Anyone with the ability (and financial status) can "sign on the dotted line", and add more and more speakers, and amps and lighting and effects... but what about that "Central controller", that bit in the middle that holds it all together, that clever bit that doesnt actually have to plug-in to the wall socket (but occasionally does.. )

....You...The DJ....the person (whoops! almost said "guy") standing in front of all those people... whats in "DJ version 6.2" that you want to add to your current version?.

More plainly...what is it that you think about as your packing up at the end of a 90% successful gig that you think would have enabled YOU to have boosted that percentage?

For me?...I often find that often dont leave enough time for "enough" slowies near the end...sometimes couples are forced to resort to trying to smootch to "New York, New York" as all about them are doing the high-kicking-whilst-standing-in-a-circle-or-line dance...).

I've thought about this "lack of time for slowies" alot and I put it down to me continuing the "party" tracks for tooooo long, or possibly starting the party tracks a little too late on, in terms of time, but obviously the "right" time, as far as reading the audience goes. The only way that I've managed to counter-act it so far, is to have a mid-disco smootchie section at say 10:45 til 11:00 (3 or 4 songs)...this gives the romantics a chance to do the "turn around slowly with your eyes shut dance", me a chance to progress/play 3 or 4 slowie requests, and the Duracell dancers to give their pacemakers a rest before the final build up and party tracks...

This thread should work two ways (shouldnt they all?) firstly, to air your own thoughts about situations that you'd rather not find yourself in, and also to give advice on anyone elses situation, if you've found a good way around their area of concern.

I always play 2 or 3 slowies (depending on the crowd), then New York, New York or Happiness or something like that.

If I have a poor gig with not too many people I try and play a couple of slowies around 10.40pm and say that this record is for all the people who have to leave early because of babysitters, this works two-fold, firstly, people who may not be there at 12 or 1 can have a smoothie, but people that don't really want to be there can use it as an excuse to go, thus making the place look a little less full and sometimes the organiser then tells me to finish it early as everyone seems to have had enough

I think if I could improve myself it would have to be with the confidence side. A typical example was last night, after the B&G had had their dance I got a few people up and it stayed like that for a good 20 minutes or so and then they went and sat down. Thus leaving me with an empty floor, and okay, I know you expect this sort of thing in our job but I could'nt seem to get them back up again. I played an assortment of classic dance tracks ie ABBA, Billy Ocean all that kind of stuff but to no avail. I then got a request for some more recent music, Pretty Green Eyes I think it was, which I played, still nothing. At this point I tend to question my ability, bearing in mind I've been DJing for over 25 years, I find it a bit of a cop out to say it's the crowd. Anyway I struggled on for another ten minutes until this lady came up and handed me a piece of card with a list of songs on. She stood there while I looked down the list and then said " Do you know where I'm coming from now??" to which I replied in a polite voice ( like you do!!) yes no problem I will play them straight away for you. So first request goes on it's Barry White- My First My Last, people start getting up and in a matter of seconds I 've got a full floor. As I continue down the list everyone is a success. So in answer to Gary's question, I wish I had more confidence when things don't go according to plan, I've got to convince myself without being bigheaded, that Hey! I'm the DJ and with my knowledge and experience I can provide you some great entertainment!

bloomin slowies! I dont have a set time for when I play/if I play them - it depends on many factors.... If its a wedding, once Ive done the B&Gs first, then I will do one or two follow up slowies - and thats that! Or, if its a duffers do, I chuck them in sporadically during the evening... duffers just aint got the stamina! Sometimes I use the buffet as my opportunity to get them out of the way.... I always mention that instead of queueing for the buffet table, those who fancy a smoochie can do it now etc.

Loz - I wouldnt worry about having a lull on the floor either.... I am willing to bet that the person who bought you the list probably had stuff on their that you would have played anyway... a wedding without Barry White Remember, we are only humble djs - not psychics - so if we have tried a mixture of music, asked for requests with none forthcoming - dont question yourself... its the miserable buggers who just WONT dance without an alcoholic crutch!

Hi

I always play a couple of smoochies at the end before the last track, just to let folks know that I'm gonna be outa there very soon.

As far as keeping the dance floor busy. I always, or nearly always make a point of saying something like

"This is your night, we're all here to have a great time, so if you've got any requests and I play them and you don't dance and enjoy yourself, it at least half your falt cuase I intend to have a blast."

Not exactly what I'd say, but ya get the idea.

Darren

i dont think there is a single dj on here who hasn't questioned their abilities at some point in the last 12 months. we all get the bad gigs. just keep smiling, and for me, talking to the crowd.

the tag line i use for my disco's say's it all " YOUR NIGHT, YOUR MUSIC"

here's a great line that always gets a giggle from the crowd... "this is like working on (insert local radio station name), nobodies listening"

good one tonyj! My key words are energy, enthusiasm and verstility... as long as you work to these then even if its a bad gig then its not you who should be questioning your capabilities as a dj.... Dont let a crowd beat you! As long as you know you have tried your very best then dont be put on a downer... never give up! Some crowds just aint gonna dance.... no matter what you do.... but that should not be a reason to question yourself as long as you have done the best you can.

The way I approach the slowies at weddings are as follows:

Invite bride and groom to dance floor for first dance as Mr and Mrs
About a minute or so into the song invite the bestman and bridesmaids up
then invite any else who wants to dance with them towards the end of the song, if things are going well I sometimes drop another slowie.

I find this works very well and after the song try to keep the party going because everyone is already where you want them on the dancefoor !.

One piece of advice that has never let me down is play to the ladies and girlies if you get them up then the blokes are going to follow either of their own accord or by force !

