Becoming a professional DJ is the dream of many, young and old. Selecting the best setlist to fill the track and create the most suitable mood for each evening gives incredible emotions. The professional DJ is also a profession that allows you to travel and discover the world. Today as today the figure of Disk Jockey is increasingly in demand by small and large clubs, and with the right preparation it is not difficult to find space. In this article you will find my personal tips for becoming a professional DJ: a practical guide dedicated to those who want to transform the art of mixing into a paid job.
If you are thinking of becoming a professional DJ it is important to work immediately on recognizability. The musical genres played (and requested) in clubs are many, so specializing becomes fundamental. We reached Angelo Raguso from Italy, italian DJ and Producer who released high level brand tracks on major music labels likely Spinnin’ Records, Lapsus Music, De Noize Records, Hotfingers and many more, and asked 4 tips on how you can become a great dj.
- Find the DJ console that’s right for you
Another fundamental step is to select the “tools of the trade”, ie the best console. Whether it’s a controller, CDJs or classic vintage effect turntables, instrumentation is essential for being a professional DJ. To start it is not necessary to spend a capital, in my article on How to choose your console you will find all the tips not to be wrong.
- Practice, try, make mistakes … practice again!
To become a successful DJ, exercise is essential. How to do? Learn from the grown-ups! Search on YouTube for the videos of the DJs you admire the most and study their movements, the effects and the tricks that make them unique.
- Enter into a contract with SIAE
When you start playing on the premises, you must also pay attention to the legal obligations and bureaucracy. In Italy you have to enter into a contract with SIAE. As a professional DJ you will find yourself pouring music on media or devices with memory, so that you can use them during the evenings. The use of these songs, called “copy work” in jargon, must be authorized by the copyright holders through the SIAE. You will then have to draw up the borderò, i.e. the list of songs you have passed, so as to allow the SIAE to pay royalties to the authors.
- Work on notoriety
The Internet offers many tools to increase the popularity and recognition of your work. A properly managed Facebook profile, a YouTube channel full of interesting content and subscribing to some portals dedicated to professional DJs can make the difference. Do you want to deepen the topic? Read my article dedicated to the best techniques to increase notoriety.
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