MIX IN KEY - HOW TO DO IT and what REALLY makes a GREAT DJ

I am often asked, How to mix in key? How important is mixing in key? How to mix songs in the same key?
This week we are discussing these questions. I show you how to mix in key and explain how mixing in key is relevant. I then show you some examples of two songs being played in key and two songs being played out of key.
After this, I discuss with you how important I think it is for you to mix in key.

I also discuss what I think makes a great DJ.

If you are looking for a lesson on mix in key, and you are interested in knowing how important it is, this is the tutorial for you.

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⭐TOP 5 MIXES ⭐

EDM & ELECTRO HOUSE LIVE MIX 2019:

BASS HOUSE and ELECTRO HOUSE LIVE MIX 2019:

MELBOURNE BOUNCE LIVE DJ MIX 2020:

BEST OF TRAP NATION LIVE DJ MIX 2019:

SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE HIP HOP DJ MIX:

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⭐Top 5 TUTORIALS ⭐

First 10 minutes on DJ Decks:

WHAT DJ's ACTUALLY DO!:

HOW TO BEAT MATCH:

MIX IN KEY - HOW TO DO IT:

MIXING DIFFERENT BPM AND GENRE
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[Dancingontgesun]

Its like this, you make regular people dance you're a great Dj, you make Djs dance and you're a headliner.

[arthurthevelin]

2B or not 2B, that's the key question

[Xolanidj]

As a dj for 17 years now, I will say that the only people who remotely cared about whether I mixed in key or not, were edm djs, and only a select number of them. My style of mixing is that I like to hear the changes and differences in music. The average listener actually gets bored with those sets that are mixed entirely in key. Yes, it is perfect mixing, but it sounds like one really long song, and I end up having to tell them, "No, that dj actually mixed like 30 songs".

On the other hand, I recently added Pitch 'n Time to my Serato setup. I will do SOME mixing in key, but mostly, I just wanted another way to alter the tracks that I mix.

Now for the video, it was quite informative. The first blend was perfect, and sounded like one song. The last blend, I could tell the difference, but again, that's my style. I did not find it to be a horrible clash at all.

[MutantRaveMassacre]

I had to stop playing guitar, piano, and singing because I lost most of my hearing (I was a Marine antitank assaultman, big booms right off the shoulder for years) I had a horrible time with depression over this and focused on sculpting and painting. It helped and I was definitely happy but the music is still in my head. I just bought the Pioneer DDJ 400 and pouring through your videos. I have only a diamond view of the future. Thanks for these and cheers!

[RafaelGrilli]

Bro, you are 100% right! If you don't give people something that they can enjoy, it doesn't matter if you match 100 songs perfectly in the set, you will end up playing only to yourself and no one will never notice you. Thanks for opening people's mind on that! 👊👊

[dchub]

Phil, your humble character makes your tutorials a delight to learn from.

[weximan]

I'm a dj that learnt playing vinyl, we never knew if if tracks were in key as long as the two tracks sound good together and the beat matching is spot on

[tp]

LOL I'm almost 40, and I just bought my first deck. I am so happy to find this channel. Super essential for dummys like me ;)
Thanks Mate! I will dig in next vids now.

[Car_Mo]

I was a DJ in the late 80's thru the 90's and to me there where 2 kinds of DJ's; Those who played a preset program/playlist and those who just read the room and played whatever worked on the current dance floor. I was the latter and i spent the first half of my [DJ] career aiming to become the first kind.
To me it was a personal goal to be able to play a program of songs that i selected and liked ... and get gig's because people loved what i played, not because i played what they loved ... there is a difference.
Eventually when I got booked because of _what_ i played i had more fun because i felt more like a performer and less like a jukebox. Ending a 1-2 hr set with a full dance floor and the sense of having performed well gave me more satisfaction than having a full dance floor for the same time.
It's like the difference between a live band playing only covers or only their own music.

[dr.dallasdiadem]

Dj X Caliber. (Radio Dj 1170AM & 107.9FM - USA) I have heard many Djs in my Life... But you are are a Real Dj Boss !!!! You're the Real Deal - Straight to the Point.. I will Always Recommend You !

[polvorin]

My two cents to this, I never thought of this whole key topic to be honest, I focused back then when I learned on vinyl's to manage a proper transition rather than following keys or not. I was resident for several years in a popular club and we changed every night the styles several times. So basically it is a mixture of everything, perfect transitions and experiments to keep that surprise factor every night... I would have had no fun if I wouldn't have risked never a mix... because my best mixes or sets were based on guts and feeling, never rules. I guess the DJs out here will understand what I mean.

[jhdrummer]

I’m a independent House pop producer, and I have been booked for an event as a DJ from a local festival just because they here my songs on the radio. Now I never DJ before! I’m assembling my set and I’m getting so obsessed with mixing in key, perfect blending, perfect phrasing between tracks. That’s come from my insecurity and lack of experience at the same time my musicianship prevails as well.

[dejonckheere]

Finally a DJ-talk who plays for a crowd and NOT for other DJ's;Your talk about being able to select great tracks gave me wings.I'm an upcoming Parisian Drag-DJ and the key word is making my crowd happy and dancing till they drop.Party.

[Riverflowsounds]

The best advice I have ever gotten from a DJ your ability to entertain the crowd with your choice of songs and your ability to read the crowd 👌🏾

[axeldietrich]

what you start telling at 9:30 is just so true.. its kinda good because it means that you dont have to worry that much about messing up but otherwise its sad becuase if you play "perfect" the people rather wont have a much better time than otherwise. But playing a perfect set is still so satisfying for myself that i am for sure totally trying to do so, more for myself than for the crowd.

[IbrahimAkar]

I was a DJ a long time ago (all vinyl) and I am now doing research because I am about to teach my daughter how to DJ, Whether she will mix in key or not, it is still very valuable information to know. Thanks.

[laraz-F]

As a dj/producer yes mix in key as making tracks spend hours getting drums synths bass in key so will make your sets much better but I get what your saying at the end of the video but don't take long to use the wheel and you will get used to hearing what key a track is over time, you could tell straight away different keys before you mixed it, but I have been doing it a long time now but well worth the effort to learn mixing in key. I think so :)

[tycotterill]

How have I only just come across your videos!!! I’ve been dj’ing (bedroom/house parties/close family parties) for about a year now. I self taught myself from scratch so don’t know the ins and outs just know how to get a party going but i finally want to take it further ie bars & clubs so I asked around a few Reddit posts and your name came up over and over! I’m so glad I clicked!!! I’m watching ALL of your vids even if I feel I know that subject already. This one has actually been useful, you’ve backed up my thoughts that key aren’t always important if I’m catering for the audience and not other DJ’s.
I’m sure I’ll be commenting on more of your videos as I get to them, but for now phil THANK YOU SO MUCH MATE 🤛🏾👍🏼🔊🔥

[djtorito]

i like your tips in the end of video, people don't care if you stop or mix different songs without same key, just you have to do a best selection and you become a good dj with more events, Thank you man

[OPOCOP]

Excellent video! You reminded me of what it's really about, having fun, your track selection and reading the crowd's energy. 🙏