Hey there! Imagine being both a high school student and a DJ/Producer. That’s exactly what I am, and I’m here to share my journey with you. Just like many of you, I’m also part of my school’s marching band and I love running track. But my real passion is DJing and producing music.
I’ve been DJing for over three years now and have had the chance to work with some big names like Avicii, Skrillex, and Major Lazer. How many of you enjoy dance music? Or maybe you’re into rap, trap, jazz, or classical music? The cool thing about being a DJ is that you can mix all these genres together to create something unique.
So, what exactly does a DJ do? Well, DJs mix tracks to create a musical journey. For example, I once mixed a Kanye West intro with a track called “LRAD.” DJs also create “mashups,” which means combining two or more songs into one. A famous mashup I like involves Krewella’s “Alive” and Porter Robinson’s “Language.” By layering vocals and tracks, DJs can create entirely new songs.
If you’re interested in becoming a DJ, there are many ways to learn. I started by studying DJs who inspired me. Watching their live sets and podcasts helped me understand what makes a great DJ. You can also learn from friends who DJ or explore online resources like YouTube. Websites like Beatport and SoundCloud are great for discovering new tracks.
DJing has evolved from using traditional turntables and vinyl to digital tools like CDJs and software programs such as Ableton, Traktor Pro, and Serato. There are also apps for tablets and smartphones that let you mix tracks. Hardware like the APC40, CDJs, and controllers like the Novation Launchpad help DJs create amazing mixes.
Let me show you how mixing works. I’ll start with a song I created with my friend Matt Dzyacky and blend it into a medley of different tracks. DJs use mixers to add effects like beat rolls and filters, which make the music even more exciting. By transitioning between songs and adding new beats, DJs keep the energy flowing.
Thanks to today’s technology, anyone with a passion for music can start DJing. Whether you begin with a simple app or invest in more advanced equipment, the possibilities are endless. You can mix various styles of music and create something truly your own.
So, if you’re passionate about music and want to explore DJing, go for it! The journey is exciting, and the opportunities are limitless. Thank you for listening, and happy mixing!
Listen to a variety of music genres such as dance, rap, trap, jazz, and classical. Create a playlist that includes at least one track from each genre. Reflect on how these genres can be mixed together to create unique sounds. Share your playlist with classmates and discuss your choices.
Using free online tools or apps, create a mashup by combining two or more songs. Choose tracks that you think will blend well together. Present your mashup to the class and explain your creative process and the challenges you faced.
Pick a DJ who inspires you and research their career and style. Prepare a short presentation about their influence on the music industry and what makes their DJing unique. Share your findings with the class and discuss what you learned from their techniques.
Use a DJ app on your smartphone or tablet to practice mixing tracks. Experiment with different effects like beat rolls and filters. Record a short mix and share it with a partner for feedback. Discuss what techniques worked well and what you could improve.
Find a live-streamed DJ set online and watch it. Pay attention to how the DJ transitions between tracks and engages the audience. Write a reflection on what you observed and how you can apply these techniques to your own DJing practice.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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(Music) Thank you, thank you. As you can probably tell, I’m an astronaut. No, I’m a DJ/Producer, as it says on the screen. I am also a high school student, just like many of you. How many high school students do we have out here? (Cheers) Oh, okay! A good amount. I’m a proud member of my school’s marching band, and I run track as well, so if any of you are into that, it’s one of my other passions.
I have been DJing and producing for a little over three years now, and I’ve worked with artists that you may know, like Avicii, Skrillex, Major Lazer, Krewella, Porter Robinson, Carnage, and many others. How many of you like dance music? Show of hands for dance music. Oh, okay. How many of you like rap or trap hip hop? Okay, good amount. Jazz? Classical? That’s great; you all have smart minds.
What’s great about DJing is that you can combine all these genres into one idea. What I like to do is combine dance, hip hop, trap, dubstep, even movie samples, and create a unique set. DJing creates a combined culture that really unites many fans. A good example of this is Skrillex and A$AP Rocky’s collaboration “Wild for the Night” or, most recently, Avicii and Aloe Blacc’s “Wake Me Up.” How many of you know that song? It’s a great track.
Now, what exactly does a DJ do? Well, as you just saw earlier, they mix tracks. What I just did was mix a Kanye West intro from “Black Skinhead” with a track called “LRAD.” One of the main goals is to trigger samples, tracks, or clips and create a long journey. I’m going to do another little example for you right now of what DJs call a “mashup,” which is taking two or more tracks and combining them into one. This mashup was made famous by a Hungarian duo, Myon & Shane 54, and it takes the vocals from Krewella’s “Alive.” How many of you know that song? “Alive”? Yeah, okay.
