Like the Boy Scouts say "Be Prepared"
What separates a solid DJ from a great DJ? Preparation and execution. This worksheet will focus on all of the commonly used techniques a great DJ will use to be
completely prepared for their performance.
completely prepared for their performance.
The following are the “behind the scenes” responsibilities you should take note of.
- Call your client EARLY! 2 weeks or more out and discuss date, time, location, music selections (first dance, parent dances, intro or cake cutting music etc.), party dances, special
requests and announcements and what your approach to the event should be
(lively, less-interactive, somewhere in between). - Create usb drive of all of the clients selections - you will have every song requested backed up in case you need to access it.
- Before the event date, check your collection to make sure you have the songs you need. Check to make sure the songs in your playlist are correct and not remixes or the wrong songs.
- Leave plenty of drive time. Arrive 1 hour to 1 ½ hours before the start time. Take your time unloading and setting up. Rushing through a load in and set-up can
cause your performance to suffer. Before you leave the car, check your contract
and refresh yourself with the names of the bride and groom. Be prepared if you
happen to bump into them or family members. Also a plus to show the banquet
manager you are familiar with who you are performing for. - Greet the Banquet Manager to quickly go over place to set-up and time line of events. You must have a Pros T-shirt on and look professional.
- Test your sound and microphone before guests arrive. Check your sound in front of the speakers. You sound should be bass-y and muffled behind your equipment. Don't
adjust from there. Evaluate the sound from the dance floor. Check your wireless
microphone. Walk out to the dance floor. Change the battery if the light is
dimming. - Re check your playlist.
- Take a business card, turn it over and write the bride and groom's names on it and place it on your mixer in plain view to refer to during the evening. Refer to
the “bride and groom” by using their names, “John and Mary.” - Meet with the bride and groom about 20 minutes before show time to go over names and order. Also confirm whether parent dances will follow first dance or will be
after the cake cutting (most will opt to do them together at the beginning).
Rewrite the names phonetically if they are difficult to pronounce. - Go back to your equipment and recheck your sound make sure it sounds perfect.
- Return to the bridal party and assist the banquet manager in the “line up”. Go over names with each couple one last time and they are getting lined up. Return to
your equipment and wait for the sign from the banquet manager. - Hit Your Introduction...and off you go!
Thought for the Month"The one thing worse than a quitter is the one who is afraid to
begin."
~unknown
