Hello everyone. Thanks for taking the time to checkout my thread here.
I am a hobbyist. I have a solid career (not in music), married, and have kids. I really don't have aspirations to become a famous DJ and tour the world. I love music and I do enjoy sharing my love of music with others. I am in my late 30's. I have been playing music (guitar, piano, percussion) since I was about 15 years old. I was in a high school band and played out a few times. My brother, who is also into music as a hobby, bought the S4 about 3 years ago. I have been messing around with it here and there. A while back ago I decided I wanted to jump into this hobby, and bought n S4, a couple of QSC k10's, and a K181 sub. Its been a blast.
Well I guess a few of our friends have been paying attention. I got asked yesterday to DJ for a house party in two weeks from now, and Top 40 music was requested. I have never been to this party in the past, but I hear its pretty raging until the wee hours of the morning. Its a birthday party our friend puts on each year and people look forward to it. I am guessing maybe 50-75 people.
I have love for a large variety of music. I live near SF and have seen many of the great old school DJ's in the early and late 90's (Doc Martin, Mark Farina, Garth, and dozens of others). Though, I learned and have spent most of my time on Top 40 music. Mostly because my wife and both my daughters love it. So when I play at home they dance around etc.
Sorry for my long winded introduction, here is where the questions/advice needed comes in.
I love to learn so I have read several articles about best practices for doing club performances and several techniques to raising and lowering the BPM over a set (raise over time, BPM down or long breakdowns to cycle people to the bar, etc). Though, for a house party I feel this might be different. Especially for Top 40? Any advice and/or thoughts and experience to share?
Also, the concept of raising the BPM over a set makes sense to me for EDM. I wonder if this doesn't apply to Top 40 sets. The reason I ask, is I think of all the times I have been out dancing to Top 40. Sometimes those 70-90 BPM songs are the ones that makes me and everyone else go crazy (in a good way). By all means, I can easily setup my set list in order of BPM and then fine tune songs I think will mesh well with each other. Though, I am wondering if I shouldn't take this approach with Top 40.
Lastly, I am not particularly worried to get myself heard/known as a result of this event (its not like I am trying to drum up business, I love my main job and it pays well). My main goal is to put together some great music and hopefully everyone will enjoy it. I don't plan on being a slave to the decks all night. I fully plan on turning on autopilot in Traktor at times so I can socialize, drink, and eat. Though, I am looking forward to having fun at the decks. Any advice or thoughts here would be great.
P.S. It's not like I wouldn't mind playing gigs from time to time. Though, for me it wouldnt be about the money or becoming famous. I would do it because of the love of the music and the chance to meet and get to know other DJ's and producers (those circles).
Thanks for the help.
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