Ever Listen to Your Favorite DJ's and think "I Want to Do That!"- Now You Can

DJ Lessons in Union County, NJ.  It's never been simpler to start. 

Hi Friend,

It's true.  No longer do you have to shell out big bucks on turntables and records.  Vinyl is great and can compliment learning on digital platforms but the truth is the bar of entry has been lowered a lot.  

But just because the bar has been lowered that doesn't really mean it's "easy."   Actually that's partially true.  Here's what I mean.  

Yes, transitioning from 1 song to the next is much easier these days.  Programs will tell you things like a records musical key and beats per minute.  You can also store things like cute points and nearly any modern digital system will sync tracks for you.  

There's no doubt that doing a basic mix is harder and more cumbersome on "old school" equipment - vinyl and turntables. 

Because of that the crowd expects more - a lot more!  This is why you need DJ lessons.  

No one goes out to hear a DJ predictably mix 1 popular song into another well known song.  This is not why the crowd shells out money to see their favorite DJ. 

Not only do they expect the DJ to be a killer selector, but they want good transitions, and want to also hear original productions, remixes and other stuff that's un-released.  

So if you want to make a splash with your sound, you're going to have to work.  DJ lessons are your roadmap - without them finding quality instruction is like finding a needle in a haystack.  

Get Schooled on the Art of DJing.

Topics include:

• Finding the Right Equipment that fits your skill level and budget
• Sourcing and Buying Music
• Mixing
• Phrasing
• Harmonic Mixing
• DJ Effects
• Beat matching
• Cue Points
• Loops
• Practice Routines
• Recording Your Mixes
• Sharing Your Mixes for the World to Hear
• Mixing in Key
• Using samples and acapellas(vocal only tracks)
• Mashup Ups
• Remixes and Bootlegs
• Creating your own original productions

In 2013, after a bit of a hiatus and a fresh perspective on making music, he released a 2 track EP, which was supported by super star DJ Sam Paganini. 

Shortly after that another single found a home on New York's Nervous Records called "Thirteen."  He followed up on Nervous with 2 more singles, both making appearances on "Top Charts" within the tech- house genre.

In 2015, Eric entered a remix contest hosted by long time New York DJ and techno don, Victor Calderone.  Eric's interpretation of Victor's single called "Roll" was hand picked out of over 300 other entries.

Eric won about $1,000 worth of prizes from Beatport and it's sponsors and as the grand prize winner had his remix released in stores on Victor's label MATTER+. 

In 2017, Eric started ItsTheDJ.com as a resource for aspiring producers.  Like DJing the world of production is a lot easier to break into in terms since everyone can be a laptop producers.

However very few people can actually make and finish a good song.  Numerous students have gone from struggling to complete there ideas to finishing albums worth of material, getting records signed and released.  One notable student from Australia won a production contest and is off playing festivals in his home town of Syndey.  

That's student, Dean Zlato in the middle at Amsterdam Dance Event - winner of Dave Clark's Demolition Panel - a production contest.

Eric has not stopped DJing and producing.  In 2017, he released a single called Danger that came out with 2 stellar remixes on a new techno label from Italy called "Autektone."

He already has 2 releases planned in 2018 on Jannowitz Recordings based on Cologne, Germany.  

Very few teachers and tutorial makers have the kind of street cred Eric does as both a DJ and a producer.  

Lessons are hourly and scheduled in advance.  Course work is tailored to the students current skill set and future goals.

You can do anything from a very beginner focused overview lesson to working on how to mix with effects, to creating your own original music (more advanced).  

Selecting good songs and mixing them does not depend on specific software or equipment.  Remember that for decades DJs still do this with vinyl records.

Lessons and topics are centered on skills and strategies however Pioneer Equipment and Rekordbox software is recommended. 

While things like cue points can be done on many different software platforms there's a reason Pioneer is the leading DJ brand.  Many nightclubs scoff at lesser known DJs coming in to play with bedroom controllers.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with controllers it's just that if you want to play out you really ought to be comfortable playing on set ups used by the big boys and girls.  

This is why Pioneer's Rekordbox is recommend.  It's free and it's the most widely used program.  Controllers like the Pioneer DDJ RB offer tremendous value at $249 provided you have a computer.  If you don't have a computer the XDJ RX is a great alternative and quite closely resemble a pair of XDJ/CDs which cost $2,400 and up.

If you're already using another program it's not the end of the world at all, just understand that I only teach on Pioneer.  

What About Production?

I work on Ableton Live and Native Instruments Maschine.  While I don't do anything advanced that cannot be done in another program, instruction is most seamless if on the same program.  For some people it doesn't matter at all.  If you're totally married to Logic, don't worry.  

People have been making good dance prior to things like DAWs (digital audio work stations) and the things that make a good track can be done on old school tape records and mixing desks.  If you focus on the big things that can make or break your music, the nuances of a DAW are just that - nuances.  

My approach is very no fluff, no non sense because I just don't have the time to expend a lot of time on techniques and approaches that  may only make my music 10% better.  

Fill out the short form below and I'll get in touch.