Short answer: quicker than you think. Most of our students mix two tracks together in their very first lesson, and with three lessons behind them they can plan and play a short set of their own. Getting really good takes longer, of course, but you don't need months of practice before it starts to feel like DJing.
We've been teaching people to DJ in London for over a decade, from complete beginners who have never touched a pair of decks to people who want to tighten up before their first gig. Here's roughly how it goes.
Your first lesson: the kit and your first mix
Two hours is plenty to get comfortable. You'll learn what everything on the decks and mixer actually does, how to load and cue up tracks, and the basics of beatmatching: getting two tracks playing at the same speed so they sit together. By the end, most people have done their first proper blend from one track into the next. It's a great feeling.
Lessons two and three: proper mixing and your first set
This is where it clicks. You'll work on smoother transitions, using the EQs so tracks don't clash, and phrasing, which means bringing the next track in at the right moment so the mix sounds natural. Then we put it all together: picking a handful of tracks that work as a set and playing them start to finish.
That's exactly why we built our Zero to Hero package: three two hour lessons that take you from the basics to playing your own short set. It's £335 for one to one, or £500 for two people learning together, studio and kit included.
After that: practice is what makes the difference
Once you've got the fundamentals, getting better is mostly about time behind the decks. A few things help:
Practise as much as you can. The more time behind the decks, the quicker it clicks, but aim for at least an hour a week.
Know your music. The better you know your tracks, the easier mixing gets.
Play to people. Even a few friends in a room changes how you play.
Book time on a club system. Big speakers feel very different to headphones at home.
If you'd like a teacher on hand while you practise, our practice sessions give you time on a proper club setup with someone there to help.
Do I need my own equipment?
No. We provide all the kit, and you don't need to own anything to start. If you have music you'd like to play, bring it on a USB formatted with Rekordbox and you'll get more out of the session. Headphones are ideal too if you have them, though not essential.
Ready to start?
One to one lessons are £125 for two hours, or £187.50 for two people sharing a lesson, studio included. Or go for the Zero to Hero package and be playing your own set by lesson three.
Book a session and tell us a bit about what you're after.