First things first, let’s break down the words commonly used. DJ stands for ‘disk jockey’. You might be surprised to hear this but it was first used in 1935. At the time, disks referred to vinyl records. So it is safe to say that it is not a super-modern hobby or profession! DJing therefore stands for ‘disk jockeying’. There are different specializations of DJ including those who play on the radio, those who play in clubs and those who play sets at weddings and alternative venues. You don’t have to stick to a specialization either. You can always end up DJing in a local club to play the tunes that are popular and then DJ for a wedding as a steady form of income. DJing involves specialist equipment for the purpose of playing simultaneous sound, and this set-up is often paired with a microphone, headset and synthesizers depending on the DJ.
Why Study Online?
Studying online, depending on the course, gives you the flexibility to learn something new around your pre-existing responsibilities. Whether you are a stay-at-home parent who has an hour or so to learn around an afternoon nap or whether you are a student and want to fill in your quieter evenings, online learning is often self-paced. Some of the more advanced courses may have suggested study periods and limited access to the material but all of the courses we’ve stated here are generally unlimited in terms of when and for how long you can engage.
Covid-19 and Doing Courses Online
A lot of changes have been made to how people learn new things thanks to Covid-19. Course providers and individual tutors have realized that there is an increasing number of people working from home offices or the equivalent. There has additionally been a surge in the number and type of courses available as a result from various types of course provider. Whether it is free courses like the ones we suggest here or paid for courses, people are starting to use lockdown to either professionally develop or retrain or to engage in a new hobby. The pandemic situation has prompted a re-examination of accessibility to learning materials and how to communicate the lessons themselves.
It should be noted that in terms of DJing, it generally does require specialist equipment to begin with. It is worth watching some of the videos on DJing to help you decide whether or not it is something that you want to invest in. One suggestion before taking the purchasing step is to look out for local classes in your area. It may involve waiting until lockdown is over but it is generally better to test the waters with kit physically than it is to buy a set-up only to decide that it isn’t the right one for you. These courses can also help you decide what direction you want to take your DJing, including the different types of DJ and music preferences. Remember, all DJs may do the same thing but they all have their own individual signatures, preferences and styles.
Top FREE Best Online DJ Courses & Classes
[1] Jon Sine
- Cost: Free.
- Course Type: Self-paced.
- Certificate? No.
Jon Sine’s videos on Youtube get thousands of views a month. As a successful DJ, it is no surprise then that his video introduction to DJing is similarly popular. He lays down the foundation of DJing in detail to give you a thorough idea of what it involves. At only 18 minutes long, it is short and sweet, but it hopefully gives you an idea whether or not you want to proceed with DJing. If that one video isn’t enough? He has plenty more on his channel for you to watch!
[2] DJ Courses Online
- Cost: Some free. Some free with a monthly subscription.
- Course Type: Self-paced.
- Certificate? No.
The course linked coves the basics of DJing. This includes setting up your studio, common set-ups depending on what you are doing, suggestions for software, recommended cables and how to establish your performance space. Some of the course segments are free and some are paid. The site offers complete access to all course material with a monthly subscription. The free courses are therefore an ideal way for you to decide whether the style and information is enough for you to want to invest in access to the rest of it.
[3] Baby Scratch Tutorial
- Cost: Free.
- Course Type: Self-paced.
- Certificate? No.
This is considered to be an essential skill for a DJ to master regardless of their specialization. This course is facilitated by the wearecrossfader platform which also provides other DJing courses. It is a video tutorial that covers the key points and suggested next steps for your learning.
[4] Free DJ Course
- Cost: Free.
- Course Type: Self-paced.
- Certificate? No.
This course is run by the site djtips.com – so the site does what it says on the tin! The free DJ course covers the basics: the equipment you need, learning how to DJ and the craft itself. It is one thing to learn how to do things but it is quite another to learn the mechanics and why those particular tips and tricks work. Having a thorough understanding of your set-up is important. It is a detailed course overall and genuinely benefits from being run by a DJ.
[5] Digital DJ Tips
- Cost: Free.
- Course Type: Self-paced.
- Certificate? No.
