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Gig next Friday, need some help on song order, BPM, etc..
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Gig next Friday, need some help on song order, BPM, etc..

Tropez 1:28 PM - 25 September, 2014
Okay gang, here's the scoop.

I have a gig next Friday, it's a party at the American Royal of BBQ and is a big get together held outdoors. The party starts at 6PM, ends at 11PM (or later) and I need some help on playlist structure.

I know the crowd is going to be a wide range of folks. I would guess from past parties the range will be mostly 30 years through 60 years old with very few but many some in the 20's. I have people tagging songs they want to hear already on my Facebook page and it's a huge variety. Here's as sample of what they've requested already:

ACDC Shook me All Night Long
Guns & Roses Sweet Child of Mine
T.I. Bring em Out
David Banner Get Like Me
Michael Jackson (like every MJ song that exists it seems)
Kid Rock All Summer Long
New Edition Cool It Now
Lipps Funkytown
69 Boys Tootsee Roll
Slick Rick Children's Story
Motley Crue Kickstart My Heart


So here's my problem. I'm trying to figure out how to coordinate this massive genre shifting playlist. Right now I built a starter party playlist that does the following:

3 Hits from the 1970's
3 Hits from the 1980's
3 Hits from the 1990's
3 Hits from the 2000's
3 Hits from the 2010's
Repeat

This seems pretty easy to setup but some of the songs don't flow that well. I'm not sure if I should stick to a structure like this and realize it isn't a "dance party" but a "party" in general and just play what people want to hear. Or should I ditch this method and go with more of a playlist that's based off BPM's. For instance, mixing slowly from one BPM range to the next range regardless of the year/genera of the song (seems much harder to me).

Just looking for feedback here, trying to improve my game.
Tropez 1:30 PM - 25 September, 2014
P.S. One cycle of the 3 songs for every 10 years gets me about 1 hour of music. That's not including the requests I drop in here and there. My plan was to fit requests in during the same 3 song timeslot which matches when the song was released. So if someone requests a song from 1982, i'm not going to drop it in during the 2000's block so to speak.
Taipanic 1:46 PM - 25 September, 2014
While it's OK to play 2-3 songs of a Genre, it doesn't have to be so structured. Music transcends Genres & Generations if you know the music and how to mix it. Check out some of DJ AMs mixes - not for the mixing & scratching but for the music selection and how he makes songs from the 60's, 70's etc.. flow with newer songs of different Genres.
This type of gig is more about providing feel good, party music, not mixing and keeping a dance floor, it's about playing music that will make a wide range of people enjoy much of it, and tolerate the rest. Changing up Genres regularly is key & probably want to lean more to the Classic Rock & 70's-80's Pop than new Bangers.
Tropez 1:53 PM - 25 September, 2014
Thank
Quote:
While it's OK to play 2-3 songs of a Genre, it doesn't have to be so structured. Music transcends Genres & Generations if you know the music and how to mix it. Check out some of DJ AMs mixes - not for the mixing & scratching but for the music selection and how he makes songs from the 60's, 70's etc.. flow with newer songs of different Genres.
This type of gig is more about providing feel good, party music, not mixing and keeping a dance floor, it's about playing music that will make a wide range of people enjoy much of it, and tolerate the rest. Changing up Genres regularly is key & probably want to lean more to the Classic Rock & 70's-80's Pop than new Bangers.


