piyo
I have not seen any written rules or never heard of any as well, But thru many experiences (good and bad) with DJ mates, I sometimes asked myself if their shouldn't be some type of codes for our DJ community
First let’s try with a definition a Guest DJ: Every time I get invited to play a "segment" at a party (Either if it's a regular club party or just a promoter throwing a party) I consider myself as a guest DJ. In those situation both club and party promoters already have their main DJ or DJs and they just want you to play a segment. It usually range from 45mins to 1hour.
When playing as a "Guest DJ", with a “Main DJ” that I have never played before, I always try to make it early at the venue and always make it my duty to approach the "Main DJ" and try to have a feel on how HE plan the night. At clubs having regular gigs with regular DJ, the DJ knows his crowd and most of the time already has a pattern that he knows will move his crowd. That's the last thing a Guest DJ wants to do is come to a party and messed up a DJ that already has a flow going on for him. Sometimes it's common sense. If you see a very good vibe going on in the crowd and that's your first time playing at the venue, just play it safe. Follow the lead. You will add your mixing style into it but just go with the flow. If you are not a known DJ, playing at a venue for the first time, and you try your own little tricks, you will have a better chance to make a fool out of yourself, because whatever tricks works at venue A will not necessarily work at venue B.
On many occasions, with DJs I spin with the first time, I get to play the early hours. Since I consider myself an easy going type of guy, they would usually give me some prime time, where I can get the chance to really shine. If It does not happen, I do not complain either. I do respect other’s territory and the chain of command. Either I think I can do a better job than a main DJ, I wouldn’t purposely go into a gig just to show off, disrespect or bring another DJ mate down. If you connect to the crowd, they will love and follow you naturally. I always try my best to avoid that “competition” mentality and try to be as open as possible. There are always things you can learn from a “not so” experienced guy.
I went thru so much with guess DJs (couple weeks ago was my worst lol), I felt compelled to drop those few lines.
If any of you feel they should add something to advice some new cats attitude as far as been a "Guest DJ" out there please do so. Cause sometimes I can be Ridiculous.
First let’s try with a definition a Guest DJ: Every time I get invited to play a "segment" at a party (Either if it's a regular club party or just a promoter throwing a party) I consider myself as a guest DJ. In those situation both club and party promoters already have their main DJ or DJs and they just want you to play a segment. It usually range from 45mins to 1hour.
When playing as a "Guest DJ", with a “Main DJ” that I have never played before, I always try to make it early at the venue and always make it my duty to approach the "Main DJ" and try to have a feel on how HE plan the night. At clubs having regular gigs with regular DJ, the DJ knows his crowd and most of the time already has a pattern that he knows will move his crowd. That's the last thing a Guest DJ wants to do is come to a party and messed up a DJ that already has a flow going on for him. Sometimes it's common sense. If you see a very good vibe going on in the crowd and that's your first time playing at the venue, just play it safe. Follow the lead. You will add your mixing style into it but just go with the flow. If you are not a known DJ, playing at a venue for the first time, and you try your own little tricks, you will have a better chance to make a fool out of yourself, because whatever tricks works at venue A will not necessarily work at venue B.
On many occasions, with DJs I spin with the first time, I get to play the early hours. Since I consider myself an easy going type of guy, they would usually give me some prime time, where I can get the chance to really shine. If It does not happen, I do not complain either. I do respect other’s territory and the chain of command. Either I think I can do a better job than a main DJ, I wouldn’t purposely go into a gig just to show off, disrespect or bring another DJ mate down. If you connect to the crowd, they will love and follow you naturally. I always try my best to avoid that “competition” mentality and try to be as open as possible. There are always things you can learn from a “not so” experienced guy.
I went thru so much with guess DJs (couple weeks ago was my worst lol), I felt compelled to drop those few lines.
If any of you feel they should add something to advice some new cats attitude as far as been a "Guest DJ" out there please do so. Cause sometimes I can be Ridiculous.
Posté Tue 22 Dec 09 @ 1:31 pm
Tear Em 'Up
The DJ ego is a fragile thing in some cases. Just keep on, keepin' on and things will work out. Unfortunately there is no set set of rules...
