2024 DJ Training Module I | Heart of Ecstatic

MODULE 1 - Getting Ready

Welcome!

This first self-study module gets you ready to embark on your DJ learning journey. Here you will find self-study material that will help you find your bearings in the Conscious DJ world.

The first video covers some essential history that helps you understand how modern DJ gear came into being. (Pro-tip: you can speed the video up by pressing the little cogwheel underneath the video)

The second video helps you make an important first decision: which DJ software do I choose?

The third video helps you find your first (or second) DJ controller.

The fourth video will help you find and buy music.

The fifth video covers some key musical terms.

DOWNLOAD DJ MANUAL HERE

This manual is for personal use only. Please see the copyright information inside.

LINK TO THE MODULES

Here is the link for our online Zoom meetings:

Time & Place

19h-21h30 Amsterdam CET time

Every week on Wed, until Apr 17, 2024,

8 occurrence(s)

Feb 14, 2024 (19h-21h30)
Feb 21, 2024 (19h-21h30)

Mar 6, 2024 (19h-21h30)
Mar 13, 2024 (19h-21h30)
Mar 20, 2024 (19h-21h30)
Mar 27, 2024 (19h-21h30)
BREAK
Apr 10, 2024 (19h-21h30)
Apr 17, 2024 (19h-21h30)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81414977704?pwd=TTNKNzN4Vk92ZFVBclo1QlNiSzZXUT09

Meeting ID: 814 1497 7704
Passcode: heart

Module 1 - Self study

& 1-on-1 phone call

Module 2 - First steps

Listen to 10 songs

Download the 10 songs below (Zip file). As homework we ask you to import these songs into your music library and to listen to the songs. Truly build a relationship with these songs. Notice the different textures, instruments, quality, emotions, build-up and build-down. A practice of deep listening...

Make a time line

Take a piece of paper and create a time line. From the moment of your conception until now. What have been your musical influences - from parents, friends, family, environment? What has been of inspiration to you? What has crafted your journey? Finding out about our 'sacred why' of wanting to learn about DJ'ing (especially for when things get rough)...

Download the songs

Module 3 - Continuum of sound & wave structure

Create a journey with 5 songs

Going back to the list of 10 songs: choose 5 songs to create a musical journey, in wave structure. Write down the order of these 5 songs... When this is finished, you can create a waveform of your journey, give it a name and share it in the Whatsapp group.

Growing a music library

Start to add songs to your music library. Which songs have been of great importance in your life? Songs with meaning, songs that shaped your own life. Then also start searching for styles that you usually don't listen to. Maybe you discover some jewels, even here...

Music Theory

Music theory can be hard to get into. Luckily, the people at Ableton made this beautiful online site that allow you to play with the basic theory.

In our two week intermezzo, have a go at this interactive program and try to get to song structure.

In addition, you can read the chapter on music theory also in our manual.

Module 4 - What do these buttons do?

Volume, phrase & sync mixing

Find two songs that you like and mix them while making use of volume, phrases and sync. In case you don’t have a software program yet, then mix them using volume only...

Module 5 - Beats, phrases & mixing techniques

Explore & experiment with the DJ program

The time has come to dive deeper into the DJ controller and software. So make sure to find yourself a DJ program, and explore the different mixing techniques. We only learn by experimenting, so simply follow where your interest goes - and play around with the different functions! Make sure to take a break in between or to breathe in moments of overwhelm. Enjoy the DJ'ing exploration!

Module 8 - Preview

Have a look at our upcoming assignment

1.Choose different layouts of the DJ program

2.Expand the library

3.Create a playlist

4.Set the playlist to autoplay or automix

5.Find the EQ filter buttons, deck volume, master volume.

6.Order songs on BPM and Key

7.Change bpm and key of a track

8.Add an hot cue at the drop

9.Create a smooth loop of 16 beats

10. Do a beatjump of 8 beats

11.Apply the flanger effect

12.Disable the crossfader

Conscious DJing

The musical facilitation of a Dance Journey.

Not so short history of laptop DJing

Laptop DJing is the predominant form of DJing for Ecstatic and Conscious dance. Before discussing the different options for your DJ software and DJ controller, we dive into the history of DJing with a laptop. Though this history is short, it is full of interesting developments. Understanding the history offers both insight and context into why DJ programs and controllers look the way they do and how they work.

Choosing your DJ Software

With DJ software your laptop transforms into a full DJ booth. Here, I discuss 5 big names in the 'virutal' DJ game: Serato, Traktor, Rekordbox, DJay, and Virtual DJ. What do these DJ programs broadly do and what are the pros and cons of the different platforms? Also, I'll briefly discuss requirements for your laptop and other considerations.