This course is a good introduction to DJing. It offers a selection of free course segments while other courses are available to purchase. For example, the module ‘How to succeed at DJing’ is broken down into 13 segments. Other modules include ‘Music and Mixing’, ‘Equipment and Software’ and ‘DJing Success’.
[6] DJing 101
- Cost: Free.
- Course Type: Self-paced.
- Certificate? No.
This course is run via the platform Pyramind. It is a 3-part series with over 2 hours of video content that can be played, paused and replayed at your leisure. It includes segments on beat-matching (a core part of DJing), a run down of the different MIDI controllers possible and also touches on the art and philosophy of DJing. When it comes to engaging with a new hobby, knowing the history and thought processes behind it adds depth. The course is also available on Youtube for people who prefer the platform that allows you to make a playlist. Where better to compile all of the DJing video tutorials you are watching to delve into DJing?
[7] Learn how to become a great DJ
- Cost: Free.
- Course Type: Self-paced.
- Certificate? No.
This is a relatively short on-demand video running for a total of 1 hour and 53 minutes. Relatively short it may be, but it covers a range of essentials for any DJ to know. This video is ideal for those wondering whether DJing really is for them as it goes over what you will learn and engage with if you choose a more class-based course. You can get a certificate of completion if you pay. It touches on setting up your work station as a DJ, in-depth details of what is involved when DJing, troubleshooting and packing up after a gig – the latter of which will make you popular with wherever is hosting you!
[8] Intro to Virtual DJ
- Cost: Free.
- Course Type: Self-paced.
- Certificate? No.
This is focused on the Virtual DJ software. For those who want to see whether DJing is for them without investing in paid courses or physical equipment can use this software to figure out some of the ins and outs of DJing. While there will be some variations between the software and whatever physical equipment is available, it is a good way of testing the waters to see whether the complexity of DJing is ideal for you. The video only lasts 18 minutes long but that doesn’t stop you from testing out the software’s capabilities in your own time to truly test it and your limits and to see what sort of sound you prefer producing.
[9] Free Music Courses
- Cost: Free.
- Course Type: Set days/times.
- Certificate? No.
This course is run by Soapbox, a youth center in Islington, London in the UK. The online courses open up attendance to even more people. The courses are intended to be an introduction to various aspects of music production. One course available is Radio Production. While not what people often think of in reference to DJing, the audio/digital production components and editing/mixing of live and prerecorded material can be regarded as a transferrable skill that will stand you in good stead with employers. It also runs a course on the software Logic Pro X. The thing about software specific courses is that they are transferable if you ever end up employed in another field working with the same thing. It also offers a course on music careers which is worth considering.
Are Free Courses Good For Inclusion On A Resume?
Yes and no. While it is not recommended to post non-academic or formal accredited courses on your resume, it is beneficial to mention that you have partaken in structured learning outside of an educational context be it for the purpose of learning a new profession or a hobby. This is because it demonstrates that you can be self-driven and are willing to put the work in to develop.
Do Online Courses Come With A Qualification?
Some do, some don’t. None of the courses listed here result in a formal qualification but they may be beneficial to state if you end up applying to education in the context of music production and similar fields later on down the line. This is because it demonstrates your interest and willingness to engage with the material even when you aren’t paying for it.
Types of Courses
When it comes to the courses available online, they are generally divided into self-paced and scheduled. Scheduled courses will be done at a set time at a set schedule, which is determined by the course provider. This is not unlike how you learn at school. Other courses allow you to determine when and for how long you study, depending on the course material. Some will allow you permanent access to the learning material and some will be limited in terms of how long you return to the sources.
Some may offer the first couple of lessons free and ask for payment for the rest, some will be completely free and some – not listed here – will be completely paid. Free courses aren’t necessarily better than paid ones, but paid ones shouldn’t be discounted either depending on how much you value the course to begin with. It is always worth investing in your learning if it is something that you care about.
Conclusion
When it comes to DJing, it is a varied and many-headed hobby that can become as varied as the individual. That said, we hope that the courses we’ve chosen introduce you to the basics and give you an idea of just what DJing involves so then you can make the choice to invest in your first set and begin to make the foray into the diverse hobby or profession. Where it takes you is up to you!
