DJ Music Theory for DJs

Question 1

What is 'harmonic mixing' in DJing?

Accepted Answer

Mixing tracks whose musical keys are harmonically compatible to avoid clashing melodies

Answer

Mixing tracks with matched BPM only

Answer

Applying harmonic distortion effects

Answer

Using the mixer's harmonic EQ

Question 2

What is the Camelot Wheel used for by DJs?

Accepted Answer

Identifying harmonically compatible keys for smooth melodic transitions

Answer

Calculating BPM differences

Answer

Mapping out a DJ set timeline

Answer

Organizing tracks by genre

Question 3

In music theory, what is the difference between a major and minor key?

Accepted Answer

Major keys have a brighter, happier sound while minor keys have a darker, sadder feel

Answer

Major keys are faster, minor keys are slower

Answer

Major uses sharps, minor uses flats

Answer

Major has 8 notes, minor has 7

Question 4

What does the 'key' of a track refer to in music?

Accepted Answer

The root note and scale that defines the tonal center of the music

Answer

The track's BPM range

Answer

The track's loudness level

Answer

The tempo signature

Question 5

What does it mean to mix 'in key' or 'key lock'?

Accepted Answer

Using pitch correction to keep a track's key constant when changing its tempo

Answer

Locking the pitch fader at zero

Answer

Mixing only tracks in the same BPM

Answer

Preventing the crossfader from moving

Question 6

What are the 'circle of fifths' adjacent keys that harmonically compatible tracks often share?

Accepted Answer

Keys whose root notes are a perfect fifth apart, sharing most of the same notes

Answer

Keys 12 semitones apart

Answer

Keys with the same BPM

Answer

Keys using the same time signature