MIX IN KEY - HOW TO DO IT and what REALLY makes a GREAT DJ
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- ✅Ready to kickstart or elevate your DJ journey? ► philharrismusic.com/upgrade
I am often asked, How to mix in key? How important is mixing in key? How to mix songs in the same key?
This week we are discussing these questions. I show you how to mix in key and explain how mixing in key is relevant. I then show you some examples of two songs being played in key and two songs being played out of key.
After this, I discuss with you how important I think it is for you to mix in key.
I also discuss what I think makes a great DJ.
If you are looking for a lesson on mix in key, and you are interested in knowing how important it is, this is the tutorial for you.
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⭐TOP 5 MIXES ⭐
EDM & ELECTRO HOUSE LIVE MIX 2019:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NQyO...
BASS HOUSE and ELECTRO HOUSE LIVE MIX 2019:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9rwj...
MELBOURNE BOUNCE LIVE DJ MIX 2020:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-4G...
BEST OF TRAP NATION LIVE DJ MIX 2019:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aol5d...
SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE HIP HOP DJ MIX:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAE0j...
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⭐Top 5 TUTORIALS ⭐
First 10 minutes on DJ Decks:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLYYy...
WHAT DJ's ACTUALLY DO!:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GLOo...
HOW TO BEAT MATCH:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM74B...
MIX IN KEY - HOW TO DO IT:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BtHT...
MIXING DIFFERENT BPM AND GENRE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhHwu...
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Hi, I am DJ Phil Harris, and on this channel, I teach you a series of beginner DJ Lessons and "How to DJ" tutorials. If you are looking for digital DJ tips or would like to know how to start djing then why not consider Subscribing for weekly videos bit.ly/SUBSCRIBE2DAY 
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Phil Harris question? if you change the pitch/tempo without the master tempo on does it change the key of the track?
GreatMoleBadger no it keeps the key the same :)
Phil Harris may I have the 1st 2 track id's please. Thanks
My first comment to any subscription, watching this video was great. When you had to blend the tracks you didn’t want to you had that “agh” feel look to you. I know how that is due to the passion for the music and what it does for us and what we wish for others to not only hear.....but feel. Much love for the video my brother....
Phil Harris . Cool video. Some one is allways listing.
2B or not 2B, that's the key question
HILARIOUS! 😂
Is to B3😂
hahahaha
I see what you did there lol,,,,
Lol
Its like this, you make regular people dance you're a great Dj, you make Djs dance and you're a headliner.
As a dj for 17 years now, I will say that the only people who remotely cared about whether I mixed in key or not, were edm djs, and only a select number of them. My style of mixing is that I like to hear the changes and differences in music. The average listener actually gets bored with those sets that are mixed entirely in key. Yes, it is perfect mixing, but it sounds like one really long song, and I end up having to tell them, "No, that dj actually mixed like 30 songs".
On the other hand, I recently added Pitch 'n Time to my Serato setup. I will do SOME mixing in key, but mostly, I just wanted another way to alter the tracks that I mix.
Now for the video, it was quite informative. The first blend was perfect, and sounded like one song. The last blend, I could tell the difference, but again, that's my style. I did not find it to be a horrible clash at all.
i never mix in key either. i just freestyle it and if i fuck up i fuck up lol
true
100% agree... there's no energy build or synergy with constant in key mixing.
Completely agree, it’s all depends on what your playing I play all kinds of music and my mixing style changes depending on what I’m playing but personally my favourite type of music to mix is jungle breakbeat hardcore, witch started in the uk in the early 90s and probably ended about 95 it’s my favourite type of music to play because there’s so much in it, it never gets boring, all ways different sounds, and as a dj you have the most creative freedom to cut scratch and use the samples and breaks to do as you please, when you mix it you don’t really think of things like key it’s just all about beat matching and whacking it in as quick as possible, and have fun with it were as 4x4 music such as house, trance, techno is more about key phrase and structure, check out Carl Cox’s all sets from about 91 to 93 he is insanely fast at mixing 3 turntables and the energy is out of this world skip to Carl Cox to day he plays more techno, and the way he mixes it is a lot slower, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing as I also play house techno and his new mixes are amazing two I’m just pointing out that different genres get mixed differently because it sounds better.
I’m currently trying to learn DJing off RUclips but as a musician I completely agree that perfectly blending every song and mixing in key seems like a good way to kill the energy of a new song coming on.