Thank you very much for the feedback. I will check out some DJ AM stuff as you suggest. I completely agree about the feel good, party music vs. pack the dance floor party.
DJ VEE 4:12 PM - 25 September, 2014
Just my opinion here, but it looks like you are trying to predict what is going to happen way to much. That will only sters you out, because you will be trying to stick to your pre planned game plan and I can almost guarantee you that you won't.
The smart thing is to have a game plan and use it when you get a lul in the program, but you don't know what the crowd will do. Best thing to do is know your library well and have fun with it. Looks like you will need to focus more on "listening" or "party" music rather than pack the dance floor stuff. Look for people tapping their toes or moving their heads to the music rather than rushing to the dance floor (if there will even be one).
A large crowd with all ages I actually kind of fun and relatively stress free. You can play a wide variety of stuff you may not normally get to play, and, if you tap in to all of te genres like you plan to do, there are that many more in your audience that will like your selections.
Like I said, just my opinion, but I think you are on the right track with how you are planning it, but concentrate more on your library and knowing it as opposed to planning when you will play what songs. Be prepared to change things up on the fly and go with the flow of the crowd.
DJ VEE 4:29 PM - 25 September, 2014
I guess what I'm trying to say is worry more about the tempo rather than the year it came out as criteria of what to play. Avoid stomping on the gas pedal with a fast song and slamming on the breaks with a slow tempo song. There is nothing wrong with following a 50's song with one from the 80's, as long as they sons good one after the other. I decide that as I go, but have a few staples that I have tried over time to fall back on.
You don't have to take the decades in numerical order. A few of the top 40 stuff from the past few years actually goes noce with some of the 50's and 60's stuff. I have a feeling that you will have quite a few requests at this event and people will be drinking. If someone requests a song from the 90's and you are on your 50's list, sticking to the structure, they will have to wait almost an hour to hear their request. Add in some alcohol to the "when are you going to play my song, I've been waiting for a long time" usual complaint and you have someone possibly leaving and saying "that DJ sucked, he didn't play anything we asked for". By the time they tell their friends, who knows how embellished the story will be about how bad you sucked and you should never get hired, lol.
I'm not saying you have to play requests right away, as I'm sure some will insist, but for an event like this, plan to get them in a reasonable amount if time. There's really no reason not to, it's not a wedding or a specific genre or themed party.
Sorry for rambling on, just some I the experiences I've had.
eugguy 4:48 PM - 25 September, 2014
Don't think and plan so hard. DJ AM also did alot of hard drugs, which probably helped from an "all balls out"creativity standpoint. (Not saying you should do drugs before the gig btw.) Feel the crowd out and be confident that you were placed (getting paid) in front of these people for a reason. Not just DJ's, but people who know music and who know how to have a good time will respond to your set/playlist. Don't get too caught up in the technicalities of a genre/bpm etc...if you are a DJ that should come easy. Also, if you are getting requests on FB already, you can obviously work with that, but dig a little deeper into the sub-genres of those genres. The fun in DJing/mixing (at least for me) is surprising people with songs that they were thinking of, but didn't have the balls or knowledge to request.
Tropez 2:11 AM - 26 September, 2014
Quote:
Just my opinion here, but it looks like you are trying to predict what is going to happen way to much. That will only sters you out, because you will be trying to stick to your pre planned game plan and I can almost guarantee you that you won't.
The smart thing is to have a game plan and use it when you get a lul in the program, but you don't know what the crowd will do. Best thing to do is know your library well and have fun with it. Looks like you will need to focus more on "listening" or "party" music rather than pack the dance floor stuff. Look for people tapping their toes or moving their heads to the music rather than rushing to the dance floor (if there will even be one).
A large crowd with all ages I actually kind of fun and relatively stress free. You can play a wide variety of stuff you may not normally get to play, and, if you tap in to all of te genres like you plan to do, there are that many more in your audience that will like your selections.
Like I said, just my opinion, but I think you are on the right track with how you are planning it, but concentrate more on your library and knowing it as opposed to planning when you will play what songs. Be prepared to change things up on the fly and go with the flow of the crowd.


Thanks for this!

One challenge is my library is so huge It's hard to really have a grasp on all the songs I could potentially play. Right now my library is well sorted, well organized and contains every Billboard Top 100 hit from 1960 through 2014 plus some extra's I've collected over the years. Right now that's 8,220 songs in my library.

My plan, as you mentioned was to have a basic structure built that I could work off of but to read the crowd and play more of what works and be able to play just about any request.

I'm the type of person who tries to do his best at anything I take on but overall I'm sure things will work out fine. Last year was a good first run but this year I wanted to step up my game. Last year my library was missing a ton of songs and my gear was pretty basic (a laptop, a shitty controller, party host didn't really have the room for a "party," my gear was set up on crates (no table), we used the amp and speakers on his BBQ trailer.

This year, I have my own DDJ-SX. I have a flight case. I have my own portable stand for the case. I have my own ZLX-12P's for speakers. I have my own speaker tripods. Much more of a legit setup this go around. I just want to make sure going in i'm doing the best job possible.

