Disc Jockey

To sum up the work of a Disc Jockey in one line, it can be said that the job of a DJ is to play recorded music for the audience. But it is not as simple and easy as it sounds. A Disc Jockey actually creates music to entertain the audience by mixing different styles and tracks through a variety of equipment such as turntables, mixers, graphic equalizers, tape decks and many other sophisticated sound processors. There are many types of Disc Jockeys, such as club DJs, mobile DJs, radio DJs, turntablist etc. Disc jockeying in India gained popularity over the last few decades and gradually emerged as a popular career option among the youth. Becoming a Disc Jockey requires training as well as a sound knowledge of music, an understanding of popular global trends and audience preferences. If you are also an aspiring Disc Jockey, then know about all the information related to this career in the article below.

Eligibility for Disc Jockey

To become a Disc Jockey the most important thing is knowledge and passion for music. Talking about the educational qualification, candidates having passed class 12th can enrol in various diploma and graduate level courses such as BA (Hons) in instrumental music, BA in vocal music, BA in musicology, or Diploma in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music, Diploma in Music, etc. They can also opt for a master's degree in Disc Jockeying to gain more knowledge. Furthermore, job experience is of paramount importance in this industry. Students can gain suitable experience by working on college radio stations, FM channels, All India Radio etc. Experience and understanding of the technical aspects of music and the intricacies of rhythm are preferred over educational qualifications for jobs offered in this field. The colleges offering course related to Disc jockeying trains students in different styles and genres of music.

Colleges for Disc Jockey

There are many private institutes and training centres in India, mainly in cities like Mumbai, Delhi (NCR), Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata, which offer courses in DJ development and other related skills. Apart from this, many institutes have been established by DJs themselves. The admissions to these institutes are given on a merit basis. The institutes offering courses in Disc jockeying are mentioned below:

• Mumbai Music Institute
• Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT)
• Zebra Institute
• Ramoji Kiran Universe
• I Love Music Academy, Gurgaon
• Electronyk Academy, Delhi
• Jazzy Joe, Delhi
• Skratchlab DJ Academy, Chennai
• Global DJ Music Production & DJ Training Academy, Mumbai
• Sound of Soul, Delhi
• Excel DJ Academy, West Bengal
• TSM (The True School of Music), Mumbai

Skills Required for Disc Jockey

If you are passionate about music and love to entertain the crowd by playing and mixing music tracks, then your journey as a DJ is going to be great. However, to become a good Disc Jockey, there are many other skills that you must possess like-

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Syllabus for Disc Jockey

In the present day scenario, a lot of crash courses or short term courses of maybe three months or more are offered for the programme. Although the syllabus varies from one college/university to another, given below are some of the common subjects that are taught in the programme related to Disc Jockey:

Disc Jockey Job Profile and Scope

Most Disc Jockeys sign freelance contracts with event management companies and perform for their events. Some DJs are engaged in full-time employment in the broadcast and hospitality industry. Opportunities in this field may be limited for those who just want to be a DJ, but if you look for new possibilities like creating your own music tracks or music albums, you can reach new heights in the music industry. Talking about the job profile of a Disc Jockey, there are mainly two types of DJs - one who works for Radio/FM channels and the other who works in clubs. The job profiles of Disc Jockeys are explained in detail below:

Club Disc Jockey: These work in nightclubs or music events. Their job is to entertain the audience by playing music according to the surroundings and the crowd.

Radio Disc Jockey or RJ: Radio Disc Jockeys play music on various radio programmes for listeners. Along with playing music, they also share jokes, news updates, weather forecast reports, traffic reports, etc. with the listeners.

Mobile Disc Jockey: They work in small-scale public and private events like weddings, family parties or festivals etc.

Turntablists or Performance Disc Jockey: These use record players, usually turntables, to manipulate the sounds on phonograph records. Such DJs often gain popularity because of their good reputation, creativity and skills.

Tutor: As the name suggests, the job of a tutor is to train aspiring youth to become a Disc Jockey. Many experienced DJs have opened their own DJ academies.

Music Producer: You can also become a music producer after gaining experience in this field and composing your own music track. This will also earn you music royalties.

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FAQs on Disc Jockey

Q. What is the scope of a Disc Jockey career in India?

Q. Are there any educational requirements to be a Disc Jockey?

Q. What are the important roles and responsibilities of a Disc Jockey?

Q. I am a BA student, can I become a Disc Jockey?

Q. What is the remuneration for a Disc Jockey in India?

Q. Which are the most popular DJ institutes in India?

Q. Is Disc Jockey a good career option in India?

Q. Which are the popular courses to become a Disc Jockey?

Q. What is the average fee to pursue a Disc Jockey course?

Q. What are the important software one must know to become a Disc Jockey?

Q. What are the important topics covered in the Disc Jockey course?