the SOUND INSURGENT
So in my town we have a Conservatory of Music where kids can go and take lessons with the instrument of there choice or sing, pretty much whatever they wanna learn........ For a cost or profit, however you wanna look at it.
Well anyways they have recently got an NS7 and asked if I'd like to do some workshops. The money is good but that's not the problem.......the problem I'm having is,
How do I teach kids the art of deejaying in the digital age??
I'm old school, 2 turntables, mixer and no sync, lol! So how would y'all approach this ??
Well anyways they have recently got an NS7 and asked if I'd like to do some workshops. The money is good but that's not the problem.......the problem I'm having is,
How do I teach kids the art of deejaying in the digital age??
I'm old school, 2 turntables, mixer and no sync, lol! So how would y'all approach this ??
Posted Fri 06 Sep 13 @ 9:44 am
Tear Em 'Up
Personally, I would first pose this, "Ask yourself, why do I want to be a DJ? Is it because I love music? Is it because I think it's easy? Is it because I want to talk to girls?" Then, I would explain the time and effort it really takes to become a DJ. Don't sugar coat it. Then, explain how fulfilling it can be, if the effort is there. THEN, I would have them watch what I do, and while I do it, explain that it's an expression of personal style. After that, I would get into theory of BPMs, key structure, and knowing when to blend.
Posted Fri 06 Sep 13 @ 9:50 am
groovindj
Yeah, teach the method. It doesn't really matter what the format is.
If they've got an NS7 then you can demonstrate scratching, cutting, backspins and all that - explain that it originated with vinyl, and how the NS7 and similar decks are based on turntables.
Get them to count beats, see if they can clap or stomp to a tempo....even when it's moving up or down. Explian about how music is made in sections of bars, and that you have to bring tracks in on the right beat.
There's a lot you can teach them.
If they've got an NS7 then you can demonstrate scratching, cutting, backspins and all that - explain that it originated with vinyl, and how the NS7 and similar decks are based on turntables.
Get them to count beats, see if they can clap or stomp to a tempo....even when it's moving up or down. Explian about how music is made in sections of bars, and that you have to bring tracks in on the right beat.
There's a lot you can teach them.
Posted Fri 06 Sep 13 @ 10:05 am
danielsr2006
TearEmUp just said it perfectly! Its good that they see you still enjoy your turntables and mixer. It might give them good understanding when they are ready to go digital.
Posted Fri 06 Sep 13 @ 10:07 am
the SOUND INSURGENT
Nice! Thanks Terry and Groovin.
The kids have seen me play before as are group uses the studio there for practice. They've been asking me to do this for about a year but I haven't had slot of time between family, gigs and work but I'm slowing done for the family as the kids are getting older and need more of my time. I've been thinking this would be good for me as I can pass on what I know and hopefully one of the kids will take hold and do great things..
The kids have seen me play before as are group uses the studio there for practice. They've been asking me to do this for about a year but I haven't had slot of time between family, gigs and work but I'm slowing done for the family as the kids are getting older and need more of my time. I've been thinking this would be good for me as I can pass on what I know and hopefully one of the kids will take hold and do great things..
Posted Fri 06 Sep 13 @ 10:22 am
locoDog
I'd say it would depend on what those who pay you expect,
I'd start by showing off with a demo with a little scratch a little break chasing, visual stuff to spark the imagination, then I'd show them the basic silders and buttons to show what they do, (play, nudge forward/backward, up & cross faders) then I'd play 3 tunes (in part) unmixed to the class, one tune being the wrong genre/bpm to mix with the others and ask which 2 belong together and why, then show them why.
I'd then start them with clapping the beats and banging desks for cymbal crashes so they get basic phasing, then I'd have them into-outro mixing with 2 bpm matched tunes, just getting them to press play at the right time and nudging the tune into time.
Once they get that have them mix longer than into-outro (still bpm matched) using eqs and faders
once they get that introduce them to manual pitch alignment by ear alone (most will struggle with this)
then and only then would I introduce auto pitch.
Oh at some early point I'd get them each to bring in a song each for you to rip and make a mix at home so when you start teaching structure you can point stuff out "this song has a 4*4*8 outro this song has a 4*4*4 intro so I started the new song here so as song 1 ends song 2 gets into full swing" "this song won't beatmix so I let 1 song end and the started song 2"
Above all make sure the tunes you pick for them to beatmatch are all 4*4*8 phased to keep things simple.
