SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, computers, Serato boxes, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

DD 101 meets twice for 90 minutes. Today it is almost automatic to associate DJs with computers. We’ve all seen it: a DJ at the club using the turntables with a computer hooked into the mixer (allowing him to access and play his digital mp3 files through the turntables). DD 101 is an overview to this ever-growing digital phenomenon that has changed the DJ art form. We’ll provide quick overviews of your different options in digital DJing. Ranging from CDJ’s to computer software programs, to actual DJ hardware applications (like Serato Scratch Live and Native Instruments’ Traktor), we cover it all. This course is also designed to break down the introductory principles of one of the most popular digital DJing program’s in the game today: Serato Scratch Live. We’ll cover topics like equipment set-up, cue points, looping, iTunes integration, and music library configuration. You’ll have the fundamentals you need to start using the Scratch Live program on your own. Please keep in mind that while DD 101 breaks down the intricacies of digital DJing and Serato, the actual skills to mix and scratch are taught in our other DJ courses.
Skills Required
No skills or prior experience is necessary for DD 101, but it is recommended that students have started or completed DJ 101 or already be familiar with the concepts covered in DJ 101. DD 101 is designed for those with very little to no digital DJ experience.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

When DD 101 is over, you can take the digital DJ skills you’ve learned and use them in any of our DJ courses like DJ 101, M 202, M 303 and M 404 to improve your mixing. You can also check out DD 202, our intermediate/advanced digital DJing course, to give you a much more in depth and comprehensive explanation of the advanced functions of Serato.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes Mac Computers, Ableton Live software, MIDI keyboards, and audio interfaces. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

BM 101 (aka Beat Making 101) meets once a week (100 minutes per day) for six weeks.

Just like DJing, music production (making beats) is a true musical art form. While it takes years to perfect the craft, BM 101 breaks down the fundamental production concepts needed to start creating your own unique tracks in no time. We’re not simply teaching you how to arrange samples, use MIDI instruments and create loop effects. We’ll also uncover and explore the artistic side of music production. At the end of the course, each student will have produced at least one original track.

First and foremost, we cover the software (Ableton Live). The software is your instrument, and understanding it is essential to your development as a producer. We’ll cover everything from the interface to creating scenes, utilizing MIDI instruments, time warping, routing effects and beyond. By the time we’re done, you will have a strong understanding of Ableton Live as well as a solid studio/music production foundation.

Secondly, we cover the necessary elements of music –like music theory and song structure –that you need to make beats. We’ll keep it simple and brief, but you’ll need to have basic knowledge of concepts like tempo and BPM (beats per minute) and understand the structure of songs (intro, chorus, verse, etc.) in order to compose cohesive and flowing tracks.

Last and certainly not least, we also leave time for the creative process. Each day our instructors will work with each student on their compositions and provide feedback and advice on their creations. During this time, they’ll give you creative advice, train your ear, and supply genre-specific composition tips all in an effort to help you produce the best track possible.

Skills Required

No skills or prior experience is necessary for BM 101.

BM 101 is designed for those with very little to no music production experience.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

Now that you understand the basics of the Ableton Live software and Music Production, you can check out BM 201. Here we explore the advanced capabilities of Ableton for live performance and the integration of the Reason software with Ableton Live.

You can also check out any of our DJ courses, should you want to get your hands on some turntables.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

DJ 101 meets once a week (100 minutes per day) for six weeks.

The turntables and mixer are the DJs instruments, and just like learning to play any other musical instrument, there are core fundamentals you need to understand. So whether your goal is to play the Ibiza nightlife circuit, train to be a world battle champ or just to rock the decks at that dive bar in Brooklyn, DJ 101 is the place to start.

In DJ 101, no prior experience is necessary. The majority of each class will be spent learning hands-on at your own individual workstation. Each class features a main instructor and TAs who will work with each student to understand the concepts covered.

While getting your practice on is crucial, it’s also important to remember that DJing is a true music art form with a rich culture and history. Portions of each class will cover topics on both the history and culture of the DJ and basic music theory.

