• Norcal DJ Academy
• Streaming video DJ-ing lessons
• Point Blank's Online DJ Academy
• Recordable turntable
• iPod docking station

Turning The Tables

It's the hottest scene in town. Everyone's bobbing to the music, throwing out requests to the DJ, and the party could go all night. The place is jumping. So, where is this incredible club? It's set to open this summer in your backyard with you behind the turntables.

When Travis Rimando, 31, was a high school kid spinning records in his bedroom, he never dreamed that one day he would move to the head of the class as a teacher at the Norcal DJ Academy in San Francisco, California. Norcal is a place where amateurs can learn to operate a turntable with aplomb. Basically, they teach people how to be the life of the party, and then some.

"We have all sorts of students, from 12-year-old kids to 45-year-old lawyers," says Rimando, aka DJ Pone, who has been teaching since Norcal opened in 2003.

And it's not always the youngest students who are the most driven.

"I had one father who took a class with his daughter, who was about 13 years old. Each week he would tell me about what he had practiced or heard while she would be embarrassed that he was so enthusiastic," says Rimando.

Over the course of learning to scratch and adjust the tempo of a record to match beats, Rimando sees a common thread among all his students.

"It's more of a musical curiosity. They want to take the next step in being an active listener [when] playing music for others," says Rimando.

And that means learning to DJ everything from club parties to backyard barbecues.

"Having a DJ adds a human element to a party. Instead of a jukebox, you have someone who selected the music, sensed the mood in the room, and picked the most appropriate song to keep the energy going," says Rimando.

Can't make it to San Francisco? Just log on to the Web and check out turntable tutorials available at iDJOnDemand.com and on the Point Blank Music College site.

Rimando knows that to be a great DJ, you only have to follow a few simple steps:

• Start small. "Using your CD player or iPod is a great way to get started for playing parties."


• Remember to have fun. "Know your audience and go for an icebreaker. Tell the crowd to dance or play a gimmicky or corny song to get them out on the floor.


• Don't be afraid to show off in your home. "You need to exude confidence, no matter what happens. People are with you, but only if you believe in yourself."


• Keep it fresh by "looking for clever transitions between songs with choruses that say almost the same thing. Create a surprise for the audience."

Today, you can even mimic turntables by converting your favorite records to MP3 files and then using an iPod docking station that lets you mix and change the tempo of music.

Now that you're ready to party - just avoid playing the chicken dance and you'll be fine.

 

Posted on July 10, 2006