View Full Version : When are you ready for club or mobile work?
This question has been around me for a while, at first I had no idea what made a good dj and am thankful when my mate who is doing mobile work told me a while back to give it a few months at least.
I'd like to give some work a go, see if I can hold a good dance floor or not. Just not sure when to start. Anyone who is or knows someone working in either of these areas give me advice on what the expectations/quality's might be for a club and or mobile dj?
Thanks.
Tha Gooch
06-Nov-08, 05:31am
i would steer clear of mobile DJ work its demeaning and not very satisfying at all
as a club DJ if you can read the crowd and play tunes the crowd will dance too - old or new, your in, if you can mix for 2 hours straight without any major hiccups i would say your ready to give your first public gig a crack :thumb:
i would steer clear of mobile DJ work its demeaning and not very satisfying at all
as a club DJ if you can read the crowd and play tunes the crowd will dance too - old or new, your in, if you can mix for 2 hours straight without any major hiccups i would say your ready to give your first public gig a crack :thumb:
where does one learn how to 'read' a crowd?
By doing mobile dj work!!
imo i honestly think it helps if the dj has done some time @ weddings, backyards/40ths etc... it's not all about the doof
Funkedub
06-Nov-08, 08:23am
Well this is it innit ... everyone wants to get out there and smash a dancefloor. For more information on this ... see the thread about warm up sets.
SlicyDicer
06-Nov-08, 09:54am
Warm ups would be alot more satisfying
Giddy Heinz
06-Nov-08, 10:53am
Ive been mobile djing for a year and a bit now and its great i enjoy the parties i do mainly 16-23 age gap so in terms of gettin a dancefloor going its really easy because most of them will dance to anything with a beat n everyone will dance to a mos, onelove cd and if that dont work u could play one of the many many requests if there decent.
But the most importnant part of the night is making sure no one knocks your speakers or cdjs/turntables.
RudeTed
06-Nov-08, 11:01am
where does one learn how to 'read' a crowd?
By doing mobile dj work!!
imo i honestly think it helps if the dj has done some time @ weddings, backyards/40ths etc... it's not all about the doof
Spot on fellow. Weddings are probably the most valuable places to learn how to read a crowd. You will NEVER find a harder place to keep people going on the dancefloor because of the demographic. Once you have mastered the wedding dancefloor, the nightclub dancefloor is a piece of piss.
Yeah learn to read the crowd. Do some house parties, or any dj work out of clubs for a little. In a club they have really drunk people, massive sound system, flashing lights, strobe, lasers, people off chops that will dance to anything, so its easier to get people dancing at a club than at a wedding, or house party.
In a club the expectations are much higher, and you need to learn fast. If you've been a punter, you should have an idea of what gets the crowd rocking, so when your on the stand put your self in your dancers shoes and think about what music you want to hear with your ego out the door. Remember your thinking of the punters on the dance floor in general not your self. Having said that you have to also think about playing to your time slot, who is djing after you, are you warming up? Shit like that come into play in a club too. Thats pretty much what ive learnt in my short duration djing in a club so far.
"It’ll take you the better part of ten years to collect, in my opinion, the amount of vinyl that’s worthy of being presented to other people." Theo Parrish.
elwood_dj
06-Nov-08, 02:06pm
once you get ya foot in the door then its all experience. The more you play out the better you will adapt me thinks?!
TheReturn
06-Nov-08, 02:12pm
once you get ya foot in the door then its all experience. The more you play out the better you will adapt me thinks?!
cosign.
You learn from every opportunity.
At the same time it pays to always keep your eye on other djs. Not to bite their style but to watch how different secnarios, that you may not have experienced yet, play out.
I see, Ive been on my equiptemt for apporximatly each day for 4 months, I have the basics down pretty well, last few weeks ive been trying to feel the vibe of each song and picking the track that would flow nicely with the playing one. I think my track selection is improving but it's near impossible to know if you are any good, when your in your house with no audience to get live feedback.
So I guess It's up to me to prepair a variety of tracks in a few common party genres, and try a party first with a request notebook, to let me know what im missing for the next attempt.
But in a club/bar situation would you rarely take a request?
Thanks for the helpful feedback.
Funkedub
06-Nov-08, 04:02pm
^^^^
dude ... relax ... just collect tunes and enjoy mixing.
don't worry about how to take requests when you've only been mixing 4 months and haven't stepped out your bedroom yet.
what's your rush?
generalninja
06-Nov-08, 04:15pm
i did mobile for 6months, thats how i learnt to read the crowd.
