DJ or Live Band for Dancing?

[pygmalion]

Just curious, folks. Do you have a preference when you're dancing? DJ or live band? And if so, why?

[SwinginBoo]

If it's a band I really like, and there are many, then I prefer live music. It gives you more energy if the band is good and you have more motivation to dance well.

If there isn't a good band playing then I prefer a few specific dj's. There are some dj's who are not very good in this area. But there are a few who play really different swing songs that most people have never heard of. They are fun to dance to as well.

[youngsta]

I prefer a GOOD band any day! Nothing against DJ's (I used to be one), I just enjoy live music more. The interaction of the band and the dancers seems to infuse the place with energy.

[Sagitta]

I agree. Nothing beats dancing to a GOOD live band! I just couldn't stop myself dancing to a jazz quartet at the Johnson museum opening Friday before last, while if the music was just being played I don't think I would have.

[Spitfire]

I don't have a preference myself, but attendance here is usually greater if the music is by a live band.

The swing dances here usually feature live music, but not very often at ballroom events. The studio I go to used to have swing and latin theme nights fairly regularly in which they would bring in a live band, but have not done so in quite some time.

[SDsalsaguy]

Add one to the GOOD live band count! :D

One of the problems I notice though is that some bands, while great for listening to, are NOT good bands to dance to. These bands tend to neglect the dancers they're playing for and start sliding their tempo around during one song. Interesting to listen to, and I can play with it now, but it leaves most newer and even some intermediate dancers hanging on the floor...

Give me a great DJ over these bands anytime.

Also wanted to add that while the energy of a good band can't be beat some good DJ's can provide a range and variety of sounds that no band can duplicate...

With all of this in mind... my #1 band pet peeve, and why 9 times out of 10 I'll take a DJ: I came to dance! This means that I want to hear music, not the lead singer yammering away on the microphone as if s/he was a public speaker we'd all come to hear!!! :x

[pygmalion]

I completely agree, SD, for the reasons you stated. Most of the time, if I'm not sure what I'm getting, I'll take the DJ. Why? Live band pet peeve #1 -- bands that don't keep a steady tempo. I can deal with that, but many people just can't dance without a steady beat to rely on. Save the tempo liberties for the concert stage, you bands out there. Pet Peeve #2 -- bands that don't know a variety of dance styles. Many live bands play rumbas and single swings all night long (with an occasional cha-cha) Man, you should have seen the time some friends and I went to a local supper club and requested a tango! :shock: :lol: The band couldn't do it.

There is one really good house band at a dance club here in town (At the Backstage) that plays a great variety of music -- hustle, cha cha, salsa, swing, you name it. Now THAT'S a good time. :D

[will35]

Live music is generally better for dancing if the music is intended for dancing, and the players know what they are doing. I think some of the best music I ever danced to in any country was to one live bandoneon. If the player is very good, he can make the bandoneon sound like several orchestras. Sometimes, it is even better if there is a guitar or piano to go along with it. Waltzes are good this way.
Also consider that musicians and dancers really get along well and have a great deal in common. During the breaks, I spend some time talking to the musicians if they are not too busy. They don't mind talking about music, even if it is their job. They love music. I normally let them know they are good, if they really are good. There are also little things that create a better atmosphere while dancing with a live band. Normally when I look at the bandleader after a piece of music, he is looking at the dancers to see how they like it. Eye contact and good applause help the band to know how they are doing. They appreciate the dancers and vice versa. It is tough to get that feeling with a DJ.

[pygmalion]

I know what you mean, will35. There can be some really great synergy between a good band and good dancers. It's like they're two parts of the same entity. There's another really good house band here in town - at the Black Fin -- that does primarily ECS and WCS, you know, Motowny stuff from the sixties and early seventies. A great time! Tiny floor, but it's like the dancers and the band are having a conversation. So much fun! :D

[will35]

Sometimes when I happen upon some little place where there is a live band, I just stop in to see how they are. It is a little strange sometimes to see that the band is pretty good, playing perfectly danceable music (Texas blues or Texas Swing or two step type music), and only old people are dancing. The young people are sometimes listening to the music, but they are not on the dance floor. Why?

