Becoming a DJ After 30

People who are "less youthful" feel that starting something new at a particular age is just a waste of time because our current society is so focused on youth.

The fact is that being youthful doesn't necessarily make one more artistic. You don't have any special talent for DJing or anything else while you're young.

People have entered and mastered music at various times because it is timeless and ageless.

It's not at all impossible to become a DJ at 30, 40, or 50, and we're going to demonstrate that today.

Let's get right to it because there are a lot of topics we need to cover.

Do You Have Enough Time to Become a DJ?

In this area, age is a component, but it just makes up a small piece of a larger picture where knowledge, taste, style, technical ability, and talents all go together.

As DJs or music producers associated with the Top 40 charts, you'll probably encounter "older" DJs (i.e., those over 30), the majority of whom still struggle to shed the yoke of antiquated youth clichés.

It's never too late to respond to the query, though. At every time in your life, music may be used for anything. You can never be too old to DJ as long as you enjoy mixing and are passionate about sharing music with people.

Undoubtedly, you enjoy listening to music. Consequently, why not play around with the music while listening to it (also known as DJing)?

There is no obligation. Instead of using your standard hi-fi system, you simply load the songs onto your DJ equipment.

There is nothing more satisfying than incorporating a song you adore that others may not have heard before or creating mash-ups that no one would ever consider.

There are many of us in this boat with you, therefore it's quite joyful! Age should not be a barrier.

Your level of desire and enthusiasm will determine how successful you are as a DJ. That calls for a ridiculous amount of practice, effort, and willpower.

But nobody is concerned with your age. I've been to events where the DJ looked dated but was still really good.

People who are passionate about DJing—whether they are fans, artists, promoters, or attendees—tend to be generally supportive of males who sincerely want to learn the craft and spread their passion to others.

You'll have a lot of mental pictures of yourself as being too old, not fitting in, etc. But it doesn't matter if you appreciate the music you're playing and are prepared to put in the necessary effort to achieve your goals.

House is prospering. People will dance to it nearly any place you perform it.

Take the chance, or you won't get it. Frenchman Pascal Kleiman was born without arms. Nevertheless, he pursued a career as a DJ. You shouldn't be too concerned about your age as a "disability".

The greatest method to start developing your musical abilities is to do it as a pastime. You can invest more time in it, which will increase your enjoyment, and you can always transition to a full-time schedule in the future.

Perhaps you'll start DJing on the side while going to your 9 to 5 job, and after five years, you'll be doing it full-time! You simply never know.

Expectations, Finances, and Commitments

Early DJ starters have plenty of time to study the craft, practice, perform, and network, as well as modest expectations and desires for rewards.

If you want to learn DJing while working a demanding, high-paid job, paying off your home, taking family vacations, and maintaining two cars, you'll find it challenging.

Perhaps you lack the time or the energy to practice and blend. Maybe you can leave or shrink your current position, but then you won't have enough money.

This applies to any career that requires practice and expertise, not only DJing. Low starting pay, but it has the potential for great rewards for the select few who can master it.

You should also take your family into account. If you're a married man with kids, DJing might annoy your wife.

You need more space, generate a lot of noise while mixing, and, most significantly, take time away from family projects to DJ.

On the other hand, you are at home and it is less expensive than a fantasy sports car. In order for you to succeed as I did, you could.

The trouble with becoming older, if you ever become a professional, is that you'll have other everyday priorities than hanging out and making out with all the idiotic bar owners and event organizers.

Additionally, you cannot attract all the young people you work with at KFC, a car wash, a call center, or any other place.

Overall though, if you're passionate about it, your age shouldn't be a barrier to you deejaying in some capacity, even if it's simply to upload mixes to Soundcloud, Mixcloud, or YouTube.

Why Being a DJ Who Starts Late Is Great

There's a good reason why most reliable, well-known, and accomplished touring DJs are 30 or older.

After 30, you have more life and people knowledge than someone who is younger, but it takes time.

The majority of us won't become famous DJs, but the thrill of the chase and respect for the process makes the journey worthwhile.