Nah i never take requests. Most requests i get will stuff up the flow of my set if i drop it in. I just tell them if i can find it i will play it. Yeah i dont know whats the rush? 4 months isnt really a long time too, go do some house party's first. Nail that. Then go to the clubs. Dont go by me but i djed at parties for about 3 years before i got a club gig. And even after 3 years i still needed to fine tune my tactics for the club i play at. Learn and grow
bobanny
06-Nov-08, 04:42pm
"It’ll take you the better part of ten years to collect, in my opinion, the amount of vinyl that’s worthy of being presented to other people." Theo Parrish.
QFT!
Viny1 4 1yf3
Mad Rooster
06-Nov-08, 04:47pm
Kolonic obviously didn't read this thred and heed the advice.
trenthalliday
06-Nov-08, 07:02pm
if your questioning if your ready....your not ready
Rem_labs_lost
06-Nov-08, 07:21pm
you guys play to crowds?
....your not ready
Yes Mr Miyagi...
mashedman
06-Nov-08, 09:14pm
if your questioning if your ready....your not ready
I not 100% on this, i feel like i'm not really ready but getting out and playing in front of people has given me a lot more confidence.
But after 4 months i cant imagine you'd really have developed enough to play in clubs. As whats being said, just relax dont think about playing out so much, just enjoy what you are doing
True, you don't know if you are ready until you give your first party a go. I do agree with people that i'm likely getting too excited about improving and learning. It could bad business for the bar and myself if I thought I was ready but didn't have the nessisary experience.
Maybe leading up to christmas holidays I'll plan to do a short sort of test party, or help out a mobile friend for an hour or two, just to see what it's like. For now i'll keep having fun and continue to learn and improve.
I can start to put things into perspective now and see the bigger side of things. Cheers.
KuRuPTeD
07-Nov-08, 09:43am
i have my first public gig coming up soon and oh my god it's going to be an experience to say the least. 4 to 5 hours playing at a charity fundraiser :S
i'm trying to get my head around what to play and how ie hip hop mixing NFI
any tips people?
thamainfactor
07-Nov-08, 10:36am
i have my first public gig coming up soon and oh my god it's going to be an experience to say the least. 4 to 5 hours playing at a charity fundraiser :S
i'm trying to get my head around what to play and how ie hip hop mixing NFI
any tips people?
loop, scratch, crossfade?
i have my first public gig coming up soon and oh my god it's going to be an experience to say the least. 4 to 5 hours playing at a charity fundraiser :S
i'm trying to get my head around what to play and how ie hip hop mixing NFI
any tips people?
just donate some money instead
RudeTed
07-Nov-08, 10:40am
Wikka Wikka :corey:
Dr Bones
07-Nov-08, 10:41am
you've never mixed hip hop before and you're playing a four hour fundraiser?
i
i'm trying to get my head around what to play and how ie hip hop mixing NFI
any tips people?
Are they your tunes, do you know them well?
If you dont id match the snares for a couple of beats then drop then repeat for four hours
Good luck
trenthalliday
07-Nov-08, 12:16pm
I not 100% on this, i feel like i'm not really ready but getting out and playing in front of people has given me a lot more confidence.
Yeah sorry keep forgetting ITM has sarcasm scan turned off nowadays....
But if your thinking "am I ready to be playing at 1am at *insert appropriate big club name*" then your not ready. Start small, then build it from there. DJing is 20% skill, 70% tack selection and 10% confidence. Confidence breeds comfort, when your comfotable behind the decks you play better. well thats my experience anyway. not that that comes from a huge wealth of knowledge from a million club gigs though just what I have experienced recently :lol:
RudeTed
07-Nov-08, 12:29pm
DJing is 1% skill, 1% track selection, 70% "who you know" and 70% confidence (with a little help from our friend charlie).
Fixded!
I mobile DJed for a while. If I'm an indicator of what you can achieve, I'd steer well clear.
Funkedub
07-Nov-08, 01:52pm
i'm trying to get my head around what to play and how ie hip hop mixing NFI
any tips people?
it's easy.
let a song play.
when it's finished, play the next song.
and yes, i am serious.
trenthalliday
07-Nov-08, 03:18pm
Fixded!
maths was not your strong point was it.....:stroke:
Dr Bones
07-Nov-08, 03:32pm
maths was not your strong point was it.....:stroke:
:lol:
Hahahahaha, or spelling by the looks of it!
