Be awestruck at this mixing talents of this 'model DJ'

[killer b]

Talent required to play a cover > talent to play a record

It's not a debate I'm interested in entering into tbh. Just saying, most musicians don't play their own material.

 

[MrSki]

It's not a debate I'm interested in entering into tbh. Just saying, most musicians don't play their own material.

Most musicians play their own instruments though.

 

[8ball]

Compare like for like, please.

Saying "play a record" is like saying "strum a chord". A DJ doesn't just play a single record and the "putting it on" bit is the least important aspect of it. As you well know.

I think most DJs would say that putting a record on is pretty damn crucial.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Compare like for like, please.

Saying "play a record" is like saying "strum a chord". A DJ doesn't just play a single record and the "putting it on" bit is the least important aspect of it. As you well know.

It's quite possible to learn how to beatmatch to a basic standard that could get you through a gig in an afternoon. I doubt anyone could do the same with a guitar...

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Much as I'm suspicious of modern digital DJ stuff, ultimately it comes down to this: IS THE CLUB ROCKING?

If answer is yes, DJ has done their job

This. This whole argument misses the point as far as I'm concerned. I don't care how much skill it might take or how much effort has gone in to learning instruments, forming a band and writing your own songs if your band is rubbish.

 

[Fez909]

I think most DJs would say that putting a record on is pretty damn crucial.

If you're going to be so pedantic then, no, they wouldn't.

CDs and MP3 DJs would not consider putting a record on crucial to DJing whatsoever.

 

[8ball]

If you're going to be so pedantic then, no, they wouldn't.

CDs and MP3 DJs would not consider putting a record on crucial to DJing whatsoever.

 

[ffsear]

You don't even need decks anymore

 

[editor]

Nitpick levels reaching critical!

 

[Kanda]

With those decks she doesn't need to put a CD in. Not even a timecode CD.

 

[ska invita]

It's quite possible to learn how to beatmatch to a basic standard that could get you through a gig in an afternoon. I doubt anyone could do the same with a guitar...

are you saying someone who is born with the gift to sing is inferior for not spending enough time learning
it takes 10 mins to learn to use a sampler
again, is lee perry with his no instrument abilities not a musician?
you can spend a life learning to master the bagpipes, but....

 

[8ball]

are you saying someone who is born with the gift to sing is inferior for not spending enough time learning

People who make anything of their gifts tend to have spent a lot of time developing them.

 

[ska invita]

People who make anything of their gifts tend to have spent a lot of time developing them.

apart from djs supposedly - just takes an afternoon

 

[8ball]

apart from djs supposedly - just takes an afternoon

Bees said basic beatmatching just takes afternoon. I've seen people pick it up faster than that tbf. Though I've also seen people pick up a few basic guitar chords very quickly. Lots of things are easy to get started on so I can't see that it's really relevant.

The reason guitars (esp. electric) are so popular is that it is quite easy to get a pleasing (to you, at least) noise out of them. Unlike, say, the violin, which causes pain to all concerned until you're really quite good.

 

[ska invita]

I can't see that it's really relevant.

i agree

 

[editor]

I've been DJing for ten years and I still can't beatmatch. But then it would sound fucking silly beatmatching old ska, skiffle, indie and and punk songs. They sound just fine as they are to my ears.

I don't even like beatmatching much to be honest, but then I'm not a 'dance' DJ.

 

[8ball]

I've been DJing for ten years and I still can't beatmatch.

I have a similar history of proficiency with the guitar.

 

[Fez909]

I've been DJing for ten years and I still can't beatmatch.

I've been messing about with 'dance' music DJing for longer than 10 years and I'm not great at it.

 

[Dan U]

I've heard a few djs who sound like they've only been beat matching for an afternoon, but that's generally at the fag end of a squat party and tbf they often don't even look like they know what there name is, let alone what they are trying to do

 

[editor]

I like it when the beatmatching of a show-off DJ goes badly wrong and they serve up that fabulous 'galloping horses' effect.

And my pet hate: when DJs do that fucking annoying 'drop the bass' thing and do it so badly that you have to suffer an ear-stripping tinny racket.

 

[killer b]

I've been messing about with 'dance' music DJing for longer than 10 years and I'm not great at it.

20 years here.

 

[editor]

I've always believed that the best DJs aren't all about technical hyper-proficiency anyway - I'm always more impressed by their enthusiasm, their love for the music and - obviously! - their selection.

 

[killer b]

that's what I keep telling myself.

 

[ddraig]

same here

 

[killer b]

the lass in the OP seems very enthusiastic fwiw.

 

[Dan U]

I've always believed that the best DJs aren't all about technical hyper-proficiency anyway - I'm always more impressed by their enthusiasm, their love for the music and - obviously! - their selection.

And then you get Jerome Hill, probably one of the most technically accomplished djs working in this country with an absolute encyclopedic knowledge of proper dance music, not just electronic.

 

[Ranbay]

reminds me of this.....