Sign In:     

Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Any tips?

This topic is old and might contain outdated or incorrect information.

I got my first gig this Thursday. It's a birthday party for a small child. But the person who contaced me told me after the kiddie songs, they want to get down. I told them not a problem, I can do it. So, this is my first gig. Any thoughts, tips, suggestions from vetrans? I'm not nervous because I shadowed a dozen times already. But this time, I'm not. I'm on my own. I can't look at anyone else if I screw up. I guess that's the main thing, not screwing up.


I will be working on my music tonight and tomorrow. I got to get some kiddie songs. That's first. Well, any suggestions vets?

Syberman
 
Posted Mon 05 May 08 @ 4:33 pm
The thing that works best for me in like situations is for you to absolutely have as much fun as possible yourself which will mirror into the kids. Be very hands on with games, jokes and laughter. Remember, kids like attention and give them more than thier fill. You are the hired baby sitter at that moment. Be creative with your ideas because some will last 10 minutes and others will want to go on forever. Musically be prepared to get request from every direction from disney tunes to hip hop and classic rock with alturnative rock in there somewhere.

What I do to get around the request thing is I take them on a journey of how the music they listen to today original got start back when. I start with music of the 50s and 60s ( the twist, tequila, limbo rock, wipe out, surfin usa ). Then move into songs of the 70s and disco and get a soul train line going. Disco dance off with staying alive. Just giving ideas but be very creative and hands on. Did I already mention that - oh, it must be important.

HAVE FUN - YOU'LL DO GREAT!!!!

There is no mistakes with this age. Except foul language. So don't worried about keeping the music going. If you music stops for whatever reason, walk over like it's part of the plan.
 
Most kids parties that ive done. they hire a clown and have cotton candy and the clown entertains the kids. Not the dj. I only play music and keep sinc with the clown when he wants me to play his tunes for the kids activities. After the clown leaves, i will play music for the adults
 
I guess the question is are you DJing or an MCing ? DJ's play music and MC's get involved and is interactive. What is it your being hired to do. I've never done a party with a clown involved. Bouncies and other elaborate events but never no clown. Caliente, your lucky to show and play music. I would love to show and play.... Well, then again no I wouldn't. I'm a child at heart.
 
Disney songs are great, you can even do a "guess that cartoon" game. Other games to play, Musical Chairs, or "Freeze" where you stop the music randomly and pick out kids that didnt stop so quickly. Best boy/girl dancer etc. Have lots of circus music if there is a clown around (the baby elephant walk song or general circus type themes). Also you might bring along some soft balls and get some kids to try juggling. Kids party is the only exception to using the microphone where more is better!

Biggest fallbacks are watching out for being swamped by too many kids trying to demand song requests at once or just wanting your attention. Also sticky fingers, and kids trying to touch the DJ gear. Dont ever get nasty just grit the teeth, smile and ask them to give you abit of space and organising another dancing competition usually helps to give you some room. Get a few little prizes to give out also.
 
don't play lords of acid, bloodhound gang , insane clown posse , 2 live crew , peaches , tool korn , nin,disturbed , system of a down limp bizkit ....dead kennedy's , plasmatics , etc
 
chucknorrisyouwimps wrote :
don't play lords of acid, bloodhound gang , insane clown posse , 2 live crew , peaches , tool korn , nin,disturbed , system of a down limp bizkit ....dead kennedy's , plasmatics , etc


Oh shit, there goes my play list. You are one funny guy.

I usually shoot the first kid that ask for a request, and leave him there on the floor. The other kids usually stay pretty calm after that. Did I mention that I hate kids? But, I like money, so I pretend I like kids, I'm a great actor. Seriously, I do a lot of kids parties, but lately they have been with a party company that specializes in kids parties. Most of the time I just get to play music, and they do all the interaction, I love it. However, it all depends on the ages. I have all the kids music, and can do all the games and dances. This is the only time I use a play-list, and it comes in handy. You do not have to worry about mixing, and can use a theme song, that plays as a transition song. Be prepared to play the hottest song over and over again. Do not be afraid to get the parents involved, it will help in organization. Did I mention I hate kids?
 
