DJ Lessons

We are offering weekly DJ classes at our locations. Join experienced DJ and Instructor, Nathan Fraze to learn everything from the basics to advanced DJ Techniques!

Classes are available as a complete 12 week (1 hour per week) DJ program or you can choose specific Classes that you have interest in… Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced DJ, you will find valuable and practical hands on information in this program!

Home DJ set-ups and choice of equipment
Professional Equipment and set-up
Music genre (Types of Music)
Beat mixing/Pitching/Tempo
Platter/Jog wheel and mixer operation
Cueing Techniques
EQing
Delay effects techniques

DJ Nathan Fraze

Tuition & Fees

Weekly Session

1 hour sessions

Flexible Schedule

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$64.50 / session

Book now!

$35 One-Time Registration Fee Per Student
$64.50 Individual 1 hour Lessons
Flexibility to choose all or only specific topics that you need help with

Book now!

DJ Course Curriculum

Introduction

What does a DJ really do?
What do I need to get start as a DJ?
Essentials to start Practicing
1. DJ Controller
2. Laptop
3. XLR/Instrument Cable
4. Speaker with XLR/Instrument Cable Input
5. Over Ear Headphones
Gig Equipment
1. Active Speaker (You want 2, but start with at least 1)
2. 2 sets of XLR/Instrument Cables
3. Power Stripes and Extension Cords
4. Speaker Stands
5. Microphone
6. Over the Ear Headphones
7. Table
8. Some kind of Facade or Table Clothe
9. Lights and Light Stands (These are less important)
Choosing the right type of controller (recommended Pioneer)
Talk about different DJ software (RekordBox, Serato, Virtual DJ
Basics of how to use a DJ controller to start playing music and basics of setting up and using a DJ program
What is Beat matching and why it is so important?
How to Beat Match effectively

Concept 2

Discuss what EQ’ing is and how to use the three band EQ on your DJ board
Discuss what the Mixer on your Board has and can do
Discus what each DDJ platter has and can do
Discuss how to change tempo percent and effectively speed or slow a track for efficient beat matching
Talk about Cueing and Volume control
How to avoid redlining and why that is bad
Where to put Cues and when to mix another song (Mix in chorus instead of verse)
Basics of Genres and playlists
Discuss what are your favorite genres?
How to create and organize Crates in DJ program

Concept 3

Intro to scratching
What the crossfader is and how to use it
Practice the hand movement timing of when to close and open the crossfader for scratching
Practice scratch transitions
Discuss what effects you have and how to use them
How to transition between genres and the rule of 3

Concept 4

How to use effects as transitions
Echo is most common transition
How to create loops on the spot and how they can help transitions
Knowing what section of a song to loop
Examples of multiple transitions and practice using each one
Transitions include: use of HP/LP, Echo, Spin back, Volume Fade out, Reverb out, Low EQ cut and fade out, etc.
Practice techniques with rule of 3 and running a 10-minute set

Concept 5

Splitting a song into acapella and melody and why that can be useful
What is a mashup and how to do it effectively?
Understanding the energy in a set or the songs you are playing/selecting
Good song selection to keep engagement up
Discuss the flow of your set and why that is important (can’t just have high intensity all the time, people will get bored)
Go more in depth into genres and make sure starting to build up a wide category of music
Planning a set list and what that means (No this is not prerecording your set or planning your set song by song)

Concept 6

How to read a crowd and what to do if no one is engaged (Rule of 3)
Understand your audience and do your research on the event you will be DJing
How to be professional in the working environment
Always arrive 30 minutes early and make sure you have all equipment packed in advance
Discuss what wires to have as a backup
Discuss what to do when things go wrong (Remember: Don’t panic, there is usually a simple solution)

Concept 7

How to MC for an event
Microphone etiquette
Best ways to use and set up a microphone for your event
Equipment setup and tear down for a gig (this includes lights, speakers, and DJ equipment)
You typically aren’t paid for setup or takedown so you want to be efficient about it
Student specific Scratching
Student specific mixing

Concept 8

Discuss different DJ setups and what to expect at different events
Discuss importance of having playlists on a flash drive to keep with you for easy access of music
What are CDJ’s and how to use them if you are in a Club or High profile gig
Importance of converting files to be read by RekordBox
What does it mean to go Back 2 Back (B2B)
More in depth mixing and practice with different genres

Concept 9

Who do you want to be as a DJ
Come up with a name that you want to go by
Importance of creating a Soundcloud and MIxcloud
Why it is important to post a mix on Soundcloud and Mixcloud
How to record a mix to post
Plan out a 20 minute mix to be recorded and posted
Connect (At least) Soundcloud to Instagram and Facebook
What is a DAW and why is it important?
Basics of modern music production
Basics of Gain Staging, Mixing, and Mastering

Concept 10

Advertising yourself on social media
Searching for promoters and posting about yourself and your services on multiple different websites
Set yourself up on thumbtack as a DJ (You can get a wide range of gigs that way)
Discuss how much to charge for an event
Research the events you want to DJ at, find out what they typically play, and who runs promotion
Record Mix and post to Soundcloud + Mixcloud

Concept 11

Demonstrate your ability to adapt to different scenarios and genres
I will give you a scenario and you will figure out what music to play on the spot
Final overview of contacting events and booking
Student specific scratching
Student specific beatmatching
In depth genre and crate organization

Optional: More in depth concepts in Music Production