Thanks for your feedback!
Tropez 2:14 AM - 26 September, 2014
Quote:
I guess what I'm trying to say is worry more about the tempo rather than the year it came out as criteria of what to play. Avoid stomping on the gas pedal with a fast song and slamming on the breaks with a slow tempo song. There is nothing wrong with following a 50's song with one from the 80's, as long as they sons good one after the other. I decide that as I go, but have a few staples that I have tried over time to fall back on.
You don't have to take the decades in numerical order. A few of the top 40 stuff from the past few years actually goes noce with some of the 50's and 60's stuff. I have a feeling that you will have quite a few requests at this event and people will be drinking. If someone requests a song from the 90's and you are on your 50's list, sticking to the structure, they will have to wait almost an hour to hear their request. Add in some alcohol to the "when are you going to play my song, I've been waiting for a long time" usual complaint and you have someone possibly leaving and saying "that DJ sucked, he didn't play anything we asked for". By the time they tell their friends, who knows how embellished the story will be about how bad you sucked and you should never get hired, lol.
I'm not saying you have to play requests right away, as I'm sure some will insist, but for an event like this, plan to get them in a reasonable amount if time. There's really no reason not to, it's not a wedding or a specific genre or themed party.
Sorry for rambling on, just some I the experiences I've had.


Very good point, nobody wants to wait around for an hour to hear a song they requested just because the DJ has some preset playlist. Good points.

How do you handle tempo progression? I'm struggling with sync (never had it in the past, nor did I really do much mixing via BPM in the past) so I'm new with that. For instance, say a song is playing that's 80 BPM and someone requests a 100 BPM song. How would you progress between the two? Also, how about earlier in the evening, play a certain BPM range but keep the fast stuff until later when the party is really jumping? Just some things that came to mind.
Tropez 2:15 AM - 26 September, 2014
Quote:
Don't think and plan so hard. DJ AM also did alot of hard drugs, which probably helped from an "all balls out"creativity standpoint. (Not saying you should do drugs before the gig btw.) Feel the crowd out and be confident that you were placed (getting paid) in front of these people for a reason. Not just DJ's, but people who know music and who know how to have a good time will respond to your set/playlist. Don't get too caught up in the technicalities of a genre/bpm etc...if you are a DJ that should come easy. Also, if you are getting requests on FB already, you can obviously work with that, but dig a little deeper into the sub-genres of those genres. The fun in DJing/mixing (at least for me) is surprising people with songs that they were thinking of, but didn't have the balls or knowledge to request.


Thank you!
 6 2:46 AM - 26 September, 2014
"One challenge is my library is so huge It's hard to really have a grasp on all the songs I could potentially play."

This is why you should use the code method: eyeam6.blogspot.com

I'm not saying you need to do this now since your gig is almost here, but with a method like mine could make your life easier in almost any situation.

nm
djvtyme85 3:20 AM - 26 September, 2014
my suggestion is after this gig take more time observing djs who are doing the type of gigs your working toward. secondly while having a organized library is key, you should never depend on playlists. DJing can be very fun or very stressful, if you get too caught up in structure. Bottom line....learn your music. Find out what songs work in different situations, and how they affect people. You can bounce around genres and decades with cohesive mixture of related music. I wish you good luck...
phonze 4:16 AM - 26 September, 2014
Also don't get caught up in trying to mix by bpm, or trying to always beat match. There's ways to mix just by dropping in a song at the right moment.
DJ VEE 1:46 PM - 26 September, 2014
Quote:
Also don't get caught up in trying to mix by bpm, or trying to always beat match. There's ways to mix just by dropping in a song at the right moment.


Exactly. This kind of party, don't get hung up on BPM's or how early it is or tempo. Sounds like this crowd will allow you to play pretty much whatever and whenever.
Going from 80 to 100 BPM can be done. Dial them both to 90 and blend. However, it depends on the songs. Some will sound good together and some will sound like crap. Sometimes it might be better to just drop in the next one and not mix.
As far as the event you are describing, it doesn't sound like people are there to hear you mix, so don't worry too much about that. Sounds like they are there to eat, have a few drinks and have a good time . Just play "good time " party music, if that makes any sense. If you have the billboard charts all the way back to the 60's, you should be good to go.
Taipanic 2:09 PM - 26 September, 2014
Of course, having all of the charted songs is one thing, knowing them is another. I suggest you fill up an IPod with all of those songs and listen to them when in the car until you really start to know them. Lots of great music you should be familiar enough with that many of those songs will "pop in your head" when playing. Acquiring a large collection today is the easiest part of DJing today (used to be the hardest); knowing most of the music you have is really what will separate the average and the above average DJs going forward.
Logisticalstyles 4:58 PM - 26 September, 2014
I remember back when DJs knew their whole library because they purchased hard copies of the music and actually took it home and listened to it. Now days people just download in bulk and have no clue as to what is in their library.

