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Introduction to DJing

Introduction to DJing

A 12-week DJ skills course teaching the art of mixing using industry-standard equipment, covering beatmatching, EQing, vinyl mixing, live FX and digital performance tools.

Explore Dates

Course Overview

Whether you’re a total beginner or you’ve been producing for a while, this DJ evening course will give you the confidence, technique and industry insight to mix like a pro.

Across this three-month DJ industry course, you’ll develop your own creative style while learning what it takes to build a crowd-moving set. Your tutors will guide you, providing expertise from their years of real-world experience in clubs, radio and music production. You’ll train on industry-standard club equipment in a collaborative, hands-on environment, building the skills to move from beginner DJ to outstanding live performer.

As you curate sets that connect with crowds, you’ll explore beatmatching, EQing, vinyl mixing, live FX and digital performance tools. You’ll be guided by industry professionals active in the UK’s DJ scene, including London-based deep/tech DJ and producer Portamento who has performed alongside Hot Chip, Barry Can’t Swim and Simone Butler (Primal Scream).

The 12 weeks end in a live showcase, where you’ll take to the decks in front of friends and fellow students, putting your new skills to the test in a club-like setting. Whether you’re keen to play in clubs, throw house parties or just feel the thrill of getting creative with your favourite tracks, this DJ evening course is the ultimate introduction to the world of mixing.

Learning Outcomes

Through our DJ short course, you’ll gain the practical tools, creative confidence and industry insight to become a capable, club-ready DJ.

Across 12 weeks you’ll:

  •  Learn the fundamentals of DJing, from beatmatching and EQing to looping and live FX.
  •  Develop your ear for track selection, transitions and energy flow.
  •  Explore mixing across a range of genres.
  •  Refine your skills using industry-standard CDJs, vinyl and DVS.
  • Record your own DJ sets using Rekordbox.
  • Perform a live set to friends, peers and fans.

Course Features

Industry-standard gear Train on Pioneer CDJ-3000s – club-level decks used by global pro DJs.

Mix vinyl and DVS Discover your favourite way to mix with the classic feel of vinyl turntables vs digital vinyl systems (DVS).

Open-format learning model Mix with different genres – from house, techno and hip hop to disco and drum ’n’ bass.

Master DJ software Get hands-on with Rekordbox, hot cues, slip mode, effects and more to craft unique sets and transitions.

Perform live Step behind the decks at a live showcase event, with a real crowd and pumping sound system.

Key Facts

  • 12-week course
  • Beginner-friendly, no prerequisites required
  • Training on Pioneer CDJ-3000s and vinyl equipment
  • Covers beatmatching, EQing, looping, effects, and track selection
  • Live performance showcase included
  • Group mixing sessions with classmates

Course Details

Through the first six weeks of your DJ course in London, you’ll focus on learning your setup, exporting music, beatmatching, phrasing and curating seamless mixes. You’ll also get hands-on experience with vinyl and DVS, experiencing the raw, authentic feel of turntable DJing.

Course Progression

This hands-on DJ course is a powerful starting point for anyone wanting to step into the world of DJing, club culture and electronic music. Whether your goals lie in live performance, music production, event curation or building your personal brand as an artist, this course provides a solid foundation.

If you’re looking to take your skills further, ICMP has a host of courses to help your progression, including:

Entry Requirements

This DJ course is open to music enthusiasts looking for a creative outlet. No prior skills are needed except for a love of sharing music.

Course Details

Start your DJing journey getting familiar with your equipment and software. Learn how to connect and configure decks, speakers and mixers as you build your digital library using Rekordbox.

  • Understand how to set up and connect industry-standard DJ gear
  • Learn how to source music and organise playlists
  • Export tracks to USB using Rekordbox software
  • Gain confidence in navigating your setup

Discover the foundation of every great DJ set: beatmatching. In this module, you’ll learn to align tempos by ear and use the crossfader to transition smoothly between tracks.

  • Develop your ear for tempo and rhythm
  • Learn manual beatmatching without relying on sync
  • Practise using the crossfader for clean transitions
  • Build timing and accuracy for confident mixing

Take your transitions to the next level by understanding phrasing and track structure, learning how to mix at the right points to keep the energy flowing.

  • Recognise song structure and phrasing in different genres
  • Learn to count bars and plan transitions
  • Practise blending tracks at natural breakpoints
  • Create seamless, flowing mixes to keep momentum through sets

Dive deeper into your personal sound by shaping frequencies and extending sections. In this module, you’ll discover how EQ and looping can add depth and variety to your sets.

  • Learn the purpose of high, mid and low EQ controls
  • Swap and blend elements between two tracks using EQ
  • Create extended builds with loops
  • Use looping to control energy and tension in your mixes

Explore the art of track selection, using keys to craft smooth, harmonically rich transitions, and curating sets that tell a story.

  • Develop strategies for digging and playlist building
  • Understand key compatibility and harmonic mixing
  • Build long-form mixes with emotional progression
  • Refine your personal style through track choices

At the halfway point of your DJ course, you’ll experience the raw feel of vinyl turntables and explore how digital vinyl systems (DVS) bridge analogue and digital DJing.

  • Learn how to set up and operate vinyl decks
  • Practise cueing and beatmatching on turntables
  • Explore DVS technology to use digital files with vinyl control
  • Appreciate the history and authenticity of old school vinyl DJing

Going further with DJing

Across the final six weeks of your DJ industry course, you’ll refine your creativity and performance skills by introducing effects, hot cues and slip modes. You’ll learn techniques for recording your sets and playing back-to-back, finishing the course by preparing, polishing and performing a live DJ set in front of an audience

Discover how to add creative flair to your sets with effects, using them to enhance your sound and build atmosphere.

  • Understand common DJ effects like delay, reverb and filter
  • Use FX to create drops, textures and transitions
  • Learn how and when to apply effects
  • Experiment with layering FX for creative impact

Push your creativity with hot cues and slip mode, creating live edits and spontaneous drops across your set.

  • Set and trigger hot cues to jump through tracks
  • Use slip mode to keep timing intact while remixing live
  • Explore finger drumming and creative cue play
  • Reimagine songs in real time during your sets

Learn how to record professional-sounding mixes, refining your track lists using advanced Rekordbox functions.

  • Record your own DJ sets with pro-level quality
  • Explore playlist organisation and tagging
  • Refine your selection process for different crowds
  • Gain confidence in producing mixes you can share

Through this module, you’ll be challenged by mixing tracks that don’t perfectly align while collaborating with other DJs in back-to-back sets.

  • Learn to adapt when tracks drift out of sync
  • Develop advanced listening and correction skills
  • Practise B2B mixing with classmates
  • Build adaptability for live, unpredictable scenarios

Plan and polish your set for the final showcase. Learn the art of building a journey through music selection and preparation.

  • Choose and refine your setlist
  • Create playlists and mark cue points in Rekordbox
  • Practise transitions to tighten your performance
  • Build confidence before your live set

Take to the decks and perform your set in front of an audience of friends and peers, celebrating everything you’ve learned to date.

  • Deliver your first live DJ set with confidence
  • Perform in a supportive showcase environment
  • Experience the buzz of connecting with a live crowd
  • Leave the course ready to play at clubs, events or parties

Upcoming Dates

Leeds

Starts Wednesday 17th June
£399.00
9 spaces available

London

Starts Tuesday 23rd June
£399.00
9 spaces available