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Becoming A DJ - What Does The Job Entail?

By Derek J

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 09Sep2010
Word count: 493
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A disc jockey (DJ) is a term used to describe a variety of performers who make use of pre-recorded music for entertainment. Mobile DJs or DJs for Hire tour with mobile sound systems and typically perform at various types of events including wedding receptions, company parties, school dances, anniversary and birthday parties, etc. In the past, mobile DJs utilized formats such as vinyl records or cassettes, nowadays most mobile DJs use compact discs, computer-based files (such as MP3s), or a combination of sources.

With the ever changing faces of music, to become a great DJ for hire you need to have an extensive knowledge of all genres of music, an extensive music library and the ability to listen well and use equipment to make seamless transitions between tracks. Remember it is unethical and illegal to download songs from online sources and use it for commercial purposes. There is also a quality issue associated with downloaded songs so a DJ for hire must ensure that his music is legal. To establish a solid career, a DJ for hire must have professional grade equipment as this is more suitable for commercial use; it allows for faster set-up and break-down and provides a superior quality of performance.

A professional DJ will display many of the following skills and attributes: Master of Ceremonies, Party organizer, Sound technician, Light technician, Ability to read a crowd and pick the right music, Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes, Presentable and Organised, Ability to follow an agreed plan, Audience motivator and the Ability to blend music from different genres without altering the mood on the dance floor. Working closely with their customers, their guests, and other vendors (such as venue staff and photographers / videographers), many mobile DJs also promote themselves as event planners, organizers, and Master of Ceremonies A professional DJ for hire should strive to provide quality entertainment that fits the type and theme of each event. To achieve this, a DJ for hire should engage prospective customers in consultations and become familiar with the client's requirements, location of the event and the itinerary for the event.

With stricter regulations and legislation to adhere to, the DJ must make sure that they are fully insured, and also comply with regulations that may apply to a specific venue/location. Obtaining an operating licence will give the DJ the legal capacity to enter into business transactions. Membership with professional organizations will ensure that the DJ grows in his career, is kept up to date with recent trends and developments within the industry and is continuously trained on ethical standards. If you want to establish yourself as a professional DJ for hire you need to ensure that you will be in a position to present a customer with a legal document detailing your terms and conditions of service, a planner explaining how you intend to handle the customer's mandate and any other documents that the customer may request such as insurance certificate.

By Derek Jansen - Founder of DerekJay Entertainment - a South African DJ hire company that specializes in wedding DJs.

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