That's probably the easiest way to go...
and it ensures you'll be playing exactly what they want...
and you will have access to exactly what songs they want.
Puerto Rican playlist.
- Thread starter rickryan.com
- Start date
That's probably the easiest way to go...
and it ensures you'll be playing exactly what they want...
and you will have access to exactly what songs they want.
+1 - I don't use WiFi on my performance machines period. I don't need MS (or any other app) updating or scanning, potential latency issues, etc.
Hotspot is ok if ... you have good WiFi or Cellular signal .. and have access to proper music sources .. and you use a second, separate machine or tablet/phone. At this point I don't consider YouTube a "proper" source for live material (unless you scan it all ahead of time) since there isn't any control over the posting (though much will get removed at some point if challenged by the right's owner(s) ). Spotify is better, since it is released music, but even there, Spotify tends to have edits that are different than other sources. Pulling from a pool you're in would also be a better source (assuming they have the music).
Okay boys, I think I found it. Don't hate on me.
1) Pull up spotify
2) query "latina dance music", "puerto rico"
3) preview the material, make notes on which ones should work
4) download the cuts from amazon
Doggone, spotify is getting scarier by the day.
1) Pull up spotify
2) query "latina dance music", "puerto rico"
3) preview the material, make notes on which ones should work
4) download the cuts from amazon
Doggone, spotify is getting scarier by the day.
Handinon said:
"IMHO, knowing how to dance Salsa and Merengue is a big help because you can just "feel" what is going to work well on the dance floor. Much of my library has been enlarged by keeping my car radio on Latin stations and my smartphone jammed against the speaker - I consider SoundHound and Shazam two of humanities greatest inventions!! Lastly, when in doubt, I'll have my wife, who is 100% fluent in Spanish, scan for anything offensive or inappropriate."
Handinon's response is spot on. One doesn't need to know how to do the dance steps, IMO, because the music rhythm is so distinct, but it helps!
I don't speak Spanish, however, that has not stopped me from playing great Latin tunes. A good DJ knows the sound of great music when he comes across it. I have always been partial to both Mexican and Latin (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton (for the young). I grew up in EL Paso, Texas.
Several years after retirement from the US Army, I moved to Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, NC, where I continued my DJ career and learned about Latin music styles. Having done a few military related functions, a few Latin wedding receptions, and parties, it became clear that I would quickly need to learn the various Latin music styles. Fortunately, I had always subscribed to Promo Only, Prime Cuts, and TopHits USA Latin (Tropical and Regional), so I now have a diverse Latin music library. My advice is to Listen, listen, listen to the music. Those Latin music subscription CD/MP3 always indicated the style of music (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton), Cumbia, Norteno, Ranchero, Grupo, Banda, and a few others which made it easier to identify.
I also made contact with Latin DJ's who frequented ODJT board. They sent me lists of songs/artists that were prominent at that time. The majority of the songs I had in my Latin library category. Checked out Billboard Latin charts, too.
When I would meet potential clients who wanted Salsa or Merengue music at their wedding reception, I made it clear that I had the music, but would need their assistance in pre-selecting songs for the dancing segments. Never a problem. I even played some songs that I thought would be compatible, too. It didn't take long to make a pretty good list of Latin tunes to play whenever a song was requested.
Now that I live in Florida. I haven't done a single Latin/Hispanic function. Most want Island music...and the DJ to speak their language. I am prepared to solve that issue should it arise; hire an assistant that speaks the language.
I did two wedding receptions from the same family, different years, who are Puerto Rican which turned out wonderfully. Did a another Latin Wedding Reception where the couple wanted dual English/Spanish announcements. I hired the groom of the brother/sister Puerto Rican wedding to do the announcements in both languages. It worked!
Ricky, best of luck to you. Handinon has given you a blueprint on how to make sure you have the music necessary to make their Wedding Reception a success. The only problem you may encounter is a guest who comes up and requests a song you don't have on hand. If that were the case, ask them what style is the song and if you might be able to substitute.
"IMHO, knowing how to dance Salsa and Merengue is a big help because you can just "feel" what is going to work well on the dance floor. Much of my library has been enlarged by keeping my car radio on Latin stations and my smartphone jammed against the speaker - I consider SoundHound and Shazam two of humanities greatest inventions!! Lastly, when in doubt, I'll have my wife, who is 100% fluent in Spanish, scan for anything offensive or inappropriate."
Handinon's response is spot on. One doesn't need to know how to do the dance steps, IMO, because the music rhythm is so distinct, but it helps!
I don't speak Spanish, however, that has not stopped me from playing great Latin tunes. A good DJ knows the sound of great music when he comes across it. I have always been partial to both Mexican and Latin (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton (for the young). I grew up in EL Paso, Texas.
Several years after retirement from the US Army, I moved to Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, NC, where I continued my DJ career and learned about Latin music styles. Having done a few military related functions, a few Latin wedding receptions, and parties, it became clear that I would quickly need to learn the various Latin music styles. Fortunately, I had always subscribed to Promo Only, Prime Cuts, and TopHits USA Latin (Tropical and Regional), so I now have a diverse Latin music library. My advice is to Listen, listen, listen to the music. Those Latin music subscription CD/MP3 always indicated the style of music (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton), Cumbia, Norteno, Ranchero, Grupo, Banda, and a few others which made it easier to identify.
I also made contact with Latin DJ's who frequented ODJT board. They sent me lists of songs/artists that were prominent at that time. The majority of the songs I had in my Latin library category. Checked out Billboard Latin charts, too.
When I would meet potential clients who wanted Salsa or Merengue music at their wedding reception, I made it clear that I had the music, but would need their assistance in pre-selecting songs for the dancing segments. Never a problem. I even played some songs that I thought would be compatible, too. It didn't take long to make a pretty good list of Latin tunes to play whenever a song was requested.
Now that I live in Florida. I haven't done a single Latin/Hispanic function. Most want Island music...and the DJ to speak their language. I am prepared to solve that issue should it arise; hire an assistant that speaks the language.
I did two wedding receptions from the same family, different years, who are Puerto Rican which turned out wonderfully. Did a another Latin Wedding Reception where the couple wanted dual English/Spanish announcements. I hired the groom of the brother/sister Puerto Rican wedding to do the announcements in both languages. It worked!
Ricky, best of luck to you. Handinon has given you a blueprint on how to make sure you have the music necessary to make their Wedding Reception a success. The only problem you may encounter is a guest who comes up and requests a song you don't have on hand. If that were the case, ask them what style is the song and if you might be able to substitute.
Ricky, all well and good. However, I would contact B&G for their Latin music "must play" songs. This is a wedding reception, right?
Already did. No response (yet). I'm doing some prep on my own and, you're right, a good DJ (and me as well) can recognize when something's a good dance piece. I think spotify is a good tool to get to better material, quickly. I won't play off streaming but at least if I can get the name and I download anything I don't have already. I actually have a pretty good list from my old DJ pool (can't remember the name). Thanks for everyone's input on this.