My first gig was actually at a sports bar/nightclub. I was not at the time a dj or trying to be a dj. My friend's sorority was looking for one and knew i did lot of music production and knew alot of djs around town. I referred them to a few, but they kept coming back to me because all of the dj's were out of their budget. Long story short they practically just begged me to come with my laptop cause the venue wouldn't let them just play music from an ipod. So I was there with my laptop...no other equipment, no controller, turntables or anything. Just a 14 day trial version of virtual dj that i messed around with on for a day or so before. So how to beatmatch and blend just by ear no headphones. Played a mix of top40 and hiphop. I was nervous, but just a few minutes into the set, everybody was rockin. Everyone had fun. I had a great time. Didn't have any plans to pursue djing after that. About a month later, i ran into one of the door guys and he said the owner had been trying to get me to come back and dj again cause one of his other djs moved. Got offered a residency at the venue right off the bat. So I went out and bought a mixer, some turntables and a controller and started my career from there. Totally unexpected, but Ive been doing clubs and event non stop for 6 years now.
Great video. My first gig was for a family member of a friend. It was a sweet 16 and I set-up a bunch of music for the gig. I also spoke with the young lady who's party it was and got an idea of what type of music she and her friends wanted. Note: I've kept this practice for years now and it works great because as I tell my clients, "Not everyone listens or likes the same music you like." During my first gig it things went smoothly and since it was mainly young adults from 14-22, I was able to reach their genre "sweet spot" with no problem. I actually coined a phase called "wheels on the bus" type of gig where the crowd is so hyped and easy going that you could play Wheels on the Bus and they would dance to it! I was almost spoiled by that experience and I soon learned that you have to read your crowd throughout the gig because you have to keep their interest. One more note and I feel as though I wouldn't do this post justice if I failed to mentioned that after this gig a young lady was shot and paralyzed by her boyfriend. I was closing up my equipment when she asked me to play one more song and I played Drake Started from the Bottom. She danced and thanked me. Little did I know that would be the last song she ever danced to. So upcoming DJ's keep that in mind when you are asked to play a song, you never know if that song might be their last.
Yo TLM, I gotta thank you man... I just had my first "gig" this past weekend. Just played a house party, but it was my first time really playing in front of people. was a lot of fun. couldn't have done it without all the knowledge you have given me. Thank you for all the knowledge you have shared #SharetheKnowledge.
My first gig was when I was 16 years old. I did the gig with 2 belt drive turntables that I borrowed from a friend. I played old school dance and R&B. I was nervous but the crowd liked the music and how I played it ! I was hooked, and I've been playing music ever since
***For the people who are scared of messing up in a Gig*** Ok so last Saturday I went a party. The people there were my family but I did not know them. Anyways the dj there wasn't good at mixing at all. He would mix some tracks really well. But then other times you could tell the beat was off. He would also scratch in songs when I could tell he wasn't doing it right. The point is the mixes were bad at times, but the people "the audience" would not care what so ever. I guess I noticed because I dj myself on Djay 2. So I guess if you trust in yourself that you are ready, then you should do it. If you get mess up a couple a times that'll just be part of learning.
First off I'd like to say thank you so much for #sharetheknowledge. You are very wise and I love the words you choose to break down your answers so that you are very informative but you are still leaving a ton of room for people to take the answer and make it work for them instead of just doing A and B because djTLM says so. That being said I'd like to thank you for the bit on music restrictions. I am a mobile DJ and it is something I have dealt with successfully in the past, but yesterday after watching this I so happened to meet with a couple just an hour later who said "you can play anything but rap". Which I replied, "So you wouldn't want me to play something like 'House of Pain - Jump Around'? Turns out they just don't like hyphy or the real underground stuff. Which I wouldn't have played at a wedding anyways. So I just wanted to let you know keep em coming. Even if you are answering something we have already dealt with you are giving us a different perspective or approach in dealing with people on the business end. It doesn't matter what skills you have or lack as a DJ, if you don't know the business end skills alone aren't going to keep those gigs coming in. #sharetheknowledge is golden. Peace!
