DJ lesson 12: Can you call yourself a DJ?

If you’ve reached the end of the course, thanks for reading and congratulations!

Here’s a recap of everything we’ve learned…

1. You’re passionate about discovering music - and sharing it with people. That's your motivation to DJ - not champagne and private jets (yet!).

2. A commitment to get started, learn your craft and have fun is way more important than what DJ gear you use.

3. You’re committed to building a killer music collection, and keep your mind open to interesting new sounds.

4. You understand all the key elements of music, and get to know your tunes before you start mixing them.

5. You know how to set cue points and where to start your mixes.

6. You understand all the knobs and faders on your mixer and use them to enhance your mixes, not show off.

7. You’ve put in the hours and know how to beatmatch (you’ve been correctly brainwashed by DJ purists that syncing in a sin).

8. You use your faders in a way that feels right for you - not because you want to be a clone of Patrick Topping.

9. You can mix and blend two songs pretty seamlessly (even if you make the odd mistake).

10. You understand bars and phrases - and how your tunes are structured.

11. You know when to get in and out of your mixes to create the biggest impact.

12. You understand the value of subtlety, and light and shade. Mixing music is an art - and a science.

If you can confidently do the above, you can finally call yourself a DJ.

Now it’s time to get out there, say yes to every opportunity to play, and learn from every gig you do.

See you at Tomorrowland in a couple of years!