What makes a good DJ?

[pygmalion]

Okay salseros/salseras out there. Here's a question for you. I'm sure you've all been out to clubs where the music was JUST RIGHT. Everything flowed, and everything was perfect. And everybody was on the floor all night. Then, at other times, maybe things didn't go quite so well. Lots of songs where people sat out, or even left the floor. Question: What's the difference? What makes a good salsa DJ?

[MapleLeaf Salsero]

Pygmalion,

In my opinion:

a) A DJ who looks "at the dancefloor" to see what is happening.
b) A DJ who can "feel" the enviornment that night.
c) A DJ who plays music you can dance to.
d) A DJ who plays slow, medium and fast songs to suit everyone´s needs.

[borikensalsero]

Pygmalion,

In my opinion:

a) A DJ who looks "at the dancefloor" to see what is happening.
b) A DJ who can "feel" the enviornment that night.
c) A DJ who plays music you can dance to.
d) A DJ who plays slow, medium and fast songs to suit everyone´s needs.

I'll have to second MapleLeaf. The DJ has to be in tune with the dancers. If he isn't he stinks.

[SDsalsaguy]

Pygmalion,

In my opinion:

a) A DJ who looks "at the dancefloor" to see what is happening.
b) A DJ who can "feel" the enviornment that night.
c) A DJ who plays music you can dance to.
d) A DJ who plays slow, medium and fast songs to suit everyone´s needs.

I'll have to second MapleLeaf. The DJ has to be in tune with the dancers. If he isn't he stinks.
Yes, yes, and YES!

Also look at the New Year's Eve 2004 (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1963) thread for some examples of a really bad DJ and some related comments...

[salsachinita]

On a positive note, I've met one of the most respected DJ during my recent trip to Sydney. Most of the time salseros/as hate it when DJs muck around too much with good salsa songs, thus a lot of our local DJs play it safe by leaving the songs alone.

But this particular DJ does one better. He was able to mix songs WITHOUT messing up the clave for one second :shock: :D ! I listened to his 90 mins mix (well, part of it) and it was SMOOTH & very dancer-friendly :wink: !

(Ok, you wouldn't really play this sort of 90 mins mixers at clubs)

On the other hand, most of the Sydney DJs just love to play timba all night (which I love), ignoring that L.A. style dancers (who dominate the floor) would really appriciate more run-of-the-mill turbo stuff :roll: !

A good DJ works with the crowd.

[TheArchon]

Pygmalion,

In my opinion:

a) A DJ who looks "at the dancefloor" to see what is happening.
b) A DJ who can "feel" the enviornment that night.
c) A DJ who plays music you can dance to.
d) A DJ who plays slow, medium and fast songs to suit everyone´s needs.

Not just Salsa DJ, but any. A DJ that comes with a premade list of songs, is a bad DJ.

[brujo]

However, there is a difference between a latino DJ and a white DJ. By this, I mean a DJ that spins in a club that is predominated by latinos, where he can play Gitana and everyone will be grooving on the dancefloor. Or he'll play some Mana en Bachata, and all the latin people will be singing to the song, instead of sulking because a bachata song is playing. (S)he will understand the cultural aspect of the music and play it, while a DJ for a NY/LA club will mostly put songs based on tempo and daceability. I think the greatest DJs are also dancers / instructors who know what works, who the crowd is, and how they dance.