15 replies to this topic

[bez]

hi got on this forum by accident and can i say i am glad i did.im bez 29 from bolton i have been deejing for about 4 years mostly for myself as a hobbie. i have done quite a few birthdays,house parties etc but they were for mostly friends and friends of friends.over the past couple of weeks i have been doing a few gigs here and there and word has spread and more and more people want me to do there parties birthdays etc this is because i am so cheap ( insert own joke) i just ask for a few pound and my drinks bought but more and more people keep telling me to start doing it proper you know charging more,adverts etc you know turn it into a bussiness. i do have all my own gear decks,lights and all that which i can build on.it is something i have given a lot of thought to as i know i would not be short of work if i go about it the right way.if anyone can give me some advice about how i would go about it the downfalls the good things etc it would be very helpful as it is something i would like to do (as i dig holes for a living during the week for the gas lol lol ) the only downside that is holding me back is the biggest thing of all i cannot talk on a mic i am too shy although at my other gigs i have done i have never used a mic and it did not seem to be a problem but i know that if i want to get this off the ground i will have to learn how and what to do on a mic so any advice on that as well would be helpful.anyway enough crap from me now and just to say top site and look forward to using it a lot cheers bez

[C.S]

Welcome here, you will find loads of advice on the forum on how to start out and using the mic. My first advice to you is look around the forum.Then the practical side of djing ,insurance,transport,repairs,equipment and music, then work out how much you need to be paid to cover your costs. Mic use should come after practice and be natural.(try practicing in front of a mirror) To get the right volume with your voice try talking to an object (e.g a lamp or picture) in the room that is furthest away from you,sounds daft but it means you wont shout! Anyway anything we can do to help just post and we will try to help. Will just add please read the forum rules ,thanks and good luck

[YourBigEvent]

First of all welcome to the forum, it is a great place to learn.

Secondly as you have all the kit required (What type of kit is it ?) yiou will need to get PLI (Public Liability Insurance), thise ranges from £1m, £2m, £5m and £10m, it would be foolish to go without, especailly in this day and age of suing 'because I broke a nail at one of your gigs whilst dancing to a apopular song'. You will need PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) Look in Yellow Pages and you will find an electrician who can do this for you, average disco is around £80 to £100.
Next is the Hector, the Tax Inspector, you will to inform him of your new business venture too.
Start as you are by doing friends, this will soon build up to a steady business hopefully, BUT you will need to start using the microphone, especailly at weddings, to introduce the Bride and Groom, The Buffet, The 1st Dance, Last Orders and to say goodnight, not forgetting the patter between records, this patter is what make a good a DJ VERY good DJ.
You will lots of help on this forum and if you need to buy anything have a word with Chris Pointon (Admin) as he owns the site and also Congleton Sound and Light, which having read the forum rules you already know

Andy

[bez]

cheers m8 thanks for the welcome. i have been looking around the forum nearly all day there is loads of helpful stuff and has helped me with lots of things and i have made up my mind i am going to go for it as it is something i love and there is nothing better than playing records and watching people dancing and happy at what you are playing........... now just to get over the mic problem i do have a gig on th 30th of oct a 30 birthday party a friend of a friend and like i say before i have done it as a favour and that and just played tunes but i will use this gig to start to make it more pro like and try the mic thing anyway keep up the good work and once again a cracking site

[ChrisPointon]

WoW another new member!, welcome along and thanks for posting.

I've been DJ'ing for 16 years and I still get nervous before a gig. Yep True 100% kaking myself stage fright, but with time you get the confidence to be able to speak clearly and confidentally and be able to mask the nervousness. It just takes a bit of time and practice, don't expect it to happen overnight. The nervous bit is perfectly natural and can effect a lot of people, just concentrate on improving and building your mic style, use your natural voice (Don't put on a voice or try to copy somebody else) pace yourself as you speak, to avoid rushing and making it difficult for the audience to hear what you are saying. You probably will be expected to use the mic more if you venture beyond just gigs for friends and family, since may people expect a DJ to entertain. Some clients would say that they book a DJ for the personality aspect as well as the music.

The next piece of advice is to, if possible, visit another DJ and watch them at work, this can be very useful for watching how they use the mic. There are a lot of DJ's on here who may let you come along to one of their gigs to see how it is done, although you might have to travel a bit. I know we have a member in Warrington who may be willing to help, and some on the Wirral.

I'm in Cheshire, but I could possibly look at coming along to offer some mic technique advice at one of your gigs, if you wish?, providing it's a night when i'm not out myself. Bolton isn't that far from me....considering i've visited other members in Torquay!!. If you want to arrange something let me know.

I'm sure that you'll find the forum useful, with lots of advice and a friendly place to visit and post.

[bez]

cheers for that offer i will keep that in mind as it could come in handy you know just to get a few tips on working the party with the mic..i think the other thing as well is i have always been a dance dj mixing, scratching etc which i never had to talk over anyway which does not go down well at all at most parties except the house ones which is why i never took it up as a serious job or anything but now that i am looking to do this for real i know i have to make the move into golden oldies,pop, etc which i dont mind as a just love music but it will all be new to me

[kazzachi]

Welcome!...... Dont panic of mic use to begin with..... it takes us all ages to get the hang of it..... and I promise its not as daunting once you have used it a few times. For getting used to it "in public"... try the old "that was that and this is this" announcing your tunes... you could even try announcing "taxi for so-and-so"... anything - just to get used to it! After a while it will be an extension to your arm!

[Mo The Motown Man]

Hi Bez there's nothing to it you just open your mouth and out flows the platter or so we hope,look the best advice I can give to you,go a buy a dam good mike not some thing cheap and pretty and as for practice do what I used do many years ago play beat the intro. on the raido and do voice overes and then practices in your bedroom it works go giveit some.
Keep the Faith
Yours Mo

[DJ Marky Marc]

hello and welcome

[High Fidelity]

Welcome to DJU Kevan.

Don't worry about the mic too much, as others have said, it comes with practice.

I think most of us still get nervous before a gig.

In my case, I don't actually get nervous before the gig, but I do have to take several deep breaths before I speak on the mic for the first time at the gig, but after that initial opening it all just seems to flow.

As Chris has said, we do have a member in Warrington (Oh, thats me ) and you would be welcome to come along to a gig if you could get yourself there. Mind you, most of my gigs tend to be out of Warrington for some reason.

Having visited Chris at one of his functions I can say that we have very similar styles on the mic. Mostly for me it's saying the artist and track name at the end of a song, announcing requests, and just picking up on things that happen during the event. Plus the obligatory first dance, last orders etc.

Hope it all goes well for you, and more than anything, enjoy it and smile.

[brianmole]

Welcome!

[Dukesy]

Hi -

[bez]

cheers to you all thanks for the friendly welcome and the tips i look forward to picking up more tips on here and using this site a lot once again hello to you all and cheers

[jonnygfm]

Hello and welcome along to the forums happy posting

Jonny

[C.S]

Welcome here