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Q u a r t e r l y - T i p
Dealing With Requests
by Rob WegnerSummer 2006
At some point or another, almost every DJ gets asked to play a song from a member of the audience. The purpose of this Quarterly Tip is to address a few issues associated with customer requests.
Three General Questions
I've outlined three general questions that you may want to ask yourself when receiving a customer's request:
First, and foremost, does the request correspond with the format of the venue? Common-sense dictates that if the request doesn't match the format, then you probably shouldn't play it (which also means turning down tips for inappropriate songs). However, if the request is consistent with the venue's format, then you may want to tell the customer "we play that, I'll play it later."
Whether you play the customer's request or not, it's important to be as courteous as possible. Engendering customer support is essential to building a following and repeat business.
Second, is the request a dance song or listening music? Just because it's a radio "hit" doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to pack your dance floor. As a professional live-performance DJ, you're expected to know the type of songs that will generate an audience response. You must develop an ear for those songs with a good dance beat versus songs that may be more appropriate for chillin' on a bean bag. Obviously, this gives experienced club DJ's an advantage over newer DJ's and others. However, if you're new -- as a general rule for new songs -- if you can't dance to it, then don't expect others to dance to it.
Third, can you make it work? Notwithstanding whether the request fits the format of the venue, there's also the issue of whether the request maintains the continuity of your set and/or style. Unless you're just playing songs at random, the request's BPM, genre, key, drum pattern, etc. is a vital consideration with regards to maintaining consistency and momentum on your dance floor. If you're really creative, you may be able to overlay the acapella of the request (that might otherwise not get played) on top of a beat that's consistent with your set. This is the type of creative compromise that will make you stand out as a DJ.
Additional Considerations:
* You will find that dealing with requests often requires negotiation and compromise -- to keep the customer's happy. However, be careful not to allow a few persons to make requests that dictate the format of the entire venue. This is one reason why some DJ booths are designed to place some distance between the DJ and the patrons (with customers distracting the DJ being another reason for the distance).
* Remember that cool heads prevail. At some point or another, almost every DJ will hear things like: "everybody will dance if you play it," "the owner wants you to play it," "you're not a good DJ unless you play this song," etc. In addition to tips, they may offer to buy you drinks (which, in some jurisdictions that regulate employee drinking, may affect the venue's license) or may even make threats (i.e., "I'm going to your manager"). Like club managers, bouncers, and servers, it helps to learn customer-service-skills and know that unreasonable patrons are part of the job.
* When I first got into the business, the DJ that trained me also made it a point to split his tips with whomever was helping him in the DJ booth (I was his drummer). He told me that this was a tradition started by disco-era DJ's. From that point onward, I made it a rule to always split tips with the light jock (or whomever else was working in the booth with me). This is good policy -- not only because it develops a bond between yourself and the light jock -- but also because it gives the light jock an incentive to assist you with customer requests (i.e., particularly unruly customers).
Industry News
* UK based WestendDJ.tv shows exclusive video clips of the latest DJ equipment, including reports from major conventions such as Frankfurt's Music Messe and LA's NAMM. DJ's can also subscribe to WestendDJ.tv's video podcast using iTunes. See Westenddj.tv.
* Broadjam.com and Remix Magazine launched a website that gives DJ-producers the opportunity to sell their original music online. According to Remix Magazine, "no graphic or web experience is required" and you can "sell your music downloads for 99 cents each and keep 80 cents of the sale." For more information, see Broadjam.com.
* Remix Hotel will take place in New York City from June 23-25, 2006. A collaboration with the SAE Institute, the Remix Hotel will offer master classes, panels, workshops, demos and clinics about music production and performance for electronic-and urban-music producers, engineers, musicians, fans and DJ's. See RemixHotel.com.
* Viseosonic, the firm behind PCDJ, is releasing PCDJ VJ, which is Windows-based software that could potentially replace expensive VJ hardware. For more information, see PCDJ VJ.
* Mobile Beat Magazine is holding three days of seminars and workshops at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell, CT on June 26-28, 2006. For more information, see DJShow.info.
* Glorious DJ is a German firm that offers DJ workstations, records and CD storage, accessories, and lounge furniture. Marketed as stylish DJ furniture (such as the Ibiza Lounge couch), Glorious DJ's products provide a professional appearance consistent with the DJ lifestyle. See Gloriousdj.com.
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