Posté Tue 22 Dec 09 @ 4:02 pm
thatmexicandj
Man i know what you mean, in the weekend coming im sposed to open for this bigger name dj...while im excited about it, the more i hear this other dj's sets the more i get nervous, i find that while we play similar styles[mashups and stuff] but my sets are a bit more uptempo while his stay on the side of hip hop and feels rather slow [to me anyways]
im really excited about the opportunity but...at the same time im not sure what to do, if i should adapt to what he will play or to just go with what i know
havin a guest dj is awesome in other situations though i love tag teaming and droppin 2 or 3 tracks and then the other guy would drop 2 or 3 tracks or we would improvise on the spot...good times
im really excited about the opportunity but...at the same time im not sure what to do, if i should adapt to what he will play or to just go with what i know
havin a guest dj is awesome in other situations though i love tag teaming and droppin 2 or 3 tracks and then the other guy would drop 2 or 3 tracks or we would improvise on the spot...good times
Posté Tue 22 Dec 09 @ 4:55 pm
A Man and His Music
This is the way I approach the situation. If I am a guest at a club, I want to play there. I will treat it as an audition. I will always give the best performance I can, and let the chips fall where they may. I will have already done my research on the main DJ, and try not to step on his toes. If I am early, I do not play any of the hot tracks that are out. I leave that to the main DJ. The truth of the matter is, any chimp can play the top 20, what do you do after that. Show some respect, and leave the booth cleaner than when you came in. Ego? I'm the baddest DJ that ever touched vinyl, so I don't have an ego.
Posté Tue 22 Dec 09 @ 5:33 pm
theStylishDJ
A Man and His Music wrote :
any chimp can play the top 20, what do you do after that. Show some respect, and leave the booth cleaner than when you came in.
i feeel you on that
Posté Tue 22 Dec 09 @ 6:41 pm
piyo
One night I had to ask a Party Promoter to keep a guest DJ off the DJ booth.
Posté Tue 22 Dec 09 @ 8:54 pm
wildcountryclub
mistah_p wrote :
i feeel you on that
A Man and His Music wrote :
any chimp can play the top 20, what do you do after that. Show some respect, and leave the booth cleaner than when you came in.
i feeel you on that
in all the years i've been at this club NO ONE other than myself has ever cleaned the booth.
the few guest dj's we've had come in, embarassed themselves, and then left. they tried to show-off and failed - "i'm gonna play this and this and they're gonna love it. its a real big hit where i'm from" or my favorite " they just have to get used to me. when are you gonna have me back?" my answer - "probably never. you just played for 30 minutes and no one danced or even bopped around on the sidelines and the manager already said you were done and you kept on for 5 more minutes."
not once have we had a guest dj play things our braindead inbred redneck customers dance to. so we dont invite them anymore.
Posté Wed 23 Dec 09 @ 2:34 am
piyo
wildcountryclub wrote :
in all the years i've been at this club NO ONE other than myself has ever cleaned the booth.
the few guest dj's we've had come in, embarassed themselves, and then left. they tried to show-off and failed - "i'm gonna play this and this and they're gonna love it. its a real big hit where i'm from" or my favorite " they just have to get used to me. when are you gonna have me back?" my answer - "probably never. you just played for 30 minutes and no one danced or even bopped around on the sidelines and the manager already said you were done and you kept on for 5 more minutes."
not once have we had a guest dj play things our braindead inbred redneck customers dance to. so we dont invite them anymore.
mistah_p wrote :
i feeel you on that
A Man and His Music wrote :
any chimp can play the top 20, what do you do after that. Show some respect, and leave the booth cleaner than when you came in.
i feeel you on that
in all the years i've been at this club NO ONE other than myself has ever cleaned the booth.
the few guest dj's we've had come in, embarassed themselves, and then left. they tried to show-off and failed - "i'm gonna play this and this and they're gonna love it. its a real big hit where i'm from" or my favorite " they just have to get used to me. when are you gonna have me back?" my answer - "probably never. you just played for 30 minutes and no one danced or even bopped around on the sidelines and the manager already said you were done and you kept on for 5 more minutes."
not once have we had a guest dj play things our braindead inbred redneck customers dance to. so we dont invite them anymore.
