School & Teen Events Your beginning experiences

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T

tomp

New DJ
Jun 7, 2011
3
0
38
Hi everyone,
So I have a little over 10 gigs under my belt now, ranging from parties to weddings. I've noticed some good progress from my first gigs, ranging from the amount of people I get out on the floor, my confidence level (I was stone petrified my first gig), music selection, as well as an increasingly strong and confident mic voice. But I still know there is a lot to learn and improve on, and I am constantly expanding my boundaries in the industry and as a person. So, I am wondering, how did your first mobile DJ gigs go? What were your biggest lessons you learned from them, and tips that you would tell other people, such as myself?..

-Tomp
 
Hey Tomp welcome to the board. Tell us a little about yourself
 
Tomp- Like Jeff interested in knowing a little bit about you!

Have fun! if your having fun the guests will see that and know it's ok for them to have fun.
Be approachable- even though you are nervous let the guests know you are approachable.
Be S-A-F-E - make sure cords are taped , stands are secure and level, volume levels aren't hurting anyone, nothing is low hanging, etc..
If you don't have anything nice to say then say nothing!

Djing is one of the funnest jobs you can have, but it IS a job.

Paul
 
So I'm a mobile DJ in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area in my twenties.. I started off as a club DJ here in the city, and was introduced to mobile DJing by a friend of mine who was in the business. I work for a small DJ company, so all the gigs, equipment and marketing are provided for, allowing me to focus mainly on the music and entertainment. I play about 2 gigs every weekend. Paul, I definitely see the potential in the job to be the funnest job, especially when everyone is out dancing and having fun, but I also face many challenges.. and still have gigs where I am sweating bullets.
 
ok since you have laid down some details I will give my part in this. Two most important things required to be succesful in any and all aspects of the industry requires a love and desire to make Music your life. Load up on as much as possible and if you want to survive over the yrs stretch out to as many poignant genres as possible to give yourself options for playing anything and anywhere. Having played in 7 countries and including five states in the USA and now two provinces in Canada my music knowledge and passion to learn daily has kept me fluid within the industry for almost 39 yrs now. Dont think having a huge library alone will complete the success package as simple as it may seem to have all the best of hits for each event the real secret is having a sense for the timing and when the right song is played at the right time. I was fortunate to learn very early this trick and other skills which fortunately came very naturally for me. I dont allow the natural gifts to do it all though and I study music and charts etc daily its a passion, hobby and as necessary to me as blood flow and a heartbeat. If your lucky and work hard like I have you might just call it your career like I have for so many yrs. Good luck and if you have any further questions feel free to PM me your number I love talking shop.
 
My suggestion is to join the local chapter of the American DJ Association. This will help you develop better skills, and the networking can't be beat!
 
Tomp-
Don't worry brutha the bullets will decrease over time. It's actually good to be nervous keeps you alert and in tune with the flow of the event. Hopefully you have not yet or never will experience that one guest who feels they need to shout at you that you suck. I mean the anger in there face is just down right funny as sh t. If that ever happens just smile, be the professional and go home and beat the piss out of your heavy bag! Trust me people are watching.

JT- hits some very valid points on the music. My secret is I treat each event like a movie and I am in charge of the sound track. In fact many videographers have said, " Damn man you were right on que with that song" How do I do it? I have no idea. I just feel it and you will too over time.

ODJT is the DJ well of information lots of years in experience here. You may not like what you read all the time but DJs have taken a beating over the years especially mobile djs so coming off information is hard for them to do when so many fly by night djs take the trade secrets and F K them up royally just add to the wall of secrecy.

Carry on grasshopper you have much to learn!
Paul
 
Thanks for the replies guys I will definitely be watching the forums to pick up on tips and advice.. The road thus far has given me some of the bigger challenges in my life, but I can see the multi-colored light at the end of the tunnel, and it is super bright.
 
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