Pirated music

In Mike the girl's words:
http://www.facebook.com/aspyre?v=wall&story_fbid=139968789349764#!/note.php?note_id=10150198586270013

This is why I post my set lists, as a reference for you to go the store and purchase the album or song. emusic.com, cdbaby.com and of course ebay and Amazon are all good sources for new music. Used CD stores will have a blues section for you, the library is a good reference too. When you get paid to DJ, go buy a new album (or pay off the credit card you've been using to purchase music . . usually what I have to do . . :)

In addition, nothing beats live music. Go out to live music as much as possible. I totally salute Portland for making a dance event out of already planned live music performances. To be a good DJ, you find music everywhere, especially from live performances in random places.

DJ Tip #2: Creating the energy with smooth transitions

Just having the right music is not enough to make a great DJ. You have know when to play which type of song. You have to pay attention to what is going on in the room and contribute to it in your own way.

The first song you play sets the tone of your set (thank you DJ Brenda Starr for teaching me this). Start with something that's going to get people off their butts and onto the floor. If you start slow, and choose a song that is low-energy, you're setting your set up to be low on energy. However, if you start too high, choose a song with an intense amount of energy, that is not something you can or want to maintain your entire set. Start with a song that will pick people up without being too much overkill too early on. If you start your set with "The thrill is gone," then the thrill will be gone.This is a general guideline. There are, of course, exceptions. For example, if the prior DJ had a crazy-high energy set, you don't want to drop that energy, you want to continue with it. This is a good time to start your set with something really high in energy.

Transitioning from song to song is an art. You want your music to flow from one to the next, but to also have variety. Let me further explain variety, a word which everyone knows, but some DJ have a difficult concept with. Variety is several different kinds. There are several different kinds of blues, there are several different levels on energy within those different kinds of blues, and there several different tempos within those energy levels. Feel them, listen to how one song sounds next to the other. They need to be different from each other, but sound smooth next to each other. A good way to make sure smooth transitions happen for you is to get a second sound card, or a way to preview a song before you play it so that you know it sounds good. It takes a little practice so give yourself a break if you get poor feedback your first couple times. Keep at it, you'll get it.


Lets talk about energy transitions.
Say I'm following a really fantastic DJ, like Steven Watkins, and he ends his set with "You are my sunshine" by Ray Charles. That song creates such an awesome high, fun energy in the room that just makes you want to jump up and scream for more! If I get on right after him and start with "Little Wing" by Stevie Ray Vaughn, it's like I'm pulling the drain plug out of hot bathtub and letting all that hot water down the drain for no reason at all. Why would I do that? "Little Wing" is an absolutely fantastic song, and when played at the right time, creates the perfect, really sexy atmosphere for dancing. But if I play it then, I suck at timing, and no one wants a DJ who sucks at timing. The idea here is that 2 songs rhythms making a smooth transition just isn't enough. All things factor in: energy, tempo, mood, type of blues (rock blues vs jazz blues for example), time of night, the people on the dance floor. ALL of these things, and probably a few things I've forgotten to mention, are important when determining the songs you're going to play. "What should I play next?" Take it from Dr. Feelgood himself and play something that's going to want them screaming for more.

One last thing to note here: When deciding what to play, please consider if you're overplaying that song. No one likes a predictable DJ.