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-- 1st gig - how good should i be?

1st gig - how good should i be?

another newb question -- i've only been DJing for a few months, but i've got basic beatmatching, phrasematching and mixing down pretty solidly. i really want to gig at some local clubes - this is why i bought my decks in the 1st place - but i'm wondering if i'm ready.

the sets i play at home don't sound too different quality-wise to a lot of the local DJs here (i live in an area where the electronic scene is just beginning to boom) but i think a lot of my track selection is more varied and better quality than the locals i hear. any advice on what i should be working on besides the basics?

cheers

maybe a little crowd interaction depending on the mood?? not sure.

Moving this to the DJ Booth-

I think you are on the right track carreux, just keep believing in yourself and do it for real, and you�ll see everything else comes one by one. Getting a gig is all about connections and that�s something you will have to build it up for yourself, for some people it�s the easiest part of djing for some it�s a nightmare.

Re: 1st gig - how good should i be?

quote:

Originally posted by carreux another newb question -- i've only been DJing for a few months, but i've got basic beatmatching, phrasematching and mixing down pretty solidly. i really want to gig at some local clubes - this is why i bought my decks in the 1st place - but i'm wondering if i'm ready. the sets i play at home don't sound too different quality-wise to a lot of the local DJs here (i live in an area where the electronic scene is just beginning to boom) but i think a lot of my track selection is more varied and better quality than the locals i hear. any advice on what i should be working on besides the basics? cheers

If you feel ready, then go for it. My only advice is that when you start out dont look up past the decks if you are nervous. Once you get into your groove you will not even notice there is a big group of people tuned into you. Your hands will shake and make sure you go for a shit before the gig

After two or three gigs out, you grow a bit of confidence then you can start to master the art. Watching the crowd, seeing how they are and how they are reacting to certain tunes. Its amazing the difference in some records on a big system too. Its all a learning process, dont be afraid to make mistakes, and dont think you'll be sasha the first time around. I would also recommend a good set of earphones if you are going to play in a club. �25 quid cans are useless when playing on a rig of any substatial nature...

Personally I think you should maybe practice a little bit more at home or play at some house parties.

However if you are ambitious just have confidence and have a good time!

Advice!

Everything's louder and far away...

Congrats man, my advice is go in there and have a good time, you will be a nervous wreck and theres a higher chance of making a mistake, but don't worry about it, mistakes happen to all DJs, just look at Tiesto..lol, anyway, just have a good time and DON'T GET DRUNK, a drink or two is fine, but when you get wasted, it can get pretty bad.

quote:

Originally posted by spolitta I think you are on the right track carreux, just keep believing in yourself and do it for real, and you�ll see everything else comes one by one. Getting a gig is all about connections and that�s something you will have to build it up for yourself, for some people it�s the easiest part of djing for some it�s a nightmare.

yeh i agree with this 100%

I only been djing for a year (well about 6 months acctuly i was away all summer and had a broken wrist over winter) and im already doing a lot of shows.


good for me no one around here knows the difference between a skilled dj and me

thanks for the support and advice everyone.

connections are not really a problem for me - luckily i know a lot of the "people in the scene" and have some decent options (i live in a pretty backward S/E asian nation ATM and as one of the few western DJs around in this city i'm a pretty marketable commodity )

i'll keep it to the living room for a coupla more months till i know i'm really ready, and post some updates on how the 1st gig goes later.

cheers

Just remember that first person you're entertaining is yourself. If you're not having a good time on decks, the audience will notice it too.

Have fun. Let the music take control

id get someone with experience to give you feedback on a mix or two. youd be surprised how many DJs think theyre ready when they really arent.

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN id get someone with experience to give you feedback on a mix or two. youd be surprised how many DJs think theyre ready when they really arent.

yup - this is kinda my biggest concern. will do.

cheers.

which country are u in right now ?

quote:

Originally posted by EvilTree Just remember that first person you're entertaining is yourself. If you're not having a good time on decks, the audience will notice it too. Have fun. Let the music take control

Do This =)
show them how much you love the music =).

Don't worry too much about the being ready or not. You will find that if you play out you will learn much more than if you stay at home anyway.
Playing out is very different to playing at home in a lot of aspects (depending on venue).

You will also find that your opinion of the local DJs will change and you will start to realise why a lot of guys are where they are and indeed actually recognise that some are better than you gave them credit for.

The other rude awakening you might experience is that your perception of music choice and what works on the dance floor will change quite considerably as it's not always the most obvious tracks that actually rock the place.

Reading the crowd will also be a new experience. Don't be shy either they can't tie you to a pole and stone you to death.

