Hey guys,
Two years ago I purchased my first midi controller and began mixing with Traktor. Since then I have progressed and enhanced my knowledge of Djing and mixing far more than I ever thought I would. I have played gigs, and made many mixes on soundcloud (SoundCloud - Hear the world’s sounds), but when does one in my situation earn the title of being a DJ? I have the upmost respect to people like A-Track, Bad Boy Bill, Ean, etc. Being only 16, is it just to have the title of “DJ”?
Would love to hear what the community thinks about this,
-Wala
I used to play guitar. That does not mean I used to tour do gigs.
I see it the same way now that I “DJ”. Personally I think one has the title of a DJ when they perform on a professional level. For most people that level is when you start playing at clubs.
Then again, the title “DJ” is a very loose term these days, as well as being commonly misused now more than ever.
Personally I do not go around telling people that I am a DJ, mainly because of the negative connotation I believe people like Pauly D has given it. When I am to spin at an event, I have it so it just says “Music by Gianmarco” or if there are several DJs something like “Music by DJs:”
As I said, i personally think it has become to loose of a term to use.
Yeah, definitely agree with you. There are lots of people using a mouse and vdj, syncing two tracks, adding a flanger, and calling themselves DJ’s. It looks like I’ll earn that term when I get my first club gig : )
So, it all depends on what you consider a DJ, do you consider it a big-shot job like Tiesto? or do you consider being a DJ just a hobby like DJing at a block party or DJing at a birthday party or something?
As most people who dj, know what it means. being a Disk Jocky isn’t a very strict term. Basically, if you play songs on a record or a program with a controller and you change up the song by scratching and using effects, you are technically a DJ. Now, If you are wondering if being considered a DJ like DJ Rave or DJ Tiesto, that DJ title would come to you when you go into producing, and promoting your songs, doing more gig’s than what you normally do, and actualy make money from it.
It’s kind of the same situation with all the kids that go out and buy an slr camera and think they’re a photographer.
For me, it kind of comes down to phrasing. I have had an interest in photography for a number of years but I don’t call myself a photographer. I get called occasionally to do the odd photo shoot. On those days if somebody were to ask “are you the photographer?” (as in for that day in particular) I would say yes. However if they more generally asked “are you a photographer?” I would say no since it’s not a profession that I consistently get paid for.
Just because you have an interest in law, it doesn’t mean you’re a lawyer.
Just because you have an interest in medicine, it doesn’t mean you’re a doctor.
(although formal schooling in that situation does earn you those titles)
I see it as you are specifically a DJ when it is providing a re-occurring source of income or work for you. Until then, you have an interest in it but it isn’t your title.
That’s just my view. I don’t think there’s a definitive correct answer to this question.
I also think it’s something that you’ll personally know. I think there’s a strong switch in your brain that really goes from being a musical consumer, to something else. There a lot of idiots out there (in general, but specifically to DJing in this example) that will call themselves the hottest shit on the planet, when they really can’t mix two things together.
It’s part of the anti-digital revolution in a way. Because digitally, it’s become much easier to “step into” the game. One of the more badass nights I frequent (as a musical consumer, not a DJ) only has CDJ’s and vinyl, and don’t do computers. Is it bad? No. But it’s their way of “weeding out” people.
I think a DJ can be many things, and it’s all an objective definition. But it does really come down to “skills to pay the bills” and when you start doing it and earning some money, that’s generally the point where you are accepted as a professional.
Interesting answers, I guess it really depends on the person and what they want to accomplish with music. I took up mixing because I had a love for house/electro/dubstep and wanted to do something more with mixing. I received the title of a “DJ” by my peers but I know I’m qualified enough for that. Can’t wait to get a recurring income as a DJ but until than I’m happy playing for my peers and making stuff on scloud.
Good points so far, agree mostly. But I wouldn’t define a DJ only as someone who “does gigs” or “gets payed to DJ”. By that token, someone who has practiced for years and years and acquired more skill and knowledge than those in the clubs but never left their bedroom (they’re out there!) could not be called a DJ. Sure there is a distinction between “hobby DJ” and “professional DJ” but they both still under the “DJ” umbrella
The comparison to lawyer and doctor are incorrect. We are not talking about a degreed profession, we are talking about the arts.
There are schooled and trained musicians and artists, and there are many succesful artisits and musicians who have never been to school or had training, as well as many who take up music or art as a hobby. They are all musicians and artists. But to call some one a musician or artist usually means that is their profession.(as in how they make a living)
DJ describes what some one does the same way. I am not a DJ, I am a small business owner, who DJ’s in his spare room at home as a hobby. A bedroom DJ. Hmm…So I am a DJ. But don’t call me one until I make DJing a regular income producer. Wether part or full time. Then it would also be a profession and it would be ok to call me a DJ.
This doesn’t mean just in a club, though if you say to some one you are a DJ they automatically assume you mean in a club. There are mobile DJ’s, Wedding DJ’s, bar DJ’s, club DJ’s, arena touring DJ’s, etc.
