Please Help......
Full Version: Chatty Dj's...
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I know ive mentioned talking before but im not a chatty dj,apart from opening the evening ,announcing a request,calling cab pick-ups, and goodnight i dont talk,now i was approached last sat by an ex dj who asked me why i dont use my mike !! the gigs i do are hotel gigs and are mostly birthday gigs,and themed nights and weddings start in may,am i crap for not talking??personally i dislike chatty djs who feel they need to give a running set list and year etc.... but what can i talk about???? should i talk more??? im starting to feel a lil paranoid!!
Please Help......
Please Help......
part of being a DJ is "mic" useage. If you don't use a mic, why not hire them a jukebox.
Thanks Mikee for making me feel worse!!!!....
i didnt say i dont use it but i dont talk a lot....
i didnt say i dont use it but i dont talk a lot....
| QUOTE (mikeee @ Mar 11 2004, 02:22 AM) |
| part of being a DJ is "mic" useage. If you don't use a mic, why not hire them a jukebox. |
Mikee that is a bit over the top don't you think as not everybody likes a dj to use the mic a lot ,and just like knowing what tunes you play you should also be able to tell how much chat they want. I have no problem with chatting loads if the gig needs it but they don't always need it. So do you think my club nights would go as well if i just brought along a jukebox or do you think im a dj coz i can get them going using the music that I pick
It definately varies as too what type of DJ you are, what styles you play, and to some effect what area you play.
In my neck of the woods, chatting on the Mic would give me a cheesy DJ Reputation, all I would need is a couple of light screens to add to that effect.
If you are a remix DJ, there is no place for a Mic unless it is a dedicated, good quality M.C. people love to hear tunes well mixed together, the longer you hold the mix the better.
I dont think people hire deejays to hear them chat.
However, I have found a use for my Mic a few times:
Last Orders
Security to the stage
Drink Up
Cab
Damn P.C Crashed ---Lol, not yet but maybe one day aye.
In my neck of the woods, chatting on the Mic would give me a cheesy DJ Reputation, all I would need is a couple of light screens to add to that effect.
If you are a remix DJ, there is no place for a Mic unless it is a dedicated, good quality M.C. people love to hear tunes well mixed together, the longer you hold the mix the better.
I dont think people hire deejays to hear them chat.
However, I have found a use for my Mic a few times:
Last Orders
Security to the stage
Drink Up
Cab
Damn P.C Crashed ---Lol, not yet but maybe one day aye.
Club and Mobile ..... ahhhhhh - so close .... and yet so different ???!!!!
Come on folks - time for a group hug!
That's better - now where is that mic??
Come on folks - time for a group hug!
That's better - now where is that mic??
Hi folks
The two most often complaints I hear about other DJ's are:
1. he talked too much.
2. He didn't hardly talk.
Club DJ's arene't their to chat the night away, folks have come to dance or they wouldn't be there.
You have to consider that when you're doing a private party, wedding or whatever, in a function room, folks aren't automaticaly there to dance, so just playing music and saying taxi for, reuest for, ain't gonna create a very good atmosphere.
It's a fine line to walk between to much and not enough, but we're being paid to entertain a crowd and we should do whatever is necessary toa chieve that aim.
Each gig is different, sometimes yo'll have to do lots of chatter, sometimes it'll be a case of, Last Order, Taxi for etc.
Darren
The two most often complaints I hear about other DJ's are:
1. he talked too much.
2. He didn't hardly talk.
Club DJ's arene't their to chat the night away, folks have come to dance or they wouldn't be there.
You have to consider that when you're doing a private party, wedding or whatever, in a function room, folks aren't automaticaly there to dance, so just playing music and saying taxi for, reuest for, ain't gonna create a very good atmosphere.
It's a fine line to walk between to much and not enough, but we're being paid to entertain a crowd and we should do whatever is necessary toa chieve that aim.
Each gig is different, sometimes yo'll have to do lots of chatter, sometimes it'll be a case of, Last Order, Taxi for etc.
Darren
Its individual,if it works for you then keep doing it,personaly i do both types of gig ,chatty ones and club\mix ones. Enjoy them both and certainly dont feel like a juke box 
I agree with Mike - mic usage is very important.
