How to DJ a Party
Learning how to DJ a party takes practice. DJing involves seamlessly blending charisma and enthusiasm with technical skill and a good feeling for rhythm. All of these things have to ocme together without a hitch in order for you to ensure your audience has a great time. If you don't know how to DJ a party or have done it a few times with lackluster results, a few solid pieces of instruction should set you on the right path to future DJ glory.
First, you have to know your audience. As a DJ, you'll be playing to a lot of different crowds. You could be playing for your hipy cousin's Sweet 16 party one night and for a gathering of goths the next. Many beginning DJs play everything from retirement home parties to corporate conventions before finding their own special niche. In order to ensure a successful night, you'll want to find out just what type of crowd you'll be playing to, and then choose music to fit that crowd. When it comes to parties, one type of music definitely does not fit all. If you play The Monkees for the goth crowd and Black Sabbath for the old folks, you probably won't get asked back--if you even get to finish out the night!
When learning how to DJ a party, you also need to understand how all of your equipment works, and know how to work it perfectly. This means a lot of practice before the big night. Whether you're using turntables, a CD player or MP3s on a laptop, you should practice every day at home for at least two weeks before the party. If you don't have that much notice, just squeeze in all the practice you can beforehand so you're at the top of your game when you perform.
First, you have to know your audience. As a DJ, you'll be playing to a lot of different crowds. You could be playing for your hipy cousin's Sweet 16 party one night and for a gathering of goths the next. Many beginning DJs play everything from retirement home parties to corporate conventions before finding their own special niche. In order to ensure a successful night, you'll want to find out just what type of crowd you'll be playing to, and then choose music to fit that crowd. When it comes to parties, one type of music definitely does not fit all. If you play The Monkees for the goth crowd and Black Sabbath for the old folks, you probably won't get asked back--if you even get to finish out the night!
When learning how to DJ a party, you also need to understand how all of your equipment works, and know how to work it perfectly. This means a lot of practice before the big night. Whether you're using turntables, a CD player or MP3s on a laptop, you should practice every day at home for at least two weeks before the party. If you don't have that much notice, just squeeze in all the practice you can beforehand so you're at the top of your game when you perform.
Check out our tips for having a good Party DJ Music List!
Finally, be smart. Get to the party early and don't get drunk while you're there. You'll need some extra time before the party to get the lay of the land at the venue and get your equipment all set up. Arriving a little bit early will keep you from feeling flustered later on. And, while many parties offer free drinks to the DJ as part of the payment system, don't overdo it. One or two drinks might be fine, if you can handle them. However, if you're drunk, you're more likely to screw up and make a bad impression on the audience. If you follow these tips on how to DJ a party, you'll be more likely to get work in the future, and your audiences will remember the great time you gave them.
Finally, be smart. Get to the party early and don't get drunk while you're there. You'll need some extra time before the party to get the lay of the land at the venue and get your equipment all set up. Arriving a little bit early will keep you from feeling flustered later on. And, while many parties offer free drinks to the DJ as part of the payment system, don't overdo it. One or two drinks might be fine, if you can handle them. However, if you're drunk, you're more likely to screw up and make a bad impression on the audience. If you follow these tips on how to DJ a party, you'll be more likely to get work in the future, and your audiences will remember the great time you gave them.
Check this out to find out what equipment you need to DJ!