Do have any personal DJ rules?

iamstop

I mean like some rules hat you live by when you are DJing or that are DJ related?
I have a few general rules and guidelines that I usually adhere to.

1. Don't play the same track twice in the one night.
2. I try to not play two tracks from the same artist if it is possible. Sometimes 'remixed by' or 'featuring' happens incidentally.
3. I play records so I try not to play 2 tracks from the same record. As rule 2 but I try to apply this to compilations also.
4. I very, very rarely take requests. A record bag is not a 2 Tb Hard drive. Limited space. Very occasionally someone will actually grasp this concept and also have a feel for what I'm playing and ask for something in the same vein as I've been playing. I give these kinds of people the time.
5. If someone touches the equipment without asking the music gets stopped and the person gets shouted down. There is no excuse for touching the turntables when someone else is DJing. The fool who tries needs to be made to feel like the smallest person in the room. That'll learn 'em.
6. I always bring my own headphones, needles and slipmats. Even if I've been told they will all be provided.
7. A spare headphone adaptor is usually in the bag too.
8. I only play track that I like. This is an important one for me. No so much to do with 'selling out', more to do with rule 9.
9. Have fun. If I'm not enjoying it then what is the point? Certainly not the money.
10. I don't let other people tell me what to play. Sure I'll accept someones advise on what type of tunes the crowd normally go for but I won't be given a play list. I am not a juke box.

That is about all I can think of.

Bear is mind, this is my own personal set of rules that I apply to myself. This is not a set of rules I impose on anyone else or feel should be industry standard. Other DJs may agree with some, all or none of my list but it's my list for me.

Executive Steve

Yep - all of those! Never mix two records by the same producer, or on the same label. Makes you work that little bit harder to find the less obvious transitions, but that's half the fun for me really.

I will however always ask the promoter what they're looking for out of a set from me, what the vibe of the night is, what the support DJ's are playing, just so I can really get a sense of what's going to go down well there and that I can pack my bag accordingly.

Never more than three rewinds per set maximum, and only if people are demanding it. If someone reaches over and pulls the tune back they'd better be someone connected to me or the night in question or they're getting filthy looks!

If there's an MC I usually take the mic off them for the first three tunes or so just to get my ear in and to get a feel for the sound in the booth. If there isn't then I'm happy out too.

holystungun9

Hands off the fkin" gear! and get those drinks away from it!

BaZmO*

I like to break the rules!

iamstop

BaZmO* wrote: »

I like to break the rules!

Ye Rebel!