how you doing tlm my name is DJ Grizzly. First off I would like to say thank you you helped me in more ways than one. on my very first gig I was nervous as hell and I sucked. reason being i was no where near as prepared as I should have been. I didn't know anything about beat matching cue points or how to set up my crates the right way. and my music selections was not up to date like they should have been. lucky for me my home boy DJ King G had his hard drive with him and he bailed me out from embarrassing myself any further. long story short after that day I watched your videos religiously and I'm 100% better than I was a year ago. I can beat match anything my music is all organized I'm still not good at scratching but I'm getting better. your an awesome teacher and I learn something new from you everyday. once again thank you for sharing the knowledge. since that last gig I've done atleast 30 other gigs not to mention 4 clubs and 3 byob parties.
my first gig was last week, i only picked up my controller about two months ago. it went well, i was playing in a bar before a rock show and the room quickly filled up and it was bouncing!!
first gig was two years ago. it was a pool party. I owned a bar and that's how I got into djing. I have to learn how to dj since there will be times when I have to cover for my dj who was absent. anyway, the event organizer was a student of mine. yup I used to teach part time at a local university. she insisted that I dj on her event. my small bar was a major sponsor for the event and I thought it would be a good promotion of my business. so I agreed. I was nervous as hell that night. good thing the wife and the rest of the family, my nephews and nieces included were there cheering for me. the rest is history. I'm hook with djing. I just closed my bar last March, and I'm thinking of opening a mobile dj business soon. awesome videos @djtlm. keep it up.
My first gig was an open mic night for a local group. I was using VDJ without even a controller and I played a 5 minute mashup of a bunch of my original music. I made a bunch of mistakes but I get asked back by the group every time the group has an event. Also I was the first act and my computer wasn't on so there was a strange spot where I told the backstory of how and why I make the music I do. It's actually on my Facebook page for those who want to see possibly the shortest EDM set ever. Just go to the close to the sun page (white pentagon is me). But that's only if you care
Well actually my first gig was a parade trailer with my bike club. After the parade, All my friends that saw me in the parade said that man you were awesome. Being I went to college for music, I decided to give it a try and I've been deejaying strong now for about 3 years.
My first gig was on my friend birthday party :D It was 1 year ago. I was playing hip hop,rnb, techno/house, edm music and some of my mixes :D i was djing 4-5 hours that night :D
My first actual gig was kinda interesting.. my brother-in-law is a professional DJ, he plays in clubs, has his own internet radio show, well he asked my to DJ his wife’s birthday party.. I was shocked cause he only heard me DJ’ing at my house parties and I’m an Old School R&B DJ.. the night started out cool but I was in a room where I couldn’t see the people at the party.. long story short, I thought I was dying on the wheels.. he came and asked if he could get 5 minutes, of course.. he gets on and the party just goes crazy.. I felt kinda small because they didn’t react to me the way the reacted to him.. at end of the night, the people came to the room and said how much they liked the music, ask for contact info and all that.. it all worked out just fine
My first gig was at a club in Augusta, Ga, I told the manager i could play better than the guy he had, so he told me he would try me out on that Saturday and i had to play for his toughest crowd. I wonder why he had me come in at 12 since i knew that the club open up at 5 and i found out why, it was a for kids on Saturdays. He told me if that crowd to dance and have fun then i could play on Friday and Saturday nights. Best time I ever had because before i came to Augusta, in Texas i play for kids at a teen center on Fridays and Saturday so that prepared me for my first gig in a club even though it was with kids it got me my night time job playing for the adults.
I use ultimx dj remix services have you heard of them? They are based out of Greensboro NC. I have been using them since 1990 for their ultimix and funkymix music.
Hey, I'm "new" to DJ'ing and I'm trying to get some of my first gigs. I got many mashups and transitions to make my job easy for the beginning. I can't scratch yet and my beat matching is not 100Q% accurate. Should I practice more at home? Or start DJ'ing at small parties?
How would you be able to work in a club . I see myself as mainstream with a twist . I've made mixtapes and submitted open soundcloud youtube mixcloud . I also ask club dj"s what to do . Can u help me . am I doing something wrong ?
My first gig was a 21st birthday party where there was only about 12 people there in a big hall who didnt want to dance at all! lol Luckily its only got better since that!
Uff... My first gig ever was awesome. I was super nervous since I had to play infront of 150~ people. I did had errors, but I do think that I had an acceptable performance. I was 17, almost 18 at the time.
Hi, I'm a beginning mobile DJ from Saarland (Germany) . I've been Dj ing at some houseparties but last month i had a gig on a partie in my village (it was outside) after that somebody told me about GEMA and that I would have to pay for being allowed to play music outside.I wanna know if he's right and what i have to do, to be allowed to play musik at outdoor parties. Are there any german mobile Dj's who had experience with GEMA before?