I'd start by showing off with a demo with a little scratch a little break chasing, visual stuff to spark the imagination, then I'd show them the basic silders and buttons to show what they do, (play, nudge forward/backward, up & cross faders) then I'd play 3 tunes (in part) unmixed to the class, one tune being the wrong genre/bpm to mix with the others and ask which 2 belong together and why, then show them why.
I'd then start them with clapping the beats and banging desks for cymbal crashes so they get basic phasing, then I'd have them into-outro mixing with 2 bpm matched tunes, just getting them to press play at the right time and nudging the tune into time.
Once they get that have them mix longer than into-outro (still bpm matched) using eqs and faders
once they get that introduce them to manual pitch alignment by ear alone (most will struggle with this)
then and only then would I introduce auto pitch.
Oh at some early point I'd get them each to bring in a song each for you to rip and make a mix at home so when you start teaching structure you can point stuff out "this song has a 4*4*8 outro this song has a 4*4*4 intro so I started the new song here so as song 1 ends song 2 gets into full swing" "this song won't beatmix so I let 1 song end and the started song 2"
Above all make sure the tunes you pick for them to beatmatch are all 4*4*8 phased to keep things simple.
Posted Fri 06 Sep 13 @ 11:13 am
PachN
In the "mix lesson" forum are very good threads about starting a dj career, how to mix etc.
Maybe you give it a short read.
Maybe you give it a short read.
Posted Fri 06 Sep 13 @ 1:04 pm
jboerlage
Hey beatbreaker1,
I am just about to start a couple of DJ workshops for kids between 8 and 16. This is a voluntairy initiative together with the local goverment to inspire kids and to 'get them to do something more usefull than hang on the street'.
The kids will be learning the very very basics that they would need to get a new hobby going and get them to organize and play at their own party at the end of the line of workshops. I'll make them sniff at many of the aspects.
In a nutsell they will learn what it is to be a DJ, learn that there are all kinds of DJ's and musical tastes, learn what they like and how to respect another. Where to get your music, the importance of organizing. They will get the basics of mixing (some beatmixing, a little music and rithm theory), some on build ups, some on making a mixtape and getting it out there etc etc.
I'll be providing them with all the links in the right direction including Virtual DJ Home Free.
I've already done a testing session with a couple of kids. As a promotion warmup for the series (so little explanation, losts of doing). I had a drumcomputer with me to teach them to count first. The trick? Make them spell out a word that will match the 1 2 3 4 .. in Dutch that is Pan Nen Koe Ken (Pancakes). I had them screaming their lung out on a house beat, I would make them hush and restart them selves etc etc. At that moment you'll notice which kids have a musical feeling and which kids have less.
After that, I put on some tech house and made them do a synced transition. Turn by turn.. press play at the right moment (the PAN of pannenkoeken)
Second round.. press play at the right moment (the PAN of pannenkoeken) and move the cross fader.
Third round.. Press play on the right time, switch the bass with the equalizer, move the cross fader.
They loved it!
I make my own powerpoint teaching material, so if you like and wouldnt mind doing a google translate I can send those to you.
Some pics:
I am just about to start a couple of DJ workshops for kids between 8 and 16. This is a voluntairy initiative together with the local goverment to inspire kids and to 'get them to do something more usefull than hang on the street'.
The kids will be learning the very very basics that they would need to get a new hobby going and get them to organize and play at their own party at the end of the line of workshops. I'll make them sniff at many of the aspects.
In a nutsell they will learn what it is to be a DJ, learn that there are all kinds of DJ's and musical tastes, learn what they like and how to respect another. Where to get your music, the importance of organizing. They will get the basics of mixing (some beatmixing, a little music and rithm theory), some on build ups, some on making a mixtape and getting it out there etc etc.
I'll be providing them with all the links in the right direction including Virtual DJ Home Free.
I've already done a testing session with a couple of kids. As a promotion warmup for the series (so little explanation, losts of doing). I had a drumcomputer with me to teach them to count first. The trick? Make them spell out a word that will match the 1 2 3 4 .. in Dutch that is Pan Nen Koe Ken (Pancakes). I had them screaming their lung out on a house beat, I would make them hush and restart them selves etc etc. At that moment you'll notice which kids have a musical feeling and which kids have less.
After that, I put on some tech house and made them do a synced transition. Turn by turn.. press play at the right moment (the PAN of pannenkoeken)
Second round.. press play at the right moment (the PAN of pannenkoeken) and move the cross fader.
Third round.. Press play on the right time, switch the bass with the equalizer, move the cross fader.
They loved it!
