Berkley College in Boston is among the first college in the World to have a course in " Turntablism." Where students sign up, and learn how to scratch, mix, and all there is to know about DJ'ing. With special Guest DJ's come in and do a little lesson.

Would you guys like to see that course expand into High Schools? Middle Schools? Elementary Schools?

If so give us your 2 cents......

I think in High School it would be cool, as a music elective. But, as a second level course. You would have to take "Music 101" or some other music class first to get grip on beats, tempo, etc.
The hardest thing would be finding teachers who want to teach this class. They would have to be state certified teachers. At that point, it would probably be a music teacher who took a class in how to teach scratching/beatmixing. Probably never actually set foot in a booth. Also, the school would have to invest in turntables, vinyl, recording equipment, etc., etc.
As awsome as it would be, I don't see it filtering down into the K-12 area anytime soon. I think private DJ schools (Scratch Academy) are the best bet. Open to anyone, taught by experienced real world DJs. Other than that, the 'School of Hard Knocks' is always open, and the most popular, I think.

I would be all for DJ classes at my HS, but I think Billabong is right. The teachers just arent out there for that. We do have however, a digital music composition class where we have a **** X5D synth and a Mac G4 loaded with Logic and Sibelius. That is the best class I've ever taken. We learn the basics of music theory and composition, film scoring, everything and anything about MIDI recording etc. It's a special class because there aren't anyother schools around mine that have this type of class.

Getting back to the point tho, A DJ class would rock.

You guys are saying that the teachers aren't out there, but thats because the class doesn't exist... ( YET )

I truely believe that if we can get DJ Courses into schools, there will be a way to get the correct teachers to teach the class. Just like how they did in Berkley College. A proffesor that has enough knowlege to teach the class the A.B.C's of DJ'ing, but hires special Guest DJ's to come in and teach a session. Thats what you need to vision.

I believe it could be done, and it would open up the minds of millions of kids, teachers, parents.

a one year dj class in college or high school would be more than enough, i mean, just think about it, once u get down the a,b,c's of djing, the rest is pretty much individual work, figuring out what seperates u from other dj's. u learn ur own style, skills, tricks and so on. and one year to learn the basics would be more than enough, im not saying that once u know how to mix and scratch then theres no more to learn, im just saying that having a follow up class would have to be somthing way out of the blue. so, if the class is not in college, then have it at high school, either one, i guess doesnt really matter. but, thanx for the info about Berkley College, i think im gona to go look it up and see what the requirements are and maybe apply, but having a dj class/course would be hella tight!

but that just 2 cents

I guess my thinking is different. If they taught this stuff in High School. The kids would then want to hire their friends who take these classes to do their dances, Sweet 16's and graduation parties/Proms. That is all money out of my pocket. How can you compete with a high school kid who could use the schools equipment, or set up his own 2 TT's/mixer/and Home Stereo and charge like $50 to do like a 3 hour show. I would lose a ton of money yearly like that.

Note: This is not a knock to our younger pro-DJ's here, it is an observation that if kids would learn this in high school, DJ's in general could become a dime a dozen, and therefore cheapen the artform that we all learned at the old school of hard knocks.

Now having the classes in college is different, because the students would have to pay for the classes, therefore the only ones who would sign up are the ones with a genuine desire to learn the art form, and not kids just trying to be cool, or thinking spinning records would be an easy A.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Stevie Ray:
[qb] I guess my thinking is different. If they taught this stuff in High School. The kids would then want to hire their friends who take these classes to do their dances, Sweet 16's and graduation parties/Proms. That is all money out of my pocket. How can you compete with a high school kid who could use the schools equipment, or set up his own 2 TT's/mixer/and Home Stereo and charge like $50 to do like a 3 hour show. I would lose a ton of money yearly like that.

Note: This is not a knock to our younger pro-DJ's here, it is an observation that if kids would learn this in high school, DJ's in general could become a dime a dozen, and therefore cheapen the artform that we all learned at the old school of hard knocks.

Now having the classes in college is different, because the students would have to pay for the classes, therefore the only ones who would sign up are the ones with a genuine desire to learn the art form, and not kids just trying to be cool, or thinking spinning records would be an easy A. [/qb]

no no no no.. your taking this the wrong way bro.. Unless they have a school rule not to hire anybody with in the school. Why would they hire anybody who is learning over a professional? You perfectly know how hard it is to develop, or master the talents of Dj'ing. There is no way that would happen.

Think of it like a Drivers Ed course in High School.. do you remember those? They were not very long at all, and lasted maybe 1 quarter? and usually it was just a bunch of Video's, and a bunch of kids in the room. Think of it like that.. They weren't hiring Kids in that class to drive school buses after school right? No they leave that to the Professionals. You would be fine..

Besides if this really happend it would be more of learning how to scratch.. so your safe.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Stevie Ray:
[qb]
Note: This is not a knock to our younger pro-DJ's here,

[/qb]

hey man its all good

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Stevie Ray:
[qb]
it is an observation that if kids would learn this in high school, DJ's in general could become a dime a dozen, and therefore cheapen the artform that we all learned at the old school of hard knocks.

[/qb]

I second that opinion....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by DJ Stevie Ray:

it is an observation that if kids would learn this in high school, DJ's in general could become a dime a dozen, and therefore cheapen the artform that we all learned at the old school of hard knocks.


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What do you do with a trend that is becoming more popular? Ignore it?

Like i said.. what if it was just a scatch 101 course??

Good points Skilz,
And if I wasn't so busy learning to be a skratch freak like yourself, I would come up with a rebuttle.....I wish they would have taught us how to do this in school....

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Stevie Ray:
[qb] I guess my thinking is different. If they taught this stuff in High School. The kids would then want to hire their friends who take these classes to do their dances, Sweet 16's and graduation parties/Proms. That is all money out of my pocket. How can you compete with a high school kid who could use the schools equipment, or set up his own 2 TT's/mixer/and Home Stereo and charge like $50 to do like a 3 hour show. I would lose a ton of money yearly like that.

Note: This is not a knock to our younger pro-DJ's here, it is an observation that if kids would learn this in high school, DJ's in general could become a dime a dozen, and therefore cheapen the artform that we all learned at the old school of hard knocks.

Now having the classes in college is different, because the students would have to pay for the classes, therefore the only ones who would sign up are the ones with a genuine desire to learn the art form, and not kids just trying to be cool, or thinking spinning records would be an easy A. [/qb]

djstevieray, i agree, totally. I'm in highschool and i take pride in being a professional. I offer quality and if every kid in my school suddenly become a DJ, i would lose every gig that came my way. During the summer, a mojority of my gigs are from kids i know in high school.

Beani,
Welcome to the forum, and good digging, finding this old thread. Enjoy the forum.

Yet i still say that it would be about scratching, and nothing else.. if it were to happen on my end. Just to intrigue people about the fundementals of DJ'ing.

I want to attend Skilz skool of skills..........

BTW, Skilz I will be in Vegas with Mrs. Ray on January 10-15, so don't leave town that week. I need a guide to the city