Top DJ Tips From the Pros

So, you want to be a better DJ? Avoiding these common mistakes is a great way to improve your skills, be hired for more gigs, and thrill audiences with your beats.

Letting Them Look

You’ll get approached all night by people asking to look at your collection. They often are trying to play a “joke” by suggesting inappropriate, random, unpopular, or boring songs to play. Unfortunately, if you let them do so, you can create an avalanche of copycats. More importantly, you lose control of the pace, flow, and pattern of your gig.

Mixing it Up

You don’t want to spend all of your time hunched over your controls, trying to create one perfect mix after another. Spending too much time focused on the mixes is unfortunate, because you end up missing out on understanding the mood, vibe, and atmosphere of the room and crowd. Focus more on the feeling the next song will evoke, not on the transition that’s fleeting and likely not to be remembered.

Playing Too Loud

WHEN EVERYONE AT THE EVENT NEEDS TO SHOUT AT THE TOP OF THEIR LUNGS TO BE HEARD OR THEY’RE TRYING TO MOVE TO THOSE QUIET SPOTS IN THE ROOM, IT MEANS THE DJ IS NOT DOING HIS OR HER JOB!!! THAT HEART-POUNDING, ROOM-SHAKING SET MIGHT SEEM COOL TO YOU, BUT YOU NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE GATHERING IS USUALLY ABOUT MORE THAN JUST HEARING GREAT TUNES!!!!!!!

Playing The Big Songs Too Early

There will always be a few songs that are the go-to faves for most of your audience. Attendees will be expecting to hear them. You need to gauge the crowd, know when it’s the right time to fill the dance floor, and space out your top tunes throughout the night. Otherwise, you’ll play them too soon or too closely and risk losing the interest of the crowd.

Playing Every Request

It’s wise to take requests and work them in as makes sense. But that does not mean you need to play every single suggestion. You can even tell the crowd early on that you won’t be able to fulfill every request. Sure, some people might be disappointed, but if you give them sets that flow nicely, excite the crowd at the right time, and set the right tone, people will forgive not hearing their favorites.

Playing Bad Files

Invest in the good stuff. Don’t rip low-quality YouTube files that do not have the high fidelity and rich sound your crowd deserves. Take the time to make sure the files you have are the best available and purchased properly. You’re in the music business and you should properly support the artists who supply your product.

If you love DJing, check out DJ Mixer Express!

This article was originally published on 4th August 2016.

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