However its finding a balance between too much and too little.
P.S didn't you ask this question before??.
However its finding a balance between too much and too little.
P.S didn't you ask this question before??.
this subject has been well covered on another thread.... The comment about the two comments ie., he/she didnt talk/he/she talked too much is the main comments you get! so it looks like 50/50 to me.... all this "nobody" likes to hear a dj etc is rubbish... obviously 50% of client want to hear us!
I dont know what to say....... Where is my mic 
hello thanks guys,chris my last question was about ideas to open with but im sort of stuck as to what to say!!! im not a shy and retiring guy but when im playing i just have no idea as to what i could say!!..any ideas?? things like "" ohh shes a mover"" or "" its getting hot in here"" hahahahha i really dont know cos it sounds so cheeesssssyyyy..i play chart stuff,60's,70's,80's etc
The dj i took over from in this hotel used to chat and introduce each song!! like ""well that was madonna from 1990 and heres robbie with angels from 1997 blah blah ...i think thats so cringeworthy!!!
We were all given mouths for a reason...ok in Paulas case, it was to keep worldwide Barcardi stocks within certain parameters, and to pig all the free chocolates at PLASA.;)
For club work, the need for mic use is minimal; Last orders, security announcements, DJ hand overs maybe.
For mobile DJing communicating with your audience is an important part of the night. With just moderate amounts of mic work, you can easily break the ice, indeed with a Shure SM58 you can break wedding cake icing, plates, most woods, and especially the eager fingers of those "Im a DJ too, can I have a go?" types.
From the other mic thread of about 3 or 4 weeks ago, I think that the general thoughts were that talking a fair amount at the beginning of the evening, and then just every 3,4 or 5 records (eg: at genre/era changes) and for requests etc, was "about right".
Bear in mind too that the two examples posted above of "The DJ talked too much" and "The DJ talked too little" could so easily be two different peoples opinions of the same DJ.
It takes allsorts to make a world...and I like the yellow or pink coconut round ones with the licquorice in the centre.
For club work, the need for mic use is minimal; Last orders, security announcements, DJ hand overs maybe.
For mobile DJing communicating with your audience is an important part of the night. With just moderate amounts of mic work, you can easily break the ice, indeed with a Shure SM58 you can break wedding cake icing, plates, most woods, and especially the eager fingers of those "Im a DJ too, can I have a go?" types.
From the other mic thread of about 3 or 4 weeks ago, I think that the general thoughts were that talking a fair amount at the beginning of the evening, and then just every 3,4 or 5 records (eg: at genre/era changes) and for requests etc, was "about right".
Bear in mind too that the two examples posted above of "The DJ talked too much" and "The DJ talked too little" could so easily be two different peoples opinions of the same DJ.
It takes allsorts to make a world...and I like the yellow or pink coconut round ones with the licquorice in the centre.
Same old story really.................horses for courses. You know if you are doing the job right!
I think that most DJ's are naturally extrovert and won't have a problem about using a mic. Other D.J's (myself included) get nervous before using a Mic but it doesn't stop them from using one.
Then you get the shy, types who are absolutely petrified of mic use, don't own one, and will try every excuse in the book to get out of using one rather than learning how to overcome their fear.
Then you get the shy, types who are absolutely petrified of mic use, don't own one, and will try every excuse in the book to get out of using one rather than learning how to overcome their fear.
so how about "" well that was madonna and vogue and now im going to be playing a selection of music from the 70's ..starting off with hot chocolate and ""you sexy thing"""......................
That sorta thing right??it sounds corny typing it out
That sorta thing right??it sounds corny typing it out
How about starting off by saying "Good evening and welcome along to..............,my name is Rob and i am going to be playing some of the best and worst music around,if you have any requests then please let me know and i will see what i can do" Then shut up for a while and mix some music of the same catagory and do a short voice over when you are going to change the music style. New and untried tracks can be introed by voice over,aswell as saying thanks for joining me ,drive safe and goodnight ,happy birthday,how much for your wife etc and any other witty comments that might be suitable put a little extra into your performance.
Even if you only speak occasionaly then you are putting a personal touch on proceedings and letting people know that its a human running things! Just a little tip from me,you may or may not agree but i think if you are scared of using a mic then this way is a good start.
