A sound option
IF you dig music, scratch this.
Life at the turntables could be groovy. And you get
paid to party. So what does it take to be a disc-jockey (DJ)?
CHECKLIST
Did you start watching MTV when others back in
school were still watching Cartoon Network?
Do you lust more for the sound of music than the
visuals of model types in the music videos?
Do you have ears and ears of listening experience?
You wouldn't mind adding more?
Does your body automatically respond to sound
rhythmically? You start tapping your feet or shaking your head
according to the beat even when you are not consciously listening to
the music?
Does the jukebox guy at the coffee shop like you
for your regular contribution? Yeah? How about the rest of the
crowd?
Do you hum songs with wrong lyrics and wrong tunes
because you think they are cool?
Do you like to party? Okay, do you get your kicks
out of watching people dance to your favourite tunes?
Yes, to all or many of the above? Super cool! With
a little bit of professional practice, you could be dancing your way
to the bank every weekend, fly out in different colours to different
parts of the world and get to check out the hip n happening pubs,
clubs and discos, all the way to Ibiza!
DJ-SPEAK
According to Delhi-based DJ Jazzy Joe (http://www.jazzyjoe.com/) ,
currently setting up his own club, `Hotspot', here's what you need:
"You need to have the passion for music. I love my
music. If music was a woman, I would have married her by now. You
need to be able to sense what kind of music different types of
people like at different places and be able to give them what they
like. You need to be able to relate to people, be colourful but at
the end of the day, you have to be YOU."
Hmmm! If that got you into the mood, read on.
LEARNING TO ROCK
Academics? Well, it would help if you went to
school and/or college. It's not really a must. In this profession,
practice makes perfect. But if you want to have an edge over the
others, go in for professional training.
There are audio engineering courses available in
specialised schools like SAE Technology Centre (http://www.saeindia.net/) .
Popular DJs like Tuhin, Jaspreet, Tarun, Ashwin, Jerry, Abhishek,
Gaurav, Das, Jam B (Mauritius), Siddharth, Shiv, Vikram, Hari, Zee
(Portugal) and Max, all studied at SAE, the institute brags.
In fact, SAE is scheduled to start its Djing course
in the city from the summer of 2004.
The course syllabi includes:
Use of Turntables and Mixer
Introduction to Equipment and Functions
Hand Placement, Moving Turntable
Releasing Records
Basic and Advanced Mixing & Cutting Techniques
Matching Pitch between two turntables
Equipment setup
Improved Mixing & Cutting Techniques
Mixing Multiple Records
Basic and Advanced Scratching
Hand and Fader Movements
Quick mixing and styling
Coursework apart, you need to start collecting CDs
— you need to have the best of all genres of music, develop a unique
mixing style of your own and stay updated of the latest records and
trends in the music industry.
WHAT YOU MAKE
With mushrooming of pubs around the city, DJs with
a little experience make anything between Rs.10,000 and Rs.20,000
per month. Reputed ones who freelance get that kind of money per
party. The more popular you become, the more your worth.
THE UPSIDE
No work, all fun and play
Money
Celebrity Status
You get to travel
THE DOWNSIDE
High risk factor. If you don't update yourself with
global trends, you are out. You need to have a distinct identity of
your own, or you are out.
Short career span. Back-up careers required.
Besides, partying is a weekend activity. Got anything to do the rest
of the time?
The grind behind the glam. When everyone's dancing
away on New year's eve. You are the one who's flipping CDs, gauging
moods and trying to match the mood-swings. Everybody's holiday is
your working day.
Lifestyle risks. Djing is often associated with
alcohol, sleepless nights and even drugs. Will you hold your own?
VERDICT
If you have the flair and passion for music mixed
with strong determination, with a little creativity, you could make
it big as a DJ. Remixes and albums are big money. There are adequate
opportunities for the best in the business. Join the club if you are
sure to rock the crowd.
Sudhish Kamath
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