DJ lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What dj lessons is

A DJ teacher shows beatmatching, mixing, track selection and equipment use, with controllers or turntables, for parties or clubs. People book DJ lessons when they have a controller or turntables and want to mix smoothly, or when they are booked to play an event and need to be ready.

Signs you need it

  • You can play one track but the next one clashes with it every time
  • Your beat matching drifts and the crowd hears it
  • You have a controller or turntables and do not know how to use the main functions
  • You are booked for a party or event and need to be ready with a set
  • You want to build a set that flows from one track to the next

What the pro does

  • Checks your equipment and sets up your controller or turntables properly
  • Teaches beat matching by ear and with the display, at a slow tempo first
  • Shows how to choose tracks by key, tempo and energy so the set flows
  • Works on transitions, including effects and EQ use between tracks
  • Helps you plan and rehearse a set for the event you have coming up

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Turntables, a controller or software, since each has different techniques
  • Teacher experience with the styles you play, such as hip hop, house or open format
  • Lesson length and how many lessons you book each week
  • Whether the teacher comes to your home or you meet at a studio
  • Equipment you need to buy, such as headphones, a controller or a laptop
  • Event rehearsal or set planning on top of regular lessons

What a written quote should spell out

  • The equipment and styles the plan covers
  • The number and length of lessons and whether they are private or shared
  • The cancellation and makeup policy for missed lessons
  • Whether lessons are in person or online
  • Which equipment, headphones or music you must buy or license yourself

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which equipment do you teach, and can you teach on my controller or turntables?
  • Which styles do you DJ, and which ones do you teach best?
  • How do you teach beat matching by ear?
  • If the student is a minor, do you run background checks, and what is your policy on parents in the room?
  • Can you help me plan a set for a specific event?
  • What should I practice between lessons?

Red flags

  • Pushes you to buy the most expensive controller or turntables before any lesson
  • Says you can DJ a full event after one lesson
  • Teaches only automatic sync and never shows manual beat matching
  • Will not explain how they pick tracks or plan transitions

What you can do yourself

You can learn the controller layout, load tracks, and practice beat matching at a slow tempo with headphones at a moderate level. Keep your power strips and cables in good condition, and never overload a single outlet with the gear. Hire a teacher when your beat matching stalls, when you need set planning, or when you have an event coming up.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach DJ lessons. Check with your state or local licensing agency if you are unsure whether a teaching business needs a registration. Playing music at a public or paid event can involve music licensing rules, so ask your event host what they need.

DJ lessons questions

Do I need turntables to take DJ lessons?

No. Many lessons use a controller and software. Tell the teacher what you have so they can plan around it.

Can I learn to DJ in a few lessons?

Basic mixing can start quickly, but a full set takes practice. Ask the teacher what they expect you to practice each week.

How do I book a DJ teacher on infinibell?

Describe the lessons you want, including your equipment, your style and any event you are preparing for. Pick the teachers you want by name. Only the teachers you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

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