Skills Required:
No skills or prior experience is necessary for DJ 101. DJ 101 is designed for those with very little to no DJ experience.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

When DJ 101 is over, you’ll be able to perform simple mixing and blending, transition between two songs, and lay down some basic scratches. More importantly, you’ll have perfected the core fundamentals and have a true understanding of this art form.

If you want to really develop your mixing skills, then you’re now ready for M 202. If you’d prefer to enhance your scratching techniques, then you have the tools you need to tackle S 202.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Free Make-up Classes: Miss a class? Not a problem. We hold a free make-up class each week that begins 30 minutes prior to the start of class.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

DJ 101 Boot Camp meets once a day (85 minutes per day) for five days. Because some students are not able to commit to our regular six week courses, Scratch offers an opportunity for accelerated learning in our Boot Camps. Boot Camps cover all the same materials and topics as our regular courses, just condensed into five consecutive days of classes. Essentially, you cover all materials in one week. If you register for a Boot Camp, you will receive the same time and attention as any other student at Scratch. The turntables and mixer are the DJs instruments, and just like learning to play any other musical instrument, there are core fundamentals you need to understand. So whether your goal is to play the Ibiza nightlife circuit, train to be a world battle champ or just to rock the decks at that dive bar in Brooklyn, the DJ 101 Boot Camp is the place to start. In the DJ 101 Boot Camp, no prior experience is necessary. The majority of each class will be spent learning hands-on at your own individual workstation. Each class features a main instructor and TAs who will work with each student to understand the concepts covered. While getting your practice on is crucial, it’s also important to remember that DJing is a true music art form with a rich culture and history. Portions of each class will cover topics on both the history and culture of the DJ and basic music theory. Skills Required No skills or prior experience is necessary for the DJ 101 Boot Camp. The DJ 101 Boot Camp is designed for those with very little to no DJ experience.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

When the DJ 101 Boot Camp is over, you’ll be able to perform simple mixing and blending, transition between two songs, and lay down some basic scratches. More importantly, you’ll have perfected the core fundamentals and have a true understanding of this art form. If you want to really develop your mixing skills, then you’re now ready for DJ 201. If you’d prefer to enhance your scratching techniques, then you have the tools you need to tackle DJ 202.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

M 202 Boot Camp meets once a day (120 minutes per day) for five days. Because some students are not able to commit to our regular six week courses, Scratch offers an opportunity for accelerated learning in our Boot Camps. Boot Camps cover all the same materials and topics as our regular courses, just condensed into five consecutive days of classes. Essentially, you cover all materials in one week. If you register for a Boot Camp, you will receive the same time and attention as any other student at Scratch. Mixing music allows the DJ to control the energy of the audience. When a DJ’s mixes are truly seamless, there are no uncomfortable pauses or harsh changes in tempo. The music never breaks and the party never stops. The M 202 Boot Camp breaks down the fundamentals and the techniques as well as the art of mixing. Large portions of the course are dedicated to honing your mixing skills. Your instructors will work with you on beatmatching, transitioning records, cross-genre mixing (mixing tracks from different genres), and more. In addition we’ll also teach you the art of mixing: you’ll learn about the history of mixing in DJ culture, optimal mixing points within tracks, transition tricks to accentuate your set, the art of building a set, and more. By the end of this six-week course, you will put together a six song mixing set. And don’t forget, M 202 teaches the intermediate principles of mixing, no matter what genre or music you want to spin. Whether you like house, rock, hip-hop, dub, or any other type of music (or all the above), we will teach you how to mix it. Skills Required Those who take the M 202 Boot Camp should have an understanding of the DJ fundamentals. You do not need to be an expert, but you should have some experience with beatmatching. It is recommended that all those who take the M 202 Boot Camp have completed DJ 101 (or the DJ 101 Boot Camp) or already be familiar with the concepts covered in DJ 101.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

