# First gig! How should I play?! **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233 "2012-12-02T19:47:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quist](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/quist/32/14728_2.png) [@Quist](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Quist)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/1 "2012-12-02T19:47:08Z")
**First gig! How should I play?!** Hello fellow DJs! I got my first gig coming up soon, and I’ve been DJing for a while, I feel quite confident in mixing etc, however, I don’t know in what way I should be playing, I’m going to try and describe it as good as possible! In most songs, there are buildups etc, but most of the crowd seem to just want “the rave part” with the melody and so on, however, to mix just these parts, does not sound good in my opinion, the music needs the bridges and the buildups to complete, so, should I play my way, bring the buildsups, like a DJ that performs on tomorrowland for example, or should I just mix in “the rave part”. How do you clubDJs do, because I’m going to play at a clublike location, however, I’m not 18, so I cannot go to a club and watch other DJs yet. Sorry if I didn’t make myself clear, also, sorry for my poor english! Sincerely, Quist. ---
**Author:** ![vpech013](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e79b87/32.png) [@vpech013](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/vpech013)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/2 "2012-12-02T20:02:41Z")
well how can you feel confident in mixing if you ask this question… listen to other people’s mixes and performances on youtube - im sure it will answer some questions. but its really not a good idea to have a gig lined up when you don’t know how to mix. learn first, then play out. ---
**Author:** ![ST4R](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/st4r/32/11040_2.png) [@ST4R](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/ST4R)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/3 "2012-12-02T20:27:32Z")
What a vague question lol… Im not going to tell you how to DJ. Maybe practice and learn more? But play whatever you want, enjoy, experience, learn. Goodluck. ---
**Author:** ![Quist](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/quist/32/14728_2.png) [@Quist](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Quist)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/4 "2012-12-02T21:12:47Z")
> [@vpech013](#): > > well how can you feel confident in mixing if you ask this question… listen to other people’s mixes and performances on youtube - im sure it will answer some questions. but its really not a good idea to have a gig lined up when you don’t know how to mix. learn first, then play out. How? Because the mixing isn’t an issue according to me, i think that I just need to know how you do while playing in the clubs etc. ---
**Author:** ![DJDoubleYou](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djdoubleyou/32/12496_2.png) [@DJDoubleYou](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/DJDoubleYou)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/5 "2012-12-02T21:46:08Z")
1. If everything is “rave” that means the is no “rave” 2. If you only play the 32 rave beats then you’re gonna run out of songs very quickly But by the way the answer is no, and i personally don’t think you’re asking a stupid question. Just remind that one of the most important parts is confidence(ok that not compleatly true ), so if you’re sure your ready i’ll sugest you just rock that crowd man! ---
**Author:** ![Cybertrash](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/cybertrash/32/12591_2.png) [@Cybertrash](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Cybertrash)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/6 "2012-12-02T21:49:24Z")
Why did you accept a gig when you clearly don’t know how to mix? ---
**Author:** ![Janky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5fc32e/32.png) [@Janky](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Janky)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/7 "2012-12-02T22:26:12Z")
> [@Quist](#): > > like a DJ that performs on tomorrowland for example Heres where you lost me. You should never emulate another DJ. If you havent found a comfortable way to mix by now, then perhaps consider declining this gig and working on your skill for a few years before playing out. Yes, years. ---
**Author:** ![manchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@manchild](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/manchild)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/8 "2012-12-02T22:29:45Z")
jump in and swim. ---
**Author:** ![MYE](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/mye/32/14381_2.png) [@MYE](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/MYE)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/9 "2012-12-02T22:57:05Z")
Just mix the way you usually do. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/patch/32/118_2.png) [@Patch](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/10 "2012-12-02T23:24:35Z")
Someone already said it - jump in, and swim (or sink). Learning the hard way is STILL LEARNING!!! Get stuck in - or you may NEVER play to a crowd. ---
**Author:** ![jakeintox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jakeintox/32/12699_2.png) [@jakeintox](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/jakeintox)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/11 "2012-12-02T23:31:20Z")
Mix how you normally would, you need the buildups and breakdowns to build and release energy. The crowd will appreciate “the rave part” more. ---