RudeTed
07-Nov-08, 04:47pm
maths was not your strong point was it.....:stroke:
i fukn rulez at the math.
giv me a sum. any sum. il show yas
miner_richie
08-Nov-08, 04:50pm
limit sin (x^2) . Cos (x/3)
as x -> infinity
go go gadget math skillz!
no, thats not math...
1+4=5 is math.
what you have is incomprehensible rubbish!
RudeTed
10-Nov-08, 11:54am
1% + 1% + 70% + 70% = 142%. Pwn!
CHOPPY_INDAHOUSE
10-Nov-08, 08:46pm
lol
pEAkeR_hAT
10-Nov-08, 10:42pm
Record a set and post up here, what genre do u play?
^ Ive found that I need to spend more time on what songs go together well, at the moment it's like eq/beatmatching's ok, some issues when I try and mix out of a chorus. If I mixed on the outro it would sound alright but it wouldn't be very creative.
The genre I love playing is hard trance, the genre I enjoy playing most of the time is house. For bar's/party's house is the genre that appeals to the widest of these dancefloor's (aside from rnb which I don't have much of an interest in.)
Posting a set here is a good idea, as I can get all the weakness's in my mix pointed out by people who are aware of what a good mix can sound like. Lol prodomitaly commercial house might be what the clubbers are looking for, but maybe not itm, I'll get told off for playing cheese haha.
mashedman
11-Nov-08, 12:51pm
never play shit you dont love. I think hard trance is gay but if thats what you love you'll no doubt end up better playing that style. Don't play music simply because it has more appeal
ferretrock
11-Nov-08, 01:47pm
^Yup - no point playing music you don't love...
I've gotta say that only now after playing about 5 gigs do I feel like i'm ready. :lol:
I guess I should've played more mates' house-parties first.
Getting up there and playing small gigs gives you confidence to play better - I've done 4 little gigs in the last month and my speed at doing everything DJ-wise is just flying compared to where it was... beatmatching, picking up a slipped beat, EQing, playing the EQs etc.
Not to say that i'm playing perfectly or whatever, but you've got to be out there playing a little to get better - i'd say houseparties/friends' parties are the best opportunity for this... no stress and probably plenty of beer flowing so you'll feel less self-concious.
Personally i found that doing a few mobile DJ gigs (weddings, 18ths, 21st etc) really helped me to grow into a more adaptable DJ. Rather then just rocking up at a club and playing the same old tunes, i was forced to broaden my musical horizons and play music that i wouldn't have ever played out. It really helps you understand the fact that you're there to play for the crowd, not at them. At the end of the day the only reason your there, be it in a club or at a 21st, is to entertain people. And having a good knowledge in a wide range of music really helps you in the long run.
But as previously stated; mobile DJing is a really demeaning job - so be prepared to be under appreciated, yelled at, and rudely requested upon to till the cows come home.
Just make sure your being paid enough for the effort ;)
Lil Lizard
11-Nov-08, 02:47pm
But as previously stated; mobile DJing is a really demeaning job - so be prepared to be under appreciated, yelled at, and rudely requested upon to till the cows come home.
Just make sure your being paid enough for the effort ;)
In 3 years of mobile DJing, there has only been two occassions that I have questioned why I am doing it.
All the rest of the gigs were great.:rock:
RudeTed
11-Nov-08, 02:52pm
Not to say that i'm playing perfectly or whatever, but you've got to be out there playing a little to get better
I've done hundreds of gigs and I still never play a perfect set. probs never will. the two most important things - reading the crowd/knowing what to play
In 3 years of mobile DJing, there has only been two occassions that I have questioned why I am doing it.
All the rest of the gigs were great.:rock:
Different strokes i spose.
Personally i hate them. Any kind of gig that has such a large mix of different aged people, all into different music, is always such a drag. So hard to please them all!
^Yup - no point playing music you don't love...
I've gotta say that only now after playing about 5 gigs do I feel like i'm ready. :lol:
I guess I should've played more mates' house-parties first.
Getting up there and playing small gigs gives you confidence to play better - I've done 4 little gigs in the last month and my speed at doing everything DJ-wise is just flying compared to where it was... beatmatching, picking up a slipped beat, EQing, playing the EQs etc.
Not to say that i'm playing perfectly or whatever, but you've got to be out there playing a little to get better - i'd say houseparties/friends' parties are the best opportunity for this... no stress and probably plenty of beer flowing so you'll feel less self-concious.