Enjoy the experience and don't be upset with anything that happens, as it's all part of learning. You will be surprised how supportive a lot of punters can be, and ignore what the bedroom DJs say because a large amount of them have never played on a big system.

Enjoy it and learn.

Cheers
Nem

Re: Re: 1st gig - how good should i be?

quote:

Originally posted by The Don make sure you go for a shit before the gig

very good advice actually

quote:

Originally posted by superglo which country are u in right now ?

i'm in indonesia.

nem: thanks for the tips. to be honest i have a lot of respect for the local guys here, but at the same time its a really fledgling scene and i know a majority of the locals have only a few months to years of experience, so i'm confident i can be competitive.

as it's a developing scene people i think are a bit more open to whatever a DJ plays -- a trance crowd here will rock out to just about any trance track, especially one they know.

thanks again

quote:

Originally posted by carreux i'm in indonesia. nem: thanks for the tips. to be honest i have a lot of respect for the local guys here, but at the same time its a really fledgling scene and i know a majority of the locals have only a few months to years of experience, so i'm confident i can be competitive. as it's a developing scene people i think are a bit more open to whatever a DJ plays -- a trance crowd here will rock out to just about any trance track, especially one they know. thanks again

WOW!...

I never knew we'd taken over indonesia already...

(refering to Australia... and your country of Origin thing)

Dont' worry mate... most people have no idea what a good DJ is anyway... they are just there to enjoy themself... (but that's no excuse for you to not be at your best ;-))

quote:

Originally posted by Abhay WOW!... I never knew we'd taken over indonesia already...

haha.. i kinda wound up here after university (try getting a decent job in aus with a B/A in asian studies ) and got stuck.

as far as i know i'll be the only aussie DJ around in this country, though there are a few aussie musicians of other types.

strangely the biggest foreign presence in the music scene here seems to be canadians -- there are canadian boy bands, DJs, rock bands and many other musicians. i've no idea why.

i'm from WA originally, so it's actually a shorter trip home for me from jakarta than it would be if i lived in the eastern states.

cheers

quote:

Originally posted by carreux i'm in indonesia. nem: thanks for the tips. to be honest i have a lot of respect for the local guys here, but at the same time its a really fledgling scene and i know a majority of the locals have only a few months to years of experience, so i'm confident i can be competitive. as it's a developing scene people i think are a bit more open to whatever a DJ plays -- a trance crowd here will rock out to just about any trance track, especially one they know. thanks again

Sounds like you know your audience. This will go a long way.
This makes me confident that you will do a good job.

Cheers
Nem

You aren't going to do as great a job as you want your first time, but don't worry about that. Playing out is a whole different animal. You will learn so many new things though from playing out so stick with it.

Re: Re: Re: 1st gig - how good should i be?

quote:

Originally posted by harris b very good advice actually

Almost a ritual for me these days!!

Good advice, only played out a few times myself, and it was a BIG shock. Eeks

I was so nervous...

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 Don't worry too much about the being ready or not. You will find that if you play out you will learn much more than if you stay at home anyway. Playing out is very different to playing at home in a lot of aspects (depending on venue). You will also find that your opinion of the local DJs will change and you will start to realise why a lot of guys are where they are and indeed actually recognise that some are better than you gave them credit for. The other rude awakening you might experience is that your perception of music choice and what works on the dance floor will change quite considerably as it's not always the most obvious tracks that actually rock the place. Reading the crowd will also be a new experience. Don't be shy either they can't tie you to a pole and stone you to death. Enjoy the experience and don't be upset with anything that happens, as it's all part of learning. You will be surprised how supportive a lot of punters can be, and ignore what the bedroom DJs say because a large amount of them have never played on a big system. Enjoy it and learn. Cheers Nem

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 Don't worry too much about the being ready or not. You will find that if you play out you will learn much more than if you stay at home anyway. Playing out is very different to playing at home in a lot of aspects (depending on venue). You will also find that your opinion of the local DJs will change and you will start to realise why a lot of guys are where they are and indeed actually recognise that some are better than you gave them credit for. The other rude awakening you might experience is that your perception of music choice and what works on the dance floor will change quite considerably as it's not always the most obvious tracks that actually rock the place. Reading the crowd will also be a new experience. Don't be shy either they can't tie you to a pole and stone you to death. Enjoy the experience and don't be upset with anything that happens, as it's all part of learning. You will be surprised how supportive a lot of punters can be, and ignore what the bedroom DJs say because a large amount of them have never played on a big system. Enjoy it and learn. Cheers Nem

This nearly brought me to tears man. I can relate to ALL of that so well! Perfection in a post.

10/10, 5 Stars, A+, etc/

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