Once you’ve completed the DJ 201 Boot Camp, you will have a strong comprehension of beatmatching and mixing techniques as well as the experience and knowledge to mix almost any track. To continue developing your mixing, check out DJ 301, Advanced Mixing. You can also check out one of our scratching courses (DJ 202 or DJ 303) to learn about turntablism.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

The S 202 Boot Camp meets once a day (120 minutes per day) for five days. Because some students are not able to commit to our regular six week courses, Scratch offers an opportunity for accelerated learning in our Boot Camps. Boot Camps cover all the same materials and topics as our regular courses, just condensed into five consecutive days of classes. Essentially, you cover all materials in one week. If you register for a Boot Camp, you will receive the same time and attention as any other student at Scratch. Scratching has been around since the 1970s and as such has been influential in shaping the DJ art form over the past 40 years. Turntablists primarily use scratching (and in some cases mixing) to manipulate the needle and record to create unique and creative sounds –they’re not just playing a track from a record but are making something totally new. Turntablists and their accomplishments have proved pivotal in establishing DJing as a true art form. DJs can also utilize scratches to enhance a standard mixing set. Some of the best mixing and club DJs of all-time (DJ AM, Jazzy Jeff, A-Trak, Z-Trip) have exceptional scratch skills, which they incorporate into their mixing and performance sets. Whether you’re a turntablist or club DJ, the DJ 202 Boot Camp is the course where you can enhance your scratch techniques. Our instructors break down the execution of each scratch into simple and digestible steps so they are easy for you to learn and master. We’ll have you chirping, transforming and flaring in no time. See the “Skills Covered” section to the left for a more complete list of skills and techniques covered in the DJ 202 Bootcamp. Skills Required Those who take S 202 should have an understanding of the DJ fundamentals. You should also be able to execute some basic scratches. It is recommended that all those who take the S 202 Boot Camp have completed DJ 101 (of the DJ 101 Boot Camp) or already be familiar with the concepts covered in DJ 101.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

After the DJ 202 Boot Camp, you will have a strong understanding of and be able to execute many scratches and various turntabilst techniques, but there is still a lot to learn. DJ 303, our advanced scratching course, will take your scratching skills to the next level. Now that you can execute intermediate level scratches, you can also check out DJ 201, DJ 301, or DJ 401 where instructors will show you how best to incorporate them into your mixing sets.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

S 202 meets once a week (100 minutes per day, two hours at Scratch-LA) for six weeks

Scratching has been around since the 1970s and as such has been influential in shaping the DJ art form over the past 40 years. Turntablists primarily use scratching (and in some cases mixing) to manipulate the needle and record to create unique and creative sounds—they’re not just playing a track from a record but are making something totally new. Turntablists and their accomplishments have proved pivotal in establishing DJing as a true art form.

DJs can also utilize scratches to enhance a standard mixing set. Some of the best mixing and club DJs of all-time (DJ AM, Jazzy Jeff, A-Trak, Z-Trip) have exceptional scratch skills, which they incorporate into their mixing and performance sets.

Whether you’re a turntablist or club DJ, S 202 is the course where you can enhance your scratch techniques. Our instructors break down the execution of each scratch into simple and digestible steps so they are easy for you to learn and master. We’ll have you chirping, transforming and flaring in no time.

See the “Skills Covered” section to the right for a more complete list of skills and techniques covered in S 202.

Skills Required

Those who take S 202 should have an understanding of the DJ fundamentals. You should also be able to execute some basic scratches. It is recommended that all those who take S 202 have completed DJ 101 or already be familiar with the concepts covered in DJ 101.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

After S 202, you will have a strong understanding of and be able to execute many scratches and various turntabilst techniques, but there is still a lot to learn. S 303, our advanced scratching course, will take your scratching skills to the next level.

Now that you can execute intermediate level scratches, you can also check out M 202, M 303, or M 404 where instructors will show you how best to incorporate them into your mixing sets.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

M 303 meets once a week (100 minutes per day) for six weeks.

