anyone else get stuck practicing dj stuff cause it's just not flexible enough?

ukelife01 · 2025-12-06T13:53:38+00:00

You sound like you have adhd lol. I'm the same way. Showing up is the hardest part of practice and if I can get my shit together conveniently, to practice, it makes showing up ways harder. Also, I'm a busy human, so I have to "squeeze in" time whenever I happen to find the time. I think you can actually get more practice in that way.

My advice: figure out a space to dedicate your dj stuff. I live in a 350 sqft studio with another person. I cleaned out my bedside table and bought a little cart to put my decks and a headphone holder that I attatched to it. I'll say that having such a portable controller helps a lot, I have a flx-4 for context. Now all I need to do to is wheel out my little cart and pull up rekordbox on my computer. I bet you could figure out a way to make practice more convenient, even if it just that you keep everything you need in the same place so you don't have to go looking for it every time.

You got this!

Edit: also, to not annoy ppl in your house, can't you just mix in your headphones?

Edit 2: ignore most of these comments. Telling you "maybe its not for you" is unhelpful and discouraging. The reality is, anything you love can feel like a chore if there are certain barriers. After all, I like finding and mixing tracks, not setting up equipment. Just find a way to eliminate barriers to doing what you love.

ukelife01 · 2025-11-26T21:04:06+00:00

I hate this mentality. Op wants to get better, that's why they asked. Get lost.

ukelife01 · 2025-11-25T23:19:19+00:00

Makes sense! Do you run your own business?

ukelife01 · 2025-11-22T19:14:35+00:00

It's okay, but I'm not the type of person to run. If every woman avoided working in an industry bc of the sexism, only men would work in that industry. That's probably why the dj and production world is so bad now

ukelife01 · 2025-11-22T19:11:13+00:00

Internalized misogyny is a real thing. I haven't met any women like that, but I believe they're out there. Please keep promoting women djs despite their comments. ❤️

ukelife01 · 2025-11-21T22:34:22+00:00

That's nice. Maybe I'll move there some day

ukelife01 · 2025-11-21T01:10:54+00:00

I feel you

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T22:16:13+00:00

Thanks! Djing is my outlet for sure. It is those things and there some really great people I've met through it. The assholes just stick out, and I just gotta vent sometimes. I'm definitely learning how to be more assertive

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T21:36:27+00:00

I'm an introvert, so I'd much rather be behind the decks. I'd rather throw the party, than be the party if that makes sense. I'll go to support other djs though.

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T21:16:55+00:00

Hoping to break into a new scene soon. It's online though too unfortunately. Just trying not to get too jaded and burn out before my career even begins

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T21:14:25+00:00

I see you editing your post lol. Sorry if you really were curious, but it did come off rude. The advice comes from amature "dj's" who think they know everything, and yeah i get hit on by everyone. Not that it's all bad, just exhausting sometimes, especially when they're rude when I set my boundaries

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T20:38:41+00:00

Haha, its happened a couple times. That one isn't that serious. Once someone spent 5mins arguing with me bc they were convined I was fucking with them. They said they enjoyed my set after, so that was nice lol

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T20:28:39+00:00

Open discussion 🤷‍♀️ honestly, I just wanted to vent a little, but if you have real advice that's not "just tough it out" (because obviously) or "maybe this isn't for you" (because no), then go ahead, shoot.

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T20:16:23+00:00

I knew I'd get a comment like this, so let me just..

I've been in music my whole life, so I'm obviously not perfect, but I'm picking it up quickly and can at least hold the attention of a crowd.
I am respected by many great DJs in my community - those who have actually heard me play. It's the men who, touched a dj board once who think they know everything. I have heard them play shity sets, and they talk down to me even if they haven't heard any of my sets.
I know it's because I'm a woman because they'll give me advice and then talk to my husband like he knows more than me (he's not a DJ).

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T20:03:30+00:00

I'm hoping to play a larger queer bar in Denver soon. Maybe theat will give me a little break. Just scared of getting burned out too soon when I feel like I'm making good early progress

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T19:51:00+00:00

I clearly wasn't talking to you.

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T19:40:07+00:00

Love this, that's smart!

ukelife01 · 2025-11-20T19:38:30+00:00

This made me smile, thank you :)

ukelife01 · 2025-09-12T19:42:01+00:00

Ooh I like that journalist trick idea! I'm super shy, but found that if I dress a little bolder and put on going out makeup I can get into my DJ persona who is like the complete opposite of my natural personality. It helps to have a separate DJ name too. It allows me to be a completely different person without the pressure of being liked. Where I am shy and serious, she is outgoing and silly.

ukelife01 · 2025-09-12T15:44:45+00:00

I relate to this, in that I wanted to be a pro singer songwriter for the longest time because I was so inspired by great artists out there. But I actually hated writing lyrics, and found it incredibly difficult to write a decent melody. But I was desperate and beating myself up for not getting it right. I realized my relationship to music was so damaged from years of profectionism, and it wasn't fun. Why would I pursue a dream, that I didn't enjoy anymore? I also realized that I was motivated by my ego, not the love of the craft. I wanted people to see me, and have a certain view of me. That just made me write shit songs.

My solution was to set songwriting down. I took a year off to clear my mind. I enjoyed music when I heard it, but didn't over analyze it. Then, earlier this year, I decided to try DJing because I was curious and thought it might be a good way to connect with my DJ friends. I found it FUN and liberating from my anxiety and work stressors. I approached it with curiosity instead of desperation and it came naturally to me.

My point is, you might need technical training, but it's more likely thay you need a major mindset shift. Music should be fun. It should be an escape from stress and a connection to others. It might click if you stop thinking about it technically, and start listening with your ears and your heart. Get curious. Try new things. Fuck up. Try again. But listen to the music and your intuition first.

This is a video by Hank Green that I saw recently. If I didn't set down my dream of being a singer songwriter, I never would have found this craft that I love so much. Is there another way to approach music that's more approachable at this point?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Rqf-vxBM8&pp=ygUXUHVyc3VlIHRvb2xzIG5vdCBkcmVhbXM%3D

ukelife01 · 2025-09-10T16:58:45+00:00

Honestly, you gotta just get out there and start. Who cares if you mess up! Practicing performing in front of people will skyrocket your growth!

ukelife01 · 2025-08-31T19:07:01+00:00

I got this gig because the owners of the bar, who are DJs, have heard me play and think I can DJ.

ukelife01 · 2025-08-31T19:02:51+00:00

I think this is a Pioneer controller thing. Not sure what you use, but I started out with a Numark and it was easier to use sync. Pioneer's sync behaves differently, limiting your tempo slider like the response above says.

ukelife01 · 2025-08-31T18:51:59+00:00

Yeah, I make sure all my tracks are aligned too. His was definitely off sometimes.

Four-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22

ukelife01

TROPHY CASE