I've only participated in one event and one bar performance, but that hasn't stopped me from attempting to work harder. Every gig teaches you something new.

• You have valuable life experience, which makes it less likely that someone would want to control you.
• You seem to be able to network more effectively and immediately demand more respect.
• You're more likely to have established work habits and a desire to advance your profession.
• You're less likely to waste your time getting inebriated every night and quickly finding yourself taking a long sabbatical for your health (or worse).

We all know what a social media jungle it has become, so when you start "fresh" from scratch at an older age, you have the advantage of not feeling as much societal pressure to mix as you may have when you were younger.

Experience

If you are over 40 and actively involved in music, you have been influenced by music for four decades. Remember it as well.

You experienced personally the emergence of electronic music if you were born in the 1980s or earlier.

In the 1980s, you observed, danced, and listened to music from a variety of genres while adoring icons that created timeless and illustrious tunes.

Then the counterculture of the 1990s with its return to rock and guitars occurred, and you took it all in.

This implies that you have a clear and distinct advantage over the average 18-year-old who was raised with, well, whatever came out after the 20th century when it comes to building a diverse music library.

Advantages of DJing beyond 40

After 40, learning to mix will help you reconnect with your younger self and music enthusiasts from more recent generations. whether it be at an event, a DJ forum, the DJ lesson you take, etc.

If you went with DJing, you have the perfect justification for another night out. After all, the greatest method to pick up some useful techniques is to observe other DJs mixing in "real" situations.

You will meet people who share your views and who are likely a lot more childish than you, but you could be surprised by how well you click with them.

That could therefore help with loneliness, a problem that too many "older" people, especially those who are well into their fifties, have to deal with.

My friend is a prime illustrator. He has only been practicing DJing for two years and will be 44 soon. He might enjoy more genres than anyone I know, in my opinion (techno, minimal, trance, tropical house, etc.)

Five to six months after he started mixing, he made his first home recording and posted it. A few weeks later, he would play his first live show at a lavish party at the top of the skyscraper. Before this entire COVID-19 became a thing, he had a few of live gigs scheduled for July and August.

All of this has been developed, in my opinion, since he has recorded home-played mixes, established contacts within the local club scene, and even with a few overseas organizations. He kind of "rubs shoulders" with DJs who have been active for 10 to 15 years.

DJing only at home is completely acceptable, however, DJing in public is not.

Deejaying is all about interacting with the audience, entertaining the audience, and, most importantly, enjoying yourself.

Networking

Using different networks, you have made a lot of friends and coworkers by the time you are 40. (work, hobbies, school, university, associations.)

All of these groups could gain something from your DJ abilities in some way.

People frequently come up with justifications for throwing parties, and guess to whom they will turn for music and DJing?

Indeed. These guys are mainly your age, and they need someone with a broad musical background that spans more than two decades.

That will help you establish a reputation, and who knows? It might even land you a job.

How Do You Begin Learning to DJ? How Long Does It Take?

Phase One: Purchasing and Getting to Know Your Controller (10 Hours)

Well, you've already begun. Your initial DJ controller was bought. You still need to map out your course.

Read StartingtoDJ, browse forums, watch lessons, and most importantly, practice, practice, practice.

Upgrade to a more advanced controller with more features after you feel comfortable with your present one.

The next few steps are all about improving your knowledge and skills so they will last for years to come.

Your capacity for expertise is limitless. You'll learn new growth avenues and mixing techniques that you can apply on a regular basis.

Second Stage: Beatmatching (15 Hours)

Fortunately, it's a simple first step when learning the fundamentals.

Use the pitch fader to equal the BPMs and the jog wheels to align the kicks of the first two songs. I'm done now.

You don't want to get overly dependent on the sync button, so try to avoid using it. You'll feel better knowing that manual syncing is simple.

Track selection in Phase 3 (15+ Hours)

The necessary ability. What will make or break you is this.

The audience isn't there to see your abilities or limitations with the controller. They want to tell their friends and relatives that you play amazing music and have great mixes, and they want to recommend you to them.

