| The Pro's (and woes!) of becoming a Mobile | | | | specialist DJ, offering services for one age |
| D.J! | | | | group or type of function, then this will be |
| | | | a lot easier to fund and build a music |
| So how do you become a Mobile D.J?, easy!, | | | | collection. However you may wish to gauge the |
| just call yourself one!. There are no | | | | demand for that type of music and DJ in your |
| diploma's or qualifications and no graduation | | | | area. |
| ceremony. However the time may come where you | | | | |
| are called upon to demonstrate your D.J'ing | | | | What Equipment do I need to buy? |
| skills and often this will be in front of | | | | |
| 100's of people at your first gig. | | | | Again it's not the equipment which |
| Entertaining such a a large number of people | | | | entertains, it's the D.J. By having the |
| can be a very daunting and nerve racking | | | | latest equipment it won't make you any better |
| task. | | | | as a D.J. It is possible to start up on a |
| | | | budget of £1000, which will get you a |
| Not just music and flashing lights | | | | sound system and a few lighting effects. If |
| | | | your budget won't stretch to this, then you |
| Mobile D.J'ing is different to club or radio | | | | may need to consider buying 2nd hand or |
| D.J'ing. Just spending a fortune on the very | | | | hiring the equipment. More information on |
| latest equipment and latest chart music won't | | | | choosing equipment is covered on another |
| make you a successful D.J or get you | | | | article. |
| re-booked. Being a Mobile D.J is also about | | | | |
| being an entertainer, rather then just being | | | | Any good reason to start off by helping |
| a Jukebox surrounded by lots of pretty | | | | another D.J, is that you gain the experience |
| lights!. You will also have to play a lot of | | | | and also find out if D.J'ing suits you BEFORE |
| music genres which you may not otherwise | | | | spending a lot of money and committment on |
| choose to listen to by choice. | | | | buying equipment. |
| | | | |
| A successful D.J is one who plays to his or | | | | Buying a comprehensive music library is far |
| her Audience, who can break the ice at | | | | more important than how much lighting you |
| difficult functions and who isn't out to | | | | have, and should be your first consideration. |
| satisfy their own ego's. Most D.J's learn to | | | | You can build up your lighting, and upgrade |
| "read" the audience, and are frequently | | | | your sound system (if required) once the work |
| watching the dancefloor to gauge what music | | | | starts coming in to justify it. |
| will work next. At Mobile Functions such as | | | | |
| Weddings, your audience may take some time to | | | | What else do I need? |
| get onto the dancefloor and this is where | | | | |
| Microphone work is important in order to | | | | Committment, dedication and enthusiasm is a |
| break the ice, make your audience feel | | | | must. As is patience and a good sense of |
| welcome and encourage them onto the | | | | humour. By definition, most Mobile D.J's work |
| dancefloor. | | | | the weekends, so if you get a good reputation |
| | | | and a full diary, you may have to cut down on |
| Where and how can I learn D.J skills and get | | | | your own personal social activities, and this |
| advice? | | | | can also put a strain on relationships, so |
| | | | make sure your partner / spouse is also |
| Some people simply may not be cut out to D.J. | | | | agreeable!. |
| Others may pick up the skills in a few | | | | |
| months, others may take a year or longer. | | | | From a professional prospective, you should |
| There is no hard or fast rule to learning the | | | | also obtain some level of PLI (Public |
| basics. The best, and often the most | | | | Liability Insurance), as a business within |
| successful route to becoming a D.J is by | | | | the UK it is a requirement to have some |
| helping another D.J at weekends. | | | | minimum level of insurance cover in order to |
| | | | protect you in the event of causing harm to a |
| Consider volunteering your services to | | | | third party through accident or neglect. The |
| another D.J locally. Helping out as a | | | | amount of PLI cover required varies from |
| "Roadie" may not be financially rewarding but | | | | £2 million to £10 million. You may find |
| you are essentially learning new skills for | | | | that £2 Million cover is adequate for your |
| free, which would cost you £100's on a | | | | area, although some hotel chains may insist |
| course. Most D.J's will often cover your | | | | on a minimum of £5 million to work at |
| expenses and refreshments, some may even pay | | | | their venues. |
| you, in return for your help, but don't | | | | |
| expect to live off it, after all they are | | | | You may be asked to produce evidence of your |
| doing you a favour by teaching you a trade, | | | | PLI cover before being allowed to set up in |
| and sharing their knowledge. | | | | some Hotels, and Council run establishments, |
| | | | so it is wise to get cover sooner, rather |
| Learning to D.J by becoming a Roadie is the | | | | than later. |
| fastest way to learn the business and by | | | | |
| actually watching another Professional D.J at | | | | How about a D.J Course or Workshop? |
| work can teach you more than in a classroom | | | | |
| or College environment. Most D.J's themselves | | | | These are few and far between especially in |
| got into the business this way, so don't be | | | | the UK, and usually aimed at teaching you |
| afraid to ask. | | | | beatmixing or turntable skills, which are of |
| | | | little use to the Novice Mobile D.J. If you |
| What music will I need? | | | | are aiming for club work, then you may find a |
| | | | course to be of interest, however these |
| This is entirely dependant on the type of | | | | courses have limited use on the Mobile |
| functions which you are attending. Most | | | | Circuit. |
| Mobile DJ's will set themselves up to cover | | | | |
| all types of functions from Childrens' | | | | D.J courses can cost between £100 and |
| Parties to 75th Wedding Anniversaries, and | | | | £1000s ($100 - $3000). Like any industry |
| this means playing music to all age groups. | | | | there are risks, so it is important to find |
| Ideally you will need to invest in virtually | | | | out exactly what the course involves and |
| all types of Genres. Rock & Roll, 1960's, | | | | whether the information is of any value to |
| 1970's, Disco, Funk, Soul, Motown, 1980's, | | | | you before parting with your money!. Some |
| 1990's as well as the latest chart and club | | | | courses may of little use, others may teach |
| dance music. | | | | you the basics find out exactly what each one |
| | | | offers and weigh up the benefits to you. |
| If you are setting yourself up as a | | | | |