DJ Mistakes: We All Make Them At Some Point
Nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes, that’s a given. However, some of them may be avoidable. Check the list and be honest with yourself and then see what you can change:
1. You’re Not Looking At The Crowd*
No doubt that digital DJing has brought us tons of awesome advances and conveniences, but one of the major downsides: nobody even looks up at the crowd anymore. Obviously you have to look at your laptop for various things, but don’t forget you’re in the booth for one thing: to control the crowd. You can’t control them effectively if you’re not even looking them. *also known as serato face.
[Tweet “You’re in the booth for one thing: to control the crowd”]
2. You’re Drunk
Just because you’re getting free drinks all night doesn’t mean you should drink enough of them to get wasted. It’s cool to get a little loose, but don’t get so drunk that you forget where you are, why you’re there, and what you’re doing. Everyone thinks they DJ better once they’re drunk and while that may be true for a small percentage of people, chances are you’re not in that group. Don’t let your desire to be a part of the party get in the way of your ability to control it.
3. You’re Not Letting Songs Play For The Right Amount Of Time
Another great thing about digital DJing is the ability to quickly mix from song to song. There is a fine art to this, and a right way to do it. You need to know when it’s time to let a song breathe. If you’re playing 30 seconds of each song all night, you’re really going to annoy your crowd. At the same time, you also need to know when you’re letting songs play too long. Crowds today don’t want to hear that awesome eight minute extended mix you’ve been keeping in the stash. Keep it moving!
4. You’re Sticking To The Hits And Not Being Creative Enough
If you show up to your gig and you’re playing nothing but known hit records, why are you even there? The venue could easily play the billboard top 100 on their own without hiring you, so show them why they booked you. Look, we know it’s tough these days to face crowds who want to hear what they’re familiar with, there’s no denying that. It’s still your job to give them something they aren’t used to, to challenge them and make them think a little. Be creative and don’t be scared to break records. Even if it’s only on a subconscious level, your crowd will be appreciative.
[Tweet “Be creative and don’t be scared to break records”]
5. You’re Not Respecting The Venue
There’s a problem afoot when there are only 25 people in the party and 20 of them got on free on your guest list. Or when your comp tab at the end of the night is as long as War & Peace. Respect the place you’re playing at for the night if you expect to get booked again. You may not think clubs take note of these things but they do, trust me.
6. You’re Not Even DJing [Bonus Mistake]
C’mon bro. Everyone can’t be the festival headliner. Enough posing, get to work:
