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Topic: How do you guys handle requests? - Page: 1

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I love to DJ but the most annoying thing is when I see people start to comes towards me ask "Can you play something good?" I stay professional and tell them I can. To my fellow DJ's how do you handle these people?
 
Posted Wed 19 May 10 @ 8:52 am
i find the easiest way to deal with these people is to flip the question around onto them and ask them what would they like to hear. and engage in conversation with them and by the time they think of a song they will have forgotten of why they came up in the first place.
happy days i learnt the trick from the guy who trained me and it has yet to fail me.

[Please don't quote the post right before your message - This is unnecessary and makes the topic more difficult to read.]
 
As the saying goes - you can't please everyone all of the time...

It only becomes an issue if everyone comes up and says it! If it's only one or two people I wouldn't take it to heart, but just do as has been said already - turn it around and see what they think is "good" and if the response is something that is completely "out there", ask them the question "So how do you think that would go down with them?" (pointing at the packed dancefloor). 9 times out of 10 that works for me...

Cheers,

Roy
 
Wow thats a great trick! I have to try that one next gig.
 
I usually say "No, just gonna play crap all night" and smile, ha ha ha. It usually disarms them, then I start a conversation as to what they really want to hear also explaining that "one mans meat is another mans poison", etc., blah, blah, blah.
 
requests are tough sometimes for all the reasons mentioned but it pays to play. I got a $10 tip at a block party the other night for playing "Wipeout" so her kids could hoola-hoop to it. of course I played the song cuz I'm a helluva guy not expecting $$ but she came by later and slipped me some $$. now $10 is not alot of money but for one song, HEY. plus it made up half of the $20 I gave my son for helping setup and teardown.
 
ask them what they want...receive answer...and tell them you will mix it in when your done with the first peoples requests.if their song doesnt fit in with your music ah well.different if its a club...their you play the music the club wants you to play.
a functio/pub gig i do always try play all requests.i put th requests in side bar and when time is right in they go
 
@Soulman..thats funny!

@Bennett..I dont blame you for playing that song. $$ is always good.
 
The most annoying ones are the ones who ask for the current hits. Like I'm really not gonna play the most popular song that's out now. Hello!!!!

Another thing is if it's a regular customer that generally spends a lot of money at the bar I'll do my best to play their song. But if it's someone who's in the bar not buying drinks then I tend to be less motivated to play their song.

I once had someone come up to me on a Sat night the club ask me to play "I knew the bride when she used to rock'n'roll" I was like sorry this is a club not a wedding party. You get some weirdos.

For the most part I usually say I'll do my best.


Thoughts?
 
I've had someone walk and ask for the song that was playing!! Some are just idiots and we have them removed from the club. Otherwise all that has been suggested is the way to go.
Thanks for your time
Huey
 
My response is always " I need a song title, or an artist, or I can't help you. What is good to you might be sucky to the guy who sings my checks." That usually works
 
give them a big bird and then peace out jk..;-P
 
I tell them "see this list? The people who are paying me to be here put this together. If I have time, I will try to get on some other stuff. Here, put your request on this other sheet".

If they still get upset I tell them I will gladly do their gig for $575 for 4 hours and I will play everything THEY want. Fair is fair, money talks...



DJ RuDe
 
 
I always take request, but will only play if it fits into what i'm playing at the time..."Jackson" is an exception....Franklin stopped by on a special request for valentines day....Hey you never know..

Joey...
 
Jumpin Jim you are so right! LOL
 
 
Thanks Spico09 :)
 
I am well known in my area for playing requests within the parameters of the venue I'm working in.

My request records at a previous nightclub residency were;

4 hour gig = 61 requests received, 55 played :-) ran out of time & some were rubbish.

Same club but 6 hour gig = 87 requests received, 82 requests played!!! same reasons

I love playing requests, I load them into the playlist area of VDJ, but, shuffle them around so they fit together better by tempo or style. I don't normally leave the DJ Booth during my gigs (only drink water), but, if I needed to, I know I just have to hit autoplay and the requests will continue to be played til I return.
 
When people ask me to play a song If I like It I say "sure I'll work that right in".
If I don't like it the song I usually say "I'll try to work that in after a while".
If i have no idea what song they are talking about - "Let me check if I have that, If i do i will play it, and if not I will get if for next time"
Even if I don't like a song I will usually play it if more than one person asks me.
 
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