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This 10-week course is designed for students committed to learning how to DJ, combining DJ 101 and DJ 151 into one extended course, covering the same skills within a 10-week period. This course is designed for the person who has never stepped in front of a turntable, and wants to learn how to mix, blend and scratch. The course is a combination of lecture and lab, but students will spend the majority of the time receiving hands on turntable training from DJ masters. Like the DJ 151 class, each student will be encouraged to put together a 4-6 record club/mixtape set to be recorded at the end of the term. This 10-class intensive course is ideal for students interested in starting their career as a DJ, as well as for those serious about picking up a new hobby.

Course Specifics:

Prerequisites/Skill Requirements		None
Equipment Requirements		None (all equipment and records are provided)
Class Size		30 students (2 students per turntable set up)
Class Length		10 Classes (90-minute class meets once a week)
Make Up Classes		Yes. Meets 45 minutes before each class to review previous lesson.
Practice Time		Free. Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-7pm, Sun 3-8pm

Skills Covered:
o Equipment set up and break down
o Standard hand to record and hand to fader technique
o Basic music theory
o Basic mixing and blending
o Basic scratching
o Development of a 6 record club set / mixtape

For any additional questions, please email us at service@scratch.com or call 212-529-1599 ext. 5.

Fall Term 2:
Dates: November 8th, 2005 - January 10th, 2006 (10 classes)
Time: Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm
Price: $500

Registration for this class is closed; all spots for this term have been filled.

  If you can’t make it to this course, check out future DJ INT terms at Scratch. New terms start about every 8 weeks.

Lab: Before students can begin to DJ, they need to know how to use the DJ equipment. Students will learn about the different elements of the turntable and the mixer, as well as how to set up and breakdown the equipment. Finally, students will learn different techniques for how to use the equipment.

Class #2: Music Theory: Sounds and Song Structure

The teacher will discuss the music theory basics, from the sounds that make up the beat (the kick, snare and high hat) to the standard 4/4 measure of most popular songs.

Lab: Students will test their music basics, listening to different songs and identifying the different sounds, bars and loops. Students will also put their knowledge to the test, cueing two records back and forth.

Class #3: Dropping on the "1"

The teacher will discuss how to drop a beat on the "1", or in other words, how to take two songs mix them together at the appropriate moment. This is the first of two steps in order to mix and blend two songs together, whether the DJ wants to rock the party or put together a mixtape.

Lab: Students will practice dropping on the "1", cuing up songs in their headphones in order to mix them in on the "1".

Class #4: Beat Matching

After learning how to drop on the "1", the next step will be to learn about the tempo of songs and how this affects different mixes and blends. The tempo is determined by the beats per minute (BPM) and varies from music genre to music genre. Also explored will be pitch control and how to adjust two songs' tempos so that their beats can match (allowing for them to be mixed).

Lab: Students will practice measuring different songs' BPM's and then using the pitch control to appropriately speed up or slow down the records in order to beat match the two records.

Class #5: Club DJ'ing

The teacher will discuss the dynamics of the club DJ. Explored will be the philosophy and the business behind the club DJ, from how to read a crowd to how to get a gig. Also discussed will be a recap of lining up the beats and beat matching.

Lab: Students will work on putting a set of 4-6 records together in order to work on creating a smooth mixed club set.

Class #6: Mixtapes

The teacher will discuss the mixtape industry - a money maker and a promotional opportunity for DJ's. The teacher will go over how to make the mixtape as well as how to market and distribute it.

Lab: Students will continue to work on their 4-6 record set, honing their mixing skills. At the end of the class, students will burn their set to a CD, creating their first mixtape.

Class #7: Battle DJ'ing and Scratching

This class will focus on the world of the Battle DJ. Along with a demonstration of battle routines, philosophy and technique will be discussed and displayed.

Lab: Students will learn the basic scratches, from the baby to the transform.

Class #8: Scratching

This class will continue to work on basic scratch technique, including how it can be included into club technique.

Lab: Students will continue to work on basic scratch technique and philosophy.

Class #9: Mixing Technique

As students become more comfortable mixing records, they will explore the world of mixing tricks. From flanging to doing doubles, mixing sets can be used to make an ordinary club set sound extraordinary.

Lab: Students will combine their basic scratching and mixing techniques, working on mixing tricks.

Class #10: Honing the Skills/Making the Mixtape

To end the course, students will have the opportunity to work on any skills with which that they need additional help.

Lab: Each student will demonstrate their 4-6 song set in front of the class.