5 DJ Transitions Every Beginner Should Learn

A DJ transition is the way you move from one song to the next. Beginners need five: the fade, the end-to-end, the cut, the single phrase beatmix and the bassline swap. The first three need no beatmatching. The last two do. Start with the fade, then work down the list.

DJ and author Phil Morse laid out these five in his book Rock The Dancefloor. Here's our version, in plain steps.

Before you try any of them, learn one habit: count in phrases. Most dance tracks change every 4 or 8 bars, and that block is a phrase. Start your next track on the first beat of a phrase. Every transition below sounds better when you do.

1. The fade

Best for: moving between songs with different tempos or genres. It also saves you when you've played the wrong song.

1. Pick the spot. A chorus works well, especially a second chorus that follows the first.

2. Fade fast at first, then slowly. Cut a good chunk of volume right away. A timid fade confuses the crowd. Finish the fade over the next 10 to 15 seconds.

3. Start the new track on beat 1 of a phrase. Press play just as the old song disappears.

Tempo doesn't matter here. That's why the fade is the safest way to cross from one genre to another.

2. The end-to-end

Best for: short songs with a clean ending, like many pop and hip-hop singles.

1. Know how the song ends. Check the waveform. You can also load a second copy on a spare deck and listen to the ending in your headphones.

2. Choose a new track that starts with impact. A slow, quiet intro kills the moment.

3. Count the bars and start on the downbeat. As the old song ends, start the new one on the first beat of a bar. A phrase start is even better.

A song the crowd already knows makes this switch easier.

3. The cut

Best for: quick, bold switches, even between different tempos.

1. Cue the new track on beat 1 of a phrase.

2. Count along on the playing track. Wait for a spot where the energy drops, such as the end of a chorus or a breakdown.

3. Switch on the downbeat. Press play on the new track and stop the old one at the same moment. Make sure the new channel's fader is up first.

The cut has no overlap, so the timing has to be exact. One beat late sounds like a mistake.

4. The single phrase beatmix

Best for: tracks with matching tempos and a drums-only intro. You'll need to beatmatch by ear for this one.

1. Cue the new track one phrase early. Pick a part where only drums play.

2. Start it in your headphones on beat 1. Check that the kicks line up with the playing track.

3. Bring it into the speakers. Raise the channel fader, or move the crossfader to the middle.

4. Let both tracks play for one phrase. That's 4 or 8 bars.

5. Take out the old track. Do it all at once on a downbeat, or fade it slowly.

Mix where drums lead. Two melodies at the same time often clash.

5. The bassline swap

Best for: house, techno and trance, where a track starts with drums and adds the bassline later.

This is the single phrase beatmix with a longer blend and some EQ. If the EQ knobs are new to you, read our guide to the high, mid and low knobs first.

1. Start the new track earlier. On a five-minute track, you want about 60 to 90 seconds left on the old one.

2. Turn the new track's low EQ all the way down. Now its kick and bass are silent, so they can't fight the old track.

3. Swap the bass. When the new bassline arrives, bring its low EQ back to the middle. At the same time, turn the old track's low EQ all the way down.

Two kick drums at once sound muddy. The swap gives the crowd one bassline at a time, and you choose the moment.

Which transition should you use?

• Different tempos or genres: the fade or the cut.

• Short song with a hard ending: the end-to-end.

• Matching tempos and a drums-only intro: the single phrase beatmix.

• A long blend in house or techno: the bassline swap.

Where to go next

Pick one transition and practice it for a week. Record yourself and listen the next day. If the key of two tracks clashes during a long blend, our guide to harmonic mixing explains why.

How we teach it

Our Online DJ Classes cover phrase mixing, EQ mixing and mixing techniques for club music. The sessions are one-to-one on Zoom, so your tutor works with you live.

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Frequently asked questions

Which DJ transition is the easiest?

The fade. It needs no beatmatching and it works between any two tracks.

What is the best transition for house music?

The bassline swap. House, techno and trance tracks usually build from drums to bassline, and the swap fits that pattern.

Do I need to beatmatch to make a transition?

Only for the single phrase beatmix and the bassline swap. The fade, end-to-end and cut don't need it.

How long should a DJ transition last?

A cut is instant. A single phrase beatmix lasts 4 or 8 bars. A bassline swap can run for a minute or more.