I'm thinking of starting up a mobile disco (a) because it's something I've always fancied but I was too poor/insecure/nerdy as a teenager and chose a sensible job instead (b) because I'm probably going through a mid-life crisis and I'd like to channel it into something that doesn’t involve breaking major bones and isn't going to infect me with an incurable disease (I know, I know, still too cautious after all these years) © I love disco dancing (even though my wife says I dance like a woman) and (d) I have this crazy notion that my job-for-life might not be a job for life and having an alternative skill that involves earning reasonable money might not be such a bad thing.
Before I actually go out and spend £2000-£3000 on something that could end up as an ornament in my garage I'd like to find out my chances of success. Most of the wise old men and women of the deejaying world seem to recommend serving a two-year apprenticeship, which would put me about 23 months closer to my pension than I care to consider.
I see my main market as parties for older people e.g weddings, anniversaries, birthdays 40th, 50th (60th, 70th 80th?) etc but I don’t want to restrict myself too much (I’m as big a fan of Happy Hardcore as the next man). I’ve spent the last month researching my cunning plan and I now know loads of facts about audio equipment, lighting, sources of music and so on, but I still have too many questions to list in a single post. The major ones are these: (a) Can anyone give me some advice about what to do next? (b) How can I get some hands-on practice of the craft of deejaying? © Is there anyone out there who would be prepared to let me come along to some of their gigs and sit in awe at the feet of the master (well, not just sit – I want to carry equipment, set things up, plug stuff in and maybe eventually twiddle some knobs and work the crowd)? I live just south of Preston and I would be prepared to drive up to an hour to get to a gig. (d) How long would I need to do that for? (e) Am I too late to start up on my own, begin local advertising and catch this year’s Christmas/New Year market?
Full Version: The oldest swinger in town?
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Hey Welcome to the "i'm over the hill club", no seriously welcome to DJU, if your age is correct, you are - as a Mobile D.J at least, not considered to be past it, or even close 
. The Spindoctor (Tony), Mikeee (Mike Moore) and DJ Trev are all, shall we say, older than you 
and still doing very nicely out of it!.
The common theme, and one I still subscribe to, is that it is useful and a must, to spend some time with a working D.J. there is slightly more to it than playing music and flashing lights, and reading an audience and dancefloor is a skill taught by watching another professional D.J rather than reading about it!. 2 Years is perhaps a little far fetched, my own trainees currently help for around 3 - 6 months before touching a Mic, and around 12 - 18 months before they go out on their own. Although of course like anything else it also depends on the individual!, some people pick it up within a week, other times it takes a bit longer and it isn't a race!, better to do this line of work properly or not at all - especially in the case of a Wedding, where a D.J may make a break an otherwise perfect day!.
The initial outlay for gear is a lot of expense (hence another good point to the statement above - basically making sure that D.J'ing is right for you and you are right for D.J'ing!). If you are serious about starting up, then I'm happy to give you a quote for a start up package which will kit you out for less than £2000 and still give you a lot of flexibility.
Everybody wants to rush to start out for the (Sometimes) lucrative Christmas bookings, but don't rush into anything that you may not have thought through!, there will always be next Christmas...and the next etc, far more important to gain a little experience first, than rush out and risk a bad reputation purely through inexperience.
If you know the age group, and era's you wish to entertain, then that is of course an advantage. Sometimes you may increase business by finding a niche market for your disco, sometimes you may find that you are losing business by turning down pub work, Weddings, 18ths etc, again this requires a little market research (cue yellow pages theme!) and a little promotion. Often the simplest ideas are the best, it just takes a little effort.
If your still determined to go for it this Xmas, then no you haven't left it too late to start, although it may take a lot of rushing around to get yourself into the market, and you will need to do some fast thinking when that question comes up:- " How much experience do you have?".
This forum is a good place to read and gain experience on music formats, presentation, advertising, choosing gear etc, but nothing beats learning from another D.J and helping at a few gigs is better than spending a lot of money and finding that its not for you.
. The Spindoctor (Tony), Mikeee (Mike Moore) and DJ Trev are all, shall we say, older than you and still doing very nicely out of it!.The common theme, and one I still subscribe to, is that it is useful and a must, to spend some time with a working D.J. there is slightly more to it than playing music and flashing lights, and reading an audience and dancefloor is a skill taught by watching another professional D.J rather than reading about it!. 2 Years is perhaps a little far fetched, my own trainees currently help for around 3 - 6 months before touching a Mic, and around 12 - 18 months before they go out on their own. Although of course like anything else it also depends on the individual!, some people pick it up within a week, other times it takes a bit longer and it isn't a race!, better to do this line of work properly or not at all - especially in the case of a Wedding, where a D.J may make a break an otherwise perfect day!.
