center and pretty exciting. Once all the fluff has mellowed out, we should see some amazing things from the artform we love.
I don’t see why you need to differentiate between types of DJs. We treat DJing like an art no? Then why in the world are we classifying ourselves into separate groups unlike other musicians.
You don’t see people saying, “I’m a REAL guitarist. That guy isn’t. He just pretends to play the guitar.” We all aspire to be like Armin or whoever your DJ idol is, but the fact of the matter is that most of us weren’t blessed with the skills to. This doesn’t make us any less of a DJ.
If you feel the need to set yourself apart, that gives me the impression that you’re an elitist prick.
I think a lot us old timers would disagree. Playing on floating 1200’s in front of 3000 people can give anyone butterflies. When that happens, skill and ability takes over and it separates the men (or women) from the boys.
So does this mean you’re not a musician until you’re on a label, touring, and rich?
Why do they float 1200’s? Seems like a load of crap.
I’ve played small clubs that have them and they suck.
And big clubs that don’t and they are fine.
What’s the deal?
They used to do it so you wouldn’t get feedback and skipping needles. I think with dvs it’s not so much of an issue but with real vinyl it was an issue. The first time I played on a big system with floats I was nervous as hell. Those decks were all over the place! When cdjs came into action it was like a wet dream for vinyl djs.
I’m 17 years old,
I DJ for my high school’s events from time to time, and get a fair amount of gigs doing house parties and charity events. I am even a part of a local DJing firm. I have made most of my money DJing (enough money to buy a decent car and pay for my needs like equipment, music, books for school ect). But I spent most of my spare time doing school work.
So tell me who thinks I’m a DJ, who thinks I just have a hobby, and who doesn’t really gives 2 shits?
wow sparked quite a debate it seems
yes im somewhat elitist, yes i am narcissistic, I feel that it comes with and develops with the job
and i by no means mean any offense to wedding DJs, ive done a few, its HARD.. like very very hard, no more or less than doing venues where people come expecting to dance, just a different skillset.
the guitar thing, is kind of the same thing, funny enough this debate was kind of sparked at waffle house with a buddy talking about guitar players he’s been auditioning for his band how he has been dealing with people who can “play the guitar” vs people who can PLAY the guitar .. strummer vs talented artist
DJing is a lot like that, you have strummers and then you have those people who go above and beyond as an artform that encompasses the whole package.
the title DJ at one point was a very honored position, gained by people who worked hard to master their craft, spent excessive amounts of money on their records, painted spots on their wax to blend a perfect set, who had their own unique sound because their collection was their own that they put together by trolling through countless albums at the record stores wherever they could find them…
i simply was making an observation at how watered down it has become in major cities where everyone claims to be a “DJ”
seems like a fair topic within the community, in the end it doesn’t matter …its fun, and thats all that matters
+1
Whoa this is a LOADED topic. So, i’ll just share my opinion rather than comment on others.
Am I a DJ? Sure, friday and saturday night when im playing gigs, when im talking to people about music, or recording in my studio. I can confidently call myself a DJ
But I have a 9-5 job, and its not DJing. I have a mortgage, and when i applied for it, I didnt say I was a dj. I said I was in sales.
Unless your producing, and marketing yourself like Indie Rock bands, getting fans, and drawing crowds, your djing will always be a hobby and not a career. So call yourself what you will.
If anyone asks…
I like to mix and a control freak with my music collection. I don’t claim DJ.
Amen ! 
[quote=“SlvrDragon50, post:23, topic:53783, username:SlvrDragon50”]
I don’t see why you need to differentiate between types of DJs. We treat DJing like an art no? Then why in the world are we classifying ourselves into separate groups unlike other musicians.
You don’t see people saying, “I’m a REAL guitarist. That guy isn’t. He just pretends to play the guitar.” We all aspire to be like Armin or whoever your DJ idol is, but the fact of the matter is that most of us weren’t blessed with the skills to. This doesn’t make us any less of a DJ.
If you feel the need to set yourself apart, that gives me the impression that you’re an elitist prick.
[/quote]
On spot!
Haha, brilliant.
Listen blood, if man say 'im ting, 'im ting. You get me?
I cant wait till the day im good enough for my mates to ask me ‘‘can you teach me how to mix?’’ and i can say with absolute confidence, ‘Yes. Yes i can’
At the moment i can only go so far as im learning more and more all the time. However, you can a be sportsman and be crap at it, but your still a ‘sporty’ type. You can be a crap DJ, but still be labelled as a DJ. Just because your in the learning/early phase of something doesnt mean you cant be under the same umbrella. You just wont be as good as one of the pro’s.
Now that decent quality equipment is affordable for most people, it’s less of a plunge to take, so we have more people doing it now, and hence more competition for existing DJs and the ones who aspire to be them. It’s natural that guys who “paid their way” would feel a little ticked off about it, and a really good way to tell a DJ who actually loves music from one who’s just trying to make a name for themselves.
Additionally, the lines between DJ, producer, and musician are being blurred with new technology and the term “DJ” hasn’t quite caught up. The term DJ came from a time when you collected vinyl, had turntables and a mixer, etc. Now everything has changed.
There was an article on DJWORX recently talking about this, and somewhere in there it said “It’s all about the music”. This is absolutely true. We should feel excited about the rising popularity, new technology, and variety of music we’re experiencing. Doors are being opened up and we’re innovating. This is good!
That said, a lot of the kids who get mommy and daddy to buy their gear are probably gonna drop it anyway once its novelty wears off.
Shut up please XD J, you started all this XD
JK haha
No it wasn’t. We hated cdjs and the people playing them. They weren’t real djs. I’ve since changed my attitude obviously but that’s how me and everyone I knew back then felt.