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DJing for Teens

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  • May 27, 2014 at 8:02 am #2034180
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Aim for the ones in every group of people (regardless of age) that seem eager to dance. They will be looking at the dancefloor and possibly you, not just tapping their feet but moving their whole body and maybe even dancing in place a bit. They will most likely be female. Try to get them going. If you are a mobile DJ you can’t be afraid to use your mic and there is nothing wrong with actively inviting people to the dancefloor. Don’t be stiff about it, give it a spin. I will make jokes about how the dancefloor is paid for too for example.

    Once you have that group dancing, the rest will surely follow.

    Secondly, create a wave. Build up energy in your set then release. Noboby dances all night all the time. Give people room for a breather and a drink. Then the ritual starts again.

    Plenty of info on here and on the blog about building sets, programming and such. And I’d start saving some money to be ready to get the DJ Masterclass when it opens up for registration again later this year. There is a whole chapter on programming in it.

    Greetinx and good luck.

    May 27, 2014 at 1:42 pm #2034235
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Hi Noxxi,

    First of all please refrain from foul language, like the F-word. We try to be a respectful forum and swearing and foul language has no place here.

    Second, I have to disagree with your “DRINK!” advice. Although everyone is responsible for his/her own alcohol consumption, I thoroughly disagree that you have to drink (more than maybe one drink BEFORE starting your gig) in order to not be bored or to be better able to “feel what the crowd is feeling”. Most pro-DJs I know never get bored behind the decks, because they have the passion and they wouldn’t be bored playing for an empty room. They also don’t drink or perhaps the one drink before a gig. Obviously once the gig is done they might have a drink or two if they are not driving.

    If you are worth your salt as a DJ (and it’s an acquired skill, so nobody should be feeling bad if you haven’t quite arrived there yet), you will be able to read the crowd in a totally sober state and act accordingly. Even after 35+ years on the decks I still learn new things about people’s reactions. Yes it has gotten easier with experience and expanding skill, but you have to stay alert always.

    Anecdote: I used to do a stint as resident DJ in the Quwait Holiday Inn hotel. There WAS no alcohol there at all. I can tell you it was an interesting experience playing for a crowd that you know is not gonna get loose due to the effects of drinking as the night progresses. Nor was there an option to have a drink or two to calm your own nerves. It was a very good learning experience.

    Finally, the OP didn’t state the age of the crowd, other than “teens”, which mean they can be from 11 to 19. And unless I am mistaken alcohol use is prohibited in most countries for under 16 and often for under 18. So the alcohol factor might very well not be there (like my gig in Quwait). And if your audience is not drinking, imho neither should you.

    Just my two cents.

    May 28, 2014 at 4:54 am #2034398
    Lamid45G
    Participant

    I agreed with Chuck, promoting the “DRINK” to a teens gig, its not really a good idea, plus the OP himself make himself present as a teens, so yeah underage drinking = bad advised

    You dont need to be tipsy, heck, you dont even need to drink at all, this helps you to stay focused to whats going on, without the “help”, I myself personally dont like to drink during my set, i always kept 3-4 bottle of mineral water besides my deck to keep me fresh throughout the night

    May 30, 2014 at 3:45 pm #2034957
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    /Moderator mode ON

    I am sorry but digitaldjtips has and will never endorse substance abuse, therefore all posts regarding it and discussing it have been deleted. Keeping also in mind it had nothing to do with the originals posters questions.

    If you do not stay on topic posts will get deleted and everyone should please stick to the guidelines found here:
    http://www.digitaldjtips.com/posting-guidelines/

    Any use of foul language will not be tolerated on this forum and consider this a final warning before I swing the ban hammer.
    We strive to be a forum of quality and helpfulness, bad language and trolling have no place here.

    I am sorry for any inconvenience any post deletions may have caused.

    /Moderator mode OFF

    As for the original question, just keep it fun, stick to Top40 and have some pop in there to mix it up. Kids are very forgiving as long as you can dance and have fun.

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