Now you understand beatmatching and can mix records with the best of them. Its time to expand your skill-set even further by adding advanced mixing techniques to your repertoire. M 303 covers mixing concepts like advanced record transitions and mixing tricks. Our instructors break down techniques like power kills and echo outs and take a more in depth look at cross-genre mixing.

Depending on where, when and for whom you DJ, your sets could be completely different. A large portion of M 303 focuses on helping students create different types of mixing sets. During the six week course, each student will perform two different sets. One set will consist of tracks from genres in which you are comfortable. The other set is designed to be a little harder as you have to utilize tracks and genres in which you are not as familiar. Our goal is to get you thinking about who you are playing for so you can stretch the boundaries of your music library and be a better DJ.

If all that wasn’t enough, M 303 also helps prepare students for getting their first gig. We’ll cover introductory topics on creating your first demo CD and how to promote yourself.

Skills Required

Those who take M 303 should have a strong understanding of mixing. In particular, you need to have a comprehensive grasp of beatmatching, song structure, basic transitions, and cross-genre mixing. It is recommended that all M 303 students have completed M 202 or already be familiar with the concepts covered in M 202.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

After M 303 you’ll not only have the technical skills to create an advanced mixing set but you’ll also have the creative knowledge to create different types of sets.

M 404 (Club Mixing) is a purely performance based course that truly prepares you for playing in the club. We’ll also take a more comprehensive look at the business behind being a DJ and getting more gigs. Students can also check out one of our scratching courses (S 202 or S 303) to learn about turntablism.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

S 303 meets once a week (100 minutes per day) for six weeks.

You may already be able to chirp, transform and flare, so S 303 focuses on helping you execute these techniques not only more quickly but also in combinations with other scratches to create different effects, sounds, and patterns. Our instructors will augment your chirps with syncopation exercises and pitch stab combinations. We’ll show you one-click, two-click and advanced chirp flare combos. Your transforms will be enhanced with triplet transforms and forward/backward combos.

We’ll also introduce new techniques like throws, the boomerang, and autobahn scratches, and S 303 will delve more deeply into beat juggling, covering everything from advanced looping to intro and chase patterns.

Turntablists aren’t just playing records. They’re creating their own unique musical sounds through the turntable and are real musicians. One of the main goals of S 303 is to help students with the application of music theory, timing, hand-eye coordination, technical expertise, and creativity, so they can fully utilize the turntable as a musical instrument and create their own unique compositions.

Skills Required
Those who take S 303 should be able to execute different types of basic scratches like forwards, chops, flares, military scratches, and transforms. You should also have some experience with drumming and juggles. It is recommended that all S 303 students have completed S 202 or already be familiar with the concepts covered in S 202.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

Now that you can execute advanced scratches, you can check out DJ 201, DJ 301, or DJ 401 to develop your mixing skills. Great DJs are able to incorporate advanced scratches (like the ones you just learned) into mixings sets.

You might also consider BM 101, where our teachers will show you how to conceptualize and create your own beats, just like you created your own scratch routines in DJ 303.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

M 404 meets once a week (100 minutes per day) for six weeks.

What type of set should you play in the club at the height of the night? What if you’re playing the opening spot? Or, say you’ve been booked to play a wedding, what should your performance be like then? How would you handle playing at an event….with a broken turntable?

A working DJ has to be prepared for any number of scenarios, and given the specifics of each situation, different tracks, genres, energy levels, and other factors are hugely important for you to consider. The right type of music can make you a success…or a bust!

In M 303, we introduced the concept of different types of performance sets, and now in M 404, we force you to apply them. M 404 is a purely performance based course, and our instructors will simulate actual performance environments by creating weekly situational criteria for which students will have to create unique sets. They will also give you detailed feedback to help you improve each of these sets. Our goal here is to push your DJ creativity to the max, build confidence, and help you decide where you want to go as a DJ.

We’ll also take a deeper look at the business behind being a DJ. We’ll talk about business cards, client specific demos, and how to sell yourself to potential clients.

