Who Do You Play For?

[Guest kent soul club]

When you dj, who are you playing for - yourself or the punters?

There is a thread running about your top 5 worst records. Most of those mentioned are overplayed oldies, but they are also still floor fillers.

So, when you dj, are you playing for the punters or for your own self satisfacton and the admiration of other dj's in attendance?

McGoo

[Dave Rimmer]

Anyone you offers me a booking

[grant]

When you dj, who are you playing for - yourself or the punters?

There is a thread running about your top 5 worst records. Most of those mentioned are overplayed oldies, but they are also still floor fillers.

So, when you dj, are you playing for the punters or for your own self satisfacton and the admiration of other dj's in attendance?

McGoo

just looked at that top 5 thread...aint many overplayed oldies on there

[Dave Morris]

Did a small do in Eastleigh nr Southampton on sat nite.I played for the dancers.They pay their money to come and dance therefore you get paid.Mind you i'd have done it for nothing.Kept them happy for my 45 mins.Only cleared the floor once.The record that did it was The Millionaires on Speciality - And The Rains Came.

End of night promoter was happy dancers were happy and so was I.

Dave Morris.

[Guest soul stormers]

Did a small do in Eastleigh nr Southampton on sat nite.I played for the dancers.They pay their money to come and dance therefore you get paid.Mind you i'd have done it for nothing.Kept them happy for my 45 mins.Only cleared the floor once.The record that did it was The Millionaires on Speciality - And The Rains Came.

End of night promoter was happy dancers were happy and so was I.

Dave Morris.

hi dave

you allways play a great set ...........let hope you do at taunton on the 16

see you soon mate

[Ged Parker]

Only cleared the floor once.The record that did it was The Millionaires on Speciality - And The Rains Came.

Dave Morris.

Clearing the floor with that tune I wonder does that mean:

a) It is a poor record, not soulful or not a dancer

b)You are a bad DJ

c) Some dancers can and will only dance to what they know.

I know the record obviously but don't know you at all; even so my money is firmly on c) every time.

Edited August 8, 2006 by ged parker

[Ady Croasdell]

Peanuts

But then again that's what I pay!

[Guest Stuart T]

Peanuts

But then again that's what I pay!

Ady, it says for who(m), not for what, unless you are referring to Charlie Brown's dog. One black glove/one black ear, I guess he could have been a canine soulie but I'm certain that I haven't seen him out recently.

[Guest Andy BB]

Ady, it says for who(m), not for what, unless you are referring to Charlie Brown's dog. One black glove/one black ear, I guess he could have been a canine soulie but I'm certain that I haven't seen him out recently.

Pedants!

I hate it when people have to point out mistakes in other people's posts.

But while we're at it...

Actually Stuart the dog you are referring to is called Snoopy. Peanuts is not the name of an individual, it is the name of the Collective

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, Marcie, Pigpen, Franklin, Rerun, Linus and Woodstock together form 'Peanuts'.

Furthermore Snoopy didn't wear a single black glove and actually has two black ears. There was however an episode in which Snoopy scored the winning home run in a baseball game and raised a single gloved hand in a Pooch Power salute in the final frame.

Easy mistake to make...

[Guest Stuart T]

Pedants!

I hate it when people have to point out mistakes in other people's posts.

But while we're at it...

Actually Stuart the dog you are referring to is called Snoopy. Peanuts is not the name of an individual, it is the name of the Collective

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder, Marcie, Pigpen, Franklin, Rerun, Linus and Woodstock together form 'Peanuts'.

Furthermore Snoopy didn't wear a single black glove and actually has two black ears. There was however an episode in which Snoopy scored the winning home run in a baseball game and raised a single gloved hand in a Pooch Power salute in the final frame.

Easy mistake to make...

I stand corrected.

I never paid it much attention to the cartoon as I found the plots somewhat confusing and Charlie Brown's constant complaing somewhat irritating (he should have done something about his miserable life, perhaps such as listening to thrash metal records before going out to kill Linus with an axe and then bury his dismembered remains in his comfort blanket).

BTW May I take it from your reference to "Pedants!" rather than "Pedant!" in the singular unless your initial comment was not aimed solely at myself?

[Guest Andy BB]

"May I take it from your reference to "Pedants!" rather than "Pedant!" in the singular "

Bugger.

Shane! Shane!

Stuart's being off topic!

Ermm, I play the records I like until it simply gets too much for the crowd and then I play what they look like they'll want to hear, for a bit, then I get progressively mashed and finish with what I want to hear.

[SteveM]

"May I take it from your reference to "Pedants!" rather than "Pedant!" in the singular "

Bugger.

Shane! Shane!

Stuart's being off topic!

Ermm, I play the records I like until it simply gets too much for the crowd and then I play what they look like they'll want to hear, for a bit, then I get progressively mashed and finish with what I want to hear.

No good calling for Shane. He's in hospital having something removed from one part of his body, to be added to another part to improve it (True !)

Ask Stevie Cato the advice he gave Shane when you next see him, it can't be posted on here you see

[Guest Andy BB]

No good calling for Shane. He's in hospital having something removed from one part of his body, to be added to another part to improve it (True !)

Really?

Is he having his arse grafted onto his neck?

Not before time...

[SteveM]

Really?

Is he having his arse grafted onto his neck?

Not before time...

Not a million miles away Andy

[Guest rachel]

No good calling for Shane. He's in hospital having something removed from one part of his body, to be added to another part to improve it (True !)

Ask Stevie Cato the advice he gave Shane when you next see him, it can't be posted on here you see

Also no good cos it's not his section Now get back on topic you lot, or there'll be more hospitalisations required

[Andyf]

"May I take it from your reference to "Pedants!" rather than "Pedant!" in the singular "

Bugger.