I think the OPs best bet is to listen to and learn the music that's on his hard drive like Taipanic said.
 6 5:00 PM - 26 September, 2014
Quote:
I remember back when DJs knew their whole library because their libraries were small.

I think the OPs best bet is to listen to and learn the music that's on his hard drive like Taipanic said.


Fixed

nm
Tropez 10:49 PM - 26 September, 2014
Quote:
Of course, having all of the charted songs is one thing, knowing them is another. I suggest you fill up an IPod with all of those songs and listen to them when in the car until you really start to know them. Lots of great music you should be familiar enough with that many of those songs will "pop in your head" when playing. Acquiring a large collection today is the easiest part of DJing today (used to be the hardest); knowing most of the music you have is really what will separate the average and the above average DJs going forward.


This is what I've done. I've gone through and flagged many of the songs as "5 Star" and built my playlist off of that, as well as by reading some threads by other DJ's (on here) about good party/floorfiller songs. While I don't have time to build a mental list of all 8000+ songs, I have a pretty good start.
Thundercat 12:44 AM - 27 September, 2014
I was expecting to come in here and see blood, guts, carnage and destruction. Instead you all are being helpful and stuff. I had to double check I was in the right forum.

Aw heck. Kumbaya and stuff I guess I'll offer some real advice:

For the type of gig you describe the biggest piece of advice I can give you is to relax and have fun. Nobody is going to be worrying about your skills as long as you aren't trainwrecking and clashing vocals and stuff. Play all that cheesy stuff that people can sing along to. All that stuff you are embarrassed to admit you sing along to on the radio when it comes on. Not everything has to mix. The radio programmer fade out / drop in works just fine. Let the tracks play out longer than you would at a club or dance party. Play requests as soon as you can. I would recommend clean versions of tracks, but that's just me.

Don't be anywhere near as rigid as you described in you initial post. I think you will be surprised at how flexible your audience is and what gets them smiling and singing.

I still want to know WTF you people did with my proper Serato forum...
spinnyspin 1:20 AM - 27 September, 2014
3 songs per decade rotation? You're DJing, not painting by numbers...

Go listen to a few of these sets soundcloud.com

for strong examples of outdoor open format party mixing. These guys have great technical skill but more importantly you can hear these guys know their music really well - you need to know lyrics, beats, intro/outro points and all that stuff if you really want to mix it up. Not realistic for you to learn 8k songs in a week, but consider scaling your crate down to around 500 and practice with those. No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.
djvtyme85 6:03 AM - 27 September, 2014
/\ THIS /\ x1000!
Logisticalstyles 12:52 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
Quote:
I remember back when DJs knew their whole library because their libraries were small.

I think the OPs best bet is to listen to and learn the music that's on his hard drive like Taipanic said.


Fixed

Quote:

No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.




That was my original point before 6 misquoted me….
Tropez 12:53 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
3 songs per decade rotation? You're DJing, not painting by numbers...

Go listen to a few of these sets soundcloud.com

for strong examples of outdoor open format party mixing. These guys have great technical skill but more importantly you can hear these guys know their music really well - you need to know lyrics, beats, intro/outro points and all that stuff if you really want to mix it up. Not realistic for you to learn 8k songs in a week, but consider scaling your crate down to around 500 and practice with those. No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.


The three songs per decade as a rotation/playlist starting point was suggested by another DJ. Thanks for the link, I will check it out.
Tropez 12:54 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I remember back when DJs knew their whole library because their libraries were small.

I think the OPs best bet is to listen to and learn the music that's on his hard drive like Taipanic said.


Fixed

Quote:
No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.
That was my original point before 6 misquoted me….


Last year my library was not nearly as extensive so I was stressing trying to find requested songs while at the party, many of which weren't in my library at time. The goal with this many songs (yes, many are crap) are to have a large database of songs for obscure requests, that's all.
Tropez 12:56 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
3 songs per decade rotation? You're DJing, not painting by numbers...