First Gig? its funny when i decide to faded out the second deck, but i accidentally faded out the first deck(after transition) and thank god the crowd are just look and smile.. hahahhahaa
Hey Dj TLM i hv been watching your videos and seems like your a great guy. Now im gonna tell you a story i hope you dont get bored cuz it might be long. I did only one official club gig in my life for which i got $100 other than that i did on few parties. Now i am stuck in a position where i hv a passion i have tried in clubs before i made my set cd and passed on to them but they always say they'll let me know which is a nice way to say no. My city is really small and i hv few no. of clubs here now if i go to every club and get rejected from every where then they will not hire me ever again i hv to create name but i dunno how to throw parties how to get sponsors and all that im a good dj but not a sponsor management person. People are forcing me to do internships relating my studies but i dont wana pursue that i wana pursue my heart and im stuck . What should i do?
ok your first passion is to play your music, correct? goto the clubs you want to dj at on nights you notice flyerz with a promotional tag on them. this is when you want to be in the club and networking. socialize dont get lit. if possible find out if there is a after party. go to the after party. again network. offer to put down a set at the party. alot of times promoters are at these parties either hosting or just for fun. if there hosting then usually there is always a dj playing. if they arent and you know one is there then ask the actual host to dj if noone is or to drop a set in if they need a fill in.
also it wasnt like this when i was in the seen but it is now....use fb, twitter ect. while networking add as many people to your local networking list. if your able to show that at any given time u can put out a mass call to people on your list that are local to come out its as good as gold for marketing.
My first gig was actually at a sports bar/nightclub. I was not at the time a dj or trying to be a dj. My friend's sorority was looking for one and knew i did lot of music production and knew alot of djs around town. I referred them to a few, but they kept coming back to me because all of the dj's were out of their budget. Long story short they practically just begged me to come with my laptop cause the venue wouldn't let them just play music from an ipod. So I was there with my laptop...no other equipment, no controller, turntables or anything. Just a 14 day trial version of virtual dj that i messed around with on for a day or so before. So how to beatmatch and blend just by ear no headphones. Played a mix of top40 and hiphop. I was nervous, but just a few minutes into the set, everybody was rockin. Everyone had fun. I had a great time. Didn't have any plans to pursue djing after that. About a month later, i ran into one of the door guys and he said the owner had been trying to get me to come back and dj again cause one of his other djs moved. Got offered a residency at the venue right off the bat. So I went out and bought a mixer, some turntables and a controller and started my career from there. Totally unexpected, but Ive been doing clubs and event non stop for 6 years now.
Great video. My first gig was for a family member of a friend. It was a sweet 16 and I set-up a bunch of music for the gig. I also spoke with the young lady who's party it was and got an idea of what type of music she and her friends wanted. Note: I've kept this practice for years now and it works great because as I tell my clients, "Not everyone listens or likes the same music you like." During my first gig it things went smoothly and since it was mainly young adults from 14-22, I was able to reach their genre "sweet spot" with no problem. I actually coined a phase called "wheels on the bus" type of gig where the crowd is so hyped and easy going that you could play Wheels on the Bus and they would dance to it! I was almost spoiled by that experience and I soon learned that you have to read your crowd throughout the gig because you have to keep their interest. One more note and I feel as though I wouldn't do this post justice if I failed to mentioned that after this gig a young lady was shot and paralyzed by her boyfriend. I was closing up my equipment when she asked me to play one more song and I played Drake Started from the Bottom. She danced and thanked me. Little did I know that would be the last song she ever danced to. So upcoming DJ's keep that in mind when you are asked to play a song, you never know if that song might be their last.
1st gig was some Halloween party back in high school but seeing everyone vibin solidified my love for djing.
Your videos are great man. Thanks for the regular uploads : ).
Yo TLM, I gotta thank you man... I just had my first "gig" this past weekend. Just played a house party, but it was my first time really playing in front of people. was a lot of fun. couldn't have done it without all the knowledge you have given me. Thank you for all the knowledge you have shared #SharetheKnowledge.
Great content as always... both entertaining & informative...