Skills Required
Those who take M 404 should have ample experience as a mixing/club DJ. Live performance/club experience is preferred (but not required). Students should be familiar and well-versed in creating sets of different genres and be able to execute advanced record transitions. It is recommended that all M 404 students have completed M 303 or already be familiar with the concepts covered in M 303.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

Now that you’ve completed M 404, you’ll have the preparation and knowledge to create sets for various types of performance scenarios. You are truly ready to tackle the performance and gigging world. Get out there!

Still, there is always room to get better. You can check out our S 202 or S 303 courses to learn some scratch techniques to spice up your mixing sets. You can also try BM 101 if you want to tackle some music production projects.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Free Make-up Classes: Miss a class? Not a problem. We hold a free make-up class each week that begins 30 minutes prior to the start of class.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

DD 202 meets once a week (100 minutes per day) for six weeks.

We all know that switching to Serato is a great alternative to carrying around crates and crates of records to your gigs. Instantly, you become more mobile and can quickly travel virtually anywhere to perform (as long as they have turntables and a mixer). But not everyone realizes that Serato can actually make you more comfortable and confident as a DJ. You can control more tracks and genres than ever before and can even utilize the program to make your mixing sets more creative. Once you master all of Serato’s features, you’ll have the ability to enhance and augment your sets in ways that are not possible when using only vinyl.

In DD 202 we take all the basics covered in DD 101 –equipment & set-up, cue points, looping, and library organization –and expand on them much, much further. We’ll also introduce advanced techniques like one-turntable mixing and loop rolling. Our goal is to show you that Serato isn’t just a storage device that allows you to carry more music. You really can use it to become a better DJ.

At the end of the course, the instructor will give each student a performance evaluation where he critiques your use of Serato and provides specific direction on how to improve.

Always remember that the DJ art form was around for decades before Serato. Being great with Serato doesn’t necessarily make you a great DJ. However, if you have already mastered mixing it can definitely make you better.

Skills Required
Those who take DD 202 should have an understanding of the fundamental concepts of Serato including looping, cue point setting, and iTunes integration. It is recommended that all those who take DD 202 have completed DD 101 or already be familiar with the concepts covered in DD 101.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

When DD 201 is over, you’ll have a very strong understanding of Serato and all its advanced features. You can use all your Serato knowledge and improve your mixing by taking M 202, 303, or 404.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes Mac Computers, Ableton Live software, MIDI keyboards, and audio interfaces. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

BM 202 meets once a week (100 minutes per day) for six weeks.

Now that you understand the basics enroll in BM 202, where you will further expand your production knowledge. Learning to become a great and efficient producer requires that you have an in depth understanding of the software you are using. Knowing “just what you need to get by. ” doesn’t cut it and can stifle your creativity when you eventually run into a brick wall. The objective is to get your ideas out fast and efficiently and in BM 202 we'll show you how.

This class will cover many of the advanced capabilities of Ableton Live and delve into the Reason software. Reason will allow you to unlock a sonic arsenal that is ever expanding. We will show you how to use Live and Reason simultaneously for a simple and streamlined workflow that will multiply your production capabilities.

Skills Required

Prior knowledge of music production and a basic understanding of both Live and Reason software.

SKILLS COVERED:

STUDENT BENEFITS:

• Equipment: All equipment is provided and includes turntables, mixers, needles, headphones, speakers, and records. The only thing you need to bring to class is yourself.
• Weekly Make-up/Review: Miss a class? Not a problem. Each week a portion of class is dedicated to reviewing the material from the previous week. If you happen to miss a class, we’ll be sure to keep you up to speed.
• Free Practice Time: We believe all students should have the opportunity to practice, and lucky for you, we have the space, equipment, and time you need. Contact your local Scratch office for specific information on practice times and schedules.

FULL OVERVIEW:

DJ INT meets once a week (120 minutes per day) for ten weeks.