I'm new user of Virtual Dj and i really like this DJ software, first i 'm interested to purchase this software, but one of my friend told me that too much VDJ pirated Copy in the Philippines and he said i can purchase pirated copy of VDJ very cheap or Download latest Crack Version Of Virtual Dj for free on this Website:
i'am now calling the attention of Atomix production and VDJ staff to make more secured this very good software,so that other people cannot pirated this VDJ, i really like this Dj software but now i'm so confuse to purchase Vdj, i hope VDJ make legal action to this kind of people and owner of this website: this is against piracy law.

[edited] Do NOT post links to cracks on this forum.
 
HMMMM, did you decide to log on and find a topic that has nothing to do with your concern... wouldn't it be easier to contact by email or trouble ticket or.... Just a thought!

Now back to our regular schedule talk -
 
The people that hire me are the ones that get the clown etc. The hire me just to play music. I would say a few things here and there but its just for music only. This is how latinos have parties. They just want to hear music and dance with few interruptions
 
Thanks everyone, great tips. I got alot of kiddie songs from Disney, blues clues and Wiggles. I was going to play Rumpshaker, lol, but you guys are insisting that I don't, so, I won't, haha. I know I will have fun, I'm just worried if something happens to the program or computer. I do not have a backup. I guess that's what I'm most worried about.
 
No backup?? NO BACKUP??? If you like gambling so much with chance why dont you just drop a few grand on one number at roulette and if you win then just bet it all again!

Think of how many hours you put into your music collection and playlist. Work out how many hours it would take you to get all that back again plus all the business you would have lost from doing a dud party.

The DJ's that make it long time are the ones that are prepared and have put in the extra effort to make sure there are less problems. Not having a backup is just too much Murphy's Law...anything that can go wrong WILL go wrong and you should be prepared for it!

A hundred bucks or so for a spare USB drive to at least save your mp3 files or a cheap ipod (or generic) media player looping on a song to switch over to if any problems. Geez. *shakes head*
 
Yeah, your right Grug, I will roll the dice today. But next time, I will have a backup. Thanks for the advice.
 
hehe, syberman just another part to add to your experience list, take a look in the tech forum and look for my post concerning lost files, happened to me, now i just have the pain of re listing quite a lot of files for the last year or so but thankfully i had a copy of all my thousands of "babies" to fall back on, if i hadn't i think i would have just shut up shop... by the way, have a great gig


Tayla


 
Thanks Tayla, I will read your post. I have a couple of hours till my gig, I will write back on how it went.
 
Well, the gig wsa last night and it went well. I did not have any crashes, thank God, nothing really went wrong. I was a little nervous when I started to play real music insted of kiddie music. I made some mistakes like picking up the needle on the song that was playing. I was really embarrassed. But the crowd grew bigger and I fed off the energy from the people that were haveing a good time. It went well. The person that threw the party was pleased with my performance, so I was happy with that. Thanks everyone for the great tips and I am now working on my backup.
 
great feeling isn't, first one under the belt, magic, don't worry about the odd mistake or taking the needle off the playing deck, we have all been there and if we are honest have done it and will happen again it's sods law, christ ok even i've done it, but the main thing that's come of tonights gig your clients have enjoyed themselves and so have you, so here's to many more of them for you... nice one



 
Cool, good job. Hell, even today some odd years later I'm still in a habit of picking out my song then looking at my fader to remind myself which side to cue on... We all have done this mistake. I also just play/pause first before any removals. That way you just restart with minimal damage.
 
Thanks guys, Yeah, it feels good that the first one is under my belt. I am now looking into ways to back up my music. Mabye a ipod or other mp3 player out there. Thanks everyone for the adive and kind words.

Syberman
 


(Old topics and forums are automatically closed)