How to we act behind our decks

[501damian501]

as the title says how do we act, do we dance franticly like some djs :D :D

[theoloyla]

Depends on the gig, the audience, the time.

[rob1963]

as the title says how do we act, do we dance franticly like some djs :D :D

I sometimes shuffle about a bit!

However, I'm thinking of getting an old sofa & sitting down on it in future. After all, this would be much more comfortable & nobody would mind or think I was being lazy ;)

[One Vision]

No I just sit there like a plank of wood sat on me stool

[rob1963]

No I just sit there like a plank of wood sat on me stool

:rofl:

[Dillmiester]

Something im very aware of and was going to post a topic on.
I do feel a bit of a fraud stood staring at a laptop screen. When you think back to the days of fingering through vinyl, finding the right one to play next and occasinally blowing off the dust to stick it on the turntable, putting on the headphones to que it up, you felt more involved and something people could see you actively doing.
Being very self consious about this i find myself keeping the headphones on longer whilst dancing around a bit and fidling with switches in some daft attempt to look like im not just moving a mouse around and dragging and dropping files.
Its probably something i care more about than the punters do...

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I have a little dance, plan what I might be using over the following few songs and most importantly keep my eye on the floor and the dancers.

If you don't look interested and bored, people will notice. A little smile also goes a long way.

[Corabar Steve]

I paint myself grey & do my living statue act.

[Vectis]

I'm always on the move. Even when there's nothing to do, I'm fiddling with something (ooer!)

[Danno13]

I usually sing/mime along, and jig about a bit!

[Sapphire Disco]

If people don't dance I get out front and have a little bop to get things started, ask Darren :D

[rob1963]

I do feel a bit of a fraud stood staring at a laptop screen.

There's an easy way to solve that...buy a D2! :D


I paint myself grey & do my living statue act.

As I suspected.


Even when there's nothing to do, I'm fiddling with something (ooer!)

At a FUNCTION?

:jawdrop:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If people don't dance I get out front and have a little bop to get things started, ask Darren :D

Yes, that is true!

Paul came to give me a hand/observe a couple of years ago and I turned round to talk to him and he had disappeared. I was playing Motown and to my surprise I saw Paul shuffling about on the dance floor!

[JAMdisco]

I usually sing, and have a little boogie behind my stand.
I also smile if I catch someones eye - you're right Daz - it can make a lot of difference.

Basically if I look like I'm enjoying it, hopefully it'll reflect on the punters. :D

[Javlingames]

I make eye contact with imaginary people and pretend to have a conversation across the room, smiling and hand gestures to nobody is a great way of it looking like you know people and looking like your having fun

[rob1963]

I make eye contact with imaginary people and pretend to have a conversation across the room, smiling and hand gestures to nobody is a great way of it looking like you know people and looking like your having fun

I'm not sure if that's a good idea.

I knew someone who used to have pretend conversations with imaginary people...until he got taken away by men in white coats!

:rofl:

[501damian501]

I make eye contact with imaginary people and pretend to have a conversation across the room, smiling and hand gestures to nobody is a great way of it looking like you know people and looking like your having fun

yes i got taugh the art of this years ago, works very well

[Dragonfly]

I'm not sure if that's a good idea.

I knew someone who used to have pretend conversations with imaginary people...until he got taken away by men in white coats!

:rofl:

they let me out again though :D :D :D

[Tom]

I once gave some old granma's a wink, they laughed and kept on dancing. :D;)


I paint myself grey & do my living statue act.

I could imagine that. lol


For me it depends on the music. If it's upbeat music with a heavy beat then I usually dance behind the decks. Well I say dance, I move my feet about and bend my knees, ohh and plenty of head banging. lol.:D

[rob1963]

they let me out again though :D :D :D

:rofl:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

It depends on the moment etc and what I am playing. When it's the bride and groom's first dance I generally move away from the decks so that they don't get me in their photos. I'm not really the dancey type but I sometimes (just habit) do 'Air Drumming' ha ha...I can't help myself. The times I really get into it are when I am playing the music I like (Indie/Alternative and Retro Classics)...I'll be singing along then.

[Spirits High]

Must admit to a bit of dancing behind the decks and joining in with the party dances. ;)

If I get a bit of a quiet moment, buffet break etc , I'll get out there and have a chat, gather requests and get a feel for where I should go (musicaly that is, before I get any smart bum comments from a certain mod:p)

I look at it as, if i'm having a good time it'll reflect on the punters and that can only be good.:D

[The_Blue_Dragon]

I mainly do some chair dancing every now and then I might sing to myself. Im always keeping an eye out for people trying to mess with my gear or trying to grab the mic

[Spirits High]

Im always keeping an eye out for people trying to mess with my gear or trying to grab the mic

You play some quality venues then :D

[The_Blue_Dragon]

Not really. Even when I go to the loo I unplug my mic and lock it in a box so noone can mess with it

[Excalibur]

Something im very aware of and was going to post a topic on.
I do feel a bit of a fraud stood staring at a laptop screen. When you think back to the days of fingering through vinyl, finding the right one to play next and occasinally blowing off the dust to stick it on the turntable, putting on the headphones to que it up, you felt more involved and something people could see you actively doing.
Being very self consious about this i find myself keeping the headphones on longer whilst dancing around a bit and fidling with switches in some daft attempt to look like im not just moving a mouse around and dragging and dropping files.
Its probably something i care more about than the punters do...

Seriously, this is one of the big problems for Laptop DJ's. Punters have one at home, know what they can do, and believe you're being lazy( cos the lappy's doing the work).Rob's correct that as they probably don't have a Cortex/D2, and they see you typing and pressing buttons and reckon you're working hard.


I have a little dance, plan what I might be using over the following few songs and most importantly keep my eye on the floor and the dancers.