Shane! Shane!

Stuart's being off topic!

Ermm, I play the records I like until it simply gets too much for the crowd and then I play what they look like they'll want to hear, for a bit, then I get progressively mashed and finish with what I want to hear.

Errrrr If I didn't like a record in the first place I wouldn't have bought it and therefore ipso facto wouldn't be able to play it

[Guest Paulie D]

This is just what I do, it doesn't mean I'm right, however, when DJing (in my honest and most humble opinion) one should do a bit of both. Play to the floor because that's what you're paid for, and also play stuff you like. NEVER play anything you wouldn't dance to yourself. I play stuff I can no longer dance to but that's a different story. Some DJs will go on and play a whole spot of unknowns, I don't think it works myself and see it as (through my punters eyes) showboating. These DJs invariably don't introduce anything either so NOBODY knows what anybody else knows or doesn't.

So, I play a mixture but if I'm playing something new or lesser known, I announce that it's so and then everyone knows they're all in the same boat so they stay dancing. Bottom line though is no matter what you're playing you really are playing for yourself because if you don't enjoy your spot, what's the point?

just my tuppence.

BTW Andy, "Joe Cool, back in school, hangin' round the water fountain playin' the fool" has been ringing gthrough my head since you gave us a crash course in Peanuts. Do you know if it's available on DVD? I'd say my daughter would love it

[Dave Morris]

Clearing the floor with that tune I wonder does that mean:

a) It is a poor record, not soulful or not a dancer

b)You are a bad DJ

c) Some dancers can and will only dance to what they know.

I know the record obviously but don't know you at all; even so my money is firmly on c) every time.

Hi Ged,

Definitely c).Most people who attend these do's don't travel too far.So a record may take a few plays for them to get up and dance.

Dave.

[Guest Stuart T]

just my tuppence.

Is Shane having the same operation? Its amazing what they can do nowadays.

I don't think there are many places you can play back to back records that you don't think people know, they need to be worked in with a bit of thought. Even then it can be got wrong.

I have to say that I avoid the mike because when other people use it I generally haven't got a clue what they are saying and some people even speak when the music has stopped which I think many people don't like, the sound of silence othe than a DJ's incomprehensible dulcit tones. Last time I used the mike someone inadvertantly turned it off as I was speaking and I felt somewhat sheepish...

[Guest Paulie D]

Dunno, I think using the mic adds a bit of your personality to the proceedings, otherwise you're just playing records. Can be overused a tad though.

[Guest Stuart T]

Dunno, I think using the mic adds a bit of your personality to the proceedings, otherwise you're just playing records. Can be overused a tad though.

Alternatively you can come over as a mix of wedding DJ and Norman Collier.

"Is there anyone called Sharon in here, your taxi is outside."

[Guest kent soul club]

Grant - I agree, there aren't many overplayed oldies on there imo either, but if you read through the thread it's amazing how many people disagree. Although I would agree with anyone from Manchester who doesn't support the other team.

Ged Parker - I would agree with c) but an unknown after an oldie of a similar tempo will keep the floor filled. Not all dancers are as confident as others. I personally think the dancers rule (that's what I am first and foremost).

Paulie D - Couldn't agree more about 'showboaters' mate. You can go out and hear the dreariest, depressing tunes. Some round the dancefloor will say what a top tune it is but there'll be no-one dancing.

Ady - You would be more than welcome to do a spot for us. Do you prefer dry roasted or salted?

I think the success of a night can only truly be measured by how full the floor is.

McGoo

Kent Soul Club come to dance

12th August, 14th October, 30th December

[Glyn Williams]

Soul night facts:

1. you can't get an atmosphere going without dancers.

2. generally, unless really desperate people dont dance to what they don't know.

3. There are plenty of great songs that aren't overplayed that people know and love.

I like an atmosphere - I play for the dancers.

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

For me If i DJ i play a wide range of songs for dancers but again songs i like aswell. So there could be 1 of my all time fav's played but with a hope people out there would like it. Fact on dancers is would they dance only if they know the song as i would

[Guest Bearsy]

I can only play what i have in my collection and if its in my collection it means i like it as i buy for me and not anyone else,

when you dj unless you are doing the first slot you surely must start to get a feel of what the dance floor is dancing too if you dont then you must either be ingnorent of the other dj`s playing before you or you really are doing it without really caring what the floor wants and then i my book that means you dont give a damn about anyone else except yourself and does that make a good dj, imho NO !

as a dj it would benifit yourself to know what venues play what style of music and if its oldies and you cant stand them anymore then do the decent thing and dont dj just for the sake of it. vice versa for rare and deep soul etc etc.

a dj`s job is to get people dancing is it not, so if he/she cant fill the floor at a time when the floor should be moving then surely he/she is not doing thier job or am i wrong,

does the snake, do i love you, exus trek, joe 90, sliced tomatoes, ever get played at the 100 club, and if it did what would happen to the dj,

so why would a dj play rare as hens teeth soul to an oldies crowd,

get the mix of tunes right is what makes a top dj a top dj.

[paultp]

Dunno, I think using the mic adds a bit of your personality to the proceedings, otherwise you're just playing records. Can be overused a tad though.

I use the mic when I have something to say or when I have mis-cued records or when the equipment isn't working as it should or to abuse people mid record: "Call that dancing? I have a three legged dog that moves better!" That sort of thing.

I never use the mic when double decking with Jo Wallace cos I can never get hold of it

On topic: There is no worse feeling when behind the decks than seeing too much floor.