Two very different ways to learn online
When people say they are learning to DJ online, they usually mean one of two things:
- Pre-recorded videos: tutorials or a video course you watch on your own. They are good for seeing a technique once, but nobody watches you try it.
- Live one-to-one lessons: a real DJ joins you on a video call, watches your hands on the controller, listens to your mix and tells you what to change straight away.
Most beginners can't yet hear why a mix sounds wrong. Is it the timing, the EQ or the moment you brought the track in? A video can't tell you. A mentor on a live call can, and that is what stops small mistakes turning into habits.
Videos or live lessons: side by side
| Pre-recorded videos | Live one-to-one online | |
|---|---|---|
| Feedback | None | Every session, as you mix |
| Pace | Fixed by the video | Set by you and your mentor |
| Questions | Search and hope | Ask and get an answer |
| Structure | Easy to jump around | A plan that builds week by week |
| Best for | Picking up one specific trick | Learning the basics properly |
What you need for online DJ lessons
- A DJ controller. A two-channel beginner controller is plenty to learn on.
- A laptop that can run DJ software such as Rekordbox or Serato. Check the software's system requirements before you buy.
- Headphones. Closed-back DJ headphones help you hear the next track clearly while the other one plays.
- Speakers. Basic speakers are fine. You need to hear the mix out loud, not just in your headphones.
- A webcam or phone camera pointed at your controller, so your mentor can see what your hands are doing.
- A steady internet connection and a quiet room for the length of the lesson.
What online lessons are good at
Online lessons work especially well for the core skills: beatmatching, phrasing, using the EQs, building a set and recording a mix. You practise on your own kit, in the place you will practise between lessons, so there is nothing new to get used to afterwards.
They also make it easier to fit lessons around work or school, and you are not limited to teachers who live near you.
When home lessons might suit you better
If you don't own any equipment yet, or you would rather learn in person, a home lesson with a mentor who covers your area may be the better choice. You don't need your own decks to start, and you can decide what to buy once you know what you like.
Getting started
All of our courses can be taken live online or at home, with the same eight one-to-one sessions and the same live graduation set at the end. If you are a complete beginner, the Starter course is the place to begin. Not sure of your level? Try the course chooser.