Besides a packed dance floor what makes the job fun to you?

[Ausumm]

I guess its my club background bleeding thru... but when i hit my groove and the floor is packed i do about 40 seconds a song...if that...

WOW! That would never go over with the hoofties (sp?) around here!
Then again, most weddings here only require a small percentage of new, mixable music.
We're not trying to mix in and out of old songs
especially when most of them are only 2 minutes long!

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

I guess its my club background bleeding thru... but when i hit my groove and the floor is packed i do about 40 seconds a song...if that... i struggle waiting to mix...but thats something im working on... though i havent had any complaints... i know people think they need to hear 3 full chorus'...

i try and strike a balance on certain songs....and give em a couple chorus'

cc

There was a course called Evelyn speed reading course. I guess you're having a course on super speed Djing. How much are you charging for the course?

 

[ittigger]

Are you enrolling?

 

[Valerie Hicks]

Let's see if I can derail this thread.........


View attachment 35451

Don't forget about Chuck! ;-) You're welcome!

 

[djcrazychris]

There was a course called Evelyn speed reading course. I guess you're having a course on super speed Djing. How much are you charging for the course?

its free... and its an easy 3 step program

step 1: practice
step 2: practice
step 3: practice

cc

 

[djcrazychris]

WOW! That would never go over with the hoofties (sp?) around here!
Then again, most weddings here only require a small percentage of new, mixable music.
We're not trying to mix in and out of old songs
especially when most of them are only 2 minutes long!

i mix in all genres and decades... its sorta like a live jive bunny on crack...lol the key is giving them that part of the song they love... be it a chorus...or a break down... then seamlessly giving them that next thing they love about the next song.... you cant quick mix into a dud... or a flat part of a song... its gotta be the most titilating aspects of the best of the best of crowd favorites and great tunes... i did a 3 hour 80s party a while back and played over 200 songs...lolol...

also it takes a bit of prep work...setting cue points...etc

cc

 

[djcrazychris]

But to clarify... i read the crowd... and sometimes they simply want the full songs...and i give them that... the fun is working them into a lather with several full songs...and then when they are peaking...hit them with some quick mixing... all about timing

cc

 

[djtaso]

The younger generation loves hearing more in a less amount of time. Chris effectively accomplishes that... but as he pointed out, theres more to it, than just mixin fast. Where and when you mix a song is the most crucial. People love music more than ever now that it's so easy to access and make playlists with spotify and itunes. This is why we're seeing 50 and 100 song playlists. The dj's that can properly and effectively incorporate as many of these songs as possible will stand out more to clients seeking such a dj.

 

[ittigger]

I don't believe this. All this is doing is underlining the no attention span issue. If you're only listening to 30 seconds of a song, then you're not listening to a song. As these people age, if they have no attention span now, how on earth are they going to function when real life smacks them in the face. Club type DJ's have continually played portions of songs throughout history .. this does not mean the younger generation in general wants this.

I also don't believe people love music any more today than they did 10, 20 or 50 years ago. Music has always been there - and always will be. More of it is available via stream vs CD/radio .. but that's about it.

 

[djtaso]

I don't believe this. All this is doing is underlining the no attention span issue. If you're only listening to 30 seconds of a song, then you're not listening to a song. As these people age, if they have no attention span now, how on earth are they going to function when real life smacks them in the face. Club type DJ's have continually played portions of songs throughout history .. this does not mean the younger generation in general wants this.

I also don't believe people love music any more today than they did 10, 20 or 50 years ago. Music has always been there - and always will be. More of it is available via stream vs CD/radio .. but that's about it.

You just have to look at their actual behavior. I do sweet 16's... they ALL ask me "you don't play the entire song do you". But it's more than that, and not just teens. Here's examples:
- when multiple people are in cars, someone is changing the song every minute now, instead of letting it play out. And not because "they're tired of it"... but it's more like a song plays for a minute or so, and someone says to change it for whatever reason.
- people are downloading podcasts with premade mixes from dj's who are incorporating only 60-90 seconds of a song.
- when teams are warming up at games, they're playing many songs during that warm up time. Ps many stadiums are hiring dj's to mix during downtimes.
- the radio itself during peak driving times are having live dj's mix as many songs as possible during that hour frame
- people listening to their music at the gym are changing songs with every single set they do.
- people for private home events are playing soundcloud and youtube mixes that have 30-40 songs mixed in an hour.

Everyday behavior is changing when it comes to music. Whatever your opinion is on how they'll behave later in life is irrelevant to the dj whose focused on booking jobs now. WHereas club dj's in the past did this, and only those that went to clubs were exposed to this... now this behavior is everywhere and commonplace. It wasn't iphones that changed this... it was iphones in combination with spotify and youtube that gave people access to every single song out there, as well as the radio changing it's behavior. Yes, there are some songs that are so big that people want to hear it play out, and some classics where every verse is needed... but the majority of the newer tracks are repetitive. Likewise, as chris said, it's also being aware of who your crowd is. If it's an older crowd, or a crowd that isn't as into music and into the latest and newest, or going out a lot... cutting songs short will turn them off.

