A
great party requires the best ingredients...
The
most important ingredient, of course, is the
people you invite. Next, there is the location.
After these items you could consider the food, alcohol,
decorations, MC, entertainment, etc. Think
back about the last few parties you attended. Pick
the one where you had the best time. What
do you remember the most about that evening? Was
it the food? The bartender? I think you might see
the point. What makes a great party? I believe the
secret is in the mix of your friends, an attractive
setting and great entertainment.
Hiring
a DJ may not provide much entertainment. How many
times did you sit around at a party where no one
danced. Even if you don't dance, you have to admit
listing to music and watching others dance is a
pretty interesting show. A DJ should be much more
than just a human jukebox. After all, if that
was all a DJ is then you might be better off
renting a real coin operated jukebox for your party.
There
is a joke that goes something like, "Are you
into music?" "Yeah! Sure! Absolutely."
"Really, what do you play." "Errr...
Ahh... Records."
Anyone
can play records or should we say CDs, now. I bet
you would be a pretty good DJ with the right equipment.
Entertainment is an art that requires being able
to relate to the audience and perform in a way that
touches their souls. Loving what you do is a great
start and doing it for the right reason helps. Be
honest with yourself. When you watch a good show
aren't the stars so natural, believable and completely
immersed in their role? They draw you in and you
forget about watching the show. You become part
of the experience. That's the difference between
a real DJ and a human jukebox. A great DJ must love
music, love to party and being a DJ. A DJ's
enthusiasm is contagious. The beauty of being a
DJ, you get to share the happiest parts of peoples
lives.
There
is another important aspect to being a great DJ
and being part of the "life of the party"
in a sense. A DJ must be musical. The best DJs write
their own songs, know the key of a song they are
playing, its meter, go on to become producers
and have their own hits. Like a good drummer, a
DJ just senses the right beat to connect with
a dancer. That connection, that interaction is what
makes a musician great. Music is not about playing
an instrument. Whether it is a DJ system, voice,
keyboard or drums, they are just instruments that
connect the performer with the audience in a magical
way. The performer and the audience are in
tune, on the same wavelength, having a fantastic
time.
I
know that is the heart of entertainment, enjoying
be a performer, completely understanding the craft
and above all, making the connection. In some ways
being a DJ is almost psychic. While based mostly
on skill and experience sometimes you must rely
on your creative side to find a way to make the
audience move and find the groove.
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