[youngsta]

For any of you salsa/cha cha cha heads out there go check out Spanish Harlem Orchestra! You will NOT sit down the whole night. They are a GREAT band!

[pygmalion]

Sometimes when I happen upon some little place where there is a live band, I just stop in to see how they are. It is a little strange sometimes to see that the band is pretty good, playing perfectly danceable music (Texas blues or Texas Swing or two step type music), and only old people are dancing. The young people are sometimes listening to the music, but they are not on the dance floor. Why?

You know, will, I wonder if it's not a generational thing. People from my parents' generation, for example, grew up dancing to live bands. (Except when they went to juke joints -- dives with corn liquor and a juke box! :lol: ) People from my generation grew up with audio tapes, later CD's and lots of DJ's. Few bands.

[SwinginBoo]

You know what my pet peeves about live bands are?

1. They play a lot of the same tempo songs all in a row...this can be disastrious if they are all fast. This is the mark of a band that doesn't know their dancers.

2. They play a song that never ends...and all they keep singing are the same two lines over and over again. :evil:

[SDsalsaguy]

1. They play a lot of the same tempo songs all in a row...this can be disastrious if they are all fast.
Unfortunately some DJ's are just as guilty a set of culprits in this regard as well... :evil:

[Spitfire]

I think one of the local bands that frequently plays at the swing dances uses sets that it plays just for dancers. Must be so from just listening to them at non-dance functions when they play songs I have not heard them do when they are performing at the dances.

[Swing Kitten]

I agree with most of the sentiments expressed thus far-- my contribution:

-- I like the natural pause between songs that live bands have... often I've found that DJed dances move quickly from one song to another sometimes even blending/overlaping songs together! This makes it difficult to find my next partner.

-- I always feel silly when I forget myself and applaud for a recording :blush:

[SDsalsaguy]

-- I like the natural pause between songs that live bands have... often I've found that DJed dances move quickly from one song to another sometimes even blending/overlaping songs together! This makes it difficult to find my next partner.
Personally I prefer to short a pause to the mini-vacations that some bands provide but I've got to agree with you regarding "mixing" – YUCK! *

-- I always feel silly when I forget myself and applaud for a recording :blush:
:shock: :lol:

* To any and all lurking DJs out there, dancers do not appreciate this! We count on the ends of songs both for any finales we have in mind as well as to switch partners, have a chance to gracefully excuse ourselves, exit the floor for a drink of water, etc.

[Swing Kitten]

I have never experienced a bad live band... so of course that influences my perspective... my venue diversity is a touch lacking :shrug: but I'm happy and it gives my the break I need

[borikensalsero]

In NY City they have us spoiled with live Salsa bands ala, Willie Colon, El Gran Combo, Spanish Harlem Orquestra, Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow, Cuco Valoy, Henry Fiol, Willie Rosario, Fruko, Andy Montañez, OH BOY, They are great to dance a few songs too, but....

I don't like places with straight up DJ, nor straight up bands. I like a mix. Live songs by these bands on the average go over 10 minutes. Aside from The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, they all know how to mix the mid tempo tunes with the fast tunes to give us dancers time to rest. These bands are the cream of the crop; they have been here since the salsa craze in the 70s, history in front of you. They know a difference between a concert and a jam session for dancers.

It is almost impossible to dance to 5, over ten minutes salsa dura songs from the 70s, one right after the other. All you can do is step back and let the awe of true mastery over take you. Not only are the songs too fast, but are so from start to end, over 10 minutes of descarga (all out jam session), to the point where after 3 songs you are done with. This is when I feel bad for the ladies being thrown all over the place trying to keep up with they a guy whose ego just got bigger with the speed of the music.

Imagine dancing to 5 ten minute long Mama Guelas in a row. NO WAY, slow down the music I am here to dance, not act like a rabbit in heat. For the most part DJs know that after tearing the dance-floor at that speed for 30 minutes we need music to relax and groove to. Most DJs aren’t educated on the salsa classics, so they stay with the mainstream salsa they know, and is by no means as fast nor as musically challenged as the classics. Our time to rest while dancing!