The initial outlay for gear is a lot of expense (hence another good point to the statement above - basically making sure that D.J'ing is right for you and you are right for D.J'ing!). If you are serious about starting up, then I'm happy to give you a quote for a start up package which will kit you out for less than £2000 and still give you a lot of flexibility.
Everybody wants to rush to start out for the (Sometimes) lucrative Christmas bookings, but don't rush into anything that you may not have thought through!, there will always be next Christmas...and the next etc, far more important to gain a little experience first, than rush out and risk a bad reputation purely through inexperience.
If you know the age group, and era's you wish to entertain, then that is of course an advantage. Sometimes you may increase business by finding a niche market for your disco, sometimes you may find that you are losing business by turning down pub work, Weddings, 18ths etc, again this requires a little market research (cue yellow pages theme!) and a little promotion. Often the simplest ideas are the best, it just takes a little effort.
If your still determined to go for it this Xmas, then no you haven't left it too late to start, although it may take a lot of rushing around to get yourself into the market, and you will need to do some fast thinking when that question comes up:- " How much experience do you have?".
This forum is a good place to read and gain experience on music formats, presentation, advertising, choosing gear etc, but nothing beats learning from another D.J and helping at a few gigs is better than spending a lot of money and finding that its not for you.
Well hello and welcome i can't really add to chris's great advice except to ask what area you live so we can maybe hook you up with some experiance.
i can't really add to chris's great advice except to ask what area you live so we can maybe hook you up with some experiance.
| QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Nov 4 2003, 12:54 AM) |
| The Spindoctor (Tony), Mikeee (Mike Moore) and DJ Trev are all, shall we say, older than you and still doing very nicely out of it!. |
I thought these guys were 21 yrs old?!
(Discodirect accepts all major sizes of Christmas Cards - please post tomorrow to avoid the next postal strike)
Ah, good, another old fart.
you've come to the right place to learn about "everything you wanted to know about...sex eh! DJing"
you've come to the right place to learn about "everything you wanted to know about...sex eh! DJing"
there is tons of info on here that will give you a look at the good and bad points of dj-ing - and believe me, you can break a bone in this business! Before you invest in gear, I would seriously consider hiring - ask your friends if they would be happy to let you dj there party - say you dont want paying, but they can foot the hire bill!
Where are you from - if you want to come out with me I wouldnt have a problem! As long as you are prepared to roadie I am prepared to teach!
Where are you from - if you want to come out with me I wouldnt have a problem! As long as you are prepared to roadie I am prepared to teach!
Oh and I forgot to say that age-wise - Karen is catching up with you fast!.
Karen, can I come and Roadie for you?? and have access to those large crates of smarties that Paula speaks so highly of?
Karen, can I come and Roadie for you?? and have access to those large crates of smarties that Paula speaks so highly of?
anytime honey! Given that loads of people pay their roadies peanuts I thought I would be different and pay in smarties!!
Chrispy!
Karen takes the roadie post to the extreme, not only did I have to fully unload her gear and assemble it all,
She also wanted to be carryied from the car
and due to the fact that I had to do such task's I have eaten all the smarties,
I hear that for you she's going to buy monkey nuts
Karen takes the roadie post to the extreme, not only did I have to fully unload her gear and assemble it all,
She also wanted to be carryied from the car
and due to the fact that I had to do such task's I have eaten all the smarties,I hear that for you she's going to buy monkey nuts
| QUOTE |
| She also wanted to be carryied from the car |
Hang on a minute, there is only SO much weight one bloke can lift
From one 'rave from the grave', good luck. Take the plunge have a go.
You may in another 5 years time wish that you had made that move.
There's plenty of space out there for you.
I know there's lot on the forum but read as much as you can, especially the pinned notices. There's lots of tips and hints from the dj guru's.
Spinko
You may in another 5 years time wish that you had made that move.
There's plenty of space out there for you.
I know there's lot on the forum but read as much as you can, especially the pinned notices. There's lots of tips and hints from the dj guru's.
Spinko
...yeah... dont live your life on "wish I had".... Just do it before you really are too old !