I think my main problem is lack of patience with anything and anybody, I tend to voice my thoughts without being subtle and sometimes with regard to peoples feelings honesty isn't always the best policy! .

Similar to Kev, I have a very quick temper, but over the years i've managed to kurb this and keep it under control, so I can remain professional when dealing with awkward clients or those who have had a little too much to drink, but it still winds me up, and for me, personally, an otherwise successful night could be marred by the stupidity of one person.

10 years ago, I used to take those bad nights personally, so I can identify with those just starting out who may feel defeated just because the audience wouldn't get up onto the dancefloor. Yes, the music you are playing would be the first thing to question and consider changing it for another era, but at the end of the night, if you can truely say that you tried all types of music and given it 100% then nobody including yourself has the right to criticise your preformance

ummmm *pauses for half an hour*

For me it has to be the beginning of the night (the first 20-30 mins) cos I dont like,not knowing what to play-lol (got a feeling I'll need sum more of these )

I mean setting up, it's ready to go, and ....what should I play, uuummmmm more ummmmm then ummmmm, , ummmm new stuff or start with other decades.

This is seriously what it's like-lolol, but after 10-15 mins, I start a plan as by then I have times for food, announcements etc... then start from there!!!


arrrr finished

hey loz

just like everyone else is saying. dont blame your self for the bad night.

sometimes the crowd just dont want to dance. and they can still enjoy the music.

do you play out on regular occassions.if not sometimes it good to be on the other side of the fence and go out to say a pub where they play music and see what gets the crowd going. cause for me sometimes you forget about certain songs and almost get into a fix routine. i find that the crowd sometimes like to hear the odd classic which hasnt been overplayed and forgotten about. but at the end of the day-- DONT BLAME YOURSELF!!

for me an are i would like to improve would be my mike skills. i have been working on it for the past year and found that by cracking the odd jokes brings you the dj and the crowd together.

[QUOTE]For me it has to be the beginning of the night (the first 20-30 mins) cos I dont like,not knowing what to play-lol (got a feeling I'll need sum more of these )

This one I can really identify with
But the tip about Kids first, oldies second and on we go seems like a recipe for success (can't wait to try it)

The other thing I guess I'd love to purchase is a big lump of experience
OK I guess I'll just have to keep getting that as I go

Great topic!


Vinnie

Reading an Audience and "running" a dancefloor is something that can only come from experience and this is one of the main reasons that I urge everyone who is just starting out, or considering starting up, to gain some experience from helping and watching an experienced D.J working, before taking the plunge.

Audiences can be so fickle, some are eating out of your hand, others are stubborn and sit there warming their drinks whilst watching you as if it was the stage at the London Palladium .

It's not possible to always get it right, even for an experienced D.J but there are so many other factors to consider. For instance you have had a full dancefloor and change the track to a different era...The first track you play has had a negative effect on your dancefloor, do you:-

(1) Cut / mix the track out immediately or at a convenient point?

(2) See the track through to the bitter end!

Also Would you:-

(1) have a 2nd attempt and play a 2nd, but more popular track from the same era and see what happens

(2) Leap into panic mode and switch back to the same stuff as you were playing before the change?

(3) Casually pretend nothing has happened, but move onto yet another era?

EVERYBODY here bar NO-ONE has at one stage questioned thier own ability when things are not good too good, many of the experienced DJ's like myself, both Chris, Gary and Karen have 'bankers' like Barry White, ABBA, Shania etc and even sometimes those don't work, generally if one of my bankers flop then I know it's going to be a long night.

And i certainly agree with that one but thankfully during a year those nights are few and far between.I find the more i worry the more i lose concentration so its just keep up the momentum ,play varied and if the dont wanna join in then its their loss

persistance pays! I can remember all those years ago when I was so unsure about when/how/what and to put it bluntly, I must have been crap! With experience comes confidence. My mic tecnique was rubbish at the beginning! One tip for those of you who want to improve it to "talk" to either the person who is standing at the back of the room, or the exit sign (which ever is farthest from you). Always smile when you speak and dont put on a voice.. be natural. Try simple things at first.... the more you hold that mic the more it becomes a part of you! I remember also announcing taxi's for various people who were total figments of my imagination... and doing the old "that was that and this is this" between tunes.... . Many djs see the mic as a tool or torture to begin with.. but it is gonna become your bestest mate after a while.. believe me!

I can't believe after writing my last post I do a FREE disco for my mother and father in law as they renewed their wedding vows and they complained about the music!!!!!!!! I started playing at 6.30pm and finished at 11.30pm I had requests slips on all the tables, a message board saying " If Your Not Happy With The Music Then Come And See Us" but people still sat there and moaned. The crowd were mainly middle aged so I kept in the 60's and 70's like you do, but there were some youngs ones too so you've got to play a mixture of music. I know as said before you can't please evrybody, but I'm seriously thinking of training up to be a physic! So there's another thing I could change, also I would love to get across to people how difficult it is playing music. So many times have I heard " All you do is stand there and play cds all night". oooooooh!!!!! I could go on forever about how I would change things!!

A manager of a hotel once told me all I did was press buttons, so I said he could do the night then and I would watch and see how bad he was, after 45 minutes he was sweating and panicing and didn't know what to play, and hadn't said a single word, he that handed back to me for some relief, I played Shania Twain - Man, I Feel Like A Woman, said a few words and 80% of the people got up, I looked at him and told him that's what your paying for, What ? he replied............Experience.

Blimey! Im stunned that he lasted 45 minutes! Most people couldnt string together half a dozen tunes without going into a blind panic!

Have on several occasions got people who thought they could do better behind the decks,longest performance so far is 3 tracks,no mixing ,no mic use and a thin dancefloor