Go listen to a few of these sets soundcloud.com

for strong examples of outdoor open format party mixing. These guys have great technical skill but more importantly you can hear these guys know their music really well - you need to know lyrics, beats, intro/outro points and all that stuff if you really want to mix it up. Not realistic for you to learn 8k songs in a week, but consider scaling your crate down to around 500 and practice with those. No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.


Seems like a bad URL. Soundcloud says that user does not exist.
Tropez 12:58 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
Quote:
3 songs per decade rotation? You're DJing, not painting by numbers...

Go listen to a few of these sets soundcloud.com

for strong examples of outdoor open format party mixing. These guys have great technical skill but more importantly you can hear these guys know their music really well - you need to know lyrics, beats, intro/outro points and all that stuff if you really want to mix it up. Not realistic for you to learn 8k songs in a week, but consider scaling your crate down to around 500 and practice with those. No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.


Seems like a bad URL. Soundcloud says that user does not exist.



Nevermind, 5 minutes later it's working again. Sorry.
spinnyspin 6:37 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
Quote:
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Quote:
I remember back when DJs knew their whole library because their libraries were small.

I think the OPs best bet is to listen to and learn the music that's on his hard drive like Taipanic said.


Fixed

Quote:
No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.
That was my original point before 6 misquoted me….


Last year my library was not nearly as extensive so I was stressing trying to find requested songs while at the party, many of which weren't in my library at time. The goal with this many songs (yes, many are crap) are to have a large database of songs for obscure requests, that's all.


I get where you're coming from but the thing is you say you want to be a DJ, but you're talking like the guy who brings his iPod to a party and wants to be ready for any request the cute girl in a red dress makes.

If you want to evolve into an actual DJ, you need to come at it with a little more confidence in your selection skills. Asking other DJs for some ideas of songs to listen to so you can see whether you like them is a good idea.

Asking the party for requests starts to get questionable. I see how you feel like it's a safety net, but it also says I'm not confident enough in my own selections to put together a great night, and now you run the risk of being an iPod with 2 big jogwheels. Very hard to work your own style or vibe into the situation if you're playing the music of 20 other people, you know?

And if you say you've got crappy songs in your library, why would you ever play them? The only exception to playing crappy songs is when you're doing a party for a specific group of paying customers like a wedding or something -- then you play whatever the hell they want. Otherwise, gig like this, why do you want to force the crowd of people to listen to a song that you think is crappy just because one person requested it?

A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes. Hopefully this is enough, but if it isn't working, then a true DJ figures out how to adapt by transitioning really fast until he finds a vibe that hits. If you're doing a good job, most people are going to be having so much fun listening to the experience you're creating for them that they won't even want to leave the floor to make requests.
Mr. Goodkat 6:48 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
Don't think and plan so hard. DJ AM also did alot of hard drugs, which probably helped from an "all balls out"creativity standpoint.


when he was famous he was sober. dont blaspheme.
Tropez 8:07 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
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Quote:
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I remember back when DJs knew their whole library because their libraries were small.

I think the OPs best bet is to listen to and learn the music that's on his hard drive like Taipanic said.


Fixed

Quote:
No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.
That was my original point before 6 misquoted me….


Last year my library was not nearly as extensive so I was stressing trying to find requested songs while at the party, many of which weren't in my library at time. The goal with this many songs (yes, many are crap) are to have a large database of songs for obscure requests, that's all.


I get where you're coming from but the thing is you say you want to be a DJ, but you're talking like the guy who brings his iPod to a party and wants to be ready for any request the cute girl in a red dress makes.

If you want to evolve into an actual DJ, you need to come at it with a little more confidence in your selection skills. Asking other DJs for some ideas of songs to listen to so you can see whether you like them is a good idea.

Asking the party for requests starts to get questionable. I see how you feel like it's a safety net, but it also says I'm not confident enough in my own selections to put together a great night, and now you run the risk of being an iPod with 2 big jogwheels. Very hard to work your own style or vibe into the situation if you're playing the music of 20 other people, you know?

And if you say you've got crappy songs in your library, why would you ever play them? The only exception to playing crappy songs is when you're doing a party for a specific group of paying customers like a wedding or something -- then you play whatever the hell they want. Otherwise, gig like this, why do you want to force the crowd of people to listen to a song that you think is crappy just because one person requested it?