Crispy - weight - sssssh.... my diet is still on and for the remark think I may have to make it four stone so you will have to dig deeper in that clamped up pocket of yours!
Crispy - weight - sssssh.... my diet is still on and for the remark think I may have to make it four stone so you will have to dig deeper in that clamped up pocket of yours!
I AM FROM THE SAME AREA, SO PM ME AND WE MAY BE ABLE TO ORGANISE A MEETING
Welcome DJLJ,from one of the old farts on this forum.
Go for it if you can but be prepared for a few highs and if my experience is anything to go by a lot of lows.
I would definately try to get out with an experienced jock first (even while you are getting your set up together).
I didn't when I started many years ago and I found it hard going,so I go out now when I am not working and watch the other guys work.
Good luck
Go for it if you can but be prepared for a few highs and if my experience is anything to go by a lot of lows.
I would definately try to get out with an experienced jock first (even while you are getting your set up together).
I didn't when I started many years ago and I found it hard going,so I go out now when I am not working and watch the other guys work.
Good luck
Welcome DJLJ to the forum....Chris and others give some great pointers as usual...
Yes watching a working dj at work is a great way to learn how to read an audience etc....
When I started out over 25 years ago in the DJ business, I watched and listened to alot of good people, in fact I still do! In this business you never stop learning!
another good tip is to also go out and see some covers bands you know the bands who play the kind of gigs you are looking for......(take a notebook!)
Many of these covers bands also do a night gig after the wedding or function they are doing....
get to know these people, They could pass work onto you, but they are not going to do that until you are well established after all recommendations is how you get work....
And I get alot of work through recommendation!
also watch how they read the crowd, and incorporate stuff like party games and requests etc
Also Mastermix and DMC have some perfect comps for Weddings and Functions etc...
The sets I have have paid for themselves over the years!
And most of all....have fun:)
on the subject of advertising.....the one that works for me and pays for itself every year....
The box ad in Yellow Pages, under Mobile discos.......
Also get to know people in your local small CD shop, many people when they are looking for a DJ for a wedding or function ask there:)
Yes watching a working dj at work is a great way to learn how to read an audience etc....
When I started out over 25 years ago in the DJ business, I watched and listened to alot of good people, in fact I still do! In this business you never stop learning!
another good tip is to also go out and see some covers bands you know the bands who play the kind of gigs you are looking for......(take a notebook!)
Many of these covers bands also do a night gig after the wedding or function they are doing....
get to know these people, They could pass work onto you, but they are not going to do that until you are well established after all recommendations is how you get work....
And I get alot of work through recommendation!
also watch how they read the crowd, and incorporate stuff like party games and requests etc
Also Mastermix and DMC have some perfect comps for Weddings and Functions etc...
The sets I have have paid for themselves over the years!
And most of all....have fun:)
on the subject of advertising.....the one that works for me and pays for itself every year....
The box ad in Yellow Pages, under Mobile discos.......
Also get to know people in your local small CD shop, many people when they are looking for a DJ for a wedding or function ask there:)
Hey DJ
Theres Only one thing I suggest. Get to work with a DJ part time, learn up the equipmnt and how it goes and remember the Songs for the occassion coz every occassion has its own songs. and to learn all dis join a DJ as a Roadie and observe!
Take care
DJ NAMMU
P.S.: You might do a lot of Buttering
up for Chris and Paula coz they are the two people who can really guide you and of course we all are there as well! 
Theres Only one thing I suggest. Get to work with a DJ part time, learn up the equipmnt and how it goes and remember the Songs for the occassion coz every occassion has its own songs. and to learn all dis join a DJ as a Roadie and observe!
Take care
DJ NAMMU P.S.: You might do a lot of Buttering
up for Chris and Paula coz they are the two people who can really guide you and of course we all are there as well!
| QUOTE |
| P.S.: You might do a lot of Buttering up for Chris and Paula coz they are the two people who can really guide you and of course we all are there as well! |
Yikes where did that come from 
Hi DjLj
Please dont confuse me as being one of the old farts Who was it who's birthday age came up as 99.....hmmmnnn Pettteeeeeee
Hi Paula
Not been feling my self for ages
Not been feling my self for ages
it does my head in we offer help and he cant even be bothered to reply 
| QUOTE |
| You might do a lot of Buttering up for Chris and Paula coz they are the two people who can really guide you |
I appreciate the compliment but there are plenty of people who are able to guide you. It's just that there is only a small minority who can be bothered to reply!
