Half the buttons on a CDJ are useless for beginner DJs. Instead of watching endless tutorials, focus on these 5 core DJ skills to be ahead of 90% of people.
This article is NOT about:
Getting booked for a live set
Buying a beginner DJ controller
Music Marketing
How to Become a DJ
You don't need a class on music theory or to buy the most expensive gear. All you need is a music library and a basic understanding of how to use a DJ controller.
Anyone can learn how to press buttons. Selection is what makes a DJ stand out in this crowded market. Thousands of micro-decisions made before and during a set that are hard to hear but add to every moment.
Core DJ Skill 1 - Understanding Song Structure
What is Song Structure?
Think of music like a puzzle. There are 6 different pieces to any track, each with their own function: intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, breakdown, outro.
In EDM, the buildup replaces the pre-chorus while the drop replaces the chorus.
Song structure is the arrangement of these parts from start to finish. In traditional songwriting, most genres follow a similar (recognizable) patterns.
DJs measure time in music by counting beats per minute. Tempo then determines how fast or slow the song moves.
A group of beats forms a bar. Bars help organize the music's notes. In most songs, 4 beats make one bar.
The intro sets the mood, the buildup creates tension, and the drop releases the tension. The breakdown and outro bring the energy back down to give the next drop more impact.
Core DJ Skill 2 - Mixing in Key
You don't need to know music theory to be a DJ, but it helps.
What you should know is that tracks need to be in compatible keys to sound good when blended together.
What is Harmonic Mixing?
To give the most general summary possible:
Music is made of notes that follow a pattern called a Key.
When two songs are in different keys, their notes follow different patterns. This can cause the notes to clash and feel unpleasant.
We call this dissonance.
The human brain has a hard time processing both sounds.
But if the songs are in the same key, the patterns become recognizable.
DJs use a diagram called the Circle of Fifths or a Camelot Key Wheel to visualize the relationship between keys.
The wheel has:
An outer ring for major keys
An inner ring for minor keys
24 keys total (12 major, 12 minor)
How to Use the Key Wheel
Start by locating the key of your first song. Then:
Move clockwise to go up a step (perfect 5th)
Move counterclockwise to go down a step (perfect 4th)
Switch between the inner and outer rings to go from major to minor or vice versa
Stay in the same key for a clean mix
This works because keys next to each other on the wheel share all but one note.
While when changing from a Major key to a Minor key, they share all the same notes but start from a different root note.
In theory, you can stay in the same key for your entire set to sound smooth. But that can feel repetitive. Instead, move around the wheel to keep things interesting.
Modern DJ software will highlight compatible keys for you while a track is playing.
Core DJ Skill 3 - EQ, Gain, and Volume Control
EQ Stands for Equalization
An equalizer allows the DJ to adjust how much of each frequency the crowd will hear in a track. An EQ A standard DJ mixer provides three EQ options:
Low handles bass and sub-bass
Mid handles vocals and musical body
High handles clarity and brightness
Why Do DJ Controllers Have EQ Knobs?
DJs use the EQ knobs to cut and shape two or more audio files to better sit together in a mix. Cutting the bass on one track avoids mixing two basslines and causing distortion. Adjusting the mids and highs help prevent the vocals or melodies from clashing.
DJs use EQ knobs to cut and shape multiple tracks so they fit together in a mix.
Cutting the bass on one track prevents two basslines from clashing to cause distortion. Adjusting the mids or highs helps vocals fit a melody.
EQ creates space, and that space is what make a DJ transition sound clean.
Volume ≠ Gain
Volume measures the output level of an audio channel, while gain controls the input level.
Gain Staging Basics
Proper gain staging pushes the signal high enough to feel loud, but low enough to avoid clipping. This helps the audio engineer keep the speakers (and our ears) safe.
Clipping (Redlining) removes headroom and forces the signal to distort, which sounds unpleasant.
Common EQ Mixing Mistakes
Many beginner DJs fight for volume instead of shaping it. The most common mistakes include:
Boosting knobs past the center (0)
Playing two basslines at once
Treating EQ like an effect instead of a tool
Core DJ Skill 4 - Beatmatching
What is Beatmatching?
This is the foundation of being a DJ.
By definition, beatmatching is when you align the tempo (BPM) of one track with another. Originating from the need to remove awkward pauses between music during a live set.
While it may seem intimidating, the process is rather simple.
First, load a track into any channel and check its tempo.
Then, choose another track within the same key group. If their BPMs don't match, use the tempo slider to adjust one.
For the best results, each track should be within 5 BPM of each other. This will prevent audible distortion from over-stretching a file.
Listen to both tracks together, focusing on the kick and snare. If the beats don't line up, use the jog wheel to nudge the second track forward or backward.
The sync button automates this process, but learning to beat-match by ear will help you in many situations.
In a live setting, DJs do this while music is playing. They keep the volume fader down on the incoming track to prevent the crowd from hearing it. Then use the Cue function to hear the next track in headphones. Aligning it to the first in real-time.
Core DJ Skill 5 - Song Transitions
What is a DJ Transition?
When you switch from one song into the next, it’s called a transition. This is the reason why DJs invented beatmatching.
They can range from being super simple to creative and difficult. In fact, it will often be the most engaging part of a performance.
The goal with this technique is to create tension. Making the drop that follows it hit harder.
You can transition in countless ways, but we will simplify the concept into two categories: Soft Transitions and Hard Transitions
Soft Transitions use beatmatching to overlap two or more tracks.
Hard Transitions do not use beatmatching. An example of this is applying reverb or delay, stopping a track, then starting the next one.
The tough part is knowing when to transition.
The most common points are at the start of an intro, pre-chorus / buildup, or chorus / breakdown.
Otherwise, it is easiest to do at the end of any 8-bar section. As you get more comfortable with your DJ controller, you'll need less time to transition.
Common Beginner DJ Questions
How Long Does it Take to Learn How to DJ?
These 5 DJ skills don't take long to understand. Most people understand song structure, EQ, and basic transitions within a few weeks. The problem is that you can't teach rythm or taste. Beatmatching, harmonic mixing, and basic transitions will cost more time.
With regular practice all of these skills will start to feel solid within a few months.
After that, action translates into progress. Record DJ mixes, play small shows, and challenge yourself creatively. If your goal is to be the best DJ in the world, expect something closer to 10,000 hours.
DJ education never ends. I've been DJing for 8+ years, and still learn something new at every event.
What Equipment Do You Need to Learn How to DJ?
For beginners, a basic DJ controller is the perfect first choice.
They are affordable and durable. Plus, if you decide to switch brands later, you won't have invested too much up front.
Since controllers rely on a laptop or computer to run the software, they are ideal for home use. Transporting them can be less convenient.
How Much Do DJs Make?
The money you make as a DJ depends on the type of events you play and your reputation. These numbers are realistic ranges, not best-case scenario:
Producer DJ: $500 – $10,000+ per show
Wedding DJ: $1,000 – $5,000 per event
Club DJ: $100/hr – $1,000/hr
Mobile DJ: $500/hr – $1,500/hr
DJing is not a stable income stream. The demand for entertainment is always changing, and the competition is always trying to take your spot.
Modern DJs build exclusive libraries and produce original music to generate scarcity. Buying a ticket to their set means hearing music you won't find online. That experience is part of a Producer DJ's unique selling proposition (USP).
For a real example, I’ve linked a DJ who breaks down exactly what he earned DJing in NYC for one month, gig by gig, on Instagram.
The Best Way to Practice DJing
Learn the fundamentals step by step
Meet DJs in an online community
Watch a professional break down the basics
Take our Free Beginner DJ Course