Your best friend will eventually be your hearing. Your best friend is your ear. This keeps you from becoming bored. Choose at least two musical genres and learn them inside and out.

As you become more involved in DJing, your hearing will become more accustomed to what sounds well and what doesn't using components like:

Phase Four: Effects, Gain/Trim, Phrasing, Transitioning, EQing, etc. (20+ Hours)

I have sets on my MixCloud that are so terrible that I can't believe I posted them, but it's all part of the journey, so I leave them up to symbolize that.

Get past worrying about your age and carry on. There is nothing to be concerned about if all those immature young dancers feel comfortable stomping to DJs who are more than twice their age.

Simple and Useful Advice

You can age indefinitely. if you have the necessary motivation.

Do it because you're eager to get behind the decks and play the music, not because you're trying to become the finest DJ in the world. You never know; you might end up being the best DJ ever. But do not anticipate doing so.

Avoid choosing songs from any top 40 lists when it comes to choosing your music. Continually dig. Find that one song that no one informed you about but makes you feel good by listening to hundreds of songs.

You will be able to begin once you have a few dozen of these. You will sound different after doing it.

The same top 40 songs are frequently mixed worldwide. Avoid doing that. It's a straightforward approach, but being a genuine DJ means playing your own music instead of what other people expect you to. That is known as a jukebox.

Make sure you are listening to music you like all the time. Actively seek out new songs you like and improve your methods of discovery while listening to a lot of your preferred genres.

If you can, listen to music whenever you can. It also makes it easier for you to focus on the information you don't need to hear. Always try to broaden your taste.

Consider why someone might enjoy a genre that you aren't particularly into. Change how you see things.

Pay close attention to how each component of the mixes you listen to fits with the others. Compare genres that, on the surface, don't appear to be related at all.

You develop a wonderful foundational sense of music in this way. I believe I have a fantastic ear for good music, and since before the fourth grade, I've listened to a variety of genres for most of each day.

It's training. You know a lot about music and you listen to a lot of it. What you know and who you are influencing your creativity.

The more songs you are familiar with, can understand, and have in your head, the more musical information your brain can access for inspiration.

Lastly, letting go is an important factor. Please give up trying to reason it out.

Logic is an imperfect creation of humans. Emotions are not. Trust your instincts. Your mind sends your instincts based on what you know and believe to be true depending on what you know.

Create a database of information and don't be afraid to make mistakes because that is the most effective way to learn. In addition, happy accidents have led to the creation of some of the best mixes ever.

Can a DJ Still Be Successful After 30?

No age restriction applies. In the end, the caliber of your mixing, the tracks you choose, and a little networking are what count.

Play a few shows, earn some additional cash, and enjoy yourself. Absolutely. Maybe, if this virus doesn't completely wipe out the entertainment sector for the foreseeable future.

Become the upcoming global megastar? It's unlikely, but if your goal in music is fame, you're doing it incorrectly.

Regarding performing in a club: I think that imagining a filled dance floor while performing at home is a great practice.

I make an effort to mimic the atmosphere of a Friday night by putting myself in the shoes of a member of the audience. I determine whether I would want to dance after listening to a record. Although it may seem ridiculous, it works for me.

How Long Would It Take and How to Get Jobs?

When you are confident enough to reach out and have a prepared demo mix, you will land your first gig. It will advance as quickly as you want it to.

How devoted you are to DJing will determine. Given that you've just begun your adventure, I'd estimate a few months, assuming daily practice, for some small gigs. It won't happen overnight.

The smallest engagements you can secure, effective networking at all times, and being visible in the scene by attending DJ events and other DJs' shows are all ways to become successful.

From there, expand your network and start establishing your brand. Next, establish a social media presence and continue to grow and hustle.

Unless you have connections who are already club patrons or promoters, it will be more difficult. By then, most people have already changed.

Make your own relationships instead of relying on others; you must strike up a conversation and approach them. Start creating and gaining notoriety for your music instead of taking the harder and less common alternative. Gigs would result from this.

I advise starting with smaller events to gain experience as you land gigs. Stay away from risky situations.

