DJing Basics

Inspiration & Exploration

DJing is all about reading a room and taking people on a journey with sound. Start by listening — really listening. Put on a DJ mix on YouTube or SoundCloud (search "beginner DJ mix" or "SLC DJ set") and pay attention to how songs connect. Notice when the energy rises, drops, or shifts. Salt Lake City has a growing electronic music scene — check out venues like Soundwell or The Depot for upcoming dance nights, even if you just attend to observe. Visit the free site digitaldjtips.com and read their "What is DJing?" intro article. Spend an hour exploring different genres: house, hip-hop, funk, drum and bass. Write down five tracks that make you want to move. You're ready for the next step when you can describe the energy arc of a DJ mix you listened to from start to finish.

Tools & Techniques

Download Mixxx — it's free, open-source DJ software that works on Mac, Windows, and Linux (mixxx.org). Load two tracks and try playing them at the same time. You'll immediately hear why beatmatching matters — tracks at different tempos sound like a mess. Watch "Mixxx Tutorial for Beginners" on YouTube to learn the interface: decks, waveforms, EQ knobs, and the crossfader. Learn what BPM means and how to use the tempo slider to sync two tracks manually. Digital DJ Tips has a free Mixxx beginner guide as well. Practice for 30 minutes a day this week. You're ready for the next step when you can load two tracks in Mixxx, match their BPMs manually, and bring one in while the other plays without a jarring jump.

First Creations

Time to make your first mix. Build a short playlist of five songs that flow together — start with tracks in similar BPMs (within 5–10 BPM of each other). In Mixxx, practice using the EQ to cut the bass on the incoming track before blending it in, then bring the bass back up. This is called an EQ swap and it's one of the cleanest-sounding transitions you can learn. Record your mix using Mixxx's built-in recording feature. Listen back and notice where it sounded smooth versus jarring. Share it with a friend or post it privately on SoundCloud for feedback. You're ready for the next step when you've recorded a 10-minute mix with at least four clean transitions between songs.

Style Development

Every DJ has a signature sound — a genre or vibe that's unmistakably theirs. Spend this week going deep on one genre you love. If it's hip-hop, study how DJs like DJ Premier or Kid Capri build energy. If it's house, listen to classic Chicago tracks and newer SLC producers. Crate-dig on free platforms: SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and YouTube all have legal, free music you can practice mixing. Try mixing tracks with different vibes and notice what works. Experiment with longer blends versus quick cuts. Practice in front of a small audience — even one friend — because the energy of performing changes how you make decisions. You're ready for the next step when you can define your DJ style in one sentence and put together a 15-minute mix in that genre.

Refine Your Craft

Great DJs anticipate what's coming, not just what's playing. Practice planning two tracks ahead: while one song plays, cue up the next and already know what comes after that. Work on your phrasing — blending tracks at the start of an 8- or 16-bar phrase sounds musical; blending mid-phrase sounds like an accident. Watch DJ TechTools tutorials on YouTube for advanced Mixxx techniques. If you want to go deeper on gear, visit a local music shop like Liberty Park Music in SLC to try a real controller before buying one. You're ready for the next step when you can mix three tracks in a row with proper phrase alignment and smooth EQ transitions throughout.

Portfolio Piece

Your portfolio piece is a recorded 30-minute DJ mix — your best work, start to finish. Plan it like a set: opening tracks that build slowly, a peak energy section in the middle, and a wind-down at the end. Practice the full mix at least twice before you record it for real. Upload the finished mix to SoundCloud with a proper title, track listing in the description, and a cover image. Share it in Utah DJ and music communities online. If you're feeling bold, reach out to a local open-mic night or community event in SLC about playing a short set — many venues welcome beginners for early time slots. You're ready for the next step when your 30-minute mix is live online and you'd play it for a stranger without apology.