How to DJ Right: The Art and Science of Playing Records

It begins by discussing the DJ's philosophy, an important place for any beginner (or music lover!) to understand what DJing is about. The book thoroughly explains the various pieces of DJ equipment, which tends to be the most confusing aspect for most beginners. The techniques and terms of mixing songs together are clearly explained and illustrated. Scratching and some basic scratch techniques are discussed but not to an elaborate degree. The final aspects of the book are related to the all-important "dancefloor connection" and the music industry itself.

This book concisely organizes all the information you would typically find from DJ message boards and websites. It's low price tag and informative, utilitarian layout are enough to make it a must buy for anyone wishing to become more involved in the DJ scene!


Informative Book   August 17, 2005
William C. Yarbrough (Austin, TX USA)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

English DJs Frank Broughton and Bill Brewster, self-described as "great fun and good-looking," have created one of the most comprehensive and detailed books on DJing in How To DJ Right: The Art and Science of Playing Records. Using their combined experience, their in-depth interviews with world-famous DJs, and most importantly their love of music, they have managed to produce a diverse volume of work that is indispensable to any DJ regardless of experience.
Presented in easy to understand terms with more than a little humor, How To DJ Right is a guide that not only delves deep into the history and theory of the DJ from the art form's conception in the 1960's and 70's, but also covers modern technology's impact on music today.
The two DJs cover everything from buying gear and basic techniques to musical theory and building collections. They detail to how to deal with record companies and even throw in some tips on how to get into a helicopter without looking foolish-- they advise ducking a little, but not too much... acting nonchalant, like it's a taxi. In addition to their advice, the book is interspersed with wisdom and commentary from some of today's top DJs including Fatboy Slim, Kool Herc, Danny Tenaglia, Grandmaster Flash, and a host of other pioneers and greats from this musical tradition.
Pulling much of their history from their earlier work, Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, Broughton and Brewster created a work less like a history lesson and more like a hands-on lecture. The pairing of techniques and sage wisdom creates a work detailing subtleties in the DJ philosophy-- how DJs should think and act to be the "Masters of the Dance Floor."
The Englishmen do however seem to focus on philosophy over technique, a theme that could easily turn away the fledgling DJ-in-training looking for a more techniques-based approach to learning the craft. The techniques are not looked over per-se, but rather treated as secondary to theory. Readily apparent from the introduction, the pair holds little quarter for those seeking skills only. The new DJ may find the book lacking guidance on nuances of technique and style, those crucial details which separate the artisans from mere human jukeboxes.
The two gentlemen assert that playing records is not in itself difficult; rather knowing what records to play, when to play them, and what parts to play are lifelong activities for any DJ worth his or her salt. How To DJ Right is centered on the central philosophy that what makes greatness in the postmodern art form is quite simply the love of the craft and the love of music as a whole. With its blend of technical tools, sound advice from experts, and organized progressive structure, How To DJ Right is one of the most valuable books for any DJ.


Very Nice Read!   June 28, 2005
John England (Seattle, WA 98125 United States)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Having been a professional nightclub DJ for close to 30 years, I approached this book with a certain amount of trepidation and a lot of pre-judgements. I thought, "Surely this would be just another DJ 101 handbook with only half the facts and the authors just trying to make a quick buck!"

I was wrong! First to anyone who is new to DJing, get a copy of "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life," the definitive book on DJ history which gives you the real, true story on where all of this came from. Then start from the beginning. It does a wonderful job of explaining the individual techniques and skills needed to DJ effectively without ever being condescending or giving you the feeling of being dumbed down. Some may say they can find all of this information on the Net, but take it from me, you can't because there is so much MIS-information on the Net. It certainly helps that the authors are DJs themselves and know what they are talking about. And I have to admit, even I learned something after all these years.

My only concern with the book is that it definitely has a UK flavor to it. While the authors show a vast depth of understanding of the music industry at large, it would be nice if they spent a little more time in the USA where all of this started. I didn't even find one mention of the record pool system (an invaluable resource for getting promos) and with a book with this much information, I was totally surprised that there was no index at the end. It would be nice to go back and find individual bits of information easier. A great read, a pleasant surprise. And the book is dedicated to 2 of the men who started it all...that's a class act!


I wish I had this book when I started...   December 26, 2003
Oliver Macdonald (Weston, FL United States)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I've been mixing for more than two years now, and I wish I had this book when I started. I've also saved myself countless more years of future experience, just by reading these pages. I recomend it to anybody who wants to be a DJ. I also STRONGLY recommend anybody who wants to be a DJ to buy the Intellect DVD (search for it on Amazon). Happy mixing! :-D


In response to "Floyds Garage, 'punk rocker'"   February 18, 2005
S. Ward (Atlanta, Ga)
7 out of 30 found this review helpful

"All I can say is that this is so ridiculous. I read this book at the library and I couldn't stop laughing. So DJs have talant? It takes years to master the 'art' of playing a record? Listen to me and listen well, you want respect, girls, and money? Let the losers be DJs. Musicians with talant do just that, make music, with instruments. Go buy a guitar.

This book had some elementary basics on sound levels and accoustics, but clubs have people to do that while your setting up your band, so what's the point?"

First of all, most people who dj have had (lots of) experience in music before djing. Secondly, many djs produce the music they spin, so they're not just "playing other people's music." Thirdly , if you are a musician, you shouldn't do it for "respect, girls, or money," you should do it because you're passionate about it, want to express yourself, and you enjoy it. If djing is easy, I invite you to try it. I'm sure its much more difficult than writing 1000 of you're lame pop punk songs. Everyone went through their punk phase GET OVER IT. Theres tons more incredible music out there (arcade fire, m83, shpongle, the black keys, nathan fake, howard hello, pinback, mars volta, the secret machines, the fiery furnaces, etc.). Try writing music and doing something creative rather than reproducing the same punk songs we've heard a million times before. I dj...but I also play the guitar, and write tons of (electronic and nonelectronic) music.

Anyone who thinks djing isn't creative, or that it doesn't require skill is very wrong. Its easy to do badly, but difficult (just as any instrument) to do well. Floyd, I hope that felt good. You just got destroyed.