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[#1]

By your first show you will probably realize a few things about your skill and passion, basically you’re either going to love or hate it because;

A. you had the time of your life;

B. was a fresh fish starting out, and you may not have been that good;

C. you choose to forget the whole thing because it didn’t pan out the way you thought it would; or

D. again you remember how bad the night was.

Either way your first show is always going to be one of the highlights of your DJing career.

Being prepared:

Practice: If you want to play the best set ever and impress your friends & peers with your skills the only way to do so is to PRACTICE. Weather it’s twice a day or 4 times a week for an hour get that time in and practice scratching, setting up your equipment, beat matching and juggling. The more you practice the better you will sound and the more people are going to want to hear you DJ. Even the top DJ’s of right now practice at least once a week.

Organization: Make sure all your music is together (if you’re using CDJ’s keep your CD’s together with track listings in front of the CD)

Request’s: Yep request’s as DJ’s we know we’re not juke boxes but to other’s we may just be one for the night. Prepare your self to be inturupted a few times by people with requests.

Gear: Before you leave your house/ studio make sure to double check your bag to see that you have everything ie,Needles, headphones, slipmats, records, laptop, Serato box, cords, cables and even an extra extension cord. For myself I always suggest having a back up pair of needles just incase one break’s mid set. . You might have that one day where you left your slip mats or needles at home just hope the other DJ shares )

Once you have all that remember that it’s cool to be nervous c’mon it’s your first big show as a DJ take a few breaths, drink some water and have a good show!

First Show!

Getting ready to perform at your first show can be pretty stressful and nerve racking. I know mine was! Shesh I was ubber nervous, messed up my set a few times and man do I wish I actually took more time to practice instead of finding the right gear and music.

Learn how to read your crowd weather you’re DJing for 10 people to 1000 watch them, try and read their reactions.  Say you play “Lady Gaga ‘Lets Dance’” and everyone clear’s the dance floor that’s your hint that the crowd does not want to hear top 40 so go back to playing whatever it was that got the crowd dancing J.

Remember to breathe I say that because a lot of the time you will have people coming up to you requesting songs, trying to go through your library of music while your DJing to select a song, (yes this does happen but thankfully there are bouncer’s who stand by the DJ booth) or you have the guy who wants to impress his lady friend and tries to offer you money or talk to you. This always happens mid-set and when you’re on a roll, (those are the best lol) and don’t worry if people get mad because you won’t talk to them, or if you can’t hear them, hey it’s not your fault J Remember to have fun and if another DJ who you know has been DJing longer then you ask for tips or help I’m sure they would be willing to help you get further in your DJing career.