DJ

DJs play music for audiences at live venues or on the radio.

They can use a range of formats, including vinyl, CD or digital MP3, and a range of equipment such as turntables, mixers, microphones and amplifiers.

There are three types of DJ, radio, club and mobile, although many music radio DJs also perform at night clubs.

Club DJs: play and mix records in clubs or bars, to create atmosphere or keep people dancing; choose music to suit your audience’s taste and the venue’s music policy; operate lighting and visual effects in time to the beat; create your own sounds by manipulating beats, using samples, adding extra music and sound effects; work with an MC who raps or sings over the music. 

Mobile DJs provide music and atmosphere at social events such as weddings and parties. They normally take their own equipment and records/CDs to each venue.

Radio DJs: present a radio programme in their own style; choose the music to be played; keep up an entertaining and natural flow of chat; interact with the audience through phone-ins, emails and texts; keep to a very tight timing schedule; interview studio guests; operate studio equipment to play music, pre-recorded news, jingles and advertisements (known as ‘driving the desk’); and discuss ideas with the producer, write scripts and prepare playlists for future shows.

Average earnings are between £50 and £300 a session.

Very experienced club and radio DJs may earn £1,000 or more a session.

Top club DJs can earn over £100,000 a year.

Since most DJs are freelance, annual income varies depending on reputation and experience.

You will need a love of music, an engaging personality and musical style, and skills in using DJ equipment.

To get club DJ work, you will need practical experience of using decks, mixers and sampling equipment. You may find it useful to take short courses in DJ skills (which may be available at local colleges and community recording projects), or full- or part-time courses in sound and music technology.

To find a job in radio, you will need some practical experience and a lot of enthusiasm and commitment. You can build experience through: community, hospital or student radio – see the Community Media Association for a list of local stations, and the Hospital Broadcasting Association for a list of hospital stations; work experience placements – contact the BBC Work Experience or the RadioCentre (for commercial radio); in-store radio – some large retail chains have their own radio stations.

For radio work, you may find it helpful to take a course in radio or media production. This is not essential, but the most useful courses help you to develop practical skills and may include work placements. Courses are available full- and part-time at local colleges, and community radio stations may also offer training and qualifications.

To help you find any kind of DJ work, you should ideally make a demo CD that shows your DJ-ing style. You can then use this to approach radio stations or clubs, bars and music promoters for work.

If you try this, you should make sure that your demo fits in with the venue’s music policy or the station’s output.