Further Thoughts On What Goes On Behind The DJ Console
I hope I never stop improving in this biz. Last night I had a wedding that prompted me to lay awake and think for a bit afterwards. I was thinking about the music and what I do to make it better and what else I can do. While I have said before in this blog, there is so much more to being a DJ than just stringing songs together, last night was one more example. I played a song that had some junk in the beginning which I had not edited. First thing this morning, I edited it out, once and for all! Goes to show the behind-the-scenes work of a DJ is a continuous process.
The song that prompted these thoughts is “It Takes Two” by Rob Base. The song was requested just before a Madonna song was about to end, and because they looked like they would mix well together I cued it up with mere seconds to spare. I didn’t get a chance to hear it in the headphones before putting it on, and when it dropped, the dance floor halted for about 13 seconds. “It Takes Two” opens with about 13 seconds of “junk” – some extraneous synthesized speech introducing the song. It had been a long time since I played this song, and I forgot about the intro.
13 seconds might not sound like much, but it’s all relevant. Close your eyes for 13 seconds while driving and see what happens! Allow people to park on the dance floor for 13 seconds, and the floor will empty out. That’s what happened, until the guy who requested the song brought all his friends back out to the dance floor and filled it up again. 13 seconds is actually a very long time on the dance floor. Just 3 seconds is enough for people to decide to sit this one out.
Learning and preparing the music is an ongoing process. There are beats-per-minute to tap out, vulgarities to clean up, skits at the start and at the end of songs to edit out, awkward transitions to note, and just generally seeing what songs work together.
Here are some expamples of songs that need work before they are ready for the dance floor. Take “Runaround Sue” by Dion & The Belmonts for example. The first 22 seconds will bring the dance floor to a halt: “Here’s my story, it’s sad but true….” Besides, who wants to hear about a runaround girlfriend at a wedding? I cue this song to about 22 seconds into the song. It’s a great swing number and it never fails to bring the ladies to the dance floor. Same thing with “Baby Got Back.” It fills the dance floor every time, but it’s imperative that I cue the music after all the talk at the beginning. You will find skits at the end of songs as well. One recent example is Chris brown’s “Kiss, Kiss” which has a skit at both the front and the back. For this song, I cue past the opening skit to about 30 seconds in, and then fade out at about 3:50 or so. Knowing how a song starts and ends enables me to mix and segue between songs more effectively, which keeps the dance floor happy.
But it’s not just talking at the start of a song that I need to pay attention to. Sometimes the intro music detracts from the energy of the dance floor. Take Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer“. The intro music is quiet and ethereal. Then at about 21 seconds, the drums kick in with a startling “ba-da-ba-da-ba.” This is usually where I cue the music. I use that cue point to jolt the dance floor back to life after a slow set. I could also talk over the intro with good effect. But if I try to mix and segue from some other song into this one, the slow quiet intro makes it awkward, if not impossible, segue.
It’s not about just stringing songs together. As a DJ, my job is to create an experience; to shape the night. To lead the guests or patrons on a journey. To seduce them with the beat and to totally suck them in and make them submit. To build tension and then finally arrive at the blow-off. To create a memory. This takes lots of learning and lots of playing out before one learns how to do this. It involves knowing the music and using the right tune at the right time in the right way and the only way you know that is with experience.
The point is, it’s not just enough to have the music; you have to know the music to use it effectively. And there is lots to learn. How long is the song? Does it have a slow or quiet start or does it start w/ a long beat-infused intro? Does it fade out or does it end cold? How many beats-per-minute (BPM) does it have and are the BPM consistent to the end? Some songs start at one tempo and end a bit slower or faster. Where are the breaks and what can I mix into the song and where? What is that kick drum/snare drum/high-hat doing? When do the vocals kick in? How long is the intro or the outro and is it too long and where can I mix in or mix out? Will this 30-second intro kill the dance floor or is the beat strong enough and the music interesting enough to sustain the dance floor before the vocals start? Who will like this song?…is it a girl song or a guy song? What does the dance floor need at this precise second? Is it this song? And if I play this song, where will it lead? What do I follow it with? What effect on the dance floor has this song had in the past?
I know the idea of playing music for someone’s party looks easy. But there is more to it than meets the eye when it’s done right. If you want your guests to dance, to have a great time, and to talk about your event afterward, hire a seasoned DJ to shape the night and create an experience. Never mind what it looks like. All the hard work was done before your party even started!
Will Stephens is the owner/operator of 4Most Sound & Light based in the Philadelphia, PA area. He serves Delaware Valley brides with superb service and a memorable experience. If you are in the Delaware Valley, Lehigh Valley, or Reading, PA area and you are looking for a Philadelphia wedding DJ, you are welcome to visit his site at www.4MostSound.com.
Copyright Will Stephens, 2009
Tags: 4MostSound.com, Choosing A DJ, Music, Weddings in Philadelphia
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April 2, 2009 at 8:59 pm
If there is good music playing, I will never sit down – I may get a drink, but that’s it. However the first song you have linked – I don’t like – I’d go for the drink…
April 3, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I totally get what you’re talking about. But like Cindy, from the previous post, I rarely stop dancing – or leave the dance floor, only if I’m thirsty. Great thoughts though. You seem to be continually looking to improve the experience you offer your clients. Very refreshing!
April 3, 2009 at 3:48 pm
This was very informative as to what goes behind a GOOD DJ . things dancers/ guests take for granted .thanks for the enlightment. you deserve such respect.