I had to stop playing guitar, piano, and singing because I lost most of my hearing (I was a Marine antitank assaultman, big booms right off the shoulder for years) I had a horrible time with depression over this and focused on sculpting and painting. It helped and I was definitely happy but the music is still in my head. I just bought the Pioneer DDJ 400 and pouring through your videos. I have only a diamond view of the future. Thanks for these and cheers!
Keep doing what you enjoy! Let me know if you want any of my courses. I’ll give them to you free of charge. P
Phil Harris definitely! I’ve been pouring through every video I can find on RUclips for months! I was actually considering buying your course!
There is hope for humanity after all. Cheers guys
My two cents to this, I never thought of this whole key topic to be honest, I focused back then when I learned on vinyl's to manage a proper transition rather than following keys or not. I was resident for several years in a popular club and we changed every night the styles several times. So basically it is a mixture of everything, perfect transitions and experiments to keep that surprise factor every night... I would have had no fun if I wouldn't have risked never a mix... because my best mixes or sets were based on guts and feeling, never rules. I guess the DJs out here will understand what I mean.
Appreciate your 2 cents homie but it definitely depends on the genres. mixing house music (Urban house) randomly without keys in place would cause chaos in the set whereas a surprise factor from time to time would give liberty to the Deejay to experiment things and add a flavor to his/her mix. On the other hand, hip hop is very spontaneous and its surprise element always excite the crowd no matter who the crowd is.
Been a DJ since '88. We didn't have any beatmatching buttons or ways to find out the key of a song. You just had to go with your instincts, and feeling of what you were playing, like Max H2 said. Hip hop is more forgiving, I think then say Edm. Drum and bass is more of a challenge. As far as mixing seamlessly. Taking the crowd to a height is what it's all about, I think we all can agree on that.
Bro, you are 100% right! If you don't give people something that they can enjoy, it doesn't matter if you match 100 songs perfectly in the set, you will end up playing only to yourself and no one will never notice you. Thanks for opening people's mind on that! 👊👊
I'm a dj that learnt playing vinyl, we never knew if if tracks were in key as long as the two tracks sound good together and the beat matching is spot on
One time i was djing and my computer died 20 minutes in so I had to just sing for the rest of the wedding
awwww
haha, always take a backup, good djs dont hook up a computer to an event, take ur main usb memory and a back and you should be good, if your djing equip breaks halfway thru the event always have some mixes in your phone you can use as back up.
@@atomiq911 - yea, I've seen the consequences when a DJ casually says, my amp's died, fun's over, and walked off! 🤕
😂👌🏽atleast you pulled thru hahaha
Lmfaooo
Out of key tracks sounds like a 2 different tracks, but in key sounds like 1 song
Really helpful to see it visually, thanks!
That's my mom in the pic..lol.I'm on her computer, I DJ'd in SF's underground dance music scene, and played vinyl. It was tough to be the only girl most of the time, all the other DJs were constantly trying to push me around put me down, and make me feel bad about DJing. But I played for my heart and for the people. I later got recognition for having the most popular mix in the early 2000s. There were so many "big" DJs that put out their mix to the crowd and gave away for promotions. I couldn't believe someone had put my mix up on a free file share DL site it got thousands of DLs. I played unusual music not like everyone else so it surprised me because I would've thought it would've been one of those big guys that would have a mix with 10thousand DLs, not little me. But It was the people's vote, on an underground music website, not the other DJs. I felt so bad for so long. Until I found that vote on my mix and saw the DLs. But you reminded me of what it's really about, having fun and your track selection and reading the crowd's energy.
My worst experience had to have been when my DJ group brought in these really amazing DJs from overseas to play with us. I opened it for them, but the equipment failed because my CDJ started skipping the CD. It was my first time using CD instead of vinyl publically. It turned out the CDJ had to be taken in for repairs after that. It sounded horrible. Everyone was looking and stopped dancing, and I got the other track going on the other side quick but it took several painful seconds to load it up, and the MC who could've helped, just bashed me, saying "Ouch bad DJ here sorry". I started tearing up but pretended I didn't hear him and continued with a huge banger that everyone knew. I lived but felt terrible afterward. One of my friends later came up and said they loved my set! I think I almost fainted! It doesn't matter what those ego DJs say its the crowd that's important. Bless up, mate! Thx.
Started djing this year and had couple of questions and confuses, but your channel I found Is the most interesting and easy to watch, and just very enjoyable. I live in Japan and all around music scene, but still felt Djs in Japan are missing some another vibe. Ppl were saying I have a very good music taste, so I just want to spread more vibes and unique and new theme of RnB and HipHop scene. Enjoying to do so. Never put attention to keys but after watching this vid I realized somehow I matched keys berywell by ear even without knowing what is that😂
Thank you!