A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes. Hopefully this is enough, but if it isn't working, then a true DJ figures out how to adapt by transitioning really fast until he finds a vibe that hits. If you're doing a good job, most people are going to be having so much fun listening to the experience you're creating for them that they won't even want to leave the floor to make requests.



Well, I do have confidence, I just over-think these things.

I don't plan on asking the party for requests per say, but I would like to be able to play what they want to hear if it's appropriate and not have to scramble because my library is so piss poor (last year).

When I say crappy, I just means songs I may not every play. For instance, the Billboard hits from 1960 through 1969 is packed with stuff that I may not ever play, but I have just in-case needed. The same goes for many other years. Just because the book is in the library doesn't mean I have to check it out so to speak.

The definition of a "DJ" is pretty wide as is just about any label. My goal isn't to play what I want to hear and throw the middle finger to the party (if so It would be all EDM and Hip Hop) but I'm smart enough to know that there are many different ages groups who will be attending this event and not every group has the same musical tastes. I'm going try my my best to make sure everyone has a fun time, that's all.

Thanks for your feedback.
Mr. Goodkat 8:23 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes.


don't buy into this short sighted comment.
spinnyspin 10:32 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
Quote:
A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes.


don't buy into this short sighted comment.


Sure looks short sighted when you cut off the rest of the paragraph.
spinnyspin 10:59 PM - 27 September, 2014
Quote:
Quote:
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Quote:
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I remember back when DJs knew their whole library because their libraries were small.

I think the OPs best bet is to listen to and learn the music that's on his hard drive like Taipanic said.


Fixed

Quote:
No point in having 8k songs if you don't know when/how to drop them.
That was my original point before 6 misquoted me….


Last year my library was not nearly as extensive so I was stressing trying to find requested songs while at the party, many of which weren't in my library at time. The goal with this many songs (yes, many are crap) are to have a large database of songs for obscure requests, that's all.


I get where you're coming from but the thing is you say you want to be a DJ, but you're talking like the guy who brings his iPod to a party and wants to be ready for any request the cute girl in a red dress makes.

If you want to evolve into an actual DJ, you need to come at it with a little more confidence in your selection skills. Asking other DJs for some ideas of songs to listen to so you can see whether you like them is a good idea.

Asking the party for requests starts to get questionable. I see how you feel like it's a safety net, but it also says I'm not confident enough in my own selections to put together a great night, and now you run the risk of being an iPod with 2 big jogwheels. Very hard to work your own style or vibe into the situation if you're playing the music of 20 other people, you know?

And if you say you've got crappy songs in your library, why would you ever play them? The only exception to playing crappy songs is when you're doing a party for a specific group of paying customers like a wedding or something -- then you play whatever the hell they want. Otherwise, gig like this, why do you want to force the crowd of people to listen to a song that you think is crappy just because one person requested it?

A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes. Hopefully this is enough, but if it isn't working, then a true DJ figures out how to adapt by transitioning really fast until he finds a vibe that hits. If you're doing a good job, most people are going to be having so much fun listening to the experience you're creating for them that they won't even want to leave the floor to make requests.



Well, I do have confidence, I just over-think these things.

I don't plan on asking the party for requests per say, but I would like to be able to play what they want to hear if it's appropriate and not have to scramble because my library is so piss poor (last year).

When I say crappy, I just means songs I may not every play. For instance, the Billboard hits from 1960 through 1969 is packed with stuff that I may not ever play, but I have just in-case needed. The same goes for many other years. Just because the book is in the library doesn't mean I have to check it out so to speak.

The definition of a "DJ" is pretty wide as is just about any label. My goal isn't to play what I want to hear and throw the middle finger to the party (if so It would be all EDM and Hip Hop) but I'm smart enough to know that there are many different ages groups who will be attending this event and not every group has the same musical tastes. I'm going try my my best to make sure everyone has a fun time, that's all.

Thanks for your feedback.


It sounds like you are a little traumatized from the experiences you had last year of people coming up to you and asking you to play songs and you having to say you didn't have them, and so now your approach is "if I have every song at every BPM I cannot fail." Well you asked how to step up your game in your first post and it's not by building a huge library and taking requests... it's about knowing your music and giving people a good experience.

And again I'm not saying you shouldn't be diverse, respect a diverse crowd, give a middle finger to anyone. If that's what people are getting out of this, then you're not really understanding what I'm saying. In fact read back one of my posts in another thread and I say that your job as the DJ is to play songs that keep the crowd happy. Period.