 

[DJ Ricky B]

I had a bar mitzvah client probably like 4 years ago where when I met with the parents and their son, one of the things they told me they did not like about a DJ they had recently seen at another Mitzvah was that the DJ was playing a lot of remixes, AND only playing like 30 seconds to a minute of each song. They did not think it was good for dancing, and they themselves actually got a bit irritated by it. The DJ did play a request of their, but only played about 45 seconds of it or so before going into another song. They couldn't even enjoy their request.

...They wanted to make sure that I did not DJ like that. They wanted the radio originals of songs...not remixes, and they wanted to make sure I played most of, if not the full songs.

The only time I cut my songs down to 30 to 60 seconds per song is when I have a ton of requests at a rockin' reception, and I literally have like 10 or 15 minutes before the last song, and there no chance to go over time because the venue doesn't allow it, or the bride/groom have a sparkler send off at 10:55 or whatever, so I started cramming songs in before the last dance. ...That has happened only once this year.

With that said, there are certain songs that I can't play the full song on because the interests builds up too slowly (Living on a Prayer for example) and other songs that I have to play most of the song because people just want to dance to that song for much longer than just 60 or 90 seconds (Don't Stop till you get enough, Celebration, Like a Prayer, Shout, Play that Funky Music, Twist and Shout...Any Line Dances, Uptown Funk, ...I can think of so many more...)

It's also a big no no to shorten Salsa, and Miringue songs. Last thing you want to do is piss off some serious latin dancers on the dance floor. They expect the whole song to be played, or at least 90% of it before mixing into another one that you know they will want to dance to. ...Raggaeton is different though

 

[ittigger]

You just have to look at their actual behavior. I do sweet 16's... they ALL ask me "you don't play the entire song do you". But it's more than that, and not just teens. Here's examples:
- when multiple people are in cars, someone is changing the song every minute now, instead of letting it play out. And not because "they're tired of it"... but it's more like a song plays for a minute or so, and someone says to change it for whatever reason.
- people are downloading podcasts with premade mixes from dj's who are incorporating only 60-90 seconds of a song.
- when teams are warming up at games, they're playing many songs during that warm up time. Ps many stadiums are hiring dj's to mix during downtimes.
- the radio itself during peak driving times are having live dj's mix as many songs as possible during that hour frame
- people listening to their music at the gym are changing songs with every single set they do.
- people for private home events are playing soundcloud and youtube mixes that have 30-40 songs mixed in an hour.

Everyday behavior is changing when it comes to music. Whatever your opinion is on how they'll behave later in life is irrelevant to the dj whose focused on booking jobs now. WHereas club dj's in the past did this, and only those that went to clubs were exposed to this... now this behavior is everywhere and commonplace. It wasn't iphones that changed this... it was iphones in combination with spotify and youtube that gave people access to every single song out there, as well as the radio changing it's behavior. Yes, there are some songs that are so big that people want to hear it play out, and some classics where every verse is needed... but the majority of the newer tracks are repetitive. Likewise, as chris said, it's also being aware of who your crowd is. If it's an older crowd, or a crowd that isn't as into music and into the latest and newest, or going out a lot... cutting songs short will turn them off.

I change the station OFTEN in my car .. and I know people that ride with me hate it. Additionally, I often get asked - do you play the whole song - so I don't think you're speaking for the general population. These kids have a very short attention span, but I don't think all of them do.

 

[djtaso]

I change the station OFTEN in my car .. and I know people that ride with me hate it. Additionally, I often get asked - do you play the whole song - so I don't think you're speaking for the general population. These kids have a very short attention span, but I don't think all of them do.

You're both right in saying that I don't speak for the entire population... and that perhaps the majority is still in preference of hearing songs play out. However, the trends still are changing, and while you focus on just teens, I am also focusing on couples in their 20's and early 30's. I am also focusing on this from a business perspective. The higher paying clients and the one's that care a lot about the dj are the one's looking for something unique... tend to go out more... and tend to be more social, and will probably expect their wedding to be a representation of this atmosphere that they enjoy. Most dj's cannot create that atmosphere, and many clients are willing to pay a premium to get this result. My philly clientele for weddings I think is a direct result of this. I must've done 20 weddings in the last 2-3 yrs for a particular circle of clients and have another 8 or so in the next 12 months. If I did something they didn't like they could have easily found more options closer to home. I never made any attempt to market to them, it was because they saw something in their area that few saw before. Again... these are weddings... not sweet 16's... and my couples are mostly around 26-30yrs old. And again... it has to be done the right way as Chris mentioned... you can't just chop any song any where... the beats have to match, the vocals have to flow into each other, the energy has to be maintained.