Exactly my point. Before you even accept a gig, do some research on the venue, the type of crowd and even the Main DJ routine. If you did not get a chance to check on the spot on a previous regular night, come in as early as you can, get a feel of the venue, get acquainted to the managers, bartenders, be nice to the Main DJ and try to get some tips from every one of them. All regular weekly party at some point develop a pattern that the regular crowd is already used to. No matter how good your mixing skills are you will set the crowd up by changing their regular pattern. Even if you are a good “crowd reader”, your chances to make them feel your new vibe in less than 10 mins are really slim. Many times I have heard “I have not seen anybody who does not like my style” or “I am ready to fired up the place” or “Bro you will be scared to touch that set when I am done” ect… and they all fail. Also, it’s OK, you do not have to be a genius in all the genres. One even went as far as insulting the crowd, can you guys believe that?
Posté Wed 23 Dec 09 @ 7:46 am
theStylishDJ
wildcountryclub wrote :
in all the years i've been at this club NO ONE other than myself has ever cleaned the booth.
the few guest dj's we've had come in, embarassed themselves, and then left. they tried to show-off and failed - "i'm gonna play this and this and they're gonna love it. its a real big hit where i'm from" or my favorite " they just have to get used to me. when are you gonna have me back?" my answer - "probably never. you just played for 30 minutes and no one danced or even bopped around on the sidelines and the manager already said you were done and you kept on for 5 more minutes."
not once have we had a guest dj play things our braindead inbred redneck customers dance to. so we dont invite them anymore.
mistah_p wrote :
i feeel you on that
A Man and His Music wrote :
any chimp can play the top 20, what do you do after that. Show some respect, and leave the booth cleaner than when you came in.
i feeel you on that
in all the years i've been at this club NO ONE other than myself has ever cleaned the booth.
the few guest dj's we've had come in, embarassed themselves, and then left. they tried to show-off and failed - "i'm gonna play this and this and they're gonna love it. its a real big hit where i'm from" or my favorite " they just have to get used to me. when are you gonna have me back?" my answer - "probably never. you just played for 30 minutes and no one danced or even bopped around on the sidelines and the manager already said you were done and you kept on for 5 more minutes."
not once have we had a guest dj play things our braindead inbred redneck customers dance to. so we dont invite them anymore.
piyo wrote :
Exactly my point. Before you even accept a gig, do some research on the venue, the type of crowd and even the Main DJ routine. If you did not get a chance to check on the spot on a previous regular night, come in as early as you can, get a feel of the venue, get acquainted to the managers, bartenders, be nice to the Main DJ and try to get some tips from every one of them. All regular weekly party at some point develop a pattern that the regular crowd is already used to. No matter how good your mixing skills are you will set the crowd up by changing their regular pattern. Even if you are a good “crowd reader”, your chances to make them feel your new vibe in less than 10 mins are really slim. Many times I have heard “I have not seen anybody who does not like my style” or “I am ready to fired up the place” or “Bro you will be scared to touch that set when I am done” ect… and they all fail. Also, it’s OK, you do not have to be a genius in all the genres. One even went as far as insulting the crowd, can you guys believe that?
wildcountryclub wrote :
in all the years i've been at this club NO ONE other than myself has ever cleaned the booth.
the few guest dj's we've had come in, embarassed themselves, and then left. they tried to show-off and failed - "i'm gonna play this and this and they're gonna love it. its a real big hit where i'm from" or my favorite " they just have to get used to me. when are you gonna have me back?" my answer - "probably never. you just played for 30 minutes and no one danced or even bopped around on the sidelines and the manager already said you were done and you kept on for 5 more minutes."
not once have we had a guest dj play things our braindead inbred redneck customers dance to. so we dont invite them anymore.
mistah_p wrote :
i feeel you on that
A Man and His Music wrote :
any chimp can play the top 20, what do you do after that. Show some respect, and leave the booth cleaner than when you came in.
i feeel you on that
in all the years i've been at this club NO ONE other than myself has ever cleaned the booth.
the few guest dj's we've had come in, embarassed themselves, and then left. they tried to show-off and failed - "i'm gonna play this and this and they're gonna love it. its a real big hit where i'm from" or my favorite " they just have to get used to me. when are you gonna have me back?" my answer - "probably never. you just played for 30 minutes and no one danced or even bopped around on the sidelines and the manager already said you were done and you kept on for 5 more minutes."
not once have we had a guest dj play things our braindead inbred redneck customers dance to. so we dont invite them anymore.