What I'm saying is that your approach to giving people the experience they're looking for, especially at venues like this one, should be YOUR OWN APPROACH. Your selections should be YOUR OWN (not Billboard hits as picked by random people coming up to the booth.) Know your music like the back of your hand and play those songs when appropriate. You will be so much better off if you know 20 classic songs from the entire 1960-1970 decade really well then if you have every song from 1960-1970 but don't even know where to intro/outro.

If a song is something you wouldn't play unless someone asked you to, why do you feel like you need it (outside of a scenario where the person is really important and you need to keep THEM happy)?
 6 12:16 AM - 28 September, 2014
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Quote:
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A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes.


don't buy into this short sighted comment.


Sure looks short sighted when you cut off the rest of the paragraph.



Still looks wrong to me even with the entire paragraph.

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nm
 6 12:18 AM - 28 September, 2014
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If a song is something you wouldn't play unless someone asked you to, why do you feel like you need it (outside of a scenario where the person is really important and you need to keep THEM happy)?


It really depends on the gig. If you're a mobile DJ, you will have to play a ton of songs you won't like. That's just how it is.

Now, for an event where you aren't limited, by all means only bring what you thing the gig requires.

nm
 6 12:20 AM - 28 September, 2014
And btw, with technology the way it is now, I'm not keeping anything I don't like in my library. If I do a mobile gig and a paying customer asks for something I don't have in my library, I always play it off my phone.

nm
 6 12:20 AM - 28 September, 2014
And I don't mean it's on my phone either. I'm streaming it.

nm
spinnyspin 12:47 AM - 28 September, 2014
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And I don't mean it's on my phone either. I'm streaming it.

nm


Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes.


don't buy into this short sighted comment.


Sure looks short sighted when you cut off the rest of the paragraph.



Still looks wrong to me even with the entire paragraph.

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nm


What part of this do you disagree with.

(1) DJs should work to play music that they like and have selected in whatever situation they are in.
(2) There are certain situations where DJs cannot get away with #1.
(3) The best DJs are able to do #1 in a wide variety of situations and rarely have to go with #2 because they have good taste and know how to adapt.

That's what being a good DJ is. It's having good taste and the ability to work any room using your skills and ability to construct an experience that keeps people happy. People were dropping DJ AMs name earlier -- you think he didn't play what he wanted to play wherever he was?

Pushing yourself to get good enough to play music you like to any room isn't shortsighted, it's actually thinking long term, so I guess that's what's confusing people in here.
 6 5:14 AM - 28 September, 2014
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A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes. Hopefully this is enough, but if it isn't working, then a true DJ figures out how to adapt by transitioning really fast until he finds a vibe that hits. If you're doing a good job, most people are going to be having so much fun listening to the experience you're creating for them that they won't even want to leave the floor to make requests.


Considering that the above isn't what you originally wrote....

"A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes. Hopefully this is enough, but if it isn't working, then a true DJ figures out how to adapt by transitioning really fast until he finds a vibe that hits. If you're doing a good job, most people are going to be having so much fun listening to the experience you're creating for them that they won't even want to leave the floor to make requests."

nm
 6 5:15 AM - 28 September, 2014
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And I don't mean it's on my phone either. I'm streaming it.

nm


Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes.


don't buy into this short sighted comment.


Sure looks short sighted when you cut off the rest of the paragraph.



Still looks wrong to me even with the entire paragraph.

-------
nm


What part of this do you disagree with.

(1) DJs should work to play music that they like and have selected in whatever situation they are in.
(2) There are certain situations where DJs cannot get away with #1.
(3) The best DJs are able to do #1 in a wide variety of situations and rarely have to go with #2 because they have good taste and know how to adapt.

That's what being a good DJ is. It's having good taste and the ability to work any room using your skills and ability to construct an experience that keeps people happy. People were dropping DJ AMs name earlier -- you think he didn't play what he wanted to play wherever he was?

Pushing yourself to get good enough to play music you like to any room isn't shortsighted, it's actually thinking long term, so I guess that's what's confusing people in here.



Meant to quote this.

Considering that rhe above isn't what you originally wrote.

