How Do You Manage Composers/DJ Block

First of all I would like to say WOW !
What Incredibly Interesting and Motivating Replies/Suggestions/Working Practices 😎 :cool:;
The Most Accepted and Used Here being the ‘Preparation For Unexpected Challenges 🙂

Ampero, post: 4220 wrote: There’s definitely no room for a timeout recoup if you’re mid-set, lol.
This used to happen to me quite a bit when I played in a local bar because the ‘party’ changed just about every hour.
What I started to do was, pre-gig, I’d go through a group of new additions to my library and write down a few ‘rescue tracks’ on a pad. I’d then look over past stuff for gems that I may have overlooked and do the same.
Before that practice, though, I’d simply swallow a bit of gusto and ask a reveler who seemed to be enjoying themselves if they were looking to hear something in particular – then I’d ask one who I could tell wasnt really vibing with the groove.

The simple move to ask for requests, in lieu of waiting on them, changed alot for the momentum of the party more often than not – and it branches a connection of sorts with you and the crowd with them, in turn, respecting you for caring about what they like.

*don’t really have any feedback from a composer’s perspective

This is Great Ampero 🙂
There is Such A Divide Regarding Requests; but Here You Are ‘Asking For A Request’ from a Member Of The Audience who will Not Only Feel ‘Magic’ that you have ‘Involved Them’; but will ‘Spread Your Message’ :);
When you Prepare your ‘Get Out Tracks’ Beforehand; do you ‘Know’ these Tracks ‘Well’; or just ‘Feel’ they will Work; and Beatmatch them ‘At The Gig’ (if Required) ?

Ivyquake, post: 4243 wrote: Really Great Topic Emma,
I try not to hit that wall when I’m Djing but sometimes I do. In that case I have a playlist call ” Brain Don’t fail me Now” I retool it every week. I always go to it when I hit that wall. When I’m working at home and I hit the wall I always ask myself ” what would my favorite Dj/producer_________(insert name) do”. You have to dig deep to be successful at anything, we all get lazy sometimes but it all depends on how bad you want to be good at it…(That’s what she said!!!)

Hello Ivyquake :);
I haven’t heard ‘That’s What she Said’ since I was last on my XBOX 😀 😀
That is a Cool Scenario you have also for ‘When & If’ Disaster Strikes; to think of what your Favourite DJ/Producer would do in that Situation is Highly Motivating and Confidence Boosting; and Yes; You Are Correct; it is No Good getting Lazy if we want to Succeed Big Time 🙂

bigmixxx, post: 4261 wrote: I agree with Ivyquake. I’ve created a couple of 10 minute playlists I can use to re-inspire myself. when I truly just LOSE it or or completely fall apart. They have yet to fail me, especially during marathon sets…

However, I do make it an intention to refine my playlist everyday….

This is Great Bigmixxx :);
The 10 Minute Playlists sound Ideal for any Unexpected Loss Of Direction; this is something I Haven’t Thought Of; but an Excellent Idea; as when I sit in front of My Screen; Breaking Sets Down To 10 Minute Excercises sounds Managable even in the Worse Block 😎

D-Jam, post: 4263 wrote: If I’m playing live, I’ll do the best I can with what I have. Generally if I’m not feeling it or not feeling a good vibe, I’ll pull out a floorfiller or old school cut and surprise everyone. In Slovakia I ended up playing French Kiss by Lil Louis. I laugh about that because I think the crowd didn’t know what to expect, especially when the moaning started…and the DJs were all “DAAAAAAMN!” because they’re all younger and envied I had classics like that.

If I’m making a mix at home and I can’t seem to feel good about it, or I’m stressed on other things and can’t focus, I’ll put it away for the night. You can’t force it. Usually the next day it all comes together. Sleep is an amazing thing.

And Here We Are D-Jam my Friend with Our ’90’s Brains (Yours and Mine) 😎
I have the Spanish Version of ‘French Kiss’ (where there is a Male Vocalist for about 6 minutes); but it is So Scratched it is Virtually Unplayable – I Wish I could find a Way of Cleaning it up with the tools I Own;
But anyway; Yes :); a Vast Knowledge (though mine is Crap after 1999 :D) can be a Life Saver :);
And Yes; a Common mistake for me is to Try To Force Things; so for the last 2 nights I have just been Listening To Music; and then ‘The Urge’ will Hit Me when I least Expect It 🙂

‘Testing Ground Purposes’ is also a Marvelous Description :);
I Often do this; and if they Work that is Great; but if for some reason they just haven’t ‘Got It’; but I Love Them; then they are Stored in my Personal Collection for my Own Listening Pleasure (as we Are Allowed this ‘Delicacy’ :))

Haroon K, post: 4376 wrote: To help me with track selection I use the star rating tag in itunes/traktor, not for rating how well I like a track, I like them all or I would n’t have them, but rather where the track would fit in my sets. I do this after buying and analysing keys. Here is how I mark them:
* = Chillout
** = Warm Up
*** = Transition
**** = Peak
***** = Classic/Dance floor bomb

Using that along with genre and key usually helps to narrow down the selection easy enough. If I get in bother playing a particular style, I can easily find a classic to pull me out.

That is Excellent Haroon 😎
I always used to get Stuck on the Star Ratings because when I put a * it was like ‘Do I Want To Play This’; and then a ** was ‘This Seems Mediocre to me’; so I think I have to go back and Re-Evaluate my System; as the way you Use Yours is Great; and will Help Me Organise How I Begin a Set and Move Towards the Classics 🙂