DJ Abuse

**dj phillip esparza** · December 21st, 2003, 01:51 PM

What is your definition of a DJ?There are so many DJs in Hollywood that are just popular because they go out every night or have a glamerous look.But when they play it's obvious they have no skills.

what is you definition of a DJ?

**originalbigm** · December 21st, 2003, 04:06 PM

Originally Written by dj phillip esparza

What is your definition of a DJ?There are so many DJs in Hollywood that are just popular because they go out every night or have a glamerous look.But when they play it's obvious they have no skills.

what is you definition of a DJ?

While mixing skills can be impressive I don't necessarily put a whole lot of stock in it.More importantly is the abilitiy of a DJ to select the correct song for the correct moment and to have the ability to manipulate and play the crowd by what ever means they can.Granted there is nothing more annoying than listening to a DJ who can't mix in and out of songs when it's obvious he can't.
Even us old timers had to acquire skills by trial and error and practice in the early days and screwed up on a regular basis but the ability to pull yourself out of the screwups quickly was another good skill to possess.

**BrunoRepublic** · December 21st, 2003, 04:19 PM

A couple of months ago, I was asked to put together 4 mixed CDs for my group's bar night (note: the bar in question has no dance floor).

As I have absolutely no mixing skills whatsoever, I simply assembled a collection of tired-but-true 70s, 80s, and 90s songs. I threw the odd relatively obscure thing in like CJ & Co's "We Got Our Own Thing", but for the most part it was Divine, Madonna, Cher, Village People, Company B, etc. I used slams, bizarre backwards reverb effects, or samples from TV and campy movies to segue the tracks and avoid having to actually beat-mix. This was done with Cool Edit Pro, and not in real time, so I could do a few tricks not possible with live mixing. But still, it was very amateurish.

Afterwards, several people went up to me with praise like "Wow! You're such a great DJ! That was awesome!"

"I'm not a DJ", I replied. "I just threw a bunch of songs together that I knew everyone would like."

Nonetheless, one fellow wants me to DJ at his upcoming birthday bash. :oops:

**SandraDee** · December 21st, 2003, 04:22 PM

You could've stumbled upon a goldmine Graham. Some 'top' DJs in the UK are driving Ferraris & buying homes in Marbella! :-?

**born2disco** · December 21st, 2003, 04:27 PM

These days a DJ usually means 'dull juvenile'. :lol:

**SandraDee** · December 21st, 2003, 04:31 PM

LOL Born 2 Disco! :lol:

**dj phillip esparza** · December 21st, 2003, 05:28 PM

LOL :lol:

**Forrrce** · December 21st, 2003, 06:00 PM

DJ Abuse? Think I'll adopt that moniker!

**QUINNY** · December 21st, 2003, 06:51 PM

Forrrce: Hope you've got the hypos, bottles of spirits and aerosol cans to back it up, whenever you go DJing. You know how tuff an audience can be. 8)

**Forrrce** · December 22nd, 2003, 01:27 AM

Originally Written by QUINNY

Forrrce: Hope you've got the hypos, bottles of spirits and aerosol cans to back it up, whenever you go DJing. You know how tuff an audience can be. 8)

Don't I know it, Q...maybe I should be called 'DJ Broom', for obvious reasons... :roll: :roll: :roll:

**QUINNY** · December 22nd, 2003, 02:59 AM

As someone who used to clear the floor from time to time (who didn't?) and was employed as a cleaner in two venues ('cos my DJ wages were piss poor) I can sympathize. Once you've worked as the hero and had to clear up the mess YOU CREATED from the night before, DJing was a more cerebral t'ing. Floor clearing (when it happened) became an altogether more positive action. Only safe DJs didn't clear floors, right? Give me the edge, give me the frisson.

Sweep dat broom, Forrrce, sweep it.

**JussiK** · December 22nd, 2003, 06:21 AM

Speaking of Cleaning Up I hesitantly add a memory from a party, something nasty that I do not wish the more sensitive of you distinguished people to read. Stop reading now please. I was spinning at an art gallery opening when the hostess/organiser rushed up to me with a rag in her hand in fury, demanding I go to the loo at once AT ONCE and clean up the mess. Apparently the most well known weatherman on our television at that time and a dedicated bachelor had gotten carried away with someone and had taken showers in that little space there - and let me tell you it was indeed a mess. The organiser thought I was responsible somehow having driven the audience into a sinful frenzy with those relentless drumbeats. Why am I telling you this kind of morbid stuff when there's so many more pleasant things to point out? Like last Saturday I witnessed a birth of a disco fan - it was a heartwarming episode I'll always cherish. Half way thru the party I spotted a conservatively dressed late 20's or early 30's couple on the floor, dancing feverishly. One could tell those two were Absolute Beginners by the way they inspected others and tried to rub on some of their cool. It was a joy watching how much they enjoyed themselves. After some 3 yes 3 hours the woman gave up and retreated to the sofa, leaving the guy still jumping, twisting ad stepping on the floor. His expensive looking jacket had already been disgarded and it lay there being stomped on. The guy kept prancing and becoming more expressive. His eyes were now shut most of the time and he was completely covered in sweat. And then, as I sequed into Eso Es by Los Chicos - following Rain 2000 by Titanic - his arms shot up and he begain jumping up and down. When the lights came on he was still there, holding on to the last beat of the music while his wife/girlfriend/mistress slowly started getting up and approaching him, taking his arm gently, leading him away. While he was going he drummed with his hand, still lost in music.

