Deejay Etiquette

[narc]

Turntable Etiquette

by Sharee
Here's the latest installment if you've been following along with the "How To's" so far. This one's not so much a how to as it is just plain 'ol common sense things that are often overlooked by both DJs and on lookers.

Through my years of attending clubs, events and parties, I have seen near brawls started simply because of someone's lack of courtesy to the DJ. Likewise, I've seen tempers flare between DJs (the infamous "DJ Politics" which I'll touch on in a minute) as well as DJs and the audience. Hopefully, this little list of simple "rules" will educate both factions and a more harmonious union of the two will ensue:

DJ Etiquette

1) Fees & Payment: Oooo, these are tricky ones (and ones that are almost always fouled up in some fashion). The fee you charge as a DJ is up to you. My best advice is this: try to find out what the "big name" DJs in your area charge, then try to find out what if anything the "newbies" charge. Depending on your skill level, you should be able to decide on either a "set price" on an hourly rate using this information. If you're just starting out, I'd recommend charging between $50 - $100. If you continue to do "freebies", you WILL get a reputation of always doing things for free or being easily swayed to do things for free. Charging something will at least let people know that you're a skilled "professional" and you expect compensation for your time and effort. The number one rule of actually getting payment is to DESIGN A CONTRACT. Perhaps in the next feature I will post one of the Jungle Voodoo contracts for everyone. A contract serves as a legal document between you and the promoter. Unless you don't want to get paid, are doing charity work or a favor for a close friend, ALWAYS have a contract completed before your services are rendered. If a promoter is not willing to sign a contract, do not do the gig UNLESS YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET PAID (because inevitably, that's what will happen). Having your own contracts gives you a more professional image - it says to promoters, "Hey, I don't screw around". Many contracts are drawn up so that 50% of your payment is up front, the other half is paid either before or upon completion of services rendered. Often times, it's a better idea to get paid BEFORE you spin, that way you know your covered in case of a shut down, a missing promoter, etc. In your experiences as a DJ, you will hear very colorful and comedic "excuses" from promoter on why they can not pay you (ie. someone stole our door money .... we didn't make any money .... etc. etc.). If this arises, and you did not get paid up front, you are basically screwed (unless of course you want to take the bozo to court). Also, be careful of "sketchy" promoters (ie. people operating several levels below the law ... people with big posse's of gangsters ... etc. etc.) - in some rare instances, it's better to leave in one piece than to not leave at all. You have to become a good judge of character and use your instincts. Scary thought, yes, but because of the nature of the "underground scene" it's something you will likely have to deal with in your career as a DJ.

2) Time slots: many DJs fight needlessly over time slots. Here's what to remember - when in doubt, go get the promoter. The promoter usually has the final say on who plays when and for how long. If the promoter is a wuss or can't be found, try to work out with the other DJs logical set times so that everyone gets a turn on the decks. It's lame and inconsiderate to "pull rank" or get a big head and try to kick a DJ off the tables. Likewise, if you've been playing for awhile and you know it's someone's else's turn, be considerate and relinquish the decks so that the next DJ can get some exposure too.

3) DJ "Politics": Sometimes it's hard to accept that at many parties time slots are never what the promoter originally told you. Try to "go with the flow" and don't let a big headed DJ or other factors ruin your night. In your experiences as a DJ, you will encounter many personalities and many awkward situations. There is a fine line between knowing when to stand your ground, back down, state your opinion, go get the promoter, etc. It's hard to explain the whole thing in just a paragraph, but the best advice I can give is that DJing is like any other job: at your "workplace", some people you work with are cool and some are assholes and you eventually learn how to deal with both so that you can do your job effectively. When you're DJing, you're (usually) getting paid to provide a service. Try to act as professional as possible without stooping to school yard tactics. And by all means, don't let another DJ with an inflated ego get you down. If you've got the skills, the best thing to do is to just do as good a job as you can on the decks and your talents will serve to put anyone dogging you in their place.

4) On the Desks: This is also where are lot of the fights/near fights break out. Just remember to follow these few rules of common courtesy and you will be respected and professional:
1) DO NOT, under any circumstances, touch the decks while another DJ is spinning - this includes fooling with the mixer, amp or speakers (unless you are the appointed sound person of the party and something is actually wrong with the sound).
2) If you are an MC, DO NOT assume that it's all right to just grab a mic and go (unless you have been booked by the promoter to do just that and the DJs are aware of it).
3) DO NOT touch other people's records.
4) DO bring your own set of headphones.
5) It is common that on your last record, you leave the sleeve out or you stand by so that the next DJ can hand the record to you or put it away for you.
6) Although a lot of people do not do this, sometimes it's nice to see the other DJs sets before you go on so that you do not repeat records.
7) Bear in mind that people will come up and ask you all manner of stupid shit while you're trying to spin. If someone just wants to know the name of the record you're playing, it is courteous to tell them (the artist/label of the record would surely appreciate that too). It's lame to try to keep records "secret" from people unless you have a damn good reason for it. That kind of behavior will land you in the "big headed" DJ category in no time and it also hurts the artists/labels who are trying to get people to know what their music is.

On looker/Party Attendee/Dancer Etiquette

1) Dancing Near the Decks: If you like to get right up there and dance near the decks, don't be a complete looser and flap around like a chicken, continuously bumping the decks (and making the needles skip). Pay attention to your surroundings and your immediate proximity to the turntables. There are few things more annoying than trying to beat match a record while a flailing dancer keeps knocking the tables.

2) Trainspotting: No, we're not talking about that silly movie. "Trainspotter" is a term DJs use for people who stand very close to the decks and stare at every record that is dropped. This is a phenomenon that will continue till the end of time. So the best advice is this: yeah, it's ok to try to see what record is playing, but also try to observe the DJ - do not get in his/her way at any time and if you seem to really be annoying him/her, back off a little.

3) Talking to the DJ: As a general rule, this is very poor etiquette. This is like talking to a city bus driver while they're trying to navigate a crowded street - not only are you really annoying the guy, you're also making it easier for him to screw up! 1) DO NOT EVER ask a DJ to play a different genre than what he's spinning (ie. a DJ is playing jungle, you ask "Do you have a progressive trance?"). Ok, so I can't even express what an annoyance this is! I don't care how many drugs you're on, you've got the brain of a dish sponge if you ask this. 2) Special requests WITHIN the genre of what the DJ is spinning are ok BUT: do not interrupt the DJ while he/she is "in the mix" (cueing up and trying to beat match a record or in the middle of cross fading the next record). Wait until the DJ is going to his/her bag to get another record, taking a swig of beer, etc. etc. 3) Hold personal comments until the end of the DJs set. If you want to tell a DJ what a good job he/she is doing without interrupting or waiting till the end of the set, get out on the floor and dance your ass off (they will notice).

4) Other Distractions: This should kinda go without saying, but unfortunately I've seen it multiple times: DO NOT EVER THROW ANYTHING AT THE DJ! I don't care if they suck or you hate them or what, this is just bad. Also, if you're a photographer and you're clicking off ultra bright flash pics, it might be a good idea at the end pf the set to tell the DJ what publication you're from (since you annoyed them with flashes, you could give them the courtesy of telling them where their mug might show up).

http://www.drumandbass.tripod.com/become.htm

[*STARFISH*]

nice.. good post :D

[omega_image]

lol........nice info

[Moon]

true dat

i dont mind trainspotters but anything that causes the needles to skip drives me nuts

[SoulKid]

Very good post.

[mushmellow]

good post...people need to know right?