"A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes. Hopefully this is enough, but if it isn't working, then a true DJ figures out how to adapt by transitioning really fast until he finds a vibe that hits. If you're doing a good job, most people are going to be having so much fun listening to the experience you're creating for them that they won't even want to leave the floor to make requests"

nm
Mr. Goodkat 9:15 PM - 28 September, 2014
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DJ AMs name earlier -- you think he didn't play what he wanted to play wherever he was?


no

Quote:
A true DJ goes out there and plays what he likes


this and this are very different statements.


Quote:
(1) DJs should work to play music that they like and have selected in whatever situation they are in.


and of course djs should work to play music they like, thats pretty much a no brainer. However, if im playing in pop club, i play pop music of the lowest common denominator. I hate it, i would never play it, unless i had to hang with my 7 yr old niece. That being said, certain segments of the society like it and since trying to please the masses, it gets played.
I'm a firm believer that no music is bad however, since IMO music is personal taste relative to the listener.

if im doing a place that specializes or favors house/techno/disco/nu disco/90s hip hop/alt rock/bassline-garage/moombahton, of course i'm going to play what i like.
spinnyspin 11:37 PM - 28 September, 2014
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this and this are very different statements.


They're not but I'm not about to waste my time trying to explain that over the internet, lol. If you're happy with your gigs and the music you're playing, great, that's what it's all about. I personally don't believe in playing to the lowest common denominator unless it is absolutely necessary (aka private parties). I find most people hire me because I don't do that, actually.
Mr. Goodkat 11:42 PM - 28 September, 2014
well he posted it was a private party.
spinnyspin 11:47 PM - 28 September, 2014
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party at the American Royal of BBQ and is a big get together held outdoors


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I know the crowd is going to be a wide range of folks. I would guess from past parties the range will be mostly 30 years through 60 years old


doesn't sound like the kind of private party to me but ok!
Mr. Goodkat 11:49 PM - 28 September, 2014
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party at the American Royal of BBQ and is a big get together held outdoors


Quote:
I know the crowd is going to be a wide range of folks. I would guess from past parties the range will be mostly 30 years through 60 years old


doesn't sound like the kind of private party to me but ok!


splitting hairs much?
spinnyspin 11:51 PM - 28 September, 2014
pot meet kettle much?
Mr. Goodkat 11:54 PM - 28 September, 2014
last word?
spinnyspin 11:55 PM - 28 September, 2014
Quote:
And btw, with technology the way it is now, I'm not keeping anything I don't like in my library. If I do a mobile gig and a paying customer asks for something I don't have in my library, I always play it off my phone.

nm


I hope you don't do this in public... you're actually subconsciously devaluing your services to customers if they see you doing something that they can do (why should I pay him to plug an iPhone into a soundsystem, I can do that.) Gotta keep the mirrors up. This is why I switched to DVS -- more impressive to most folks vs. a controller even though they do roughly the same thing.
spinnyspin 11:56 PM - 28 September, 2014
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last word?


Lol didn't even occur to me but it appears it is important to you. Go ahead and respond to this and I promise I will not respond back. Not trying to deny you of your internet pleasures lol
Mr. Goodkat 12:02 AM - 29 September, 2014
most likely hes saying, thats his way of not playing things he doesn't want too or is requested to ahead of time.

again, at private parties most people aren't going to be as stringent as people would be in a club, and there are a variety of transitions to get in and out of songs.

Controllers and even playing off the computer doesnt carry the same stigma they did 5 years ago. Many people do like to see turntables or cd players but many don't care either way, since half the time you aren't displayed in a way to see your set up.

Ive done private/corporate gigs for 15 years plus.
 6 1:21 AM - 29 September, 2014
Yummy popcorn

nm
DJ Val-BKNY11203 2:41 AM - 29 September, 2014
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Yummy popcorn

nm


Extra Butter please
d:raf 11:35 PM - 29 September, 2014
It seems that some DJs think that everybody else criticizes all DJs like -they- criticize a DJ... but they don't. In fact some DJs don't even criticize other DJs in the same way as other DJs criticize other DJs.

For example:

"This dude is playing all this obscure shit; I can do better and get them dancing with these club bangers!"

vs.

"This dude is playing nothing but club bangers! I can raise the bar and educate the crowd with these underground gems!"

At least the back 'n forth is amusing.

Watchwww.youtube.com
Tropez 12:42 AM - 30 September, 2014
Cameo, that's my jam!