Full Version: What makes a DJ... a good DJ?
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What makes a DJ... a good DJ?
The good DJ's mother and father during a passionate moment usually 
In my book (and in my book is often open to belittlement on this forum) a good mobile/function DJ must be versatile and adaptable, able to build relationships with and relate to their audience and to be sensitive to their needs, patient and resilient, quick thinking, enthusiastic, a businessman and to have a strong knowledge of and feel for many, many types of music.
But what would I know???
Ask Ian Stewart... he's 'probably the greatest party DJ on the planet'
In my book (and in my book is often open to belittlement on this forum) a good mobile/function DJ must be versatile and adaptable, able to build relationships with and relate to their audience and to be sensitive to their needs, patient and resilient, quick thinking, enthusiastic, a businessman and to have a strong knowledge of and feel for many, many types of music.
But what would I know???
Ask Ian Stewart... he's 'probably the greatest party DJ on the planet'
Eh 
Do I detect some hostillity here?
Or has moog been chewing his lead again?
Do I detect some hostillity here?Or has moog been chewing his lead again?
| QUOTE |
| (and in my book is often open to belittlement on this forum) |
Behave, otherwise i'll set Paula on you 
A Full Diary
Not hostility in the slightest..... was a little bit drunk last night and felt ever so slightly playful. Moogs often are playful and they don't take the DJ thing too seriously out of work hours! But Ian's hit the nail on the head on what makes a good DJ..... A Full Diary! My plumber got a very full diary, especially round this time of year - He's 'probably the greatest plumber on the planet'.
What makes a good D.J??...
(1) Listen to your audience and not your parents and friends, the majority of the feedback from strangers is a true unbiased opinion of your skills.
(2) Listen to advice from other D.J's, they may have been in business longer than you, and currently be more successful. Advice from those in the industry is very rare nowadays so listen carefully when its given.
(3) Don't think of top equipment and glitzy lights as a priority. Having the music collection and desire to entertain all ages is much more important. Most D.J's here started off with very little in the way of Sound & Lighting and still built a business from it!.
(4) The (sober) customer is always right
(5) Don't under price your skills and don't work for nothing - unless its the odd charity function.
(6) Don't underestimate your existing skills or belittle yourself. If you don't have confidence in your ability then how the hell do you expect to convince your clients?. Equally there is a fine line between confidence and being bigheaded, don't overstep the mark. D.J's who think they are gods gift or ego driven are usually making up for poor customer feedback.
(7) Play to your audience, even if it means torturing yourself with music that you'd never listen to yourself - by choice. Use a microphone at Mobile Functions and involve your audience - thats the only thing that makes you a D.J and not just an expensive hired jukebox
(8) Tailor the requirements to that of your client. A happy customer will recommend you to 5 friends, an unhappy one will complain bitterly about you to at least 20 friends!.
(9) Don't expect to become famous or to get respect.
(10) Don't worry about making mistakes, we all do from time to time and it makes you more human. After all, the PC has not replaced the DJ in personality......yet.
(11) Spend time reading the many posts from DJ's here on DJ's United
(12) You are never too old or young to learn and be successful
(1) Listen to your audience and not your parents and friends, the majority of the feedback from strangers is a true unbiased opinion of your skills.
(2) Listen to advice from other D.J's, they may have been in business longer than you, and currently be more successful. Advice from those in the industry is very rare nowadays so listen carefully when its given.
(3) Don't think of top equipment and glitzy lights as a priority. Having the music collection and desire to entertain all ages is much more important. Most D.J's here started off with very little in the way of Sound & Lighting and still built a business from it!.
(4) The (sober) customer is always right
(5) Don't under price your skills and don't work for nothing - unless its the odd charity function.
(6) Don't underestimate your existing skills or belittle yourself. If you don't have confidence in your ability then how the hell do you expect to convince your clients?. Equally there is a fine line between confidence and being bigheaded, don't overstep the mark. D.J's who think they are gods gift or ego driven are usually making up for poor customer feedback.
(7) Play to your audience, even if it means torturing yourself with music that you'd never listen to yourself - by choice. Use a microphone at Mobile Functions and involve your audience - thats the only thing that makes you a D.J and not just an expensive hired jukebox
(8) Tailor the requirements to that of your client. A happy customer will recommend you to 5 friends, an unhappy one will complain bitterly about you to at least 20 friends!.
(9) Don't expect to become famous or to get respect.
(10) Don't worry about making mistakes, we all do from time to time and it makes you more human. After all, the PC has not replaced the DJ in personality......yet.
(11) Spend time reading the many posts from DJ's here on DJ's United
(12) You are never too old or young to learn and be successful
nicely put Chris. totally agree with what you have said........
just be yourself and talk to the auidence.... and be prepared to laugh at yourself
just be yourself and talk to the auidence.... and be prepared to laugh at yourself
| QUOTE (tonyj @ Dec 28 2003, 04:20 PM) |
| and be prepared to laugh at yourself |
Very important point there Tony.... when you objectively look at what we do, it's a ridiculous profession really
I just mentally take the Mick out of myself and never take myself seriously when I'm working (i take the quality of the delivered work seriously though). It's possibly the only reason why I too have a full'ish' diary. Chris... fully agree on all points there - especially the mistakes bit
Experience
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| (12) You are never too old or young to learn and be successful |
I'm glad you said that Chris. You were thinking of me when you said young
. Weren't you?
A good dj has the musical knowlage to react to the way a crowd reacts.
a good dj can read the crowd (one of the main points i think)
Deja Vu Deja Vu,havent i taken part in this discussion about 4 times here before?
| QUOTE (C.S @ Dec 29 2003, 11:21 AM) |
| Deja Vu Deja Vu,havent i taken part in this discussion about 4 times here before? |
what makes a good dj
heres my 5 reasons, not in any order!
1/ Experience
2/ A positive attitude
3/ A large and varied music collection
4/ Business and customer service skills
5/Always willing to learn new things
6/Able to interact with a crowd, and also able to read any crowd
what makes a DJ a good DJ ....
well ... this is my view anyway....
A good DJ should be flexible and able to adapt to the needs of the audience.
Play a variety of music .... sure, you may be the lucky one who is able to keep the dance floor at least half full, but there are always the same people dancing and the same people sitting out having a cr@p time.
forgive me please, for forgeting this but as somebody mentioned in another posting about stock rotation. Sure you may have a full dance floor, but your job as a DJ is to please as much of the audience as possible.
Experience is indeed also required, as an experienced dj will be confident, not shy behind the mic or anything as this will make the client wander as to weather you know what you are doing or not.
Be confident in what you do, what you say, know what tracks will work, read the crowd, promote audience participation.
i hope this has helped.
take care
well ... this is my view anyway....
A good DJ should be flexible and able to adapt to the needs of the audience.
Play a variety of music .... sure, you may be the lucky one who is able to keep the dance floor at least half full, but there are always the same people dancing and the same people sitting out having a cr@p time.
forgive me please, for forgeting this but as somebody mentioned in another posting about stock rotation. Sure you may have a full dance floor, but your job as a DJ is to please as much of the audience as possible.
Experience is indeed also required, as an experienced dj will be confident, not shy behind the mic or anything as this will make the client wander as to weather you know what you are doing or not.
Be confident in what you do, what you say, know what tracks will work, read the crowd, promote audience participation.
i hope this has helped.
take care
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