Graham, I always knew you had the makings of a grand dj in you. You go bro!

**efunk_adelic** · December 22nd, 2003, 11:32 AM

Originally Written by originalbigm

While mixing skills can be impressive I don't necessarily put a whole lot of stock in it.More importantly is the abilitiy of a DJ to select the correct song for the correct moment and to have the ability to manipulate and play the crowd by what ever means they can.Granted there is nothing more annoying than listening to a DJ who can't mix in and out of songs when it's obvious he can't.
Even us old timers had to acquire skills by trial and error and practice in the early days and screwed up on a regular basis but the ability to pull yourself out of the screwups quickly was another good skill to possess.

I have to agree with bigm,

this is my definition of the perfect DJ.

1. He has to have above average or better mixing into and out of song skills.

2. He has a nice and understandable clear voice ... so that when he needs to bail himself out of a jam or a segway into a different genre of music.

3. Has the ability to pick the right songs at the right time to keep the flow of the event going smoothly.

4. Has a variety of all types of music.

Score card on myself:

1. B+
2. B
3. B+
4. A

dj phillip.... i've been wanting to start a topic such as this... good job! :D

**efunk_adelic** · December 22nd, 2003, 11:38 AM

Originally Written by born2disco

These days a DJ usually means 'dull juvenile'. :lol:

LMAO :lol: :lol:

**dj phillip esparza** · December 22nd, 2003, 12:37 PM

Originally Written by efunk_adelic

Originally Written by originalbigm

While mixing skills can be impressive I don't necessarily put a whole lot of stock in it.More importantly is the abilitiy of a DJ to select the correct song for the correct moment and to have the ability to manipulate and play the crowd by what ever means they can.Granted there is nothing more annoying than listening to a DJ who can't mix in and out of songs when it's obvious he can't.
Even us old timers had to acquire skills by trial and error and practice in the early days and screwed up on a regular basis but the ability to pull yourself out of the screwups quickly was another good skill to possess.

I have to agree with bigm,

this is my definition of the perfect DJ.

1. He has to have above average or better mixing into and out of song skills.

2. He has a nice and understandable clear voice ... so that when he needs to bail himself out of a jam or a segway into a different genre of music.

3. Has the ability to pick the right songs at the right time to keep the flow of the event going smoothly.

4. Has a variety of all types of music.

Score card on myself:

1. B+
2. B
3. B+
4. A

dj phillip.... i've been wanting to start a topic such as this... good job! :D

sure,thanks for reading and adding your info.

**HustleBaby** · December 23rd, 2003, 02:12 AM

A good dj is someone who :

- has mixing skills
- is a people person, sociable and knows how to work a crowd :D
- is not overly sensitive when someone ask for a request
- plays "floor fillers" instead of playing songs they ONLY want to hear :evil: :x
- dosen't play a crappy song immediately after a hit and calls it mixing :o
- can sense when the crowd is restless and throw on a hit
- dosen't play toooooo many slow songs (2-3 max)
- dosen't talk toooooo much :x talking over a good song :evil:
- dosen't replay hits even though they are crowd pleasers, it becomes overkill

*DISCO DELIGHT*

**born2disco** · December 23rd, 2003, 03:49 PM

I have a t-shirt that reads "**** OFF I'M MIXING!" printed on it. :lol: Life has been a lot easier.

**dj phillip esparza** · December 23rd, 2003, 04:24 PM

sweeet!

**born2disco** · December 23rd, 2003, 04:26 PM

By the way, since when do DJs talk over (or between) their records? I can't think of anything worse (unless you're a radio DJ that is). I've never uttered a word and never would!

**NickNack** · December 23rd, 2003, 08:27 PM

Originally Written by born2disco

By the way, since when do DJs talk over (or between) their records? I can't think of anything worse (unless you're a radio DJ that is). I've never uttered a word and never would!

THANK YOU! Finally, someone who gets it. When you're in a club, no one wants to hear the dj babbling on. :x

**efunk_adelic** · December 23rd, 2003, 09:41 PM

BTW i'm a mobile jock... I have to talk... during my club days... I never talked.

**Jimmy-Michaels** · December 24th, 2003, 04:48 AM

A good DJ, well here goes:

1. To be able to blend the tracks together live to create a journey, not just slapping songs beat on beat at beat breaks..ya gotta be going somewhere with the sounds your spinning.

2. To not cheet the systym and use vinyl and turntables and not those "we'll match the beats for ya without effecting the pitch" CD mixing crap LOL

3. To spin it live and not pre-recorded (which someone recently told me alot of DJ's do now days)

4. Have no plans nor know what your gonna play next and make it all work..push the limits of pitch and selection to create the journey I mention in #1

5. Always be watching the dancefloor, this is your main and only real instruction book to guide you through a night. If the dancefloor seems real into the track your playing, ride it to the last possible place to mixout or better yet, have 2 copies and extend the **** out of it with repeating sections then hit em in the ass with something different when their least expecting it.

6. Always throw a loop using the good old listen in on the 4/4 trick and find the 4/4 even if the track your gonna go into or out of doesnt have one. Example, I went one time from this bizzare Regge song to "Thats Good" by Devo..it's all in the pitch. But never pitch anything too high or low with vocals to the point where the vocals sound sick or chipmunkish..with instrumental tracks, the sky's the limit! :lol: