DJ Techniques I
Get comfortable with numerous beginner level DJing techniques, including counting bars and beats, dropping on the one, beatmatching, mixing, and more!
Course Overview
Every DJ needs to begin somewhere. Whether you’re looking to get started, or you’re still in the first phases of learning DJ techniques, you can find in-depth but easy-to-learn lessons through our DJ Techniques I course.
Course Curriculum
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PreviewCounting Bars and Beats Learn how to count the bars and beats in any track so you can mix effortlessly, know where you are in a song, beatmatch perfectly, scratch in time, and more! (1:55)
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PreviewCounting Bars & Beats Example In the lesson, we take a close look at the audio wave forms of a song to identify the bars and beats and analyze the compositional structure of the track. (3:33)
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StartDropping on the One Learn how to drop the first beat of a bar from one track on to the first beat of a bar in another track. This is known as “dropping on the one” and is the most basic and common approach to dropping a track. (3:25)
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StartBeatmatching Tips and Exercises Beatmatching is the act of synchronizing two or more tracks or loops so they can be seamlessly mixed together. We’ll cover how to slow down or speed up a track on a vinyl DJ setup to match any two rhythmically compatible songs or loops. See later videos on beatmatching for in depth examples of beatmatching in Serato Scratch Live and Traktor. (6:03)
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StartBeatmatching in Traktor Learn to match the beats of two tracks in Traktor. We’ll cover how to slow down or speed up a track (in case your tracks are different beats-per-minute) to match any two rhythmically compatible songs or loops. (3:46)
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StartBeatmatching in Serato Scratch Live Learn to match the beats of two tracks in Serato Scratch Live. We’ll cover how to slow down or speed up a track (in case your tracks are different beats-per-minute) to match any two rhythmically compatible songs or loops. (3:57)
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StartMixing Tips and Exercises (Part I) Mixing refers to seamlessly transitioning from one track or loop to another without unintentional gaps in playback. This lesson will provide you with an introduction to mixing as we take you step-by-step through several beginner level mixing techniques. (6:01)
Key course topics in DJ Techniques I include:
How to beatmatch, including how to slow down or speed up a track on a vinyl setup.
Beatmatching is one of the key basics of DJing and will be a vital part of your early learning. Without learning these fundamentals, which are all laid out in DJ Techniques I, becoming an advanced DJ and pursuing your unique sounds can be riddled with setbacks. The team at DJ Courses Online can help you complete your training and learn the skills you need (and will maintain for life) with our dedicated customer service and years of experience.
How to count the bars and beats of any track, which will help you beatmatch and scratch in time for any song.
Every musical track is informed by its bars and beats. Understanding these elements is vital in mixing and scratching in musically pleasing ways. DJ Courses Online provides high quality video courses that will help you understand these elements, as well as the pieces of software essential to your mixing and sound creation. By learning the techniques used by professional DJs around the world, you can not only replicate the sounds you hear in your favorite tracks, but produce new and original tracks informed by your own style.
How to “drop on the one,” or drop the first beat of one track into another for skillful mixing.
While dropping on the one is a basic skill for every DJ, it is vital for successful mixing and the creation of great sounding tracks. Learning this skill will equip you for more advanced techniques in the future.
How to seamlessly transition between two tracks or loops.
To be a successful DJ, you’ll need creativity and know-how in equal parts. Transitioning between tracks and loops will give you access to new sounds and the ability to produce the music you want to make. With the knowledge and skills that you can acquire through our variety of courses, you will be able to use many different programs to successfully produce the music you’ve been imagining. Our beginner DJ mixing course is just the starting point, but it has put countless students on the path to success.
How to identify bars and beats, as well as the compositional structure of a track, by analyzing the audio waveforms.
Software gives every DJ the chance to view and analyze audio waveforms for an even more in-depth understanding of musical tracks. By learning how to use these programs and fully understand audio waveforms, you can have the knowledge and insight needed to tackle any track and produce unique sounds.
How to manually beatmatch on a vinyl setup, as well as in Serato Scratch Live and Traktor.
A proficient and insightful DJ should know how to succeed at multiple setups. By learning how to use vinyl, Serato Scratch Live, and Traktor, you can have the working knowledge needed to consistently grow your skills. At DJ Courses Online, we aim to give every DJ an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience, and once you feel ready to move beyond the beginner lessons, we have more advanced techniques waiting for you.
