Bar & Club Talking?

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M

Matthew

New DJ
Mar 15, 2009
123
2
39
Chicago, IL
www.soundrayz.com
I DJ at the local, bar it happens to be my sisters bar so it is kind of like my practice arena, anyways I had a buddy DJ of mine come in and watch me and he mentioned I should talk more. I maybe talk once a night into the mic and thats to mention last call, or to wish someone a happy birthday, or whatever it maybe. What are you views on talking? Should I do it alot, a little, none, and what does one say.

Thanks!
 
Matt send me your number through pm but honestly it truly depends on the night and surroundings.I can help.
 
And totally and completely depends on the venue.

I have worked in places that wanted no talking at all, and just music all night. Other places have wanted what Steve mentioned above, specials and upcoming events at the venue.

Your best bet, no matter where you are working, is to sit down with the management of the venue and ask them what they would prefer.
 
Yeah, what Steve, Patrick and Val said.
There should be a reason for everything you say on the mic.
IMHO You should never talk just for the sake of talking or hearing your own voice.
 
Remind the patrons to take care of those who take care of them by remembering Tipping is not a province in China!
 
Talk to the bar owner, in this case your sister, and see what she thinks.
 
Great reply's, thanks everyone you said exactly as I though. In this particular case I think talking would not be needed, drink specials are always the same week after week, and its a local bar so they know. And no food so no food specials. As I said I talk when someone wants to wish a happy bday or whatever so I think that is good enough and my sister seams very very pleased with the service as Im doing it every other weekend and have been for about 2 months now... ;) thanks
 
Next tip when speaking.

Before you get on the mic, and this is true for me...

"The more I think, the more I stink"

If I try rehearse what I am going to say, I totally run circles in what I am trying to say.

Everyone has different approaches to speaking on the mic, just don't be afraid of it. It's a mic, and its your business....make it happen!

If you are personable guy, and can go to anyone in the bar, small talk, and make a friend, there is no reason you can't go to the mic and portray yourself.

These will all be general tips when coming to speaking in crowds..wether 2 people or 1000+


Occasionally, if you know some "key" people who always get the party rolling, make sure you get on the mic and try to get them going.

Saturday night was the first time I literally almost annoyed myself on the mic, but I could tell people were all over hearing me talk. Some nights when you talk no one pays attention. You just need to see if your crowd is responding to you.

Another tip..avoid interrupting the songs people are grooving to...sometimes you can talk during the middle of the song, if the song didnt hit like you thought it would.

If you do...(some clubs do not allow as such), but always announce you gladly take requests, and don't be a pud when you want to play the request. If someone has given you a request they dont want to wait an hour to hear it. Don't just say "We will see what we can do"..if you have no intention of playing a deadbeat request. *This is an example of me..if I request a song, it is because it gets my party mode going, and if it takes a hour for you to maybe play it, I might have already went to the next club/bar*

Mic work is sort of an art, however it really doesn't need to be a tough as some people make it to be.

I went and watched another dj business last friday night, and I met his "new dj." This guy would not get on the mic, and I was like "Hey man, you have nothing to worry about." He was like.."Uh, I am a little worried about what I say"

I commented to him that I can tell he has people skills, so bring that attitude to the mic and there will be no problems. He however chose not to get on the mic. It really bummed me out. This guy is a very nice, laid back guy, and his music selections were killer, but yet he was afraid of the mic...=(

Big rule, and this has been said before..but I want to stress this rule....

"DO NOT GET ON THE MIC JUST TO HEAR YOURSELF!"

Val..summed it up nice. Only speak when you have something to say.

Small tips for when speaking on mic:

1. Be concise...no word rambling...it makes you sound stupid.
2. Have an idea of what you want to say, do your best to not rehearse your comments.
3. Be witty...ad lib sometimes. Don't overdo this.
4. Speak slowly (not real slow) and clear. Some people don't realize they mumble when they get on the mic. Lots of people make this mistake.


I guess I need to put this out there as well......

Granted some people think it is a gift to mention to tip the waitresses/bartenders however if this does not always work.

It can be a gentle reminder, or to me, if I was tipping well during a night, and I was being hassled to tip more...it might get me a little irked. Some people are just cheap.

I got to admit you are lucky you get to start djing at your sisters bar. With this experience, and finding out how to read crowds and do some mic work and such, you gaining some real awesome experience.

I am hoping your mic skills get better, and I hope your fears of the mic extinguish right away (to help your dj career out.)


On a side note...I am no mic expert by no means...but let me tell you a little about me to let you know how I was with the mic...

When I was in 8th grade in High School, I could not read in front of 15 people. Take this 15 years later, and large crowds are no problem.

How did this happen??

