First Gig

[WhatsADJ?]

Hey, I am rather new to around these parts, but I have been messing around Djing for around a year. Im beginning to get super interested in it and have purchased a lot of things to do a first gig, along with putting in a lot of amounts of time. However, the more i talk myself into beginning to make my way into the public i get nervous that the people that I will DJ for will not like my music. I like house music, but if i was to do a frat party for example, i know a lot of other college kids don't really enjoy house music, but i feel mixing top 40 can be exhausting for lack of a better term. It makes me extremely nervous to the point of not even wanting to try. Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-social, I just do not know what to expect and was hoping a lot of you experienced guys could give me some advice to get out there. Thanks for the help in advance. I appreciate it.

[thedjwoody]

Look dude, if you are confident in your skills, you arent gunna have any trouble. I have been djing for like 3 years now and I have had a lot of gigs and a consistant job at a nightclub where I go to school. The first time you dj, you will be nervous, you will probably screw up a few times.

But heres a secret: most people are too drunk or dumb to realize if you mess up.

I have noticed that most of the time, you (yourself) are the only person that realizes a screw up as long as the music doesnt just stop cold... cause thats bad - avoid that.

And about people liking your music: yea, you have to cater to the audience somewhat. If you are playing dubstep and no one has ever heard it before and they hate it, change it. I would say play whatever makes you happy, but if you are getting paid... your hands are kind of tied. If you have to play top 40s then play it, try to sneak some good stuff in if you can. Once you establish yourself, you will be able to play anything and everything.

Example: My friend's frat was hosting a bike-a-thon. They had bands playing all day but there was a 30 min break where someone cancelled on them. I was asked to DJ (for free), and so I went and got all my equipment and set up. I started blasting my dirtiest dubstep and electro, shit that no one had heard before, and clearly not suited for a bike-a-thon. Well after my 30 minutes were up they begged me to keep going. Now I DJ his frat's parties (and definitely get paid).

Once youve got the rep and the skills, play whatever the hell you want. And the first step to getting there is playing your first gig. Good luck dude, im sure youll be great.

[Nesquigs]

Look dude, if you are confident in your skills, you arent gunna have any trouble.

truth, i was really nervous the first few times... but get yourself into a groove and let it flow to you. dont try as hard. just go with it. (also a few beers or a quick burn sesh helps alot)

If you have to play top 40s then play it, try to sneak some good stuff in if you can. Once you establish yourself, you will be able to play anything and everything.

also so true. play what they want (requests can be wicked helpful to sway the crowd back -- cept when you get asked for the same song by the same person 10x in a 10 min span, but thats another issue) and then once you got em, you can do what you want with them (within reason, until they "know" what to expect from you)

for example, i spin alot of bars/privateparties/dances and tonight they had me play for an hr, then a band (doing all rock/classic covers -- they werent bad, but the middleschoolers fucking rioted) then, i come back on, drop the intro to jockjams and go into LMFAO-crazy... place lost it..... especially cause i was running around pumping them up for the band cause it was a ghost town on the dancefloor. always a great feeling to do something cool and get everyone fucking pumped

Once youve got the rep and the skills, play whatever the hell you want. And the first step to getting there is playing your first gig. Good luck dude, im sure youll be great.

djing (like alot of things in life) is alot like dealing with women. it doesnt always make sense, and sometimes shit just kinda happens. but if youre confident (and atleast pretend you have some idea what your doing) its all gonna work out anyways.

and +1, relax and have fun.....youll kill it



Best advice ever -- if the dj isnt dancing and having fun, how can a crowd?

[thedjwoody]

Best advice ever -- if the dj isnt dancing and having fun, how can a crowd?

Truer words have never been spoken. Im usually singing and dancing more to my songs than the entire crowd combined... and they love it.

[TommyQuiet]

Dont play top40 just apply yo clubs that suit your style.

[fellis]

Nobody will really notice much about your technical skills so long as you're fairly confident with a mix. Most young people will judge a DJ on the song choice NOT technical skill so make a good compromise between your music and music they will like (aka top40).

Have fun and good luck!

[ToOntown]

Relax! It's your first gig! Nobody nails it out their first time. Also, don't fret about the House music thing because most music today is in the 125-130 BPM range... Also if you start acquiring some good club mixes of popular songs (Jump Smokers, Jason Nevins, etc.) people might not get too caught up in the 'style' of music your dropping. I'd venture to guess that you're going to get asked to play a lot of Hip Hop too. This isn't as easy to mix because of the varying tempos, but the principles are the same... Just make sure you have a lot of what people are listening to today. Be sure to hit up iTunes charts or join some record pools so that you can stay current.

But a frat party? Dude, you can honestly crossfade songs that aren't even synced and people won't care. As long as people are drinking and the lights are low, you're going to be fine. And I bet you'll even get laid if you look like you're having a blast too!

[Michielygil]

Yeah enjoying it would be the most important part. Oh man, the first gig is just about the best. All those bedroom hours and enjoying climaxes and tricks on your own are nice and all, but the intensity and inspiration that comes from sharing those moments with a crowd are just addictive.

By the way, focus on people who seem to enjoy your music and dance to it. It makes everything so much easier.

Oh, and be prepared to have some time twekaing your system and checking your volumes and stuff. For some reason having the exact same gear in the bedroom or in a club is absolutely no guarantee of working correctly.

[Sherlock Ohms]

[QUOTE=Michielygil;308604]All those bedroom hours and enjoying climaxes[QUOTE]

*blinks*

[Michielygil]

haha, didn't realise that... I truly ment musical climaxes you dirty...