A nice little way to waste some time…

As punter or Dj, what you think is more appropriate when a DJ starts a spot???,

- a “first record from me” pretty different to the previous DJ, kind of “here we go!!!!”,

- to keep the tempo/style of the last record played by the previous Djs and run smoothly to different style??’

I know it depends very much (or it should, IMO), on how the dancefloor is doing…but I would be interested in some thoughts about it…

I think it has to be a "dancefloor certainty" no matter who's been on before you. I always used to start with The Dynamics "I need your love" (or if it was local / handbag type event, The Vibrations "Cause you're mine", never seen that record not get people dancing.)

Firstly you thank the previous DJ, then you follow with something reasonably appropriate to the venue oldies/newies/Northern/Modern & something not a million miles away from the last record played, assuming you were left the floor.

Best Russ

Depends whether the last DJ was crap or not.

i used to always start with thanks and a brief scream of " lets go " or hello where ever" "one wonderfull moment" as you said almost a gauranteed floor filler. a great starter. some complained it was a waste of a tune so changed it to basically a similar sounding track such as judge baby im back, larry santos or bobby paris do it too, although it just has to be the acetate of the unreleased version called "im walkin".......................

GREAT THREAD. ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A NEW IDEA

You wanna play something that empties the floor totally just to let them know who's boss.

Dx

..........or "its nice to see so many smiling faces........ill soon change that" !

I always thank the previous DJ, as has been said. I also ask him what is he thinking of finishing his set on, so I can pick out a tune that isn't a massive change in style (going from soulful garage to a 6ts beat ballad doesn't lend itself to a smooth changeover lol). Also, I wouldn't start without anything too obscure, If the floor is dead, than I'd kick off with a classic to try to get some feet moving.

P.S. I'm not really a DJ though!

Edited November 15, 201212 yr by phillyDaveG

I would play the record that has been exciting me most in recent weeks, and if it got no reaction I would know the crowd were shit and I would just hand over to someone else.

As a DJ at age of 17 i played the Professionals-thats why i love you...

Many a time I have just closed me eyes and done a lucky dip cos I never know what to start with

..........or "its nice to see so many smiling faces........ill soon change that" !

:lol:

would start off with "hello its me again " then play the most expensive most obscure record that all the jocks that came before you would say "bloody hell where did he get that from " ,sod the punters , only joking of course ,a nice instrumental usually starts a spot well or something with a great intro (thinking ronnie mcneir ,frankie and the classicals etc etc )

Its always a problem for a dj following me.They have to start with a quiet track,so as not to wake the punters.

I would play the record that has been exciting me most in recent weeks, and if it got no reaction I would know the crowd were shit and I would just hand over to someone else.

See you at the bar after 3 minutes tomorrow night then.

John

DJing being such an inexact science, there are so may answers to that question.

I love the Brandy Sisters saying "if you dont dance to this one, you might as well go home and do your ironing". That normally gets a laugh

..........or "its nice to see so many smiling faces........ill soon change that" !

You never fail Andy.

To please that is !!!!

Shouldn't be a 'Biggest Knob' contest with the previous DJ as a matter of respect. Start with something good and popular, get the floor moving ( unless its a Rare Soul Night then play what the hell you like !! ) a couple in you lay your personality down for the masses to either Stone or buy you a Pint of Stones.

I tend to play first what I think is a 99% "safe" record for the type of event

My "most-often-first-record" in the last year has been Danny White, Miss fine Miss fine, it pleases most audiences, and what a start!!!!

See you at the bar after 3 minutes tomorrow night then.

John

Since this is the record that is exciting me most at moment, I may be a little longer,

Or then again, maybe not. Was that the sound of Len's chin hitting the floor........

I like that 'Liberation' track Jocko - it's not the Ballistic Brothers, but not bad at all.

Best start I ever made was with the Mighty Marvellos "Talkin' 'bout you baby" - took the roof off!

Depends whether the last DJ was crap or not.

Yes, I have a subtle difference in what I say considering this. It’s either — “Thanks ‘So and So’ for an excellent spot there, you got me for the next hour, I’m gonna kick off with etc, etc”.…OR....“Thanks to 'So and So' for the last hour, you’ve got me for the next and I’m gonna kick off with etc etc”

..…Still keeping that ‘D.J Etiquette’ in place

All the best,

Len

P.s - But don't tell anyone

Edited November 16, 201212 yr by LEN

You wanna play something that empties the floor totally just to let them know who's boss.

Dx

Yup, no problem there! I sometimes say - "and I like to start with a 'clean sheet'..."

Len

Edited November 16, 201212 yr by LEN

Its always a problem for a dj following me.They have to start with a quiet track,so as not to wake the punters.

'Check!' (again)

Len

I would play the record that has been exciting me most in recent weeks, and if it got no reaction I would know the crowd were shit and I would just hand over to someone else.

I'm off to work out a 'reserve' set for tomorrow night....

Len

I always kick it off with an instro..thats my fave first 45

Edited November 16, 201212 yr by Nils

Or then again, maybe not. Was that the sound of Len's chin hitting the floor........

Where's Colin Law?!!!

Len

Edited November 16, 201212 yr by LEN

I would love to start a set at a major venue with this b*stard.....But would it work?.....That's the buzz of D.Jing!

It would for me......

Len

Edited November 16, 201212 yr by LEN

Hey up Dani I trust the sun is shining in Valencia.

When you're DJing playing good music** is non negotiable that surely comes as standard.

But let's not forget you're also in the game of selling yourself.

As a DJ you want other promoters to book you and you want the crowd to like you.

Top tip plain and simple - Start big and end big.

You gotta let 'em know you're there. Right let's get this party started.

That sounds so straighforward and easy doesn't it - if only hahaha.....

derek x

** or what you think is good music (smile) and therein lies another often repeated debate that will never end.

Edited November 16, 201212 yr by Derek Pearson

I would play the record that has been exciting me most in recent weeks, and if it got no reaction I would know the crowd were shit and I would just hand over to someone else.

That's a bit of a defeatist attitude Jocko no wonder Scotland never qualify for the world cup!

Dave

Personally i like to make sure the previous dj gets the clap-----then start slow n speed it up till i finish

I would love to start a set at a major venue with this b*stard.....But would it work?.....That's the buzz of D.Jing!

It would for me......

Len

Would for me Len

especially if the dancefloor is already hyped up from the previous DJ, I love to cool off the floor with the minute intro of this number. get a bunch of awkward stares and chin-scratching...then that minute mark hits and BAM! watch all the punters run back to the floor! works every time

Would for me Len

Excellent! I have a picture of 'The imaginary All-nighter' in my head of loads of people 'Cat Scratching' to it absolutely 'On Point'....All wearing bright white socks!

Are there any other 'Yes' votes for 'Shaft' at 'The Imaginary All-nighter' or will it be just Mak 'Cat Scratching' like a goodun on his own?

All the best,

Len

especially if the dancefloor is already hyped up from the previous DJ, I love to cool off the floor with the minute intro of this number. get a bunch of awkward stares and chin-scratching...then that minute mark hits and BAM! watch all the punters run back to the floor! works every time

I use the EXACT same tactic - - - builds that dramatic tension!

...i like this one... Leona Dunn "baby don't play around"

Since this is the record that is exciting me most at moment, I may be a little longer,

Or then again, maybe not. Was that the sound of Len's chin hitting the floor........

sorry mate, i've collected olskool for 24 years, since it was new skool in fact but thts shite, the opening piano riff is great, buts its a direct lift from jj and company- dont deal with us, now that is a proper tune!