5 Basics To DJ'ing by Laidback Luke!

Can't believe I never did this! An introduction to DJ'ing!

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Keanu Silva
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Laidback Luke
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My beginners tutorial:

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[neffectmusic]

I gotta put my 2 sense on this topic because I’ve been DJ’in for 28 years and there really is no science to it. So much talk about DJ’s who use controllers, sync buttons or stand there and turn knobs. Blah, blah blah. 1st off, a good producer doesn’t mean you’re a good DJ and vise versa. Being a DJ is an art form in itself, if you’re standing on stage pumping your fist for an entire show telling people to “Put their F-ing hands up” or are surfing the crowd and throwing cakes at people, YOU ARE NOT A DJ. You are a performer, an artist, a producer, a showman but you are not a DJ. From my experience this is what I feel are the 5 basics to DJ’ing, this will start you off in the right direction. Turning the knobs, playing with frequencies, pitch controlling, those are all important but here is what I feel is key and what will make you a better DJ all around.

1.) Don’t fake it! If your fingers are on a knob, make sure you are doing something and not putting your fingers there because you need to look busy. If you have nothing to do, dance to the music with the crowd because you feel it and you enjoy it and you’re in the moment.
2.) Don’t be a genre queen! Stop thinking that because you make Bass House you need to play or listen to Bass House or because Jauz is your favorite DJ you should only be playing music in that genre. One of the things the greats like Laidback Luke and Carl Cox have is the ability to read a crowd and that’s goes into my next point.
3.) Adapt to your surroundings! Work on your ability to read a crowd. I would always show up for my set early to listen to the other DJ’s to see what they played and studied the crowd or sometimes I would go to clubs I was booked at in the weeks to come prior and study the crowd that went to the event to see their reactions to what was being played. If you’re not booked anywhere, you can work on this skill by attending events and focus on the crowd instead of the guy behind the decks playing with the knobs and pumping his fist.
4.) Listen to If you hate it, listen to it, if you love it listen to it, if you never heard it, listen to it. A true lover of music will be inspired from everything they’ve heard, everything they’ve seen and everyone they’ve listened to. Don’t put yourself in a music bubble. I guarantee you Skrillex was not listening to Dubstep in his car or at home when he was chillin’. GET INSPIRED AND GET INSPIRED OFTEN.
5.) Mix, don’t let the controller or CDJ’s do it for you, stay away from the naughty Sync button. You may be tempted but STOP! The feeling you get when you create that perfect blend and did it on your own is a feeling like no other and you will see that the crowd can feel it too because you’re in the moment together. This goes back to step 1. If your mix is off beat, at least it was real, at least it was you. If your in the moment and you develop the skills to take the crowd there with you, no one is going to care that you were offbeat except for the DJ Mag 100 guy in the crowd and he’s an a**hole anyway because he just doesn’t understand what a DJ is in the first place.

Sorry if this comment was too long but I wanted to share my input.

[mcgritty]

People forget that in order to stay relevant, you sometimes have to follow trends. As long as you stay true to yourself and your art, nothing else matters.

[mutzang]

Don’t forget to manage your library and set cue points, so you can pick a perfect song for the crowd as quick as possible and get flexible with it

[justlikeheaven]

Laidbackluke is the Bruce Lee of djing!

[captaindon]

Thanks Luke I definitely hope you continue these! You’re really opening this world up to me and it’s dope! Always wanted to get into it for the thrill and love of music. Good luck tonight in NYC!

[marvomusic]

Just sent you the track, Luke. Thank you for taking your time to read all those comments. I'm confident that you'll like it!

[reddepo]

8:17 so when you push the track, are you essentially fast-forwarding to match where you'd like to sync? Also, why wouldn't someone just use the "sync" button instead? More creative versatility? What about melody note matching?

[albert_oponda]

Laidback Luke being a dedicated dad in this vlog by doing dad jokes @4:10! 😂🤣

[cdf]

ive also found using mixed in key with the harmonic wheel is a great help - thanks guys

[bestdani]

I don't like that many basic tutorials limit the basics of DJing to the techniques. Actually it's more important to select good fitting music than being able to beatmatch or fade nicely. The latter can only add to the experience but never rescue a bad selection.

[andyjames]

Great tutorial. I’ve been DJing since 1991 and when I teach new DJs to beatmatch I always get them to practice with some house beat loops , firstly using the same loop then using various loops at various BPMs. Seems to work well. Loving the Denon set up too 👍

[emphatic]

#6. Learn to monitor the final mix in headphones so you're always confident it sounds good on every sound system. You can always bring your own headphones, but every sound system can be very different.

[veetoutas]

I don't understand how Your videos how so little views. You are giving away priceless stuff for free! Thank You so much! Lithuania loves You! :)

[benjicollins]

Huge Fan. Please do more vlogs on this please. I'm 37 yrs old and just starting out.

[markscott]

DJ tips help a lot and it's very useful

[Azzythefilipinoboy]

Lesson learned on dj-ing never ever rely on the sync button sometimes it works but sometimes it goes off beat like you would hear snares on the 1 and 3 on the beat instead of 2 and 4 on the beat.

[chingizbailov]

Disclaimer: I hit like to my own comment:) So, my beatmatch/sync method is when time comes to start second track I let it to be a half beat behind the current playing track. There is a trainwreck going in my headphones. Then I start nudging the wheel forward until trainwreck goes away. Tracks synced. Good method for starter djs

[Mahakali-sails]

Bringing the bass out and in on your incoming track is a nice tip. Thanx.

I like playing a lot of my songs in duplicate though. So I am looping one while while minimally manipulating the original track. Still working on an easier way to get them playing and mixed in smoothly.

[RyRySoup]

Dude LL, one of my favorite things about your sets is the fact that you “don’t use the mic”! I love and prefer your “L’s Up” and cool dance moves! #letthemusicspeak

[MartRam]

Yes please please do more!!!! It is very helpful! 🙌🏻And PLEASE do one of equipment recommendation for beginners. Please. ⭐️🙌🏻⭐️🙌🏻