Sound of Music

Firstly, passion for music is an absolute must, all else is secondary. That said, you have to have the desire and the creativity to turn this passion into your forte. DJing is all about knowing the pulse of the crowd and playing the right kind of tune at the right time. And all this even as you retain your own identity and develop a unique style of mixing.

Secondly, one must know the inside-out of the tools of trade – from the mixing equipment, to records and the quality of music. The package has to be beautiful to sell and knowledge of sound makes it or breaks it.

Girls Cannot DJ! Says Who?

Contrary to popular belief, women DJs are as much in demand as their male counterparts. A reason for this is the ‘wow’ or pull factor, which brings people to the venue. If a woman can play well and looks good too (you don’t have to be a Miss India), she can make it big in no time.
DJ Ma Faiza

Some of the more popular women DJs not only play in India but also at venues abroad.

Getting Started

Most DJs begin by starting out on their own with a mixer or by observing professional DJs at clubs. The use of mixing software (easily downloadable from the Internet) is also a great way to begin. But if you know your music, a good idea is to enrol for a short-term certificate course in DJing.

Several prominent DJs are associated with institutes and / or studios that have courses in DJing. The idea here is to learn as much as you can without deriding your own creative impulses. It is important to learn the right things, which make execution easier and precise.

Once the course is completed, purchase basic DJing equipment such as a CD player and mixer and practise your skill. After all, practise does make a man, and woman, perfect! DJ at small private parties for family and friends to gauge the kind of response your music gets. If you are confident about your mixing, style and music, it is now time to approach night clubs and event managers for gigs.

Cost Factor

A certificate course in DJing could cost anywhere from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000. The cost would vary depending on the length of the course, its content and faculty credentials. The cost of a professional CD player and mixer varies from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakhs.

Save on the cost of CDs by requesting family and friends travelling abroad to pick them up for you. Alternately, borrow old CDs from them to save on the cost of buying new ones for your personal use.