It is a DJ's responsibility to feel the crowd and play empathetically. But what does this mean in practice?

A couple of obvious examples would be dropping a huge breakdown once everyone is glued to the dancefloor instead of early on while people are still milling around or increasing the volume/bass as energy rises.

Still, it seems like most DJs play a relatively limited set of tracks and couldn't ever accurately predict what the dancers desire in terms of sonic quality - the crowd maintains itself and the music is only symbolic.

Any ideas? This would probably be a useful discussion.

p.s. sorry if this is a repost. the search feature appears to be broken.

Really, it just comes down to seeing what the crowd responds to positively, and then try to accurately predict what they would like based on these reactions in an effort to play tracks that continually please them.

Usually, what I will do is take what I consider to be a slight "risk" for the crowd I'm playing to. Sometimes, people will visibly appreciate it and it lets you know which directions you can move with your set.

On the other hand, it might not work... and it's not necessarily a negative reaction. Just, nothing. Apathy, really. In which case, I know they aren't going to respond to that type of sound.

You shout out to the crowd, "What do you want to hear?!", and then you use your supernatural hearing to pick the most popular response out from under the noise of all that yelling and loud music. It is a skill that requires much experience to gain.

1. Play Eurodance
2. ?????
3. Profit

Responding to the crowd must be some part of ?????.

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Originally posted by mehta It is a DJ's responsibility to feel the crowd and play empathetically. But what does this mean in practice? A couple of obvious examples would be dropping a huge breakdown once everyone is glued to the dancefloor instead of early on while people are still milling around or increasing the volume/bass as energy rises. Still, it seems like most DJs play a relatively limited set of tracks and couldn't ever accurately predict what the dancers desire in terms of sonic quality - the crowd maintains itself and the music is only symbolic. Any ideas? This would probably be a useful discussion. p.s. sorry if this is a repost. the search feature appears to be broken.

what the fuck are you talking about

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Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles You shout out to the crowd, "What do you want to hear?!", and then you use your supernatural hearing to pick the most popular response out from under the noise of all that yelling and loud music. It is a skill that requires much experience to gain.

I usually just play a CD out of Mixmag and flail myself about all crazy like an idiot, whilst tweaking (in the fullest extent of the word) my EQ knobs on the mixer. You don't have to have the mixer actually hooked up for this... it's all about having that visual cue for the patrons.

when Donald Glaude cuts the music and yells "put your motherfuckin' hands up!"

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Originally posted by mehta A couple of obvious examples would be dropping a huge breakdown once everyone is glued to the dancefloor instead of early on while people are still milling around or increasing the volume/bass as energy rises.

DJing 101

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Originally posted by ******** Seplling don't demonstrate intelligence and educatoin - knowing does.

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Originally posted by david.michael Really, it just comes down to seeing what the crowd responds to positively, and then try to accurately predict what they would like based on these reactions in an effort to play tracks that continually please them.

i don't think it's so much about pleasing people, because you can't please everyone.


to me responding to the crowd means your selection is informed by how many people there are in the venue, what people are doing, how they are acting, what the venue is like, etc.

it doesn't mean it has to necessarily be a servient role or a reactionary role, in fact I think you should always stay a step ahead of the crowd to keep it fresh and/or exhilarating.

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Originally posted by nefardec i don't think it's so much about pleasing people, because you can't please everyone. to me responding to the crowd means your selection is informed by how many people there are in the venue, what people are doing, how they are acting, what the venue is like, etc. it doesn't mean it has to necessarily be a servient role or a reactionary role, in fact I think you should always stay a step ahead of the crowd to keep it fresh and/or exhilarating.

I thought this might come up, and was going to edit my response... but, well, didn't. Heh.

I attempt to play tracks which I like (and I don't feel like I'm "selling out") which allow me to express myself artistically, while still working for a crowd (ie-- more than a select few/niche/elitist/etc.) Where those lines cross is a good place to be as a DJ when you aren't surrounded by a particular "scene" or notable genre preference as far as EDM goes.

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Originally posted by Clovis DJing 101

totally basic but still worth mentioning?

thank you for the responses so far!