Ricky you mentioned a mitzvah 4 yrs ago... 4 yrs ago this trend wasn't as common, especially amongst 13 yr olds who don't have smartphones and don't have the same social behaviors as older teens and 20 somethings. Also their parents are more in charge, and they DEFINITELY don't like that feel. Unlike a sweet 16 where the bday girl has more control, or a wedding where the couple has complete control.

But again... it's all about knowing your crowd. As chris said, this isn't what one would do for EVERY party... but it's a great way to stand out effectively for the right crowds at the right time. In all honesty, this mixing style, along with song selection, is what I believe made me stand out years ago when all I had to offer was my dj services and had none of the production elements I do now. Otherwise I'd be just an avg dj charging avg prices and fighting for avg events.

 

[ittigger]

I don't think this is a changing trend. I think these are groups looking for a club feel, which is where the transitions you speak of have been for decades.

 

[djtaso]

I still think these are groups looking for a club feel, which is where the transitions you speak of have been for decades.

I think a more accurate term now is a more "energetic" feel, as many of my weddings don't want a club feel with club music. They want an elegant wedding with top 40 and dance music played with more energetic aspect to it. Unlike that dj that ricky was talking about, I do NOT play many remixes. I keep mostly to the originals for about 80-90% of the songs I play. And again you're right... the clubs is where this existed for decades... until now. Now it's more mainstream from the radios with dj's mixing live on air, to the soundcloud mixes podcasts on peoples phones that they play in the car rides or in backyard parties, and the mixes that dj's put out to download and the gyms play over their speakers. People don't necessarily want club... they want energy and excitement. There is a major difference depending on the client.

 

[djtaso]

Here's a great example of two weddings:
This one wanted a club feel...

This one wanted a high energy feel:

Both event's had quick mixing elements... yet the song choices differed greatly in the first video.

 

[ittigger]

While I agree with the logic, I disagree that 90 seconds of various songs is energy and excitement. Again, I have rode with many people of various ages (young and old) and they all hate it when you constantly flip channels, especially on a song they like. Likewise, I hate it when someone does it too. I have been asked if I'll play the entire song, by young and old alike. I have not been asked if I'll jump 100 songs in an hour. Things are not changing. The club feel is not what the general audience wants. If that is what they wanted, they would hire club dj's. Based on the audiences I've seen and the people that I've rode with, constantly changing music is not something they constantly want. Teenagers and Clubs, on the other hand, do want this.

I will at times also listen to the various stations and their mix sets (really a club set) on the drive home - and while at times, it is nice, hours of it would not be / is not pleasant. Hearing it constantly would also not be pleasant.

 

[djcrazychris]

look at songs like "Stars on 45" in the 70s....jive bunny in the 90s... jock jams... etc.... people loved those... they were charting hits... WHY? because they were done well.... they were the best moments of great songs....done WELL...

I think people want to be dazzled...and "moved" and entertained by the dj.... if a dj is playing 30 seconds of the first verse and slow fading to a different song...different bpm...different vibe before the chorus....or best part of a song happens... that my friends is annoying .... what Taso and i are doing is taking them on a trip....we are producing a megamix live...hitting the absolute best parts of songs....and hitting them again and again.... they dont even realize what just happened...but their face is flush ...they voice is horse from screaming and singing along at the top of their lungs... and they need water...but most of all... they just had a moment on the floor...and they want more....

until you can actually perform this way....put in the prep...and really understand the power.... you will never believe your client could ever want this.... they dont even KNOW they want it... because so few dj's do it or do it well... this goes back to the discussion of....are we a jukebox...or are we skilled performers... many are happy to be jukeboxes....its easy money.....some of us are their to take a crowd to a higher plain

cc

 

[djcrazychris]

While I agree with the logic, I disagree that 90 seconds of various songs is energy and excitement. Again, I have rode with many people of various ages (young and old) and they all hate it when you constantly flip channels, especially on a song they like. Likewise, I hate it when someone does it too. I have been asked if I'll play the entire song, by young and old alike. I have not been asked if I'll jump 100 songs in an hour. Things are not changing. The club feel is not what the general audience wants. If that is what they wanted, they would hire club dj's. Based on the audiences I've seen and the people that I've rode with, constantly changing music is not something they constantly want. Teenagers and Clubs, on the other hand, do want this.

I will at times also listen to the mix set on the drive home - and while at times, it is nice, hours of it would not be / is not pleasant. Hearing it constantly would also not be pleasant.

there is a HUUUUUGE difference in flipping channels in a car and currating an amazing fast mix

im not even convinced youve ever heard one done well...

cc

 

[ittigger]

there is a HUUUUUGE difference in flipping channels in a car and currating an amazing fast mix

im not even convinced youve ever heard one done well...

cc

Sure, flipping channels is not the same - but that was the scenario presented, so I responded to it.

I've heard some great mix sets. Chris Styles, DJ Grooves, DJ Silver, 2nd Nature, Roonie G and many, many others. Great for some moments. Constantly, no.