If you don't look interested and bored, people will notice. A little smile also goes a long way.
Watch your punters, and interact with them.


I once gave some old granma's a wink, they laughed and kept on dancing. :D;)
.:D

You wait Tom. Nowadays I wink at the Grannies, and ignore their Granddaughters. :D :D

[Penfold42]

Watch the floor....line the next track up ...have a bit of banter.....smile..and jig about.......

Hard work DJing......:D :D :D :D


Oh yes and text mates, make phone calls, drink beer and sit down! :sofa:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Seriously, this is one of the big problems for Laptop DJ's. Punters have one at home, know what they can do, and believe you're being lazy( cos the lappy's doing the work).

And people don't have CD players at home then?

[Dragonfly]

And people don't have CD players at home then?


not two of them that say denon on surely :D :D :D :D :D

[Excalibur]

And people don't have CD players at home then?
Indeed they do , my active friend. ( A reference to another post.) ;) :D They realise that the CD player is incapable of selecting and mixing that many tracks, so therefore the DJ is working his little socks off.

not two of them that say denon on surely :D :D :D :D :D
And definitely not Cortex. :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

They realise that the CD player is incapable of selecting and mixing that many tracks,

As far as I'm aware a laptop cannot choose which tracks to play either and twin CD players can mix tracks if programmed to, so there is no real difference.

[Excalibur]

As far as I'm aware a laptop cannot choose which tracks to play either and twin CD players can mix tracks if programmed to, so there is no real difference.
And you can put a CD in each side of a player, and it will play different tracks for five hours without a repeat like a laptop will? So why did I bother going Digital? Grrr!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

And you can put a CD in each side of a player, and it will play different tracks for five hours without a repeat like a laptop will? So why did I bother going Digital? Grrr!

The weight of the CDs I seem to recall, old bean.

[flatliners]

i am just mad crazy when i am behind the decks. i never sit down i am always dancing around because i think if the punters see the dj enjoying himself or herself then they might enjoy themselfs more

[BeerFunk]

I'm always clearly visible, and I am always conscious that people are watching me, so I don't give off any negative body language. I don't dance that much behind the decks, although sometimes I do it without thinking.


Indeed they do , my active friend. ( A reference to another post.) ;) :D They realise that the CD player is incapable of selecting and mixing that many tracks, so therefore the DJ is working his little socks off.
As far as I'm aware a laptop cannot choose which tracks to play either and twin CD players can mix tracks if programmed to, so there is no real difference.You are aware, but the general public are not (disclaimer - I do not have statistics to back that statement up :D)

[Corabar Steve]

I probably would dance if my dancing didn't resemble Andy Cox & David Steele from Fine young Canibals

[Javlingames]

With the Lapotop issue and people thinking you are not doing the work, I may have said this before but here goes, the people who have such thoughts clearly have no idea what they are talking about and I take great pride in taking advantage of their dumbness by telling them the laptop works the lights.

[Excalibur]

The weight of the CDs I seem to recall, old bean.

Weight? No problem. :D It was forgetting where the ones I wanted were that was the biggest problem! :o :o :D


I probably would dance if my dancing didn't resemble Andy Cox & David Steele from Finr young Canibals
I suspect that's still better than mine. :D


With the Lapotop issue and people thinking you are not doing the work, I may have said this before but here goes, the people who have such thoughts clearly have no idea what they are talking about and I take great pride in taking advantage of their dumbness by telling them the laptop works the lights.

A laptop controllimg your lights? :confused: How lazy! I run the lighting rig with my left hand, the sound with my right, and type requests on the laptop with my nose.

[Penfold42]

I make eye contact with imaginary people and pretend to have a conversation across the room, smiling and hand gestures to nobody is a great way of it looking like you know people and looking like your having fun


yes i got taugh the art of this years ago, works very well

Are you really sure........I would seriously do something about that and may I offer you both a solution......









































































.....GET OUT MORE!

[501damian501]

yes tone,i am sure,you get out more:D cheers:beer1:

[Penfold42]

I do....:D

But would seriously not do this as it makes you look a fool......oh wait a minute.....Carry on! :p

[501damian501]

Pikey dj moderator, did you read the post i did about magnetic signs :p

[theoloyla]

You wait Tom. Nowadays I wink at the Grannies, and ignore their Granddaughters. :D :D

I wink at the grannies and their granddaughters ignore me!!!!:bang:

[Excalibur]

I wink at the grannies and their granddaughters ignore me!!!!:bang:

And isn't it disappointing and bad for the ego when they don't wink back?
:( :(

[theoloyla]

No they generally burst out laughing!

[PropellerHeadCase]

I probably would dance if my dancing didn't resemble Andy Cox & David Steele from Finr young Canibals

Whilst studiously avoiding looking into the camera?

[DJWilson]

I start foot-tapping then go into my world raving :D Which is sometimes imbarrasing :( but fun :)

[Penfold42]

I start foot-tapping then go into my world raving :D Which is sometimes imbarrasing :( but fun :)

Plenty of glow sticks then.......:D :D :D :D

[DJWilson]

Plenty of glow sticks then.......:D :D :D :D


Not forgetting the horns and whistles :D

[Tom]

Plenty of glow sticks then.......:D :D :D :D

Don't forget Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box :D

[Penfold42]

Not forgetting the horns and whistles :D


Don't forget Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box :D

PMSL.........:D :D :D :D :D

[Dragonfly]

Don't forget Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box :D


and:

feed the chickens
windscreen wipers
wind the windows
the lawnmower
traffic lights

[Jiggles]

Stacking the Shelves :D

[djsteve10]

Shopping Trolley
Climb The Ladder
Drive the car

[Daryll]

Depending on the event and clientèle , I`ll have a attempt at dancing , with the operative word being attempt :D