As technology evolves, so does the DJ-ing scene around the world. With the advent and general accessibility of the Internet, being a good DJ is no longer about having the best and most complete collection of vinyl records—not even of mp3 albums stored in digital forms. Anyone can access all music at all times. This on the one hand, has switched the focus toward the technological aspect of the business. Owning good DJ equipment has become a must, and many beginners focus too much on it, while forgetting that disc-jockeying is essentially a creative enterprise. On the other hand, the basic principles of creativity still apply. As technology has become more readily available, it is now easier than ever to focus more on how to get creative with your music and your crowds. Follow these key tips and tricks below and you’ll soon be on your way to making a name for yourself in the industry.
Match the Audience’s Energy
Essentially, what dancers really want is to hear music that will match their energy levels and drive that energy effortlessly into dancing. It doesn’t matter if it’s a polka, a waltz, a salsa or any other of the basic types of energy-driven dances out there. You, as the DJ, need to keep the audience from hesitating on whether or not to dance. Your DJ equipment and DJ skills combined will answer the question on every dancer’s mind (“How do I dance to this?”) before it is even formed at the back of their mind. Giving the audience time to pause and think about what it is they’re hearing will only segment their energy and drive their attention away from having fun. As such, make sure you know your music. What is more, make sure you know that “sweet spot” for perfect tempo that any good song has. Play up that sweet spot and you’re sure to get the audience off their seats and onto the dance floor in no time. You also need variety—offer a wide range of tempos, as well as highly energized tunes combined with more easygoing ones. A metronome will help you match the tempos of songs, as will beat-checking software.
Give Them Clear Beats
Clubs are usually not the appropriate venue for beat-less songs, for the very obvious reason that you can’t really dance to a song without a beat. While classical music or experimental tunes can be exceptional in their own right, dancers will want to hear drums, percussion, techno rhythms, bass and rhythm guitar. Dance music should fall in the 4 to 10 rhythmic intensity scale, with adjustments and various rates for the various types of dances. Expect your audience to talk among themselves and shuffle about, creating a rumor. Don’t expect them to hear a soft (4) rhythm—it will simply blend in with the background noise and be lost on their ears. Make sure your DJ equipment can make the beat clearly audible and you will receive no complaints at the end of the night.
Length Does Matter
Danceable songs are rarely too short. The odd case in which a favorite tune falls below the two-minute mark is actually a great opportunity for you to showcase your skill and talent. Splice it up, loop it mix up segments and create a whole new, long, danceable song that your audiences will surely love. But what do you do when the song is too long? Don’t expect dancers to be too happy about it. The main reason for partying is getting to socialize with as many people as possible—too long a dance will prevent dancers from switching partners or circulating among themselves. The rule of thumb is to cut anything that spills over the three-minute mark and slowly fade into the next tune.
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