So what's next in my career?

[tuurrtles]

I see you're getting a lot of negative answers on here. You're a very active member of this forum and deserve some concrete advice to move forward and have some new goals for yourself with regard to DJing. I'm assuming you came here for DJ advice, not life advice...

That being said, I'm pretty much a n00b. I just made my move away from a controller and am now re-learning how to DJ on CDJ900s...by ear, no software.

So personally, I've got a lot of time ahead of me before I can start to worry about even starting a career.

As for you, I'd say it might be good to get into production. Get yourself some software and start making songs. Even edits and redrums. Something to set you apart from other DJ's. You've got some time ahead of you before college and being able to DJ in clubs, no getting around that. Take advantage of that time to really step things up and learn some skills that will set you apart when you do finally start gigging. This could be production, scratching, using effects, the sky is the limit. Oh, and if you haven't, learn fundamentals, like beatmatching by ear.

Good luck man. You're going to be a great DJ if you stick to it. Time an experience play a major role in any musical endeavors. By the time you're my age, you'll have been deejaying over 10 years. That'll be awesome.

[DJArmani]

Thanks for all the feedback. I just get motivated by these really young guys in the business like Hardwell, Nicky Romero, Madeon, Jakob Liedholm, Porter Robinson, etc. I'm like "I wanna be there by the time I'm 18 or by the time I'm 21". But I feel I'm not gonna get an experience of even DJing a club till I'm like 18 or older.

@AdrianR: Currently on scratching! I could beatmatch pretty good, not perfect, it comes with time.
@Manu: Yeah I'm trying to come out with mixes now but I feel like my skills aren't even that far up there to create a quality tape.

@Adzm00: Yeah, I'm definetly going to college no questions asked but I want to have gigs in college.
@LukeDent: I started for school sports, now it's addicting I love it. I also get creative when I hear mixes i listen to while working out.

@Dan Mackey: I haven't had much money, but last time I did i got Reason Essentials I just need a MIDI now. Looking at the AKAI MPK49.

[LukeDent]

My advice from what you just said is as always, practice practice practice.

When you get to college be as sociable as you can, keep your ear to the ground about what parties are going on then try and ear miff yourself in as the dj. Before you know it the rep will build.

[LukeDent]

Oh and have fun.

[Sublim&All]

Thanks for all the feedback. I just get motivated by these really young guys in the business like Hardwell, Nicky Romero, Madeon, Jakob Liedholm, Porter Robinson, etc. I'm like "I wanna be there by the time I'm 18 or by the time I'm 21". But I feel I'm not gonna get an experience of even DJing a club till I'm like 18 or older.

Don't forget that these guys are not only extremely talented and work extremely hard, but have also been extremely lucky. Being good at making and playing music is doable, getting famous is what will never happen to 99.9% of the good artists. So don't rely on it too much, just work hard everyday and who knows what'll happen.

[ben mills]

You will play gigs in college. Don't even worry about trying to set yourself up with gigs now so that you'll be able to play in college. Doesn't matter. Just get to college with a decent skill set and a decent equipment set up (non-controller, and at least 2 JBL or Mackie powered monitors, a sub if you can swing it). If you show up to college with that, you'll be playing gigs. I 100% guarantee it. Fitting all that into your dorm room is another story, but you'll figure it out.

You're going to get to college and everyone will be new, coming from all over the place, meeting new people, going out, etc. When you find out someone is having a party, tell them "Hey mate, I reckon I can bring my gear out and jam some tunes at the party...whatcha think of that?" They'll be pumped about it. And as a bonus, you'll probably smash poon.

And no matter what you do...do not live at home when you go to college. You'll regret it for the rest of your life.

[CC Ricers]

And no matter what you do...do not live at home when you go to college. You'll regret it for the rest of your life.

Haha, I can agree with this. Commuting to college made university feel like just a bigger version of high school, not the same as living out on your own. Even if it was in the same town I grew up in, it would've been better to move out from home. I mostly stayed at home during my college years because my parents didn't want me to go flat broke if I did otherwise.

[djromanj]

If you want some inspiration listen to other djs. Listen to their mixtapes and mixes. You'll find tracks you never heard of and get inspired to search for more great tracks that you will want to play in front of people.

Just keep it up.

[Ignotus]

this guy^

you cant build a huge DJ career overnight, it takes years, hell, it took deadmau5 7 years of producing untill he had his first big break.

think of what you could do in 7 years.

[DJArmani]

thanks for all the feedback... This hurricane is hitting the east over the weekend will have so much time on my hands to just practice and make my new mixtape for halloween...