DJ Theory & Fundamentals for House, Techno and Electronic Music
Focus on the foundation of electronic music DJing with an in-depth look at the art of beat mixing, transitions, and mix placement. Whether you’re new to DJing or looking to fill in gaps in your knowledge, this course provides the technical skills and DJ theory that every successful DJ needs.
With a focus on house, techno, and underground electronic music, you’ll receive culturally relevant and in-depth instruction compared to generic recommendations. Allowing you to not only grasp the essentials but also dive deep into the culture that drives these genres.
What Will You Learn
Theory & Fundamentals
Gain proficiency in core concepts of DJing including beat mixing, phrasing, and mix placement, giving you the technical foundation to excel. Develop a deep understanding of track structure and transitions, ensuring your sets are cohesive and captivating.
Navigating the Industry
Learn how to build your brand, grow your presence, and secure gigs with a confident understanding. Discover how to connect with promoters, venue owners, and fans, ensuring you’re fully prepared to succeed both behind the decks and backstage
Developing Your DJ Brand
Craft your unique personal brand by learning how to build a winning music library that reflects your tastes and artistic expression. Learn how to curate memorable sets while establishing a DJ persona that resonates both online and on the dancefloor.
Curriculum
- Lesson 1.1.1 - What is DJing (7:14)
- Lesson 1.2 - Intro to Hardware (1:42)
- Lesson 1.2.1 - Intro to CDJs (8:41)
- (optional) Lesson 1.2.2 - Intro to Turntables (6:56)
- Lesson 1.2.3 - Intro to DJ Controllers (6:15)
- Lesson 1.2.4 - Intro to the DJ Mixer (7:57)
- Lesson 1.2.5 - Intro to Headphones (1:27)
- Lesson 1.2.6 - Hardware Final Thoughts (3:15)
- Lesson 1.3.0 - Intro to Software (1:15)
- Lesson 1.3.1 - Traktor Overview (4:41)
- Lesson 1.3.2 - Virtual DJ Overview (3:58)
- Lesson 1.3.3 - Rekordbox Overview (4:41)
- Lesson 1.3.4 - Mixxx Overview (4:09)
- Lesson 1.3.5 - DJay Pro Overview (4:36)
- Lesson 1.3.6 - Software Outro (1:50)
- (optional) Lesson 1.5.0 - Setting Up Your Equipment Intro (0:58)
- (optional) Lesson 1.5.1 - Example CDJ + Mixer Setup (7:33)
- (optional) Lesson 1.5.2 - Example Turntable + Mixer Setup (4:56)
- (optional) Lesson 1.5.3 - Example Controller Setup (5:05)
- Lesson 1.6.0 - DJs Vs. Producers Intro (1:00)
- Lesson 1.6.1 - What Do Producers Do? (4:20)
- Lesson 1.6.2 - What Do DJs Do? (3:50)
- Module 2 Introduction (0:52)
- Lesson 2.1.1 - Tempo (5:53)
- Lesson 2.1.2 - Key (5:49)
- Lesson 2.2.1 - Four On The Floor (2:23)
- Lesson 2.2.2 - Beats, Bars & Counting (5:34)
- Lesson 2.3.1 - Beat Matching (12:24)
- (optional) Lesson 2.3.2 - Sync / Auto Beat Matching (5:33)
- Lesson 2.4.0 - Song Structure & Phrasing (0:47)
- Lesson 2.4.1 - Song Structure in Theory (5:24)
- Lesson 2.4.2 - Song Structure In Practice (7:05)
- Lesson 2.4.3 - Phrasing in Theory (6:55)
- Lesson 2.4.4 - Phrasing in Practice (5:10)
- Lesson 2.5.0 - Intro to Cueing (0:46)
- Lesson 2.5.1 - Cueing in Headphones (2:57)
