Learn to DJ in London: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Learning how to DJ in London gives aspiring DJs a tremendous advantage when it comes to launching a DJ career. London's iconic status as a music education centre means that learning how to DJ in London gives students a higher success rate than other destinations. This is in part because the UK has always been at the forefront of electronic music and club culture, providing historical context and established institutions that create the perfect launchpad for a new DJ career.

Why Learn to DJ in London?

Studying the art of DJing in London, learning how to DJ professionally and gaining access to the music industry has never been easier. London has a strong network of clubs, bars, music festivals and opportunities to perform. Venues in London are also keen to support up-and-coming new DJs and there is a strong equality ethos community spirit within the city. New DJs are not only welcomed but celebrated, London is huge city that can support thousands of DJs.

Learning how to DJ in London is also attractive because there is an expansive range of music genres woven into the tapestry of the city. You'll find DJs playing all different styles of music in London and a strong range of DJ tutors equipped with the skills to teach a spectrum of music styles. From EDM to Hip Hop and everything in between, London has it all.

In this guide, we will show you why London is the best city to learn how to DJ. We'll detail the best ways to learn how to DJ, get your first DJ gigs and grow your DJ career. Wether you're a beginner or a pro, you can improve your DJ skills and access world-class DJ courses in London.

London’s rich musical heritage and vibrant nightlife make it the perfect city to start your DJ journey. With an abundance of clubs, bars, and events, the city offers numerous opportunities to practice, perform, and connect with other music enthusiasts. Additionally, London is home to some of the best DJ schools in the world, where you can receive professional training and gain hands-on experience.

Step 1: Choose a DJ School in London

London has many DJ schools and colleges that can teach you the art of DJing. There are small studios, established academies and large institutions to choose from. When choosing a DJ school to learn how to DJ in London you should consider the following:

Location: You'll want to visit your DJ school regularly and having a central location that is easily accessible from multiple transport routes is important.

Equipment: You need to learn how to DJ with a range of equipment, both new and old. Choose an academy that offers multiple teaching rooms and equipment setups.

Flexibility: If you want to learn how to DJ around other commitments it's easier if the lesson structure is flexible.

Reputation: Only book with a DJ school in London that has an established reputation.

Cost: Don't waste thousands of pounds booking DJ courses with large institutions that don't give you the personal touch but cost you more.

Graduate Opportunities: Only book with a DJ school that gives EVERY graduate DJ opportunities and check what those opportunities are before booking.

On-going Support: Not every DJ school will offer past graduates ongoing support.

Community: Check that your DJ school has an established community that will not only welcome you as a new DJ but help you gain a foothold in the music industry.

London's Best DJ School

London Sound Academy stands out as the most popular please to learn how to DJ in London for DJs who want to start a DJ career because they score highly on all these factors. They are unique in London because they occupy the middle ground between small studios and large institutions. Founded in 2008, LSA is famous for providing the highest quality of one-to-one DJ tuition in London coupled with unmatched DJ opportunities for all their graduates on an ongoing basis.

LSA's community is welcoming to people from all backgrounds and monthly studios parties are held in their state-of-the-art studios in Camden Town, central London. LSA's Camden campus is easy to reach from all corners of London and is steeped in music heritage. DJ courses and DJ lessons at LSA are flexible and offered seven days a week. Students can choose their lesson times and have sixteen tutors to choose from.

LSA is one of a small number of Official Pioneer DJ Education Partners which is testament to the quality of their tuition. One of the biggest attractions for LSA's DJ courses is their established reputation, with hundreds of heartfelt five-star testimonials. London Sound Academy has a track record of launching the careers of thousands of successful DJs.

Top Tip When Choosing a DJ School in London:

When choosing a DJ school in London it's best to avoid the large institutions that offer degree-level courses. These colleges often have great equipment but teach a large number of pupils in a group setting. This means they cannot deliver quality tuition to every individual and they do not offer DJ opportunities for all their graduates, just a select few. It's funny how they are the most expensive but the worst value for money!

Similarly, avoid the smallest studios or schools because they often don't have the industry-connections needed to help their DJs thrive. While independent tutors can offer incredible tuition they simply won't able to help you launch a DJ career.

London Sound Academy was created to fill this gap between the small studios and the large institutions, providing flexible DJ tuition at affordable prices.

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Step 2: Learn How to DJ: Four Levels to Master DJing

Once you've chosen which DJ school you want to learn how to DJ with you should book your course and complete all the lessons. If you want to become a professional DJ complete all these DJ courses.

Beginner DJ Course: Learn the basics DJ skills including how to master your DJ software, prepare playlists, beatmatch, mix harmonically, mix with EQs and time your mixes.

Intermediate DJ Course: Improve your basic DJ skills and add creative effects to liven your DJ performance. Learn how to use effects, loops, hot-cues and more!

Advanced DJ Course: Master your DJ equipment and prepare for your first DJ gigs. Become a wizard with creative mixing and add combo tricks to your arsenal. Learn how to beatmatch blindfolded and become a certified professional DJ.

Elite DJ Course: Take the Elite DJ Course at LSA if you want to become the best in your field. The Elite DJ Course is the most advanced DJ course in Europe and offers DJs the chance to use additional DJ equipment to create live elements in their DJ mix.

Step 3: Practice your DJ Skills

Don't forget you also need to practice as much as possible to perfect your DJ skills. Londoner's are spoilt for choice when it comes for places to practice DJing and LSA has the biggest and best DJ studio in London. Studio One at LSA is a popular choice for practicing DJ skills, filming DJ content and hosting DJ parties.

Practice on a range of DJ equipment: It's vital to learn and practice with a range of DJ equipment because not all clubs have the same decks. LSA offers the latest DJ equipment alongside legacy models to prepare students for every eventuality.

Consider buying: If you want to practice everyday you may wish to consider buying DJ equipment. Ask your DJ tutor what would be the best option for your budget. Contact LSA for special discounts.

Explore different studios: London has so many awesome DJ studios to explore, why not try all of them!

Step 6: Start DJing in Real Venues

Learning how to DJ is only the first step of a lifetime of adventure. Once you've acquired your DJ skills and confidence to perform you'll be thirsty to get your first DJ gig booked. However, it's very hard to get your first DJ gigs if you're not part of a larger community of DJs. That's why LSA offers on-going support and a thriving community of DJs, producers, promoters and clubbers! Graduates of the LSA DJ courses all have access to the LSA alumni group. In this group they can apply for DJ gigs are famous venues including Ministry of Sound and Egg London. LSA also organises DJ gigs in Ibiza during the summer months. These DJ opportunities are offered to all DJ course graduates at LSA is the only DJ school that guarantees DJ gigs for all of their graduates.

In addition, LSA organises multiple DJ competitions throughout the year, open deck nights, studio parties and radio shows! There are truly incredible opportunities for DJs who learn with LSA.

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Conclusion

Learning to DJ in London is an exciting journey brimming with creative possibility. Choose to learn how to DJ in London if you want to benefit from an established community of DJs and producers, a growing electronic music industry and the friendliness of Londoners. We hope you found this guide informative and choose London Sound Academy as the start of your DJ career in London. Our term are ready to hear from you. Click here to contact us.