My first gig was when I was 16 years old. I did the gig with 2 belt drive turntables that I borrowed from a friend. I played old school dance and R&B. I was nervous but the crowd liked the music and how I played it ! I was hooked, and I've been playing music ever since
***For the people who are scared of messing up in a Gig***
Ok so last Saturday I went a party. The people there were my family but I did not know them. Anyways the dj there wasn't good at mixing at all. He would mix some tracks really well. But then other times you could tell the beat was off. He would also scratch in songs when I could tell he wasn't doing it right. The point is the mixes were bad at times, but the people "the audience" would not care what so ever. I guess I noticed because I dj myself on Djay 2. So I guess if you trust in yourself that you are ready, then you should do it. If you get mess up a couple a times that'll just be part of learning.
+DJ Mattrixx i agree with u 100%
Got some gigs at the end of the month, I usually don't scratch that much but it's good that moderation comes into play for this stuff other than food.
First off I'd like to say thank you so much for #sharetheknowledge. You are very wise and I love the words you choose to break down your answers so that you are very informative but you are still leaving a ton of room for people to take the answer and make it work for them instead of just doing A and B because djTLM says so.
That being said I'd like to thank you for the bit on music restrictions. I am a mobile DJ and it is something I have dealt with successfully in the past, but yesterday after watching this I so happened to meet with a couple just an hour later who said "you can play anything but rap". Which I replied, "So you wouldn't want me to play something like 'House of Pain - Jump Around'? Turns out they just don't like hyphy or the real underground stuff. Which I wouldn't have played at a wedding anyways. So I just wanted to let you know keep em coming. Even if you are answering something we have already dealt with you are giving us a different perspective or approach in dealing with people on the business end. It doesn't matter what skills you have or lack as a DJ, if you don't know the business end skills alone aren't going to keep those gigs coming in. #sharetheknowledge is golden. Peace!
how you doing tlm my name is DJ Grizzly. First off I would like to say thank you you helped me in more ways than one. on my very first gig I was nervous as hell and I sucked. reason being i was no where near as prepared as I should have been. I didn't know anything about beat matching cue points or how to set up my crates the right way. and my music selections was not up to date like they should have been. lucky for me my home boy DJ King G had his hard drive with him and he bailed me out from embarrassing myself any further. long story short after that day I watched your videos religiously and I'm 100% better than I was a year ago. I can beat match anything my music is all organized I'm still not good at scratching but I'm getting better. your an awesome teacher and I learn something new from you everyday. once again thank you for sharing the knowledge. since that last gig I've done atleast 30 other gigs not to mention 4 clubs and 3 byob parties.
my first gig was last week, i only picked up my controller about two months ago. it went well, i was playing in a bar before a rock show and the room quickly filled up and it was bouncing!!
Episode 12 baby..!!😄😄
first gig was two years ago. it was a pool party. I owned a bar and that's how I got into djing. I have to learn how to dj since there will be times when I have to cover for my dj who was absent.
anyway, the event organizer was a student of mine. yup I used to teach part time at a local university. she insisted that I dj on her event. my small bar was a major sponsor for the event and I thought it would be a good promotion of my business. so I agreed.
I was nervous as hell that night. good thing the wife and the rest of the family, my nephews and nieces included were there cheering for me. the rest is history. I'm hook with djing. I just closed my bar last March, and I'm thinking of opening a mobile dj business soon.
awesome videos @djtlm. keep it up.
This is Dj Uchiha thank you for answering my question the best you could you helped in a lot of ways
My first gig was an open mic night for a local group. I was using VDJ without even a controller and I played a 5 minute mashup of a bunch of my original music. I made a bunch of mistakes but I get asked back by the group every time the group has an event. Also I was the first act and my computer wasn't on so there was a strange spot where I told the backstory of how and why I make the music I do. It's actually on my Facebook page for those who want to see possibly the shortest EDM set ever. Just go to the close to the sun page (white pentagon is me). But that's only if you care
Well actually my first gig was a parade trailer with my bike club. After the parade, All my friends that saw me in the parade said that man you were awesome. Being I went to college for music, I decided to give it a try and I've been deejaying strong now for about 3 years.
It happens quite often, music restrictions, that's why I'm a bedroom Dj I guess, i enjoy mixing even if it's just me.
