How to DJ Right: The Art and Science of Playing Records

Frank Broughton · Bill Brewster

Dec 2007 · Grove/Atlantic, Inc.

About this ebook

A “lucid, comprehensive guide” to becoming a club DJ “from beat matching to promotion to not going deaf” by the authors of Last Night a DJ Saved My Life (Rolling Stone).

Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton wrote the definitive history of the DJ in Last Night a DJ Saved My Life. Now they share their extensive knowledge of the creative and technical aspects of DJing in this clear, accessible, entertaining guide for all aspiring jocks.

How to DJ Right covers every aspect of DJing from establishing a music collection and a distinctive sound, to elementary record-spinning, to the complex skills of scratching, hot-mixing, and beat-juggling, as well as the unique art of creating an evening of sound that is perfectly timed, balanced, and unforgettable.

Diagrams throughout make phrases, beat timing, and song structure comprehensible without a background in music theory. The authors also include recommendation lists on everything from the best (and most fun) songs to practice with, to the best sources for building a library of disks, CDs, and MP3s. For those who want to turn pro, the authors give sage advice on the vagaries of the club and music business. Enlivened by short quotes, anecdotes, and photos of famous DJs such as Grandmaster Flash and Derrick Carter, How to DJ is the definitive book for anyone who has ever considered becoming a DJ.

Ratings and reviews

Second awesome read from Mixmag's resident experts!! Great book for actual and hope-to-become DJs. And I don't mean button-pushers nor relying on an iPhone/Android app for auto-beat-matching: I refer to the vinyl junkies digging through endless crates, begging for White Labels, and the endless search for "that TUNE"!! Turn it up!!

I've been professionally DJing for 5 years now and I can tell you a big part of me growing was this book. I read it from front to back!

This book is really excellent for those who want to pursue music. 5 stars!

About the author

Frank Broughton is author of Last Night a DJ Saved My Life. Individually, Bill Brewster ran Mixmag's New York bureau for two years and was editor of Mixmag USA. His writing appears regularly in Muzik. The Face, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, and The Mail on Sunday. Frank Broughton has been deputy editor of Mixmag USA and i-D, and also writes for Details, Rolling Stone, The Face, NME, Hip Hop Connection, and Time Out New York, where he was the founding clubs editor.Bill Brewster is author of Last Night a DJ Saved My Life. Individually, Bill Brewster ran Mixmag's New York bureau for two years and was editor of Mixmag USA. His writing appears regularly in Muzik. The Face, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, and The Mail on Sunday. Frank Broughton has been deputy editor of Mixmag USA and i-D, and also writes for Details, Rolling Stone, The Face, NME, Hip Hop Connection, and Time Out New York, where he was the founding clubs editor.