Hey man I want to say big thanks! Thank to you I've learned what makes two songs sound better) Before I was checking by ear and trying to adjust filter etc, but now I see that they mix better in key)) For me as bedroom DJ this was quite new stuff… so thank you!)
Thank you Phil, I purchased this software and it DRAMATICALLY improved my mixes. I was mixing, what I thought went together and sounded great (IN MY HEAD), now, I have learned that I can have some AWESOME transitions; like the pro's.
Is mixed in key free?
I was a DJ a long time ago (all vinyl) and I am now doing research because I am about to teach my daughter how to DJ, Whether she will mix in key or not, it is still very valuable information to know. Thanks.
Absolutely 💯% correct. Once the dance floor is poppin forget about key mixing and play good music.
Phil, your humble character makes your tutorials a delight to learn from.
Finally, found a really helpful tutorial, thank you!
I’m a independent House pop producer, and I have been booked for an event as a DJ from a local festival just because they here my songs on the radio. Now I never DJ before! I’m assembling my set and I’m getting so obsessed with mixing in key, perfect blending, perfect phrasing between tracks. That’s come from my insecurity and lack of experience at the same time my musicianship prevails as well.
I do care about a perfect mix and about the mix in key, even if the audience doesn't notice, I do!! A big part of it is having fun myself !I liked the video specially the debate part.
Laidback Luke doesn’t mix in key. He mixes on element. IE similar snares, kicks , or synth leads. There are different styles, and as someone who most DJs consider borderline reckless (LL) and professional over 20 years. It gives testament to trusting your ears. Don’t focus so much on ensuring it’s absolutely perfect harmonic mixing (in key) But does it sound good together.
That said, if you are stuck on what to play next.... looking at other tracks in the same key may get you out of a tight spot in a non prepared freestyle set
Love this... Thanks for breaking this down. I have been mixing out of key, but after this I will be trying something new when I get behind the decks again.
Key mixing is a technique more utilized when recording the mix. Live shows, if the Dj is doing his job, will change on the fly depending on the crowd and their vibe. A clever DJ can hide things during awkward transitions. Not so much when recording.
Also, learning which keys work well together will provide more options and will let you journey in and out of keys to keep things interesting but also keep them flowing well together.
The thing is, there are no true set of rules when playing. There’s what sounds good and there’s what doesn’t. Find what works for you and hopefully, you’ll find a crowd who’s ears hear things the same way yours do and you’ve done it! Welcome to being a DJ.
Thank you for this. I picked up DJing about a year and a half ago and am trying to learn better as I go. I was told that mixing in key was the way to go but you settled it for me. In key mixing is difficult for me, I just wanna see the people having fun. I think that's what matters most.
Hey Phil, ran across your videos recently. Really love your style and advise. Keep it up!!
This video is great.
Great job as always .
Keep up the good work
You have the best advice and videos about djing out there. I love your stuff, keep it up.
Thanks Marc!
Thanks mate,,have been using MIK since it came out and is great, but as you said it is all about picking the right tunes! Good vid Phil ,easy to follow and fun, well done!.
Great advice Phil! You're always honest and providing the best recommendations! Cheers!
Thank you for your videos!!i am a beginner and I am learning a lot from you! Much love!!❤️❤️❤️🙌🏾
Excellent advice. Well delivered. Thanks! Rock on, mate.
hello man , thank you so much
im a Dj Torito from Morocco and no one here know about that key and i really appreciate that i learn it now , thank you so much men
I've been using the Camelot wheel for some time now and it has really helped me, great video by the way
Absolutely well said reading the room is mega important to me too enjoyed your video thanks great stuff and good advice
One of the best tips from one of the coolest teachers, thank u
That was some very good info, and I will definitely keep what U offered in mind as I go forward. I had been hearing abt matching music with complimenting keys, but never really knew how important it was, and like U mentioned, unless ur playing for a group of DJs most ppl don't really care, all they want to do is hear good music and dance. Keep the vids coming, Thx
hi, my name is Martin from Germany and I just say thank you for your good channel/shool . I start after 20 years vinyl dj ing with controller and digital dj .
I can say I evolve late but I get it . It is a great help to found your content .