I’m going to take the vocals from that track and the song “Language” by Porter Robinson. So, let me just play you the vocals first. (Music) So, that’s the vocals, and here’s the actual track. (Music) Now, I’m going to layer these vocals on top of the track and create a new song, a combined song with the two vocals. (Music) If you turn it down, you can just hear I’m playing it a cappella or just the song by itself. (Music)
Now, what I’m going to do after this drops is change it into another song. One of the most important things about dance music is really the drop, so I’m going to change it into another song and catch you by surprise. (Music) And that’s one example right there. (Applause)
As you saw, I took three different songs and combined them into one new idea, which is something many DJs do out there on the professional circuit. There are plenty of ways to get started DJing. One of the main things I did was take the time to study DJs that inspired me. Whether it was watching podcasts, live sets, or just looking them up online, I really tried to understand what it meant to be a fantastic DJ.
One of the best ways to learn is to ask a friend who knows how to DJ. Just go over there and ask them a few questions. If not, thankfully we have a lot of great online resources. You can check out YouTube for demonstrations. Many DJs, a high percentage of them, check out Beatport or SoundCloud to find tracks. There are also many other blog sites, such as Billboard’s CODE, EDMTunes, EDM Sauce, or Dancing Astronaut.
There are multiple ways to DJ, and what could originally only be done on turntables and vinyl by legends such as Larry Levan, Grandmaster Flash, and Paul Oakenfold can now be done with many more pieces of equipment, such as CDJs, which are digital turntables and what I learned on and still use today. There are many amazing programs now, such as Ableton, Traktor Pro, Serato, or even apps for tablets and touchscreens.
There are many hardware systems, just like my APC40 here, that can launch samples, clips, and tracks. You can also use turntables, CDJs, an S4 controller, or a Novation Launchpad. All of these do the same thing: mix tracks.
Now, I’m going to show you guys another mix demonstration. I’m going to start with one of my own songs that I did with my friend Matt Dzyacky, and from there I’m going to go into a medley of different tracks and show you the different styles of mixing that you can do. (Music)
You can hear in the back, a new song is mixing in. (Music) Now, another thing that DJs use is what’s called a mixer, which has many different effects, such as a beat roll, filter effects, and various others. There are plenty of effects to use. (Music)
Now, I’m going into a new song, and after this drops, I’m going to transition into another song and change it up. (Music) And that’s a new song bite. (Music) So I’m just going to mash up another song right when this one breaks down. (Music)
Now, if I want to change up the music, let’s say, throw in some new beats, I can choose a trap beat to overlay during the breakdown. (Music) So, I get ready to throw in my new beats now. (Music) And that is the end of that demo. (Applause) Thank you, thank you!
Now, the great thing about technology today is that whether it’s a two-dollar app or a couple hundred dollars worth of equipment, which I’m sure most parents won’t want to buy for their child, almost anyone with a passion for DJing and music who wants to pursue a career in it really has the ability to do so, just like me. You can start with an app on a tablet or even on your phone, and then move on to bigger equipment. The opportunities are endless, and as you saw, you can mix many different styles of music.
So, thank you!
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This version removes any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content while maintaining the overall message and flow of the original transcript.
DJ – A person who plays recorded music for an audience, often blending tracks together to create a seamless flow of music. – The DJ skillfully transitioned between songs, keeping the crowd dancing all night long.
Music – An art form and cultural activity whose medium is sound, organized in time to produce a composition through elements like melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre. – The music at the concert was so powerful that it moved the audience to tears.
Mixing – The process of combining and adjusting individual audio tracks to create a final version of a song or performance. – The sound engineer spent hours mixing the tracks to ensure the perfect balance of instruments and vocals.
Mashups – Creative works that blend two or more pre-recorded songs into a single track, often highlighting contrasting elements. – The DJ’s mashups were a hit at the festival, as they combined classic rock with modern pop.
Tracks – Individual pieces of music or audio recordings, often part of a larger album or playlist. – The artist released several new tracks that quickly climbed the charts.
Genres – Categories of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter, especially in music. – Jazz and classical are two very different genres, each with its own unique appeal.
Tools – Instruments or software used by musicians and producers to create, edit, and perform music. – Modern producers rely on digital tools to enhance their music production capabilities.
Digital – Relating to technology that uses discrete values, often in the form of binary code, to process and store information, commonly used in music production and distribution. – The digital revolution has transformed how we access and enjoy music.
Create – To bring something into existence, such as composing a new piece of music or developing a performance. – The composer was inspired to create a symphony that captured the essence of the city.
Energy – The intensity and vitality present in a musical performance, often influencing the audience’s engagement and response. – The band’s energy on stage was infectious, leaving the audience exhilarated.
