ipooptoomuch's Journal: unedited

Jean Carriere Hour 6 12/5/07 Disc Jockey My search process was a long and difficult process. My first attempt at searching was done online. I used google to search about being a DJ. This took a long time. I looked at the library for books. I couldn't find anything there that helped me. I eventually resorted to talking with DJ's. This worked the best. The DJ I talked to was DJ ErOk. He was friendly and helped me a lot. If it weren't for him I would not have finished this paper. A DJ needs to be proficient with audio equipment. A DJ must have an extensive knowledge of a certain genre of music and what songs are popular. Dj's must be able to think fast and improvise. They must have a good voice. A hip hop DJ must be able to work a turntable (most DJ's do anyways). A DJ must know how to dress well and be fashionable if he wants to be popular. If it's a club DJ, then they must be energetic, young, and hip to appeal to the crowd that he is performing for. Most DJ's have a distinct personality. Many DJ's are self taught and don't require much training (unless it's with new equipment). Dj's are usually proficient at dancing. A DJ will interact will many people during his career. A club DJ will have to perform in front of a crowd of thousands of people. Usually this interaction is one way (the DJ doesn't talk to every person in the crowd). The interaction before a gig is with the club promoter to set up a time and place. A DJ needs to be able to read a crowd and gauge its energy level to select the next song. This interaction is required to be a good DJ. A DJ will usually talk to the promoter about what genre of music should be played. A DJ's hours are good. They usually work on nights at weekends when everybody is out partying (they are at the party usually so these hours are ok). Although the most popular DJ's are self employed, the other ones may go through a company that will get them gigs. The most popular DJ's will tour around the world, while the less popular ones usually stay local. A pro DJ will get paid 400-1000 dollars per gig. A DJ will always be able to advance as he makes himself more popular (he will get paid more money the more popular he is). There are no health risks other than over dosing on drugs at a rave. Many DJs become celebrities when they get popular enough. There is a high demand for DJ's because parties are common worldwide. A DJ's pay will be very low when starting out. This is usually too low to support most people. Many DJ's will do this career as a hobby on top of their normal job.This is not true for radio DJ's, however. A DJ will have little or no benefits due to the fact that they are usually self employed. A DJ will have to be on his feet for hours at a time at a club. A DJ will have to take responsibility for a bad party. They would have to live with the embarrassment. It's arguable that all DJ's love their job. DJ's are Dj's because they love music. Being around a crowd of people is a Club DJ's specialty. Dj's like their job so much that some do it for free. Self promotion is commonly used. DJ's rely on word of mouth to spread their popularity. Flyers are made and handed out at raves. Many DJ's have been known to throw a backpack filled with minidisks to promote their music. Small time DJ's buy all of their own equipment (usually thousands of dollars). A DJ will play music at a party for customers (a Club DJ playing for a rave will take in part of the entrance fee as salary). DJ is a career that I am interested in. I listen to music in most of my free time, and I make my own as well. Being a DJ sounds interesting to me because I love music and being a DJ is a career that is directly connected to this. A DJ will usually have a high energy level and I possess this trait. A DJ is also good at reading people, I also have this trait. Many DJ's are also artists, and I am an artist. Many DJ's are self taught, and I am good at this. There are different types of DJ's. There are Radio DJ's, Club DJ's, Hip hop DJ's, Reggae DJ's, and Mobile DJ's. A radio DJ plays music that is broadcasted on the radio. Radio DJ's are known for their personalities. Club Dj's are the most popular type of DJ. A Club DJ plays music for a club or rave. These types of DJ's are known to perform for an entire stadium of people. Some DJ's mix their songs on the fly for the crowd. Mobile DJ's have a mobile DJ station and play music for a specific audience (like a wedding). A hip hop DJ is a DJ that plays music for a hip hop artist or performer.