In case it’s not entirely clear, DJs are selectors of music. But the bulk of this selection doesn’t actually happen on the fly, but rather at home during set preparation. A common mistake many new DJs make is to assume they’ll find the right track in the moment. But unless you have an encyclopedic knowledge of all music, it actually takes a little forethought to curate a DJ set. Here’s how.
Find the right ratio
Having a set that’s just one banger after another is gonna get the crowd going very quickly, but pretty soon they’ll want a chance to take a breather or some kind of palette cleanser. On the other hand, leave your hit tracks until too late in the night and you run the risk of the floor staying empty. The trick is balance and ratio. For every 5 hot tracks, you should play about 2 that are relatively unknown to the masses. In other words, find that sweet spot that satisfies them but also leaves them wanting more.
Get them drinking
Yep. Especially in bar gigs, where you’re getting paid a split of the sales. There are tracks that call for tequila shooters, tracks for the beer crowd, tracks that get the old folks to get another bottle of wine. If you want to instigate a bar rush, timing is key. The right time is usually about 15 minutes after the first wave. More people are sitting down, checking phones. This is where you drop a few primers and then a banger to let them know it’s not time to go home yet.
Know the audience, of course
People everywhere love to get dressed up and head out. The more exotic the party or venue’s theme, the more risky your set can be. For example, doing the music for a toga party means looking for tracks that are fun, funny and lighthearted, while a pool bar probably wants very little more than Lynard Skynard and top 40 classic rock remixes later in the night. Knowing these types of cultural norms takes time and experience, but pretty soon you’ll realize how much power you have as a party starter!
DJs all have one thing in common: we know how to curate a vibe. Sound matters, image matters. But nothing matters more than knowledge of music. The ability to talk music with other people and to sell your ability to select music are at the heart of the game. DJ Courses Online helps with the technical aspects of learning to DJ. The rest will depend on your love of the game!