Greeting from Bochum,Germany Martin
some of the best advice I have heard in a long time :) learn your music and let it tell a story always a good time
For me, it was as I became more experienced, especially hearing myself on the bigger sound systems, I started really noticing that some mixes just DID NOT sound right. That was when I started caring about key matching. Not always though. It depends on the genre a lot too. I'd say if you're a beginner just focus on your beat matching, mixing and (agreeing with Phil) track selection to create the journey. Great video mate. You're a total champion.
Amazing vid fam! Thanks for those advises, sharing is caring.
It's not about whether you should or not. It's about doing it predictably and getting the results you want. Thanks for the vid.
Finally a DJ-talk who plays for a crowd and NOT for other DJ's;Your talk about being able to select great tracks gave me wings.I'm an upcoming Parisian Drag-DJ and the key word is making my crowd happy and dancing till they drop.Party.
Thank you ever so much Phill. Didnt know that mixing in Key is such an important aspect of djing. I certainly will apply this knowledge from now on.
True..reading the crowd and playing memorial tracks pumps up the party...so the best tracks from hiphop,edm,oldskool, remixes,trap makes the dj..
This is the first time I am hearing about keys and defenetly is going to help me alot on my mixes. Thanks for sharing you knowlege with us @philharris
Reading the room as a function DJ is crucial. Done small functions cheap for years as i love it decided to start proper mixing just to make it sound that bit better. Love the way you present in laymans terms we don't all want to be superstars just want to make sure people enjoy the music
this was very very useful advice for me. not only you put my mind at ease I learned a whole lot. thank you
How have I only just come across your videos!!! I’ve been dj’ing (bedroom/house parties/close family parties) for about a year now. I self taught myself from scratch so don’t know the ins and outs just know how to get a party going but i finally want to take it further ie bars & clubs so I asked around a few Reddit posts and your name came up over and over! I’m so glad I clicked!!! I’m watching ALL of your vids even if I feel I know that subject already. This one has actually been useful, you’ve backed up my thoughts that key aren’t always important if I’m catering for the audience and not other DJ’s.
I’m sure I’ll be commenting on more of your videos as I get to them, but for now phil THANK YOU SO MUCH MATE 🤛🏾👍🏼🔊🔥
The best advice I have ever gotten from a DJ coach..... your ability to entertain the crowd with your choice of songs and your ability to read the crowd 👌🏾
Thanks for the video Phil. Been DJing for years and learned something new (the key-wheel thing!) and think your points at the end are absolutely spot on: it's about song selection and dance floor. How I see it: when making a mixtape I get the transitions perfect (and create a really emotional journey of course). But playing live my only concern is locking into the dancers in the room with the right track selection, never mind how raw the mixing to get there - because once you're in the groove everything will flow.
i like your tips in the end of video , people don't care if you stop or mix different songs without same key , just you have to do a best selection and you become a good dj with more events , Thank you man
I loved this video!!! It is really what I was searching for. You are the best!!! Greetings from Argentina.
I absolutely love it, thanks so much for it
Phil your doing a splendid job, even managed to make me laugh.
Those 2 examples you did, one beat matched and the other out of beat match, my audience after 3 pints wouldn’t be able to tell if I was playing a trumpet or banging a drum. But I do get your point.
And keep up your magnificent work.
Phil
Amazing video! You demystified DJing for begginers like me. Thanks for that.
well done mate, you open my mind to what is more important! music! very nice!
Your video is straight forward and I appreciate that.
I am sooo glad I found your channel and watched most of your Videos... You are my Man Mate... 😅 You explain things so simple an easy to understand and also speak of the "True" of how things are in real DJ Life ... I have followed many of your advices and things are as you've described them exactly !!! Well thanks again and keep up the good work with these videos... 💪💪
Fabulous! Thanks so much Phil!
Love the advice bro !
Totally totally totally agree with your thoughts about what's important for a gig Phil. Fantastic vids...wish I'd discovered you earlier
Very informative video. It helps a lot... Thank you!!
I. think you are fantastic.....and your suggestion is spot on...It helped me so much!
Thanks so much for your meaningful insights! 😎👍🏻
To me track selection (playlist) is more important on a set than being on key, if I can put some tracks together on key great, but if I can’t put them all on key and that means not playing awesome songs then I prefer not being on key, so a mix of mine usually will be a combination o tracks that are on and off key.
WOW..... I just totally learned something new!!!! Great video it makes complete sense to me .. thanks :)
I really appreciate this video and I have learned a lot from what you said. I like that you take an open minded approach to how to be your own dj. I think this is great for beginners who want to become professional. Especially knowing who you are really trying to please! Thanks!~
This is the most honest video about learning djing for starters that I have watched so far. And I ve watched quiet a few ^^
Awesome video! Make sense, of what your talking about, loving it... thanks
Begginer DJ here at your videos have helped me a lot! Thank you!
