DJ Summit coordination question

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Platypus
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DJ Summit coordination question

#1 Post by Platypus » Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:22 am

Next month, one of our local venues is coordinating a local DJ summit/training geared towards our newer DJs in town. We are planning to focus on the basics, of DJing, from equipment to choosing music that fits the venue. Since i am a researcher at heart:

For those who have run Summits:

What was the focus of your summit?

What did attendees say was the most helpful thing they got out of the event?

Was it a one shot deal or did you repeat it?

(and, yes, I will post my finalized Agenda and review of the event once it is over).

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trev
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#2 Post by trev » Wed Jun 16, 2010 10:46 pm

I think I posted this somewhere else, but last time I ran one of these I used the following outline. It was aimed mostly at newbie DJs.

It went for 2 hours with a break in between. I divided the workshop into 3 parts: Collecting music, Equipment and Playing a Set:

1. Collecting Music
- different styles of swing music (simplified)
- listening, research and exploration
- where to buy
- quality considerations (compare same recording good/bad remastering)
- Audio Restoration
- Digital quality
- labels to look for
- copyright considerations
- organising your collection

2. Using Equipment
- setting up
- how to use sound desk
- getting good sound

3. Playing a Set
- personal style
- reading a room
- tempo
- energy (compare 2 tracks, same tempo, different "energy")
- song length
- mood, wave, contrast, tension
- familiar vs fresh tracks
- preparing for a gig
- common mistakes

It went really well and there was lots of good feedback, but If I ran one again, I'd divide it into 2 sessions, one aimed at beginner DJs that was similar to the outline above, followed by one aimed at more experienced DJs which was more of a knowledge sharing forum. DJs would be welcome to attend both.

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#3 Post by Platypus » Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:14 am

Cool! I like your topic areas. I had similar categories picked out, but you gave me ideas for fleshing them. Awesome!

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#4 Post by Platypus » Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:30 am

Thanks! Glad to know we are in sync with general topics, but gyou have given me some sub-topics to think about!

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#5 Post by dogpossum » Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:03 pm

I really really really want to go to a swing DJ pecha kucha.

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#6 Post by trev » Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:43 pm

dogpossum wrote:I really really really want to go to a swing DJ pecha kucha.
Each DJ gets 7 minutes to present to the others?

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#7 Post by dogpossum » Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:59 pm

trev wrote:
dogpossum wrote:I really really really want to go to a swing DJ pecha kucha.
Each DJ gets 7 minutes to present to the others?
Pretty much - 20 seconds for each of 20 slides pecha kucha

Short, sharp, sweeeeeeeet.

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Re: DJ Summit coordination question

#8 Post by Haydn » Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:42 am

I've never been involved with running a DJ Summit, but I've been to a few meetings about DJing. If I was running something like this, I would see if I could make it as practical as possible. One way would be for everyone to go to a dance where other DJs were DJing, and meet the next night to discuss DJing, using the DJing at the previous night's dance as a focus for discussion e.g.

* What worked and why?
* What didn't work and why?
* Who was your favourite DJ and why?
* What type of music worked and why?

Another way to do it would be to arrange a dance where everyone at the DJ Summit DJ's for a while, and then use this as the basis for discussion.

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#9 Post by SoundInMotionDJ » Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:22 am

I think this is an awesome idea. Has it happened? Any updates?

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#10 Post by Platypus » Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:40 pm

I lucked out that super-experienced DJs (8-10 years) agreed to be on the panel. I just had to send them a brief outline, negotiate a bit, and say "gear it towards new dancers." They really kept their comments focused towards our intended audience. Two hours went quickly. We had about 12 attendees, a mix of experienced and beginning people.

The more experienced people reported that they felt it was mostly things they already knew, which I expected. Seems like everyone was on the same page about "what's next?." A more music-heavy conversation.

The new people reported that they learned new things.

I am waiting on tomorrow night, since that will be the most likely place where I will hear feedback.

One thing that we did at the last minute, but went over REALLY well was to make a handout with a ton of internet resources on it that hit on many of the topics we discussed during the summit.

We are waiting to hear more feedback and are considering doing it again in six month.

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#11 Post by Platypus » Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:46 pm

A general outline of the topics we covered:

Introductions: “Could everyone introduce themselves and state one thing they would like to learn today?”

Sound Equipment (mixer, etc)

The Electronic DJ (computer, IPod, CDs, music program, etc)

What do you put in your DJ bag? (cords, headphones, external sound card, etc)

Music collections (basics of creating and maintaining a collection, tagging, MP3 info, etc)

DJ skills (flow, BPM, length of silence between songs, reading a room, flow) - this was the area that the experienced DJs wanted to hear more about

Expectations: Working with coordinators, venue owners, teachers, dancers, etc

DJing different types of events (practice session, dance, exchange, early vs late night, etc)

Resources – local and Internet, stores, etc

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#12 Post by trev » Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:30 am

I'm looking at revisiting this, and just wanted to check if anyone had some new/recent insights into the best way to run a Swing DJ workshop.

I've got my own ideas, but I'm particularly keen for ideas that make the forum interactive, rather than have me giving a 2 hour lecture.

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#13 Post by dogpossum » Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:18 am

This isn't really 100% related, but I'm really curious about how other event organisers manage DJs for their events. ie the administrative side of an event with DJs. I'd be most interested in events in the US, where DJs are paid/flown into town, etc.

-> sort of a development from Playtpus/Kristina's topic point
Expectations: Working with coordinators, venue owners, teachers, dancers, etc

I'm doing more and more of this administrative stuff (ie bossing DJs about), and I've been interested to see how my requirements have affected the way DJs work at events. So I want to be sure my work is top shelf, so I don't screw over DJs.

Maybe this should be an entirely new topic? I dunno...

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#14 Post by Haydn » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:54 pm

dogpossum wrote:I'm doing more and more of this administrative stuff (ie bossing DJs about), and I've been interested to see how my requirements have affected the way DJs work at events. So I want to be sure my work is top shelf, so I don't screw over DJs.

Maybe this should be an entirely new topic? I dunno...
Sounds like a great idea for a separate topic 8)

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#15 Post by Platypus » Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:35 am

The Admin stuff provides the most headaches. Definately a good topic.

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