If you have no DJ experience and want to learn to mix, then DJ INT is the best, quickest and most affordable course option for you. The first part of the course covers our DJ 101 curriculum and focuses on building your DJ fundamentals. We’ll cover the history of DJ culture, teach you how to operate the equipment and cover all the basic skills you need so you’re ready to mix as quickly as possible.

The remaining part of the course is dedicated to our DJ 201 curriculum. We concentrate on mixing to get you ready to perform a six song mixing set on the last day of class. We’ll help you perfect technical skills like beatmatching, transitioning records and cross-genre mixing. Our instructors will also teach you about the art of mixing and cover concepts like optimal mixing points within tracks and some transition tricks.

DJ INT will have you mixing in only ten weeks. Just like all our other courses, the skills and lessons you learn can be applied to all genres of music, so you’ll be able to mix hip-hop, house, rock, funk, groove and more.

Skills Required:
No skills or prior experience is necessary for DJ INT. DJ INT is designed for those with very little to no DJ experience.

AFTER THIS COURSE:

Once you’ve completed DJ INT, you will have a strong comprehension of beatmatching and mixing techniques as well as the experience and knowledge to mix almost any track.

To continue developing your mixing, check out M 303, Advanced Mixing. You can also check out one of our scratching courses (S 202 or S 303) to learn about turntablism.

SKILLS COVERED:

FULL OVERVIEW:

The Electronic Music Workshop meets once for 120 minutes.

Electronic music encompasses a broad array of sub-genres including disco, house, trance, techno, drum & bass, electro and many more. When it comes to DJing electronic music, a great DJ who truly understands the genre is largely defined by his or her ability to play continuous, unbroken, and completely seamlessly sets. Your audience should never be able to tell when one track ends and the next begins.

The Electronic Music Workshop focuses on this importance of mixing. We’ll examine different elements of electronic music tracks—like the acapellas and instrumentals—and show you how to get the most out of them. The instructor will review mixing tricks like mash-ups, bonus beats, riding a mix, and creating peaks & valleys in your sets. We’ll also cover other techniques like working the EQ’s, show you how to get the most out of your filter ranges, and teach you to remove both lows/bass and highs/high-hats from your tracks.

Another important factor in mixing electronic music, is creating a vibe. You have to be able to connect with and reach your audience. We’ll work with each person to understand their sub-genre of preference and how they can create their own unique and powerful vibe.

All equipment and materials are provided for the Electronic Music Workshop. We’ll even provide some electronic records for you to work with. However, students are strongly encouraged to bring their own music to class as well (either on vinyl or in digital format).

Skills Required
Students should have a basic understanding of mixing and beatmatching. It is recommended that students have completed DJ 201 or already understand the concepts covered in DJ 201.

SKILLS COVERED:

FULL OVERVIEW:

The Mash-Up Workshop meets once a week (90 minutes per day) for two weeks.

We’ve all heard them. You’re at a club, hanging out with your friends, and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” comes on. However, instead of the King of Pop’s vocals, you’re treated to Justin Timberlake’s vocals from “Sexy Back.” Ladies and gentlemen, this is a mash-up.

A mash-up is a new version or variation of a track that a DJ creates by combining together two or more songs or pieces of music into one. This technique gives DJs another weapon in their performance arsenal and allows them to use creativity to energize their sets. Furthermore, mash-ups are also a great way to appeal (and appease) everyone on the dance floor.

However, making a mash-up takes much more than slapping a vocal track over an instrumental. You’ll need to have a firm understanding of song structure, a strong comprehension of beatmatching, and the knowledge to pick the right types of tracks to “mash” together. But what if you don’t have an instrumental or acapella version of a song? No worries, we’ll also show you some tracks to create mash-ups with the original versions of songs.

All equipment and materials are provided for the Mash-Up Workshop. All students need to bring is themselves. However, if you do have tracks in mind that you want to mash together, you should bring them to class (either on vinyl or in digital format).

Skills Required
Students should have a basic understanding of mixing and beatmatching. It is recommended that students have completed DJ 201 or already understand the concepts covered in DJ 201.