**Author:** ![MaxOne](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/maxone/32/13139_2.png) [@MaxOne](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/MaxOne)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/12 "2012-12-02T23:58:05Z")
Watch the crowd and just try and feel it. There’s no right way or wrong way. Ive heard amazing sets where people play the whole song from start to finish leave a pause and drop the next tune. Honestly just do your best, the sooner you get in front of a crowd the better. ---
**Author:** ![sss18734](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@sss18734](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/sss18734)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/13 "2012-12-03T00:15:53Z")
Why do you think that a dance audience doesn’t want buildups? That’s the best part… ---
**Author:** ![Bassline\_Brine](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bassline_brine/32/15043_2.png) [@Bassline\_Brine](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Bassline_Brine)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 3:59am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/14 "2012-12-03T03:59:03Z")
Play like you own it. Play like a set like you’re the one in the crowd, and play what you would want to hear a DJ do. One of those things that comes in time, but also with practice listening back to your own sets. Get into it. Ask yourself: Is this danceable? Is this conveying the message I want to get across? Making the crowd move how you want to move it? Building them up? Dropping it? ---
**Author:** ![RichoKidd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RichoKidd](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/RichoKidd)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 4:19am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/15 "2012-12-03T04:19:12Z")
Play the way YOU feel comfortable. The best way to learn is trial and error ---
**Author:** ![Dj\_Havik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@Dj\_Havik](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Dj_Havik)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 5:54am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/16 "2012-12-03T05:54:38Z")
DJ Tech Tools should really make a post on the blog about first gigs. There has been a lot of these threads, look around ---
**Author:** ![Wojzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bcef8e/32.png) [@Wojzilla](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Wojzilla)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/17 "2012-12-03T15:46:47Z")
Play well… playing badly is not a good move for a first gig ---
**Author:** ![Quist](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/quist/32/14728_2.png) [@Quist](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Quist)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/18 "2012-12-03T15:58:29Z")
> [@DJDoubleYou](#): > > 1. If everything is “rave” that means the is no “rave” > 2. If you only play the 32 rave beats then you’re gonna run out of songs very quickly > > But by the way the answer is no, and i personally don’t think you’re asking a stupid question. Just remind that one of the most important parts is confidence(ok that not compleatly true ), so if you’re sure your ready i’ll sugest you just rock that crowd man! ^The kind of answer I was looking for. Thanks man. > [@Janky](#): > > Heres where you lost me. You should never emulate another DJ. > > If you havent found a comfortable way to mix by now, then perhaps consider declining this gig and working on your skill for a few years before playing out. > > Yes, years. I don’t, however, as I mentioned later in this post, I want to swim with others rather than myself. 😉 > [@manchild](#): > > jump in and swim. > [@MYE](#): > > Just mix the way you usually do. Thanks! 🙂 > [@Patch](#): > > Someone already said it - jump in, and swim (or sink). > > Learning the hard way is STILL LEARNING!!! > > Get stuck in - or you may NEVER play to a crowd. Thank you all! This is the answers I wanted! Now I know! I have my own style, however, on my first gig, I would actually rather be appriceciated to get more gigs then running my own style. ---
**Author:** ![Quist](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/quist/32/14728_2.png) [@Quist](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Quist)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/19 "2012-12-03T16:02:42Z")
> [@sss18734](#): > > Why do you think that a dance audience doesn’t want buildups? That’s the best part… Because in my town, people are musicallyretarded, trust me. I was on another gig like this, and that DJ did almost ONLY “the rave part”. I though he sucked, however, others didn’t. So, I had to check. Thanks for all the great answers! Now I know how I want to approach this! With my own style. Also, as I’m a new member here I don’t know what people think about linking your soundcloud so if anyone is interested send me a PM (if that’s possible? 😑slight\_smile: if you want to hear how I sound! ---
**Author:** ![dripstep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/dripstep/32/15184_2.png) [@dripstep](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/dripstep)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233/20 "2012-12-03T16:13:30Z")
Personally, I only play the drop. Forget the into, forget the bridge, forget even the build ups, just drop, drop, drop. You will have the audience grinding their teeth and bleeding from the ears in no time. [Next page](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/first-gig-how-should-i-play/50233.md?page=2)