Feeling the DJ Ho Hum’s? Blow Up Your Routine
Jason Statham in The Mechanic
Tips adapted from Dumb Little Man: Personal Development: 5 Playfully Crazy Tips That Can Unleash Your Creative Potential and Boost Your Creativity – by Dumb Little Man.
Sigh. You’ve burned out on your favorite playlist. When you go out, all sets sound the same (much respect to your DJ friends but your ears have flat-lined). You’ve maxed out on all the functions of your latest gadget. You’re bored. I have some tips for you to spark your DJ creativity. Aside from the DJ exercises I’ve posted previously, try these out. All you need is a little jolt, a little change in perspective. That’s what boredom is, your mind is traveling and processing things the same way over and over again.
1) Make Random Connections:
“Start by picking 3 random things and try to connect them by any means possible.” I wrote a lengthy piece about putting constraints on yourself prior to starting a DJ project to give yourself some structure and parameters. This is just a quicker way to go about it regardless of whether you are working on a DJ project or just needing to think. First 3 “things” that pop in your head, think through how to connect them, what are the degrees of separation between these things. Write it all down if you can.
2) Smell Your Gear (just kidding … sort of):
This is about being one with your music, gear, DJ space. Inspect everything about your DJing using all senses. Close your eyes if you have to. “Be at one with every detail: the physical qualities, emotions, feelings, roles, perspective, worldview, limitations, language, history and experiences.” I know this may seem really weird but if you are easily distracted, have a lot of noise in your head, this is an easy way to block it out and immerse.
3) Turn it Upside Down
Turn everything upside down. Been struggling with a set or not sure of direction, change the order of the tracklist starting with the last track and playing it through to the track at the beginning – work backwards. Not feeling influenced or inspired by your usual methods and resources, try a new genre or a new place to buy music. Layer a musical element (vocal, horns, violins, jackhammer) – don’t just let a track do all the work, layer layer layer even if it sounds awful – this is how happy accidents occur.
4) Just Make Noise
Just play. Be noisy. Put 5 tracks on at the same time and weed out what’s not working. Be a kid. Be imperfect. Bang on drums – if you don’t have anything to bang on or drum synth or drum VST – there’s an idea right there. Sing out loud. Dance around.
5) “Draw With Your Other Hand”
This is real DJ zen master stuff. Try DJing blindfolded. Use one hand only. Start in the middle of a track, every time and just work it out. Spin for your parents if they have never seen you do it. The point is to create a little discomfort to liven things up.
THE DJ WAY 
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