- Lesson 2.5.2 - Cue Points & Hot Cues (7:11)
- Lesson 2.6.1 - What is EQ? (5:40)
- Lesson 2.6.2 - EQ in Practice (5:03)
- Lesson 2.6.3 - A Word on Volume & Clipping (3:43)
- Module 3 Introduction (0:47)
- Lesson 3.1.1 - Basic Transitions: Blending in Theory (3:11)
- Lesson 3.1.2 - Basic Transitions: Blending in Practice (7:15)
- Lesson 3.1.3 - Basic Transitions: Cutting in Theory (3:14)
- Lesson 3.1.4 - Basic Transitions: Cutting in Practice (5:06)
- Lesson 3.1.5 - Basic Transitions: Overlays in Theory (3:38)
- Lesson 3.1.6 - Basic Transitions: Overlays in Practice (5:20)
- Lesson 3.1.7 - Using EQ in Practice (3:14)
- Lesson 3.1.8 - Final Thoughts (0:34)
- Lesson 3.2.0 - Intro to Mix Placement (0:19)
- Lesson 3.2.1 - Basic Placements: Intro-Outro Mix in Theory (2:35)
- Lesson 3.2.2 - Example of Intro-Outro Mixing (2:56)
- Lesson 3.2.3 - Basic Placements: Structured Mixing in Theory (2:40)
- Lesson 3.2.4 - Example of Structured Mixing (6:12)
- Lesson 3.2.5 - Basic Placements: Melodic Blending in Theory (3:14)
- Lesson 3.2.6 - Placements to Avoid (5:10)
- Lesson 3.2.7 - Example of Bad Mix Placements (2:53)
- Lesson 3.3.0 - Intro to DJ Effects (FX) (1:26)
- Lesson 3.1.1 - What Are FX? (7:21)
- Lesson 3.3.1 - The DRY/WET Parameter in FX (2:04)
- Lesson 3.3.2 - FX: Reverb in Theory (9:22)
- Lesson 3.3.3 - FX: Reverb Example (4:53)
- Lesson 3.3.4 - FX: Echo/Delay in Theory (8:40)
- Lesson 3.3.5 - FX: Echo/Delay Example (9:09)
- Lesson 3.3.6 - FX: Filters in Theory (12:05)
- Lesson 3.3.7 - FX: Filters Example (8:55)
- Lesson 3.4.1 - Mix Techniques - Cut & Tease (3:04)
- Lesson 3.4.2 - Mix Techniques - The Fake Out (3:09)
- Lesson 3.4.3 - Mix Techniques - Mashups (2:58)
- Module 4 Introduction (1:28)
- Lesson 4.1.1 - Looping in Theory (7:08)
- Lesson 4.1.2 - Looping in Practice (5:05)
- Lesson 4.2 - Mix Rate (5:19)
- Lesson 4.3.0 - Introduction to Reading the Crowd (0:50)
- Lesson 4.3.1 - Dancefloor Anatomy (4:56)
- Lesson 4.3.2 - Reading the Room (4:19)
- Lesson 4.3.3 - Handling Requests (3:43)
- Lesson 4.4.0 - Introduction to Harmonic Mixing (0:32)
- Lesson 4.4.1 - Why Mix Harmonically? (5:02)
- Lesson 4.4.2 - Circle of Fifths & Open Key Notation (6:31)
- Lesson 4.4.3 - Using Open Key Notation (5:09)
- Lesson 4.5.0 - Understanding Gigs (0:36)
- Lesson 4.5.1 - Anatomy of a Gig (3:44)
- Lesson 4.52 - Feeling the Evening (4:34)
- Lesson 4.5.2 - Opener, Midliners, Headliners (10:15)
- Module 5 Introduction (0:23)
- Lesson 5.1.0 - Discovery and Library Building (0:41)
- Lesson 5.1.1 - Remembering Your Musical Passion (1:47)
- Lesson 5.1.2 - Soundcloud (4:23)
- Lesson 5.1.3 - Bandcamp (4:19)
- Lesson 5.1.4 - DJ Mixes (10:36)
- Lesson 5.1.5 - Record Pools (4:40)
- Lesson 5.1.6 - Record Shops (3:35)
- Lesson 5.2.0 - Building A Set (0:25)
- Lesson 5.2.1 - Thinking About Your Set (13:06)
- Lesson 5.2.2 - Track Energy (6:23)
- Lesson 5.2.3 - Integrating Your Set Into The Night (5:03)
- Lesson 5.2.4 - Example of Building A Set Of Recordbox (8:11)
- Lesson 5.3.0 - Introduction To Genres (1:09)
- Lesson 5.3.1 - Our Simple Genre Framework (9:14)