Even if you only speak occasionaly then you are putting a personal touch on proceedings and letting people know that its a human running things! Just a little tip from me,you may or may not agree but i think if you are scared of using a mic then this way is a good start.
The most important thing is not to read it as if you were reading from a script. In other words if you write it down and read from it then you'll make it sound false and forced.
Just be yourself and warmly welcome everybody along. Since you D.J at a hotel, a good tip is to watch how reception staff welcome guests to the hotel. You can learn a lot from watching other people who are involved with some form of customer and P.R work.
Just be yourself and warmly welcome everybody along. Since you D.J at a hotel, a good tip is to watch how reception staff welcome guests to the hotel. You can learn a lot from watching other people who are involved with some form of customer and P.R work.
| QUOTE (Gary @ Mar 11 2004, 12:16 PM) |
| It takes allsorts to make a world...and I like the yellow or pink coconut round ones with the licquorice in the centre. |
So true yet i don't like licquorice at all
| QUOTE (robzter @ Mar 11 2004, 10:51 AM) |
| hello thanks guys,chris my last question was about ideas to open with but im sort of stuck as to what to say!!! im not a shy and retiring guy but when im playing i just have no idea as to what i could say!!..any ideas?? things like "" ohh shes a mover"" or "" its getting hot in here"" hahahahha i really dont know cos it sounds so cheeesssssyyyy..i play chart stuff,60's,70's,80's etc |
I guess if you don't have anything to say, don't say anything. Don't feel that you have to talk just for the sake of it.
But you could introduce yourself, ask for requests, etc..
Then as the night goes on, you could glance at the requests list, and say something like "coming up soon/in the next half hour/later we're going to play some....". This helps stop that annoying girl who asked for Dancing Queen, coming back up every couple of minutes to ask, "are you playing it now", "when are you going to play it", "will it be next", etc, etc, etc.....
Personally I only use the mic to make any necessary announcements, and as a tool to hype the crowd, which means I probably only use it every few songs. But everyone has their own style.
| QUOTE (RobbieD @ Mar 11 2004, 06:41 PM) |
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Interesting discussions, as many people have said it depends what sort of disco you are doing club/mobile/function etc and also what kind of crowd it is
It also varies alot where in the world you are too...as someone who does Functions/Club Nights/Party Nights/Weddings and a few other things during any given week like most here, each night is different also each crowd is different
In Ireland in general people tend to use the mic more, same can be said for Scotland and Wales, its generally that people communicate more, and like to have a laugh and some fun...of course some DJs anywhere resort to swearing and basically telling unfunny jokes and comments which end up turning the crowd off..thats clearly not good for the crowd or the club or indeed for that DJs future work prospects!
On the other hand in one London niteclub I went to a couple of years ago, the DJ just mumbled into the mic all nite...hardly good communication skills, and another started every announcement with either"Safe" "Larging up" or "Big up to......" kinda played out.......I think its safe to say that the dj involved won't be doing too many functions in the future.....
Of course, not all London niteclubs are like that, I worked in one for a year or so where we gave away 20 bottles of Champagne each Friday, played a great variety of old and new music, and did some great party games, the place was jumping from 9 thru to closing time.....and the crowd improved 100 percent within a couple of weeks, doing some market research with the punters, many said they were sick of listening to a dj who just mixed same sounding records all nite(The average age of the punters in the niteclub was 25!)
If you are going to use a mic, then reading the crowd is so important, knowing what to say and not to say....try going to see a few good covers bands, you will learn alot about how to handle a crowd......
And also certain songs and situations etc lend themselves to some simple party games, great fun and easy to do as well..forward planning like most things is important!
Some people book me to mix records...some people book me to get a crowd going with party games etc etc, and I have done a number of nites where all I did was compere and someone else played the music for a fashion show....and I have done a few product launches over the years, great fun and a wardrobe of free t-shirts!
I think its important to be good at many things being a professional DJ(Which I have for over 25 years and counting)
You can teach anyone how to Beat Match a few "Big Dancehits of 2004", a good communicator will be in work much more, plus will add something more to the evenings entertainment....
Look at Chris Hill and Tony Blackburn, still gigging each weekend:)
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