Is 'experience' vital and/or necessary?

[pgw71]

Well, as I said on my welcome thread, I've been lurking around here for a bit. I'm looking to go from 'dabbling' in doing mobile discos to setting up properly as a fully fledged business. And this is my first question here...so be gentle :p

As I wander around the various websites of the many DJs on this, and other, sites, one thing that crops up time and again is 'experience'. Site after site has claims such as 'I've been in the DJ business for 30 years' or 'I've been a full time DJ since the 1970s'.

Obviously as someone starting up, I simply don't have, not can I suddenly acquire, that experience. Frankly, by the time I can rack up 30 years of experience I'll probably be either dead, or at least too decrepit to hump my gear in and out of venues!

So my question is this: Does 'experience' really matter all that much? Are people booking you experienced guys because of your experience? Or is enough to simply be a good and entertaining DJ even though I don't have much 'experience'?

[Excalibur]

What a good question. ( Which has in all honesty been done before, but in the words of the Average White Band " Let's go round again ". It's a certainty that we've gained a good few members since this was last aired. )

OK, my views. As someone who seems to have been doing this for about ninety seven years man and boy, I feel it ought to be mandatory to serve a thirty year apprenticeship, during which you will learn to use the microphone, repair kit, and familiarise yourself with all the charts from 1950 to 1979.

I jest. :D A little bit. Well, a lot actually. Basically, you're trading off knowledge of kit, the pitfalls and solutions to common occurences, and a general unflappability against youth, enthusiasm, and an affinity with the culture and musical tastes of today's younger generation.

The fear is that with the " more mature " DJs ( and don't forget, I'm still a young DJ, cos I steadfastly refuse to grow up. ) they may be jaded, infirm, set in their ways, bored, out of touch with popular culture, and generally tired.

It's a six and two threes, and basically age or youth alone is no indicator that you will get the service you desire. Other factors are involved.

[Shaun]

Well, as I said on my welcome thread, I've been lurking around here for a bit. I'm looking to go from 'dabbling' in doing mobile discos to setting up properly as a fully fledged business. And this is my first question here...so be gentle :p

As I wander around the various websites of the many DJs on this, and other, sites, one thing that crops up time and again is 'experience'. Site after site has claims such as 'I've been in the DJ business for 30 years' or 'I've been a full time DJ since the 1970s'.

Obviously as someone starting up, I simply don't have, not can I suddenly acquire, that experience. Frankly, by the time I can rack up 30 years of experience I'll probably be either dead, or at least too decrepit to hump my gear in and out of venues!

So my question is this: Does 'experience' really matter all that much? Are people booking you experienced guys because of your experience? Or is enough to simply be a good and entertaining DJ even though I don't have much 'experience'?

For some types of event (Weddings, Corporates etc) then I'd say experience could be an over-riding factor on whether they choose you or opt for someone else, but it all depends on each individual customer on what they're looking for. Luckily there is enough gigs out there for all levels of experience. Some customers just want a good reliable DJ who will give them a great night of music regardless of how many years they've been doing it. If there wasn't customers like that then none of us would ever start out. Experience comes over time, so don't let the advertising spiel about experience put you off. Sure to some it may be important, but it's not the be all and end all. I could name a few DJs that's being going for decades and their show still seems like it's stuck in the 80s. And I know a couple of 'newbies' that put on a great night. You could always use being new as an advantage: "Fresh new DJ bringing a fresh perspective to the mobile DJ scene".

Best of luck with your new venture!! I'm sure you have nothing to worry about and you'll do great. And there's always this forum should there be anything you're unsure of :)

[Excalibur]

I could name a few DJs that's being going for decades and their show still seems like it's stuck in the 80s.


Wash your mouth out with soap young man! 70's if you don't mind. :D:D


And I know a couple of 'newbies' that put on a great night. You could always use being new as an advantage: "Fresh new DJ bringing a fresh perspective to the mobile DJ scene".

He'll be hampered by the fact that as a general rule, we all play pre-recorded music. Unless he does a Nigel, and thrashes out a few chords on his guitar, at apposite moments. ;)


Best of luck with your new venture!! I'm sure you have nothing to worry about and you'll do great. And there's always this forum should there be anything you're unsure of :)

Again, I jest. ( regular readers know this is the default setting :D ) Ask away mate, and us doddery old blokes will be only too pleased to give you the benefit of our "wisdom".

[yourdj]

Become a roadie and help someone else out. :)

Music knowledge and what makes people dance is the longest thing to acquire and its always changing too.

[DJColsie]

Become a roadie and help someone else out. :)

Music knowledge and what makes people dance is the longest thing to acquire and its always changing too.

So true.

[pgw71]

Thanks for the comments and the good wishes

I've certainly got the musical knowledge, so I'm pretty confident from that perspective. Perhaps Shaun is kinda right in the notion of trying to find something 'fresh' to bring to the table - whilst also being confident in my musical knowledge and experience? Hmmm

The odd thing is that I've been doing discos on and off (mainly off) for about 30 years - and they've generally gone really, really well. So I could in all honesty say something 'First started over 30 years ago' - even though, strictly speaking, I haven't actually got 30 years of 'experience'

Maybe I should hire a copy writer? :D

[yourdj]

Thanks for the comments and the good wishes

I've certainly got the musical knowledge, so I'm pretty confident from that perspective. Perhaps Shaun is kinda right in the notion of trying to find something 'fresh' to bring to the table - whilst also being confident in my musical knowledge and experience? Hmmm

The odd thing is that I've been doing discos on and off (mainly off) for about 30 years - and they've generally gone really, really well. So I could in all honesty say something 'First started over 30 years ago' - even though, strictly speaking, I haven't actually got 30 years of 'experience'

Maybe I should hire a copy writer? :D

Thats good. Great knowlege of music is such a bonus so a good head start. i dod not really have an amazing musical knowledge when i started (and still don't really) so ongoing eduction is really helpful (ie watching music on TV and going to shows/live gigs) :)

Do you have that from what you know and listen too or from parties and making people dance as they two are really different.
I love it when people tell me they have a great knowledge of music and think they can DJ a wedding as unfortunately Its only something you can learn from experience of going along with other DJ's. A set theme or a 30th etc. will be simpler than a mixed function but the right track at the right time is essential or you will be left with an empty floor. This is 90% based on past trial and error. :)

Forums like this and real networking groups are probably the best way to find someone to go along with and also to get advice from.

Do you have a DJ set up now? The main advice I can also give you is to buy decent kit to start with as you will end up wasting money upgrading.

[pgw71]

Do you have that from what you know and listen too or from parties and making people dance as they two are really different.
I love it when people tell me they have a great knowledge of music and think they can DJ a wedding as unfortunately Its only something you can learn from experience of going along with other DJ's. A set theme or a 30th etc. will be simpler than a mixed function but the right track at the right time is essential or you will be left with an empty floor. This is 90% based on past trial and error. :)

Bit of both really. When I've done discos people have commented on how well I've been able to keep the floor well filled through choice of music. What people here call 'reading the floor' I guess. It's hard to explain isn't it - its just an intuitive 'feel'.

Don't worry, I don't intend jumping straight in with Weddings. Need plenty of experience first before being let loose with the biggest day of the brides life.



Do you have a DJ set up now? The main advice I can also give you is to buy decent kit to start with as you will end up wasting money upgrading.

No. And that's going to the topic of my next thread! But I agree with you, might as well get decent gear to start with. Buying cheap, and then having to upgrade sounds like a financial nightmare.