When I first started djing, I practiced and practiced a speech (a short line when I start the DJ night) this would include my name, my company, take requests..yadda yadda yadda. Well the more I practiced the worse it got~
If you got something to say, grab the mic and say it. Make sure it does not sound rehearsed and make sure you try to make the message sorta personal. Ad lib if you will.

Lets take this one step further.....I just started Game Show Mania, which involves quite a bit more mic work. I need to be more concise, and I definitely need to do more ad lib, and I need to be more open to all sorts of situations.

After several shows, I finally figured out what makes me successful on the mic. I have good people skills. I can go up to anyone, shake your hand, and make a friend. I brought this approach to my mic work, and it is all coming together. If I can talk to anyone one on one, why was it so tough to talk to 1000+ people??

I hope if anything, you can use some of this to help you. Again, I am no expert by no means, but this is what I have learned so far.

Good luck on your mic work my friend~
 
Wow thank you for that great reply, reading it already has giving me more eagerness to go out there and get the crowd going.

I can talk to anyone anywhere, I have great people skills, however for somereason if I have to talk on the phone or to a mic I cant do it. I can talk in front of a huge croud as long as im not reading my own work if that makes since. Just something I guess I have to start doing to get used to it. Another good thing about DJ'n at my sisters bar is I know almost eveyone there and they tell me things I do wrong and what I should or should not do and so on, so like you said it is giving me alot of experience.
 
Speaking in front of people is scary.... I don't think a single one of us doesn't still get butterflies before each event we do.... if they don't they've been doing it too long or are lying.

I'll be honest I do some of my best work off the cuff... meaning no script or pre-written speaches.... I get less nervous that way. I still practice what I want to say prior to each event but when push comes to shove I just say what's on my mind... and hopefully my mouth keeps up. LOL
 
jokerswild said:
Speaking in front of people is scary.... I don't think a single one of us doesn't still get butterflies before each event we do.... if they don't they've been doing it too long or are lying.

I'll be honest I do some of my best work off the cuff... meaning no script or pre-written speaches.... I get less nervous that way. I still practice what I want to say prior to each event but when push comes to shove I just say what's on my mind... and hopefully my mouth keeps up. LOL
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Hey bud...it is very easy to get on the mic. Let your personality be your guide.

But really...I can't imagine these butterflies are directly from the mic?? Really...I doubt it. I think its probably more of..is this going to be the right fun crowd??

I've only been doing this for a short time, and the butterflies are gone. I get more nervous on making sure I give my clients the event I promised them. And now..thank goodness...those butterflies are disappearing.

Do I got more to learn..absolutely. But I think the mic work is pretty much in check for me.
 
DJMN ya liar LOL you are your biggest fan.

Matthew. Funny thing with this speaking thing. I am a total extrovert, Class Clown, cut up etc. Been doing this since 1973 beginning with radio with no visual response moving onto night club work yet very reserved with the mic worried I would say something stupid.

The big change came when teaching a Karaoke Host how to add DJing to his arsenal and in return learning Karaoke. We had single platters at the time and had to learn how to provide filler BS. I will claim Karaoke fulfilled my missing portion of my DJ package without a doubt.

I really dont get butterflys about my mic work though each gig I do get them its the buzz required to present a very efficient performance overall. I too am totally spontaneous with each gig but I do appreciate those who rehearse as I know it works brilliantly for some. You will know soon enough what works best for you. Thosae who claim one or the other dont recognize the other alternative determined as your proper way.

I also must recall issues that have presented itself for me which surprised me. I was so comfortable after many years on the mic and then suddenly I was challenged with speaking out front of my gear. I was so out of my element not having my gear in front of me when having to introduce comedy and adult female dancers. It was like starting over.

I can speak in front of huge crowds with a microphone now in front of strangers but in front of my class in school or toastmasters or a networking meeting Im reduced to that beginner I once was. No microphone and no gear to feel protection. Work on finding the sweet spot and also trick yourself into speaking with your crutches. It has helped me scale new hurdles tremendously.
 
jokerswild said:
Speaking in front of people is scary.... I don't think a single one of us doesn't still get butterflies before each event we do.... if they don't they've been doing it too long or are lying.
Click to expand...

I really don't agree with this. There are certain events that might make me slightly uneasy but, in general, I've never been nervous in front of crowds. I used to be in a metal band and had to sing on stage often. I remember getting a little nervous for a while but it quickly went away. I think those days helped prepare me for DJing and I really just don't get nervous.

I feel that nervousness would take away from all the preparation I do for shows.

But I can understand why people get nervous. Just imagine those silly people in their undies. :sqlaugh:
 
i still get butterflys 30 yrs later its the excitement for the conquering of another crowd I suspect.I skip the undies well asides some of the girls in Victoria Secrets.
 
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