I was 16 when I considered myself a Dj. A friend and I got a recurring gig at a cafe in town. We were one of the few guys with turntables, and the only guys that would spin deep house where we lived. It was a small town in Mexico. My friend’s dad has a mobile and event sound rental service so my friend knew how to beatmatch really well, I was in the beginning stages. For deep house it is customary to do long blends, and I would train wreck most mixes in the beginning. After like 3 of those gigs and a lot of practice at home (and I mean like all day practicing), I got really good at holding the songs together since I didn’t want to sound like crap in front of people. I was called a DJ since my first gig at that place, but I would say I wasn’t a DJ until the 4th gig. Things have changed in the last 14 years, but as others said before, you’ll know.
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By the way, we would only get paid like 20 bucks for both of us, but we were really popular with the regular chicks at that place.. haha.
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU GUYS! Geez. . -.- . . . 1st you get the SERATO! Then you get the BITCHES! Only then, you can call yourself a DJ. . . C’MON! XD
When is a DJ considered a DJ? When he stops worrying about that stupid question. And I don’t mean when he feels bad because some blowhard on an internet forum called him out for being insecure, I mean when he really doesn’t care how he or anyone else labels him and just does his thing, which should ideally involve taking some f**king roof off somewhere, metaphorically speaking of course.
Not sure about the strong switch, more like in crossfader in my view (check it, a DJ specific analogy ). You don’t need to be a full time professional DJ, just someone that loves taking a part in the music rather than just letting it play.
Basically, when everything (or most things) in this blog post is true!
Id agree to a certain extent with what people are saying, on the professional side of things, you can call yourself a DJ when you start getting paid for gigs, for most of us its in the clubs, but remember there ARE mobile, wedding and all those DJ’s aswel. If someone asks you what you do for a living, and you can proudly say that you play in clubs or whatever form of DJing you may do, and make a living or a descent earning from it, then… youre a DJ.
On another side of things though, just like art, there are brilliant painters that have never done an exposition or sold a painting before. Same thing with DJing. Just because you dont play in clubs, doesnt mean your not a DJ, but when someone asks you what you do, you shouldnt say, “im a DJ”. I considered myself a DJ when i was 17, even though i had never played in a club at that point, just because at the time, i had honed my skills to a certain level where i would be proud of all my mixes. Now mind you, i wouldnt go around telling people im a DJ, when i worked in a surf shop at the time. I only truly started calling myself a DJ when i was playing in clubs as my main source of income.
So you can still be a DJ or feel as though you are a DJ without neccesarily having played out at clubs, or being paid for what you do… but you cant really call youself a DJ or really be “considered” as one until you get paid for what you do… if that makes sense… lol
I would say if you play for other people on a fairly regular basis, paid or not, you can call yourself a DJ. If you dedicate a certain amount of time on a regular basis to practicing you can call yourself a DJ. When you stop caring if you can call yourself a DJ you can call yourself a DJ. As a matter of fact if you want more gigs you have to start calling yourself a DJ. This job or hobby or whatever you want to call it requires a certain amount self confidence so start introducing yourself as a DJ and I would bet you would get more gigs.
id agree with what jojo said about presenting yourself as a DJ for getting gigs, when your talking about getting gigs/parties whatever… you ARE a DJ… I know all too well how important it is to present yourself confidently to a club or venue when approaching them about a club gig or about hosting an event. but, say if someone asks what you do for a living, and you work as an IT consultant, who DJ’s at parties on weekends, i wouldnt go as far as to say “im a DJ”… no your not a DJ, your an IT consultant who DJ’s on weekends. I think its fair to say that openly being able to claim that your a DJ is reserved for those who deticate most of their life to the practice. When you live, breathe and basically spend your whole time doing nothing but DJ’ing and music related things. If your that hard into it anyway, chances are your on your way to getting club gigs or already are playing at clubs. Otherwise, any hack with a free copy of mixmeister, and his mouse can openly claim “im a DJ”.
However, unless your main source of income comes from DJing/producing, i dont think its fair to openly claim your a DJ. Its not fair on those of us who play in clubs 3 nights a week to be put on the same level as people spinning in their bedrooms, who have never played a gig in their life. Yes… you may consider yourself a DJ, and you DO DJ, but that doesnt mean that you ARE a DJ. I think you can start calling yourself a DJ when you have sufficient experience playing in front of a crowd. Not just 10 of your friends sitting in the loungeroom while you spin some tunes, a crowd 100+ at least.
If someone approached me and said Im a DJ and was interested in playing a slot at my club night, the first thing im going to ask them is “where have you played?”. If you cant give a credible answer to this question, then i dont think you should be able to say “im a DJ”.
Thats just my oppinion personally. It doesnt mean you CANT DJ, but it doesnt mean you ARE a DJ either.
Just because you own a fast car, and can drive it fast and well, doesnt make you a Race Car Driver. Same thing goes for DJing i think.
All you need is a name like DJ 5 dolla holla and you’re set in my book. Hell you’re almost to Tiesto level if you get your mom to buy you Serato (or even Traktor!)
). You don’t need to be a full time professional DJ, just someone that loves taking a part in the music rather than just letting it play.