Non-musicians are now taking their love for music and converting it into DJ sets. Here’s how to spin records, and make a crowd dance
PIC/ISTOCK
Good music has the ability to make or break a good party. Whether it’s at a college gathering or a crowded bar, DJs are truly the life of the party. But let why let only pros have all the fun? If you’re feeling an urge to pick up a new hobby, you can ‘scratch’ that itch with a DJ set!
Kabeer Arora
For Neha Josi, 31, dance paved her way to being a DJ. She found herself breaking tracks down and paying attention to the rhythm, energy, and how different elements of a track come together. That curiosity evolved into a deeper appreciation, and soon, she decided to learn how to DJ.
According to Josi, the basics (beatmatching, phrasing, and transitions) take some time to learn, but consistent practice is key. “Once you understand the fundamentals, it is similar to riding a bike. You might get a little rusty, but you do not really forget,” she claims.
Neha Josi, 31, dancer
Josi suggests taking structured classes, or trying to learn it online via tutorials. Platforms such as Udemy and Tomorrowland Academy offer tutorials. “There is a lot of great content available online,” she adds.
Kabeer Arora, 25, got into the craft through music production. DJing helped him understand music better, keeping in mind how it worked best on a dance floor. “It feels like an extension of production, just more immediate and physical,” he says.
Celebs who spin
Shahid Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Apoorva Mukhija and Arjun Rampal
Who says that you can only DJ professionally? Arora believes that DJing should always be fun. “At its core, it’s about sharing the music you love,” he claims. “And that doesn’t necessarily need to turn into a career.” He thinks that DJing is just one part of a larger ecosystem. “If you remove the pressure to ‘make it’, it actually becomes more honest, and that’s when things tend to connect better,” he observes.
‘Enjoy the process’
PIC/ISTOCK
Josi suggests to start simple, and to keep showing up. “Focus on discovering music you genuinely connect with, and build your library while experimenting with different genres”, she advises. And most importantly, she urges that you enjoy the process. That is what she thinks makes DJing so sustainable and fun.
Arora’s guidance is that one should avoid chasing trends too hard. “Build your taste,” he suggests. “Spend time genuinely listening to music and understanding how certain tracks make you feel. Technical skills also matter, but what really stays is intention.”
Gear checklist
>> DJ controller (or decks/mixer) Rs 10,000 onwards
>> Laptop
>> DJ software (such as Rekordbox or Serato) Rs 1000-Rs 2800 per month
>> DJ Headphones Rs 1000 onwards
>> Monitor speakers Rs 8000 onwards
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