Be prepared to say yes when someone calls at the last minute as you discover your specialization and how far you're willing to venture from it. Keep your equipment organized and prepared to leave in an hour.

Avoid using your DJ equipment throughout the house and utilizing the same cords for your PlayStation, home stereo, etc. Make a checklist beforehand to ensure that you have everything with you.

Again, if the gig is more than an hour away from your home, returning for a plug or a specific piece of equipment risked damaging your reputation for punctuality.

Always arrive as early as possible. If possible, scout out new locations before the performance. Check for power access, evaluate the venue's technology, anticipate trip hazards, find the best entrance and parking, etc.

Make contact with your client on the day of the performance. For smaller clubs, a booking manager may be present; for bar events, it may just be the bartender.

Try not to bother the bride at weddings; she has a lot on her mind. Instead, ask for the mother of the bride or the number of someones involved in the planning of the wedding.

Will you be hired by you?

You have to act as though you are already in the position you are aiming for in any business.

Live professionally and do so to the utmost.

Work hard, maintain your self-assurance, and show passion in each and every DJ set you perform, and fantastic things will happen in every conversation you have.

DJs who launched later and were successful

A few weeks back, I attended a street party where a DJ in his mid-60s was spinning solely 45s. He was mostly performing obscure older songs, along with a few oldies. Everyone was dancing because of him, and it was enjoyable.

Age actually doesn't matter as long as someone is passionate and can motivate others.

2011 saw Eats Everything reaches his breakthrough age of 31. Only nine years old, he is currently traveling the world and living his dream. He is currently one of the top names on the House circuit, if not the biggest. Art can be mastered at any age.

Raja Ram, who was born in 1940 and recently celebrated his 80th year on the planet, is frequently the major attraction at psytrance events.

When Petar Dundov, the Croatian wonder, finally got his big break, he was 37 years old.

Comet Bernhard started DJing when he was in his 70s and is now in his 70s.

Jose Padilla is next. He began his residency as a DJ in the Café del Mar bar on the island of Ibiza when he was 36 years old. Beginning at roughly 30, he advanced through the ranks! He is still mixing at age 65.

You can go far if you work hard, are passionate, and are kind to others. So, if living this dream is your goal, I implore you to do so.

I was in Italy a few years ago in a town called Ilmuretto. There was a 60–70 year old DJ who went by the name Giuliano Veronese. He performed techno at 4 AM and destroyed the gig.

Are You Aware Of Ruth Flowers?

Ruth Flowers received a birthday invitation to a club for her grandson Javier. Because of her age, the bouncer initially refused to let her in, but when she insisted, she was allowed in.

Flowers began to joke with her grandson that she might also become a DJ after becoming instantly enthralled by the vibrant and thrilling atmosphere that brought back memories of her youth.

Ruth told Javier that she was very serious about that plan a few days later.

She was subsequently introduced to Aurélien Simon, a young DJ from France, whose musical endeavor was inspired by her love.

He demonstrated electro for her, gave her DJing tips, and assisted her in establishing her reputation.

She gradually started to develop her own mixing style, drawing inspiration from some of her favorite artists, such as Freddie Mercury, The Black Eyed Peas, and numerous other well-known figures in the music business.

Her debut performance took place at the Villa Murano at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival in front of an audience that included stars like Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey.

On January 28, 2010, she then gave a performance at the Queen Club in Paris. Additionally, she has hosted a few radio and TV shows internationally.

Are You Aware of Sumiko Iwamuro?

Another "old lady" from Tokyo is having success as a DJ.

An 82-year-old baker named Sumiko Iwamuro has been running a Tokyo restaurant for more than 60 years.

However, she also DJs techno under the name Sumirock at the DecaBarZ nightclub in the Shinjuku district.

Iwamuro began mixing at the age of 70 while choosing music for her son's birthday party. She is now quite popular among the younger dancers in Shinjuku.

When asked what kind of music she listens to, she replied in an interview, "It's basically techno music, but merely that would be dull."

"I mix in a little jazz, French chanson, and traditional music."

It's your time now. By reading all these blog posts while sitting here, you're only becoming older. Take up DJing!