♥ Hey I want to say big thanks! to uploading this video . Cheers from Germany ! ♥
Well done mate great vid you are spot on
Very impressive Phill.......I’ve seen lots of people give basic Dj tutorials and you are superb mate.....👍
Thank you really appreciate the Kraft of mixing , I learned and it makes a difference.
i loved this video because this is me, good song selection but not great at mixing just yet. Just bought my ddj. in february. Thanku so much for this, i feel better xx
My roommate just got a deck similar to yours and got me interested in DJing as well. I never thought there would be this much to it or that it could be as complicated as it is. When I first discovered key matching, it kind of freaked me out because I'm already struggling to find songs to mix together, let alone find songs of the same key. This video kind of helped me out because I don't care what other DJ's think of my work, I just want to have fun with it.
I have a gig today ....the ending part was really motivational...Thank you
I totally agree about having a good selection of songs as opposed to dj skills. I still do try to try to learn the techniques though! This video was helpful thanks!
What's important is that whoever I'm playing for at any event. Them having a good time from my song selections. When they have a good or great time is the DNA of DJing.
This is the most simple in depth simple to understand video. Others just ramble on without any demo or explanation. Thank You.
what you start telling at 9:30 is just so true.. its kinda good because it means that you dont have to worry that much about messing up but otherwise its sad becuase if you play "perfect" the people rather wont have a much better time than otherwise. But playing a perfect set is still so satisfying for myself that i am for sure totally trying to do so, more for myself than for the crowd.
Love your videos! You are awesome. Thank you! x
I loved this. Exactly the information I needed including your perspective at the end.
First and foremost I want to keep the party going, but I also hope to build off of my basic skills into something that is more of an art form. I don't know at what point keys will come in, but is helpful to know that doesn't need to be now.
What a beautiful video
You make us feel so nice 😊
Just got my inpulse 500
Super Excited 😍
I'm only starting as a DJ using a controller, but i've been in plenty of small, private party situations with friends and acquaintances where they put me in charge of the music because I have a broad genre taste and i kinda feel have a good feeling about what would get the people going at certain points, whether it be hyping up or winding down for some chill time. And i'm really glad to have seen this vid that reaffirmed me that party and good mood is what matters most rather than being the best at perfect transitions and whatnot (which i currently still suck at by my own opinion) :D so thanks for that man
thanks so much bro! great info, well made =)
Great advices. Thank you for the tips.
thank you ,i like the way you have explined
Great tutorial and channel ! Well done and thanks !
Your channel and other YT videos have been insanely helpful... I've never even touched a DJ deck (Inpulse 500 on the way! Partly thanks to your review!), but thanks to these videos I already know every button on my controller, where to get tracks, what a beatgrid is and why it's important, where/why/how I should set cue points in the tracks I'm considering, a good hand full of transitions and some beginner friendly effects and so on. It's like I'm a properly trained beginner, yet to lay hands on a deck. Can't wait to try how hard it ACTUALLY is to put all that into practice! Thanks for taking the time and effort!
Thank you! Very helpful video!
Thank you very much for this very helpful video ❤️
LOL I'm almost 40, and I just bought my first deck. I am so happy to find this channel. Super essential for dummys like me ;)
Thanks Mate! I will dig in next vids now.
Great little video! Thank you very much, man!
Thanks mate ! Very useful material !
DJing for me will always be about pure instinct and feel… maybe because I started out as a vinyl DJ in the mid 90’s… there were no visual cues, I didn’t have a clue what mixing in key was, there were no digital rekordbox or sync keys or screens to look at… it was about learning your genres, learning your tracks, practising every single day for hours on end, mixing by ear and picking up little feels and tricks along the journey… I DJ’d as I would want to listen to a set as someone on the dance floor… building a hype and doing some unusual things along the way, like completely dropping tracks in at the build up stage of another and making the crowd go woahhhh and bounce off the walls 😂 I feel like the DJ of today doesn’t have this maverick style in them anymore, it’s all too linear and straight… maybe more DJ’s should switch off the laptops, switch of the CDJ’s and plug a couple of Technics decks in for a few practise days a week and get some sort of purity back into the art form…
Thank u sooooo much！learned a lot from your video ！好人一生平安
Hey Phil your videos are really helping me and I will be singing up to your course..
Thanks
Garry
I completely lost it, I was watching your dog sleeping 😆
Love it!! Thank you