What does a disc jockey do?
There are several types of disc jockeys. They include radio,
mobile, club, and scratch disc jockeys.
Radio disc jockeys consist of two unique groups. Some radio disc
jockeys are really announcers or radio personalities. They perform
interviews, introducing music, and are sometimes also responsible
for programming the playlist for their show. The other radio disc
jockeys are more traditional disc jockeys who focus on the
performance of transitioning between songs. These radio disc
jockeys will often be turntablists (scratch disc jockeys).
Mobile Disc Jockeys provide music and amplification equipment at
the location of the party. Most mobile disc jockeys perform for
house parties, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, school dances, and other
infrequent events.
Club disc jockeys perform in clubs and bars. They are not
generally considered mobile because most clubs and many bars have
installed systems which the disc jockey uses. Club disc jockeys are
also often specialists in a particular genre of music like classic
rock, hip hop, or drum and bass.
Turntablists (scratch disc jockeys) use various techniques in
their performance to transform the music from its original
composition to something unique to them. They blend music, match
beats, adjust volume, and rapidly change the direction and tempo of
multiple tracks in the process of transitioning between songs. This
category is really a performance style that can be utilized in any
of the previously mentioned categories.