So I’m currently a college student, riddled with school and work. I’ve been trying to get some time in to practice my skills so they don’t get rusty(i.e. beatmatching). However I don’t have a lot of time to practice or make podcasts as much anymore and it’s been like this for the past few months.
Any tips for getting some good practice in, even if it’s for 30 minutes a day or something.
I also been trying to have weekly podcast episodes, but I haven’t had time either to prepare and record it(not a fan of going impromptu on a set), any tips on this?
Forget the weekly podcasts. I did that for a bit, and in our can’t find the free time, don’t worry about it for now. Make yourself 30 minutes a day to practice, but remember, you are at school to learn, and hopefully find yourself a good job after school. If school is taking all of your free time, maybe put djing on the back burner until the summer, or just be happy with whatever practice you can get in.
Think about the time you could have spent on the decks instead of writing that post, and then reading this one lol. Either make time, or just take it as a hobby for now, until you do have time.
I work 81 hours a week, 7 days a week and have an hour drive to and from work. So tack on another 14 hours a week to that 81. I have a wife, a 6 year old and still go to Crossfit 3 times a week. I kind of feel like if I can find time to practice, ANYONE can find time to practice.
Not really sure what you’re trying to get out of this thread? If you don’t have time to practice, that’s that. There’s nothing you can really do about it unless you free up time by dropping something else.
go wake up 30 mins earlier than you usually do and practice before you prepare going to school. or like dripstep says, practice now instead of wasting your time posting about not having a practice session.
I work 10 hours a day, and spend the whole day out during weekends with my family or with my in-laws. I practice when my wife is asleep. i have insomnia though,
Drop the podcasts, they’re a bit of a waste of time, especially if you’re learning.
I’m doing a law degree, working nearly full time along with other life things and your right some weeks its hard to find the time, but you can always find time if you try hard enough. Otherwise just make the most of your holidays.
Like others have said. Always put studies first, that shit will earn you money, DJing tends to have the opposite effect, especially when you’re starting off.
Back when I went to college, in what seemed like the 1800’s, I dated a girl that was a music major. I expressed to her I wanted to get back into playing piano, but just didn’t have the time. She told me some pretty wise stuff…you’ll make time for the things that are important to you.
I’m not saying to prioritize practice over your education, (or your overall physical and mental health - although I’d argue music and mixing benefits my mental health, but not if I’m dead tired) but you can cut out some things including perhaps some sleep or going out with friends to practice, if it’s truly important to you. Only you can make the decision of what’s most important for you to take up your time each day. There may be days your studies won’t allow for it as you cram for finals/mid-terms, no biggie. You’ll get back to it when hell week is over.
I appreciate all the feedback and advice given. Some solid stuff that def resonated. Definitely have a better understanding and my concerns have been answered.
My daily mix just tends to be about 30 mins per day right now, no controller, just open traktor and using the mouse, no monitors just headphones and concentrate on cue points, knowing my track collection better and keeping my ears sharp mixing in key manually with transpose … from there just A>B mixing on the EQ’s and filter and loops nothing else.
Beatmatching is like riding a bike, once you get the first 2 tracks in and its automatic, thats the easy bit, knowing your tracks and collection backwards is the bit that takes time and constant management.
Sure its not exactly the same setup or feel as a live gig (I use Ableton anyhow and build a loop trigger collection from each track to re-introduce parts while playing live) but I know when it comes to playing live that I’m comfortable knowing the in’s and outs of every track and what works together before I go loop mashing in live.
As another University kid with a part time job trying to work out the same problems, I just find you really gotta MAKE the time if you wanna do what you love. I stopped driving to my campus everyday so that I could get some mixing in on the bus with my laptop. I probably get 20 hours of sleep a week sometimes just because at the end of the night when i’m finished all my projects, i’ll crack a redbull and stay up an extra hour or two to play around and record before bed. All about priorities, if you really love it you’ll find time without quitting your day job.