My first gig was on my friend birthday party :D It was 1 year ago. I was playing hip hop,rnb, techno/house, edm music and some of my mixes :D i was djing 4-5 hours that night :D
My first actual gig was kinda interesting.. my brother-in-law is a professional DJ, he plays in clubs, has his own internet radio show, well he asked my to DJ his wife’s birthday party.. I was shocked cause he only heard me DJ’ing at my house parties and I’m an Old School R&B DJ.. the night started out cool but I was in a room where I couldn’t see the people at the party.. long story short, I thought I was dying on the wheels.. he came and asked if he could get 5 minutes, of course.. he gets on and the party just goes crazy.. I felt kinda small because they didn’t react to me the way the reacted to him.. at end of the night, the people came to the room and said how much they liked the music, ask for contact info and all that.. it all worked out just fine
My first gig was at a club in Augusta, Ga, I told the manager i could play better than the guy he had, so he told me he would try me out on that Saturday and i had to play for his toughest crowd. I wonder why he had me come in at 12 since i knew that the club open up at 5 and i found out why, it was a for kids on Saturdays. He told me if that crowd to dance and have fun then i could play on Friday and Saturday nights. Best time I ever had because before i came to Augusta, in Texas i play for kids at a teen center on Fridays and Saturday so that prepared me for my first gig in a club even though it was with kids it got me my night time job playing for the adults.
I use ultimx dj remix services have you heard of them? They are based out of Greensboro NC. I have been using them since 1990 for their ultimix and funkymix music.
this is a great series
#share the knowledge..can u make a video about serato video? Can i use itch or do i have to buy serato dj ?? Can i use it with windows 7? thanx man
Hey, I'm "new" to DJ'ing and I'm trying to get some of my first gigs. I got many mashups and transitions to make my job easy for the beginning. I can't scratch yet and my beat matching is not 100Q% accurate.
Should I practice more at home? Or start DJ'ing at small parties?
Love the new format. Would like to know what your birth name is.
bpm supreme and dj city the best dj pool
How would you be able to work in a club . I see myself as mainstream with a twist . I've made mixtapes and submitted open soundcloud youtube mixcloud . I also ask club dj"s what to do . Can u help me . am I doing something wrong ?
My first gig was a 21st birthday party where there was only about 12 people there in a big hall who didnt want to dance at all! lol Luckily its only got better since that!
Uff... My first gig ever was awesome. I was super nervous since I had to play infront of 150~ people. I did had errors, but I do think that I had an acceptable performance. I was 17, almost 18 at the time.
Hi, I'm a beginning mobile DJ from Saarland (Germany) . I've been Dj ing at some houseparties but last month i had a gig on a partie in my village (it was outside) after that somebody told me about GEMA and that I would have to pay for being allowed to play music outside.I wanna know if he's right and what i have to do, to be allowed to play musik at outdoor parties.
Are there any german mobile Dj's who had experience with GEMA before?
+Dj Describz Hmmm as long as the party is private and your music is legal you shouldn't have a problem.
+DJadan4u Thanks for info.
First Gig? its funny when i decide to faded out the second deck, but i accidentally faded out the first deck(after transition) and thank god the crowd are just look and smile.. hahahhahaa
Hey Dj TLM i hv been watching your videos and seems like your a great guy. Now im gonna tell you a story i hope you dont get bored cuz it might be long. I did only one official club gig in my life for which i got $100 other than that i did on few parties. Now i am stuck in a position where i hv a passion i have tried in clubs before i made my set cd and passed on to them but they always say they'll let me know which is a nice way to say no. My city is really small and i hv few no. of clubs here now if i go to every club and get rejected from every where then they will not hire me ever again i hv to create name but i dunno how to throw parties how to get sponsors and all that im a good dj but not a sponsor management person. People are forcing me to do internships relating my studies but i dont wana pursue that i wana pursue my heart and im stuck . What should i do?
ok your first passion is to play your music, correct? goto the clubs you want to dj at on nights you notice flyerz with a promotional tag on them. this is when you want to be in the club and networking. socialize dont get lit. if possible find out if there is a after party. go to the after party. again network. offer to put down a set at the party. alot of times promoters are at these parties either hosting or just for fun. if there hosting then usually there is always a dj playing. if they arent and you know one is there then ask the actual host to dj if noone is or to drop a set in if they need a fill in.
also it wasnt like this when i was in the seen but it is now....use fb, twitter ect. while networking add as many people to your local networking list. if your able to show that at any given time u can put out a mass call to people on your list that are local to come out its as good as gold for marketing.
thats a good one