Very valid statement, I'll keep this in mind along with others.
Funkedub
11-Nov-08, 07:20pm
Any kind of gig that has such a large mix of different aged people, all into different music, is always such a drag. So hard to please them all!
when i'm not playing what they like or don't have the tracks certain people would like to hear i simple point out to them ... you can please some people some time, but you can't please all the people all the time ... which is a nice way of saying "fukkoff im not playing your request"
Record a set and post up here
Ive uploaded a mix i did yesterday with the kind of tunes I would play to a party.
lowered the quality and it's streamable on zippyshare so people can skip to check the mix points, I didn't aim to be creative so just straight mixing with tracks I thought fitted a similar vibe (with 1 or 2 exceptions).
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/23938820/file.html
Thanks for any pointers. I think my mate is going to bring me along to one of his 18th gigs and let me play the house segment and he will play the rnb/retro segments in a couple weeks.
BRASS10
09-Oct-09, 06:24pm
G'day
I am very very inexperperience but by the luck of the draw i have been offered to do some very basic mixing at a school friends, sisters year 7 party. Do you think that i am jumping in too quickly? Personally, i beleive any experience is good as long as the employer realises that this is my first time. If you agree, do you have any adivce to point me in the right direction???
being a mobile dj imo is the best way to start!
my cousin started when he was 17.. private gigs.. now his 23, club dj, n gets like $400-$500 every private gig, and he can get 1 or more every week if he wants.. n his got his club gigs twice/three times a week..
being a mobile djs makes u undersand what ppl want and to be able to read a crowd..
its gives u heaps more skills aswell..
ive taken his advice, and after 2 years of being a solid mobile dj, ive got priavte gigs every week and club gigs (once or twice a week).
being a mobile dj is the best way to start! and u get ur name out thereeee!
jakeWilliams
09-Oct-09, 07:29pm
mega bump
pEAkeR_hAT
09-Oct-09, 07:51pm
enter one of those "dj comps" that happen from time to time
You only have to play for 30mins and it will give you some experienc e
G'day
I am very very inexperperience but by the luck of the draw i have been offered to do some very basic mixing at a school friends, sisters year 7 party. Do you think that i am jumping in too quickly? Personally, i beleive any experience is good as long as the employer realises that this is my first time. If you agree, do you have any adivce to point me in the right direction???
I don't know man, I mean them year 7 girls can get pretty nasty if you don't play their requests.
Better make sure they are only serving drinks in plastic cups, just in case.
Funkedub
09-Oct-09, 08:37pm
being a mobile dj imo is the best way to start!
my cousin started when he was 17.. private gigs.. now his 23, club dj, n gets like $400-$500 every private gig, and he can get 1 or more every week if he wants.. n his got his club gigs twice/three times a week..
being a mobile djs makes u undersand what ppl want and to be able to read a crowd..
its gives u heaps more skills aswell..
ive taken his advice, and after 2 years of being a solid mobile dj, ive got priavte gigs every week and club gigs (once or twice a week).
being a mobile dj is the best way to start! and u get ur name out thereeee!
i take it you don't actually play any/much dub then?
BRASS10
09-Oct-09, 09:34pm
It's more do you think im jumping in too even any sort of mobile dj'ing too quickly; specifically setting up equipment. The actual knowledge of using the equipment it should be sufficient.
seth111
09-Oct-09, 09:43pm
I'm pretty sure you can't really stuff up a year 7 party, do it and get the experience dude!
SlicyDicer
09-Oct-09, 10:10pm
Hi I am playing my 6th 21st, how much coke should I take to get the most gobbies? Usually a gram did it before, but this party is full of muzzas. I might have to lash out a bit
thanks for your time.
i take it you don't actually play any/much dub then?
lol nah i dont
sorry bout tthe misleading name lol
mitchbraz
10-Oct-09, 02:33am
i think only yourself can tell you when your ready to start playing in front of a crowd i myself have never done mobile work. i learnt to dj when i was 18 by becoming mates with the dj at a club on the goldcoast and he got me to play on the nightlife to que up the videos to the song and taught me everything and i got my first club gig 6 months after i begun to dj. and i know some people have been in there bedroom for years and never got out to a club im only 22 now and i work 3-4 nights a week on the goldcoast. so my advice is just go for it whats the worse that could happin you lose a dancefloor and then you learn from your mistakes
vBulletin® v3.6.12, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.