Can You Really Learn DJing Online?

How a Cancelled DJ Lesson Changed the Way I Teach

For years, I’ve taught DJing face-to-face.

There’s something special about standing next to a student, sharing music, explaining techniques, and watching those moments when everything suddenly clicks into place.

As a DJ with over 35 years of experience, I’ve always believed that being physically present with a student was the best way to pass on knowledge.

When I first started considering online lessons, I had my doubts.

I invested time researching software, video solutions, and teaching methods. I even designed and built a bespoke camera frame capable of holding four separate cameras so I could show every angle of my DJ setup. My plan was to recreate the classroom experience as closely as possible.

Then something unexpected happened.

One of my students couldn’t make their scheduled lesson in person.

Rather than cancel, we decided to experiment with Zoom.

What happened next completely changed my perspective.

To my surprise, we didn’t need any of the complicated camera setups I’d spent so much time planning.

Instead, the student simply shared their screen and worked on their own equipment while we talked through everything together.

The lesson flowed naturally.

I explained concepts, demonstrated ideas where necessary, and guided the student through each stage of the process. Rather than watching me do something and then attempting to copy it afterwards, they were actively involved throughout the lesson.

In many ways, the learning became more effective.

The student had to engage with the process. They had to understand the reasoning behind each action. They had to physically perform the tasks themselves rather than simply observing.

The result was a deeper understanding and greater confidence.

Since then, I’ve delivered more online lessons and the results have been fantastic.

Of course, I still love meeting students in person. There will always be something valuable about sharing the same room, listening together, and working side by side.

But online lessons have opened up an entirely new world of possibilities.

Suddenly, geography doesn’t matter.

A student no longer needs to spend hours travelling to attend a lesson. They don’t need to take half a day out of their schedule. They can learn from the comfort of their own home, using their own equipment, in the environment where they’ll actually be practising.

Perhaps most exciting of all, it means I can now share everything I’ve learned over the last 35 years with students anywhere in the world.

Whether you’re in Suffolk, Scotland, Europe, America, Australia, or anywhere else, the process works exactly the same.

As long as we can communicate, I can help.

Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t come from months of planning.

Sometimes they come from a cancelled lesson and a willingness to try something different.

What started as a backup plan has become one of the most exciting developments in my teaching journey, and I genuinely believe it’s helping students learn faster, more effectively, and with far greater convenience than I ever imagined possible.

The future of DJ education isn’t replacing face-to-face lessons.

It’s giving students more ways to learn.

And that’s something I’m incredibly excited about.