- Lesson 5.3.2 - What is House Music? (9:12)
- Lesson 5.3.3 - What is Techno Music? (6:20)
- Lesson 5.3.4 - What is Hard Dance Music? (6:52)
- Lesson 5.3.5 - What is Other Music? (3:00)
- Lesson 5.4.0 - Taming Your Music Library (1:02)
- Lesson 5.4.1 - Building Blocks of a Music Library (4:55)
- Lesson 5.4.1 - Continued (2:20)
- Lesson 5.4.2 - Characteristics of Music (5:19)
- Lesson 5.4.3 - Best Practices for Your Library (4:49)
- Module 6 Introduction (0:44)
- Lesson 6.1 - Introduction (0:31)
- Lesson 6.1.1 - Recording Your DJ Mix (6:25)
- (Optional) Lesson 6.1.2 - Checklist for Recording Your Mix (4:19)
- Lesson 6.1.3 - Basic Mixing & Mastering for Your Mix (12:25)
- Lesson 6.2.0 - Sharing Your DJ Mix (4:45)
- Lesson 6.3.0 - Intro to Marketing Your Self (0:31)
- Lesson 6.3.1 - Building an Online Presence (13:54)
- Lesson 6.3.2 - Building an Offline Presence (6:26)
- Lesson 6.3.3 - A Word About Events (2:14)
- Lesson 6.4.0 - Intro to Finding Gigs (0:08)
- Lesson 6.4.1 - Why Getting Noticed Is Hard Today (3:51)
- Lesson 6.4.2 - Tactics for Finding Gigs (6:53)
- (Bonus) Lesson 6.4.3 - More Gig Tactics (2:37)
Why Choose This Course?
There are countless free YouTube tutorials, so why invest in this course?
Simply put: this course might not be for everyone. It’s designed for DJs who value their time and know that investing in themselves leads to faster, more effective growth. Free resources can cost you more in time and effort than you realize. Hours spent searching for scattered, unstructured tutorials drain your attention—and often, beginners don’t even know what they’re searching for due to limited knowledge & vocabulary.
Instead of wasting time on random videos, this course offers a complete structured beginner-to-intermediate journey. With a focus on house and techno, it covers both technical and soft skills—helping you discover new music, land gigs, and confidently navigate the industry. While others chase fads, this course equips you with timeless, foundational knowledge that applies to any DJ setup.
Your instructor: Robert Simoes
With over a decade of DJing experience and several years producing his own tracks, Robert Simoes, aka ROBDEEP and Tommy Housecat, brings a wealth of knowledge about the worlds of house, techno, and underground electronic music. Based in Toronto, Canada, Robert has spent 10+ years as a passionate hobbyist and music enthusiast, developing a wide musical palette that spans from jazz to electronic music, with a particular love for variations of house, including deep, melodic & organic house, jackin’, latin & more.
As both a performer and educator, Robert combines technical proficiency with deep knowledge of the culture behind modern house, techno, and electronic music. His teaching style merges DJ theory and philosophy with practical skills aimed at providing prospective DJs with foundational knowledge that never changes. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate DJ, Robert is here to guide you on your journey to mastering the decks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
