What is a "real D.J."

- Knows how to beatmatch, mix and blend music together- Knows how to use a microphone to MC without over doing it- Knows how to read a crowd and can keep them dancing- On public events can play the latest dance music- On private events can play music selected by his client/customer- Has the best selection in all the popular genres of music- Has a large music library that can be customized for each gig- Can handle ALL TYPES of parties and events (NOT JUST WEDDINGS)- Knows the difference between P.A. System and S.R. System- Knows about sound systems (Watts, Ohms, Crossovers, Maximizer, EQ)- Use a Monitor when needed, and knows why a Monitor is needed- Builds a light show that creates a club experience- Has a passion to entertain, puts an effort to go the extra mile, is not lazy- Experience in all types of situations and knows how to handle them- Offers a setup based on location and situation (checks site prior to event)- Custom lighting to accent ball room, tables, walls, etc.- Has an agenda for every event, is ready with a plan for the night- Personality

Click to expand...

I could have all of the things above and still be unemployed which essentially makes me a wannabe.

The only one that really tips the scale is:

- Has satisfied customers, happy clients and return customers

Click to expand...

....which begs another question: "Does any customer matter or do I have to have real customers?" (Requires a new thread)

What if I have 100 customers but everyone of them is my classmate? What if the only thing I do is play the same CHR in garages and basements?

I have a day time job (Monday thru Friday), yet I DJ on Friday Nights, Saturday Nights and sometimes even on Sundays. Does that mean that I am a Part-Time DJ, therefore, I am not a real DJ??? You must be kidding!

Click to expand...

No kidding, you are a part time DJ. As Cesar pointed out you are not ready to accept incoming jobs without satisfying some other unrelated work first. You specifically pursue jobs that fit your off time.

Now, that being said; it doesn't mean you're not a good DJ. (That requires another thread). It just means that if you were forced to choose one career or the other - my money says you'll pick the day job because if DJing was your real ticket to income and benefits you'd have already made the leap.

It also doesn't indicate whether or not you'll be a real DJ tomorrow.

Can a DJ work for a multi-op and still be a real DJ?

Click to expand...

Yes, that would be no different than being a full time club or touring jock. DJing is a talent not a pile of gear. That talent will follow you wherever you go - even if the gear doesn't.

For example, I consider myself a full time real DJ because for 25 years it's been my real ticket to income and benefits, supplants all other work I might do, and I have a talent that lets me collect the same relative professional fee from real customers in a broad competitive market regardless of whether the gear is yours or mine.

Could I possibly still suck? - Only if you go back to my statement and change "25 years" to "25 months" Time answers most questions.

So Proformance, are you saying that people who DJ part-time are not "real" DJs? I hope not, because you do not want to go there with me.

are you saying that people who DJ part-time are not real DJs?

Click to expand...

Yes, as a matter of career real means fulltime.

That doesn't mean you can't be part time and real good or even better on comparison to someone who meets the definition of real DJ.

The artform evolves and so does the business of being a DJ. Real DJs come and go and new ones take their place.

Does having carpentry skills that exceed some career carpenters make me a real carpenter - or just real good at carpentry?

If I hire myself out for carpentry on the weekends am I now a real carpenter - or does it matter that Monday morning I have to go back to DJing?

Which job is it that really defines me?

Well, last I checked, I was never pretending to be a DJ. I am a DJ, whether you consider this line of work real or not. I have always been a DJ; in fact, I was raised to be a DJ from birth. Yes, I have a writing degree and my day job is not necessarily related to DJing, unless you count the fact that I have networked with clients at my day job. The day job is a job and that's all it will ever be; DJing is not just my job, it's my passion.

Part-time or full-time, we're all real DJs with real talent (and apparently real egos). There is nothing wrong with having two jobs, you know. In fact, both jobs can define who you are, and if you are having trouble with defining yourself, then you need to do some serious soul-searching.

The day job is a job and that's all it will ever be; DJing is not just my job, it's my passion.

Click to expand...

Yet, not enough of a passion to be a career. You said it yourself - it's just a job you happen to be more passionate about.

I could be passionate about carpentry - but I'm really a DJ.

When I stop being a full time DJ and start a new career; which will be soon - you can come back and call me unreal.

...because you do not want to go there with me.

Click to expand...

LOL. Whatcha gonna do gingerbread man - drop a raisin?