How to Create your Own DJ Style by Stephen Sluyter
There are lots of DJs out there and you can differentiate who is who through their style of playing, techniques and the gears they use. Each of them, even Stephen Sluyter uses a different recipe in spicing their tracks for every party or events and you too can create a style that will make you unique. Just express yourself through the music you play and you will surely gain loyal fans.
Master the fundamentals of beat mixing and cueing. Upon the improvement of your skills, you can focus confidently on the creative aspects and things like mash-ups, creative looping, effects and using more than two decks.
2. Be a real DJ
DJing is not a matter of gear, it is a matter of focusing on what is really important which is the music itself. Try spending more time with your tracks and start mastering the art of beat matching. Of course, discovering the all the basic techniques and beat matching will open the doors to a more complex performance and will set you free from any technological boundary when you can’t rely on your Mac. Know Stephen Sluyter on brandyourself and listen to his mixes.
3. Listen to live mixes
Find a DJ that matches your style. You can find them at SoundCloud and Mixcloud but make sure that those are live sets from clubs and events, and not in the bedroom or DJ studio sets. This will be a great benefit for you because you can experiment with the list yourself and understand how and why it works. Keep on analyzing and listening. Remember to get a feel for the energy of the mix, which closely depicts the energy of the club at that time.
4. Break your set
Unexpected things make you appear alive! Every good DJ sometimes breaks the set with some unexpected tracks. They just find a special card to play like using some vocal samples or preparing a bunch of original audio samples to launch during the break of the tracks, or mixing together different styles like reggae or techno.
5. Hang around your booth
DJs develop a personalized styles that combine the active use of the mixer with an intimate knowledge of the tracks. Stephen Sluyter emphasizes in the in-and-out layering with the equalizers and low-cut filters. With this style, it creates a steady flow of energy for their dancers throughout the night.
6. Mix techniques, gear, and instruments
Most people would think that being a DJ needs more equipment like Tractor. But for professional DJs, these are just totally limiting. You should spend your love for the rhythm by practicing some other instruments that you can bring to your sets. There are DJs that play live or electronic drums. Other use keyboards, harps, effects devices like the Kaoss Pad or use tracks in conjunction with the loops or live producing. Remember to find something cool that may complete your session.
7. Avoid from being a DJ FX
Try to focus on the basic techniques, equalizing and making a cool playlist rather than using the “must use” effect that all newbie DJs use. You can never be cool if you keep copying what others use. The way you blend the sounds, the wisdom of driving the energy of the crowd, and the ability to keep the party going is the real impressive skill.
8. Be consistent
You need to be heard by the people who likes your sound. These are the people who are hungry for the new stuff every month, every week and every hour. The only way to build a solid base where you can reach the people who loves what you do is being consistent. It will offer your fans a constant entertainment channel where they can find what they want.
Being unique and showing everybody that you are serious is the key to finding your own style and will earn you your own audience. Your fans are your most precious value and always try to give them new content along with your style and always understand what they like. Stephen Sluyter always tries to maintain or increase the number of his fans through reaching out to them, connecting them with his own music and creating a style that he alone can execute.
Tips on creating your own DJ style by Stephen Sluyter
1. Improve your DJ skillsMaster the fundamentals of beat mixing and cueing. Upon the improvement of your skills, you can focus confidently on the creative aspects and things like mash-ups, creative looping, effects and using more than two decks.
2. Be a real DJ
DJing is not a matter of gear, it is a matter of focusing on what is really important which is the music itself. Try spending more time with your tracks and start mastering the art of beat matching. Of course, discovering the all the basic techniques and beat matching will open the doors to a more complex performance and will set you free from any technological boundary when you can’t rely on your Mac. Know Stephen Sluyter on brandyourself and listen to his mixes.
3. Listen to live mixes
Find a DJ that matches your style. You can find them at SoundCloud and Mixcloud but make sure that those are live sets from clubs and events, and not in the bedroom or DJ studio sets. This will be a great benefit for you because you can experiment with the list yourself and understand how and why it works. Keep on analyzing and listening. Remember to get a feel for the energy of the mix, which closely depicts the energy of the club at that time.
4. Break your set
Unexpected things make you appear alive! Every good DJ sometimes breaks the set with some unexpected tracks. They just find a special card to play like using some vocal samples or preparing a bunch of original audio samples to launch during the break of the tracks, or mixing together different styles like reggae or techno.
5. Hang around your booth
DJs develop a personalized styles that combine the active use of the mixer with an intimate knowledge of the tracks. Stephen Sluyter emphasizes in the in-and-out layering with the equalizers and low-cut filters. With this style, it creates a steady flow of energy for their dancers throughout the night.
6. Mix techniques, gear, and instruments
Most people would think that being a DJ needs more equipment like Tractor. But for professional DJs, these are just totally limiting. You should spend your love for the rhythm by practicing some other instruments that you can bring to your sets. There are DJs that play live or electronic drums. Other use keyboards, harps, effects devices like the Kaoss Pad or use tracks in conjunction with the loops or live producing. Remember to find something cool that may complete your session.
7. Avoid from being a DJ FX
Try to focus on the basic techniques, equalizing and making a cool playlist rather than using the “must use” effect that all newbie DJs use. You can never be cool if you keep copying what others use. The way you blend the sounds, the wisdom of driving the energy of the crowd, and the ability to keep the party going is the real impressive skill.
8. Be consistent
You need to be heard by the people who likes your sound. These are the people who are hungry for the new stuff every month, every week and every hour. The only way to build a solid base where you can reach the people who loves what you do is being consistent. It will offer your fans a constant entertainment channel where they can find what they want.
Being unique and showing everybody that you are serious is the key to finding your own style and will earn you your own audience. Your fans are your most precious value and always try to give them new content along with your style and always understand what they like. Stephen Sluyter always tries to maintain or increase the number of his fans through reaching out to them, connecting them with his own music and creating a style that he alone can execute.
Steven Sluyter taught me to find my own style in DJing and I guess I could keep that advice. I was complimented by my friends that heard my music and I'm so glad. Thank you, DJ Steven Sluyter!
TumugonBurahinI was struggling with my DJing style but after I read this blog, I felt better. DJ Steven Sluyter can also be your mentor if you need some DJing advices. Good job, Steven!
TumugonBurahinDJ Steven Sluyter is my idol for having a great style of his own. I remembered attending one of his gigs and it inspired me to love DJing more.
TumugonBurahinI'm so glad I got to know DJ Steven Sluyter. I was really having a dull life but attending his gigs was the best moment ever! I think I would like to enter the DJing industry.
TumugonBurahinSteven Sluyter is one of the best DJs I know. This blog is also a great way to help aspiring DJs out there that struggles in finding their own style. Great job!
TumugonBurahin