The short answer
With weekly lessons and some practice in between, most beginners can:
- Weeks 1 to 2: find their way around the equipment and software, and understand BPM.
- Weeks 2 to 4: beatmatch two tracks and keep them in time.
- Weeks 4 to 6: mix in at the right moment (phrasing) and use the EQs for smooth transitions.
- Weeks 6 to 8: put several mixes together into a short set and play it to people.
That's why our Starter course runs for eight weeks and finishes with a live graduation set. It's a realistic goal for a complete beginner.
What takes longer
Mixing is a skill you keep improving for years. Things that usually come after the first couple of months:
- Mixing in key, so tracks blend musically rather than just in time.
- Choosing the right next track, and building a set with shape: a start, a peak and an ending.
- Reading a crowd and changing direction when something isn't working.
- Playing on unfamiliar equipment in a club, where you can't rehearse.
Those are the focus of our Selector and Headliner courses.
What makes you learn faster
| Speeds it up | Slows it down |
|---|---|
| Short, regular practice (20 to 30 minutes most days) | One long session a week |
| Feedback from someone who can hear what's going wrong | Copying videos without knowing why a mix works |
| Practising with music you know well | Constantly downloading new tracks |
| A goal with a date, like a graduation set | "I'll get round to it" |
Does age make a difference? Less than you'd think. We teach from age 10 with no upper limit, and because every course is
one-to-one, the pace fits the person. Young learners often pick up the timing quickly; adults tend to be more patient with practice.
So, how long for you?
If you can practise a little most weeks, eight weeks of one-to-one lessons is enough to go from never having touched the decks to playing a short live set. Not sure where to start? Take the 30-second course chooser.