Freedom of choice is all well and good, but there is such a thing as having too many options available. Precisely where many aspiring DJs hit a stumbling block when faced with the daunting task of choosing tracks for their sets.
It is not until you dive into a decent streaming service for DJs that you realise just how much there is to sift through. Knowing where to start can be half the battle and it can take an eternity to put together the first full set you’re happy with.
Which begs the question – how do established DJs choose songs for their sets? When looking at a limitless library of options to experiment with, how do you narrow things down to just a few-dozen tracks to focus on?
As with most things, it depends entirely on who you ask – and who you are looking to entertain. Even so, there are a few tips and guidelines of universal relevance, which could help aspiring DJs negotiate this particular minefield.
Go With the 6/2 or 7/3 Formula
Plenty of pro DJs swear by the classic 6/2 or 7/3 formula when playing live. This basically means that you play six or seven crowd-pleasing hits, followed by a couple of deep cuts to intentionally slow things down.
As for why, it is all about giving the crowd the opportunity to do their thing both on and off the dance floor. You play six of seven songs they can go nuts to then provide them with a little downtime to go smoke, drink and socialise.
If you ever wondered why DJs rarely play wall-to-wall floor-fillers, now you know.
Choose Tracks on the Fly
Playing a new venue in front of a new audience can be a daunting prospect at the best of times. But this is also where your intuition (combined with nerves of steel) can pay dividends.
The mark of a good DJ is the ability to make decisions and adjustments with their DJ equipment on the fly. You play a track, you see how the crowd responds, and you plan your next move accordingly. If it is a hit, you know exactly what to play next to keep them happy. If it sends everyone racing to the bar, you will know it is not really their thing.
Truth is, planning a DJ set from start to finish rarely works – unless you already know your crowd. Plan the basics by all means, but be ready to modify your approach on the basis of how they respond.
Do Your Homework
It is highly unlikely you will be the only DJ playing at any given club or venue on any given night. Nor will you be the first DJ to have ever played on that stage to that crowd.
Consequently, one of the best ways to prep for an upcoming set is to do your homework. Research the sets put on by other DJs who are either set to play the venue or have played it in the past. Take note of the genres and types of tracks they play, and how the crowd responds to them.
Basically, it is a case of learning from the trials and errors of others. Rather than making things up as you go along and hoping for the best, you can use their past sets as a blueprint for your own success.
Don’t Overthink It
There is a fool-proof strategy for putting on a decent DJ set that can be summarised in three words:
Play the hits.
If in doubt, simply set your sights on the kinds of bangers you know you cannot go wrong with. Do not make the mistake of over thinking it, or attempting to get too clever for no good reason. Go easy on yourself and do not be afraid to load your sets with tried, tested and trusted classics.
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