In all, it is nearly impossible to dance to a true salsa band and keep up with their energy. So, I love it when I get to hear 3 sessions of around 40 minutes with long DJ breaks in between. I’m getting old to descarga my way through Eddie Palmieri going nuts on the Piano for 15 minutes. These songs are so amazing they become breath taking and dancing is almost impossible. There is no more amazing sight than watching a dancing crowd stop simultaneously because they band is a breath taking sight. OMG, Willie Colon’s Alto Sax Player doing a 5 minute descarga with the response of the trombone player edging him on. Or even Alf redo de la Fe on his electric violin doing a descarga “match” agains his trombone player for over 15 minutes. Now, how can anyone dance to that?

[salsachinita]

Sorry, guys. I am late for this thread again!

In NY City they have us spoiled with live Salsa bands ala, Willie Colon, El Gran Combo, Spanish Harlem Orquestra, Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow, Cuco Valoy, Henry Fiol, Willie Rosario, Fruko, Andy Montañez,

:cry: I miss being in NY....! :cry:

Imagine dancing to 5 ten minute long Mama Guelas in a row.

I agree! We have a local band who kept the descarga alive every Sunday. But few dancers could keep up song after song..... :roll: we all kinda 'groove' & work into a frenzy.....

Or even Alf redo de la Fe on his electric violin doing a descarga “match” agains his trombone player for over 15 minutes. Now, how can anyone dance to that?

:notworth: Can't wait to see that! Words are they will be playing in Sydney next Jan for the Bacardi Fiesta....! (I am SO there!) :bouncy:

The best night for dancing IS a mix of good band & equally good DJs. We are lucky that this combination is a regular occurance in my town :D !

[Catarina]

Reviving yet another old thread ;)
I was fortunate enough to go to a concert in the park this week where Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz were performing (for free even!). I ran into my instructor and got to dance to most of one song--it was a hybrid of dancing and running as we were on grass, so no gliding and spinning across the floor there! I had a fabulous time listening to the music their whole set, but was rather disappointed that I didn't see many others dancing, let alone folks from the "dancing" crowd. What gives? I love live music of any genre, and consider it an especially great opportunity to see some of the salsa greats in concert. Listening to this awesome music makes me want to dance. Unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity to dance because people aren't there to dance! I don't plan to stop going to live music anytime soon, but when are some other folks going to come 'round??

One of my friends posted on a local yahoo group about this happening in Chicago fairly often...that the "dancers" aren't connected with the local Salsa musicians and frequent DJ'd events way more often than when the local bands are playing: "Without the Chicago dancers' support, the clubs will not continue to the offer live music, and that would be a shame. Please make an effort to attend events where our local salsa bands are playing! They need our support, and we need their music! Please consider making a better connection between our live music and dancing scene!"
Any new thoughts on this topic? What do you notice going on in your cities?

[suburbaknght]

A Great live band beats a great DJ.

A good live band beats a good DJ and probably a great DJ.

An acceptable band beats a bad DJ but that's it.

At mediocre and bad levels I'll always pick the DJ.

A band is limited to the music they can play; a DJ has access to all the great music in his collection. While a band is better for an event, unless they're top notch, a DJ usually has better music for dancing.

[dancin/dj]

i do both(im a dj and a musican) i like a live band when i dance, im not active right now in a band, but a problem i have with so many bands is, they refuse to play different types of music, of course sometimes a few bands break the mold but more often than not they dont. but give me a really good band anyday over a dj, especially if theres a good female singer and a couple of the guys sing good as well as play there instruments well and good timing, cant beat a band!

[kayak]

One thing that really screwed me up when I was first learning to dance was the variability of rhythm that most live bands have. When I was getting started, I would focus on the beat, get it and stick with it. I was kind of overwhelmed by timing, dancing, and leading all at the same time. So my brain would get the timing and then focus on the other aspects. When the band's pace changed, I didn't and we would slip off beat. Lots of crash and burns later and after the other parts of dance got very comfortable, I was able to start focusing back on the music and vary my pace to actually match the bands.

I love summer park concerts. My dance goal was to be able to do some sort of fun couples dance to any kind of music wherever it was playing. So we did some outdoor salsa the other evening and then WCS in between tables last night. Nothing like having your dance slot actually nailed to the floor :D