Exactly my point. Before you even accept a gig, do some research on the venue, the type of crowd and even the Main DJ routine. If you did not get a chance to check on the spot on a previous regular night, come in as early as you can, get a feel of the venue, get acquainted to the managers, bartenders, be nice to the Main DJ and try to get some tips from every one of them. All regular weekly party at some point develop a pattern that the regular crowd is already used to. No matter how good your mixing skills are you will set the crowd up by changing their regular pattern. Even if you are a good “crowd reader”, your chances to make them feel your new vibe in less than 10 mins are really slim. Many times I have heard “I have not seen anybody who does not like my style” or “I am ready to fired up the place” or “Bro you will be scared to touch that set when I am done” ect… and they all fail. Also, it’s OK, you do not have to be a genius in all the genres. One even went as far as insulting the crowd, can you guys believe that?
what????
my whole statement has nothing to do with what you are quoting me for!!!... you can be a guest/or an invitee and leave the top music for the main dj..its called common courtessy.. as far as leaving the booth clean -keep up..that means you brought no confrontation, you didnt leave none..
Posté Wed 23 Dec 09 @ 9:50 am
piyo
Mistah_P,
My reply was toward wildcounty on how some Guest DJs will not show any respect for the club, the crowd and not even to the main DJ.
And as you said leaving the booth clean is common courtessy.
Peace
My reply was toward wildcounty on how some Guest DJs will not show any respect for the club, the crowd and not even to the main DJ.
And as you said leaving the booth clean is common courtessy.
Peace
Posté Wed 23 Dec 09 @ 10:59 am
theStylishDJ
@ pIYO, its all good,
Posté Wed 23 Dec 09 @ 11:02 am
rayandersonjr
my monthly event is based off guest djs, bringing people in to play with me.
The way I normally do it is, if you're coming in from out of town, weather youre a bigger name than me or not, you're playing last. Period. The very least I could do for you driving a couple hours is to let you headline. I play other gigs around town,so I really don't trip off who plays first or last. However, if I travel, I do expect to be closing the night out..
If I'm opening for a big name dj, I will holla at them and ask how they want to be setup. Forget all of that "this is my chance, imma wreck shit" attitude. There is an art to being an opener. You dont wanna suck all the energy out of the room before the headliner gets up there.
If me and the dj have agreed to kinda "tag team" the night, then keep it respectful. Be courteous of the time. Dont spin for a half hour, pass it off to the other dj, and bother them to get back in the booth 15 minutes later.
MOST IMPORTANTLY!!! show support for the other dj. Dont leave as soon as your set is done, or if youre tag teaming, dont walk out when it's not your turn. If someone is pleying before you, be ther early enough to hear some of their set
The way I normally do it is, if you're coming in from out of town, weather youre a bigger name than me or not, you're playing last. Period. The very least I could do for you driving a couple hours is to let you headline. I play other gigs around town,so I really don't trip off who plays first or last. However, if I travel, I do expect to be closing the night out..
If I'm opening for a big name dj, I will holla at them and ask how they want to be setup. Forget all of that "this is my chance, imma wreck shit" attitude. There is an art to being an opener. You dont wanna suck all the energy out of the room before the headliner gets up there.
If me and the dj have agreed to kinda "tag team" the night, then keep it respectful. Be courteous of the time. Dont spin for a half hour, pass it off to the other dj, and bother them to get back in the booth 15 minutes later.
MOST IMPORTANTLY!!! show support for the other dj. Dont leave as soon as your set is done, or if youre tag teaming, dont walk out when it's not your turn. If someone is pleying before you, be ther early enough to hear some of their set
Posté Sat 26 Dec 09 @ 10:07 am