Is DJing Easy? Should You Be Nervous Before An Event? How Important Is The Prep?

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The thing is what level of a DJ are you. Are you a DJ just starting out, a DJ that has been doing this for a little while or have you been doing this for many years. Let's say at least 5 years. If you have been doing this for at least that many years you should feel comfortable with doing events. What I always say is to find out if you're the right DJ for a particular event. Some events might be better suited for another DJ to do the event.

What I like to do is to see if we're the right DJs for an event. If not I will pass on the event so we don't look bad and ruin the event for the client.
 
I never put a time or hours limit to the amount I spend on planning a client's event. Each event is different. Each client is unique. The guest will be different and even when providing the service in a known venue, the client might decide on something challenging. The bigger the event as with my "mini-concert" experience, the higher the stakes and the higher the fees I charge. We are living in a time when clients can plan an event & DIY via a DJ website. Personalized service is getting more rare than ever and that's something my clients appreciate. This my friends takes time, and time is money.
 
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The way I see it is how good are you as a DJ? Once you feel comfortable enough that you know what you're doing, you shouldn't be so nervous.

Again not everybody who becomes a DJ was meant to be a DJ. He's my take on it. Micheal Jordan is certainly one of the best if not the best NBA player of all times. He was gifted and destined to be in the NBA. Still no matter how skilled he was he still had to work hard to get to where he wound up.

How much are you willing to work on your craft?
 
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Let me ask this question. How long did it take before you felt comfortable with doing events? Was it right away, 6 months , a year?
 
Totally depends on how many events you do a week and the person. Some are nervous at events even years later. One of my friends who started DJing in the 1980s told me he started to get nervous again after 25+ years DJing. Myself after DJing with only 1 laptop running for over 10 years, I started feeling nervous one day and only felt comfortable with 2 laptops running plus the backup. And its not that I had a issue, it just happen.
 
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I just realized something from the last post. The reason a DJ maybe nervous is because things has changed over the years. Music over the years has changed a great deal. Some DJs as they get older may not be able to cope with the new music of today and yet still want to perform at those kinds of events. That's where I stand by doing events that you feel comfortable with doing and not just agreeing to do an event because there's money to be made.

So somethings a DJ would have done years ago won't work for certain crowds.

I get beat up a lot because I'm not the DJ who plays the newer music that the younger people like to hear. I don't pretend to be that DJ. For one thing my brain can't think that fast to switch from one song to the next in abot 90 seconds.
 
I finally looked at the video he made. Great video ! I know he's been a DJ a long time. So he has a ton of experience. So he basically knows what to do and that's why he said he doesn't get nervous doing events. He did mention doing an event that if he didn't prepare for doing the event he would have been nervous. The other thing I liked what he said was he doesn't agree to do any event he doesn't feel he will do a good job.
 
adj2ent said:
Totally depends on how many events you do a week and the person. Some are nervous at events even years later. One of my friends who started DJing in the 1980s told me he started to get nervous again after 25+ years DJing. Myself after DJing with only 1 laptop running for over 10 years, I started feeling nervous one day and only felt comfortable with 2 laptops running plus the backup. And its not that I had a issue, it just happen.
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I feel you and totally agree. I've had 2 different machines that crapped out during a gig (bad memory sticks). Ever since then I ALWAYS have 2 laptops setup and running and have the special event songs duplicated. After starting the special songs on machine #1, I then kick it off on machine #2 and try to sync them as close as possible. If the primary dies, just turn the volume up on the 2nd.
 
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I always get a little anxious before gigs( weddings mostly) , it goes away pretty quickly though .

I spend as much time as needed to prep for the gigs, and do every thing within my power to make sure I am 100% prepared come the day of.
 
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I have a friend who has been doing this longer than me and does prep work before a lot of his events. That's fine for him. Me I don't do a lot of preparing for an event most times. I have been a DJ this last time for 24 years. So I'm confident about the service I provide as a DJ.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I have a friend who has been doing this longer than me and does prep work before a lot of his events. That's fine for him. Me I don't do a lot of preparing for an event most times. I have been a DJ this last time for 24 years. So I'm confident about the service I provide as a DJ.
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... And there may Inlines, may be your Issue.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I have a friend who has been doing this longer than me and does prep work before a lot of his events. That's fine for him. Me I don't do a lot of preparing for an event most times. I have been a DJ this last time for 24 years. So I'm confident about the service I provide as a DJ.
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You don’t prep to make sure client specific song are the versions they want and good versions,? You make sure your equipment is in proper working order before the gig, you don’t double check to make sure you have the correct equipment including backups loaded and ready for the event?


Enjoy your HOBBY!!!
 
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CurtissTheDJ said:
Mix, Being "Comfortable" verses "Being Nervous before an Event" are totally different; Most Us are Comfortable before an Event due to our Preparation.
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Let's say that when you've been doing this for a while you should become comfortable with doing an event. What I find interesting is some see what we do as easy. It's not as easy as it looks.

The true question is why did you decide to be a DJ? Some simply see this as a way to make some easy money. Those who have been doing this for a good amount of time know better.
 
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