I make my own powerpoint teaching material, so if you like and wouldnt mind doing a google translate I can send those to you.
Some pics:
Posted Fri 06 Sep 13 @ 1:36 pm
DJ Emergency
jboerlage wrote :
Hey beatbreaker1,
I am just about to start a couple of DJ workshops for kids between 8 and 16. This is a voluntairy initiative together with the local goverment to inspire kids and to 'get them to do something more usefull than hang on the street'.
The kids will be learning the very very basics that they would need to get a new hobby going and get them to organize and play at their own party at the end of the line of workshops. I'll make them sniff at many of the aspects.
In a nutsell they will learn what it is to be a DJ, learn that there are all kinds of DJ's and musical tastes, learn what they like and how to respect another. Where to get your music, the importance of organizing. They will get the basics of mixing (some beatmixing, a little music and rithm theory), some on build ups, some on making a mixtape and getting it out there etc etc.
I'll be providing them with all the links in the right direction including Virtual DJ Home Free.
I've already done a testing session with a couple of kids. As a promotion warmup for the series (so little explanation, losts of doing). I had a drumcomputer with me to teach them to count first. The trick? Make them spell out a word that will match the 1 2 3 4 .. in Dutch that is Pan Nen Koe Ken (Pancakes). I had them screaming their lung out on a house beat, I would make them hush and restart them selves etc etc. At that moment you'll notice which kids have a musical feeling and which kids have less.
After that, I put on some tech house and made them do a synced transition. Turn by turn.. press play at the right moment (the PAN of pannenkoeken)
Second round.. press play at the right moment (the PAN of pannenkoeken) and move the cross fader.
Third round.. Press play on the right time, switch the bass with the equalizer, move the cross fader.
They loved it!
I make my own powerpoint teaching material, so if you like and wouldnt mind doing a google translate I can send those to you.
Some pics:
I am just about to start a couple of DJ workshops for kids between 8 and 16. This is a voluntairy initiative together with the local goverment to inspire kids and to 'get them to do something more usefull than hang on the street'.
The kids will be learning the very very basics that they would need to get a new hobby going and get them to organize and play at their own party at the end of the line of workshops. I'll make them sniff at many of the aspects.
In a nutsell they will learn what it is to be a DJ, learn that there are all kinds of DJ's and musical tastes, learn what they like and how to respect another. Where to get your music, the importance of organizing. They will get the basics of mixing (some beatmixing, a little music and rithm theory), some on build ups, some on making a mixtape and getting it out there etc etc.
I'll be providing them with all the links in the right direction including Virtual DJ Home Free.
I've already done a testing session with a couple of kids. As a promotion warmup for the series (so little explanation, losts of doing). I had a drumcomputer with me to teach them to count first. The trick? Make them spell out a word that will match the 1 2 3 4 .. in Dutch that is Pan Nen Koe Ken (Pancakes). I had them screaming their lung out on a house beat, I would make them hush and restart them selves etc etc. At that moment you'll notice which kids have a musical feeling and which kids have less.
After that, I put on some tech house and made them do a synced transition. Turn by turn.. press play at the right moment (the PAN of pannenkoeken)
Second round.. press play at the right moment (the PAN of pannenkoeken) and move the cross fader.
Third round.. Press play on the right time, switch the bass with the equalizer, move the cross fader.
They loved it!
I make my own powerpoint teaching material, so if you like and wouldnt mind doing a google translate I can send those to you.
Some pics:
Genius idea! Never thought of that.
Posted Mon 09 Sep 13 @ 4:31 pm
djdad
jboerlage wrote :
This is a voluntairy initiative together with the local goverment to inspire kids and to 'get them to do something more usefull than hang on the street'.
Excellent !!!!
@ Huey, good luck there. I am sure you ll be fine.
Posted Mon 09 Sep 13 @ 4:48 pm
waltworek
Its amazing how interested the youth are and how they want to learn. When I do mobiles at a private function I always have my wife with the kids come up she handles them and explains what I am doing how I am manipulating the sound ect and have had a few parents say how much they enjoyed us showing them and wish more Dj's in our area would do that. They always ask if they are bothering us and when we say no they will usually throw us a few dollars at the end for our "inconveiniemce"
Maybe should talk to my local elementary school about maybe starting a class...
Maybe should talk to my local elementary school about maybe starting a class...
Posted Thu 12 Sep 13 @ 2:11 pm
jboerlage
Just came back from a class, three boys and one girl, and they catch up so damn quick!!
Posted Thu 12 Sep 13 @ 4:14 pm