Piper Terrett - Bedroom DJ: A Beginners Guide - Book

Book Description
This 216 page book describes how to become a top DJ by talking to the professionals.   Piper Terrett set out to overcome her technophobia and take her fledgling DJ skills from novice to performing DJ was aided by the advice of some of the industry's finest, including Roger Sanchez, David Morales, Cutmaster Swift and Dave Pearce.  Featuring extensive Q&A sessions, The Bedroom DJ is a must for all learner DJs. You'll sympathise with Piper's experiences as she stumbles through shopping for record decks, learning mixing and scratching techniques and discovering where the professionals buy their records. On the way you'll also share the tips, tricks and insights she coaxed out of the professionals who actually survived the bumpy ride from the bedroom to the hot venue and finally triumphed. The Bedroom DJ is the most entertaining how-to book you'll ever read!  25% of the author’s royalties will be donated to the World DJ fund in support of the Nordoff Robbins charity for music therapy.

Synopsis
Piper Terrett is a financial journalist by day and a trainee DJ by night. The only problem is, that as a self-confessed technophobe, she can't work out how to switch on her Technics decks let alone mix. Grappling with these handicaps, Piper stumbles her way chapter by chapter through the basics of becoming a DJ. A selection of UK DJs, including Ali B and Cosmo are on hand to give tuition. Advice is given on shopping for record decks, mixing and scratching techniques, where the professionals buy their records, putting together a set and playing at a venue for the first time. As they guide Piper through the basics, the professionals also share the secrets of the trials and tribulations of turning professional. Fellow learner DJs may find that Piper's bungling experiences may strike a familiar chord, although they may not admit it to their peers.


Customer Reviews
Review 1:  Definitely worth a look for any beginnner looking to learn to Dj. Has helpful chapters on buying equipment and playing outside the house for the first time. There are hints and tips from professional Djs on how they got started etc.which I found useful. Plus it has a bit of a story along with it which is a bit more lively than the usual manuals.


Review 2:  Personally this book left me feeling a bit flat. Being a female interested in DJing myself, I was looking forward to reading about the experiences of another woman trying to make it in the business. However, it became clear to me that the author decided to become a DJ more on a whim than any real love and drive. There was no mention of an adoration for music from an early age, being touched and inspired from clubbing experiences (other than "I saw Lottie's name on a poster whilst I was dancing around Turnmills and realised I too could become a DJ"...), or wanting to share the music she loved with people. Rather, it was more about her fancying becoming a D.J. (after breaking up with her boyfriend, who happened to be a DJ) and what was the quickest way to make it.

This book does nothing at all to encourage women, who really are into their music, into DJing. I don't have a problem with her not being very technically minded, most of us women aren't. I didn't expect her to be a wizard on the decks straight off, in fact I preferred her not to be. But the least I expected was to read about someone who had a real passion for something that I love.

I'm sure this book may be enjoyed by some people who've watched some DJ on Top of The Pops/down their local club/etc, thought it looked quite cool and fancied getting in on some of that action. However, for anyone really into the dance music scene (as a clubber or bedroom DJ themselves), this book has a couple of interesting general facts from interviewees she's spoken to, but that's really not enough to make up for the fact that this book is seriously lacking in substance and soul.


Review 3:  I started out as a bedroom DJ fiddling around with an incomprehensible array of little flashing dials and mysterious switches. I fell foul of so many of the pitfalls described in this book that I wish it had been written just a little earlier. Then I might have less grey hairs and possibly more money! This book isn't just about what to avoid though and describes the fun elements too.  The book itself is arranged nicely into sections which may allow a novice to think about the different skills in isolation therefore making each less scary and more achievable.  The anecdotes are funny and the whole book comes across as a very personal treatment of a subject which is still shrouded in more mystery than it probably deserves.  If you're an aspiring DJ or you're just curious this is the book for you - advice and encouragement in equal proportions, with all the necessary warning signs for good measure!

 
Review 4:  I actually never considered myself possibly as a DJ til I read this book - I mean, how the hell do you start? All the experts seem to be born with inherent knowledge. Basically, it seems such a closed (and male) world. The real strength of this book is that it makes it seem possible. Piper takes us through the trials and tribulations of a 'normal' person trying to start out, talking to the experts and realising that they were 'normal' people too, trying to break into this abnormal world. And it's damn funny too. Not heavy, not preachy, not 'I'm so clever', just a give-it-a-go guide.
 

Review 5:  This is a fantastic book for anybody starting out playing, anyone interested in the scene and the world of professional dj-ing or anyone who just likes an entertaining read. I found her style readable and funny and, to my amazement, thought the interviews were engrossing as well. Piper Terrett seems to have a gift for bringing the best out of the Djs she talked to - funny anecdotes as well as usable advice and tips. Apart from anything else, it feels good to hear about women in dj-ing - both the beginners and the success stories, but this book is very much for anyone - even those like me who restrict their bedroom dj-ing to listening.