.| QUOTE |
| it does my head in we offer help and he cant even be bothered to reply |
Well, people come and go Kev, and change their mind all the time!, maybe he's found out that Zimmer Frame Hurdles, Dominoes, or Ballet Dancing is more in his line
. I agree that it is the height of bad manners not to reply to advice given and at his age he should know better! Don't forget that this is a forum after all, and the advice given is available for all to read, so just because one person doesn't reply, it doesn't mean that the advice is wasted - it may have already helped one, or several other people!.The only time that they realise that they should have acknowledged the advice, is when they post another question, and wonder why they get zero replies!
Hey.....Hey....Hey.....
Thats a bit harsh! I noticed he was in last night reading the forum, probaly overloaded on so much info that was unable to post
Give it time....some people jump straight in others will go off in read on everything else and then post on what there not sure on, or who knows could be in conflabb with Whiskey
Thats a bit harsh! I noticed he was in last night reading the forum, probaly overloaded on so much info that was unable to post
Give it time....some people jump straight in others will go off in read on everything else and then post on what there not sure on, or who knows could be in conflabb with Whiskey
Maybe i'm just old fashioned, but I tend to utter the word "thanks" for the most mundane of things from Paying for Diesel to being served in the chippy it takes seconds.
I can see Kev's point tho' - when you've spent ages typing in a reply to help somebody, it would be nice to know that it had been read by the intended recipient or not. Other than posting a simple "Thanks for the info" statement, there is no other way of knowing!.
I can see Kev's point tho' - when you've spent ages typing in a reply to help somebody, it would be nice to know that it had been read by the intended recipient or not. Other than posting a simple "Thanks for the info" statement, there is no other way of knowing!.
Thank you to everyone who replied to my request for help and please accept my apologies for not replying more promptly 
. I wasn’t sure whether protocol demanded that I should personally thank each respondent individually as soon as they posted or whether it was ok to wait a few days before posting my thanks.
. I wasn’t sure whether protocol demanded that I should personally thank each respondent individually as soon as they posted or whether it was ok to wait a few days before posting my thanks.
Hi its not that protocol demands you to respond to every post with a thankyou but a few people did offer help and ask where your from so we could help you.
That was all i understand people get busy but we do our best to help eveybody and some times it gets a little frustrating. but im glad your back and the offer of comming out as a roadie if you live anywere near hampshire.
That was all i understand people get busy but we do our best to help eveybody and some times it gets a little frustrating. but im glad your back and the offer of comming out as a roadie if you live anywere near hampshire.
| QUOTE |
| what area you live so we can maybe hook you up with some experiance. |
| QUOTE |
| Where are you from - if you want to come out with me I wouldnt have a problem! As long as you are prepared to roadie I am prepared to teach! |
| QUOTE |
| I AM FROM THE SAME AREA, SO PM ME AND WE MAY BE ABLE TO ORGANISE A MEETING |
Thanks for your kind words DJ Kray. In my original post I said that
| QUOTE |
| I live just south of Preston and I would be prepared to drive up to an hour to get to a gig |
I've just checked my AA road atlas and discovered that there are 17 Prestons! I arrogantly assumed that everyone would know I meant Preston, Lancashire. My knowledge of geography isn’t that great but, unfortunately, I think Hampshire is further than I would practicably be able to travel in an evening. On the other hand if you have any contacts up here in t’North (it isn’t as grim as they make out) then I’d welcome some details . . . and I promise to respond promptly! Incidently, you might be interested to know that I did reply immediately with a pm to Whiskey-in-a-vase’s offer and we are now in correspondence.
| QUOTE |
| I wasn’t sure whether protocol demanded that I should personally thank each respondent individually |
Aha - Sarcasm!, the makings of a good D.J already. Sometimes the irony is lost on some audiences though!
.As Kev as already said, there is no protocol on here, however it often does take a little more effort and time to reply to a question than to post it
.Perhaps i'm being blunt, But we have lost the support of a lot of very good and professional people from here over the past few months, who reached the conclusion that they were wasting their time sharing their experiences and trying to help and advise people to start out in the correct way, it seemed that most visitors got the answer to their single, one line question and never came back, even to acknowledge the help offered
. There are very few of these "regulars" left around here, who do give well thought out and constructive replies, and give their support - so I just like to make the point clear in order to stop the place rapidly becoming a ghost town.
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