Covid Update 6-2020

In California the limit to gather is 10 but it is slowly opening. I feel a little foolish writing about weddings since we been under lockdown for about four months. I started to put down my thoughts but I felt fake. So I just want to give an update of what is happening on my end.

 I have been getting tons of music. I mean lots of music to sort through. This is the time to do it. My baby has a bib that say snacks on snacks on snacks. So I am literally getting songs on songs on songs.

  Maybe out of 100 djs, there were maybe 25 who learned from spinning vinyl. And out of those 25 there are probably 10 who still have the vinyl and turntables. I am part of those 10 percent who still have vinyl. When I was converting my vinyl tracks to MP3s it was a super long process. I had to play each song and record it. Once it was recorded I would have to burn it on a cd then master the volume. But a little known fact is when you download a cd on iTunes its default is at 192 bitrate. So I did all my vinyl and converted it to the default. It does sound fine to the ear but if you were going to play at a stadium it would not sound as crisp as a 320 bit rate. So That is what I have been doing is getting songs I already have but at a higher bit rate. Also going through my collection and just keeping songs I would play. Sometimes more is too much and its good to have the essentials and the one tracks that make you different as a performer. It is always good to review what you have and what tracks you have forgotten. This time last year, I was super busy but these past four months I did not throw in the towel but rather looking to come back stronger and more organized than ever. 

Learn2Dj Part of Black and White Affair Dj Services

In California, we are not allowed to have any dj events more than 10 people currently. Some djs are doing zoom parties for households in the comfort of their own home. So during this down time, I have been organizing my music library and my dj education service. I always had dj lessons but it was on a different site and running multiple sites at one time can be a handful. So I decided to combine my dj lessons with my dj business website so I can get all inquiries in one area. People are stuck at home looking to learn a new craft. This is the time to do it since it is recommended to stay home. Different parts of the country are slowly opening up but coronavirus cases are still picking up. 

  As a dj, I am always doing research on the latest equipment and dj software. It is important to know all the tricks of the trade. Through many years of learning I want to share what I know. I know when I was learning I had to learn through the hard way through trial and error. I want to eliminate that experience and help find success sooner rather than later. 

 Maybe someone does not want to be a full on dj but rather learn how to set up gear for any event since events right now in California can not be too big this service can be for you also. We go over how to set everything up and what you would need. We can also break down the music playlist. It would be better to have a professional dj there but at these times there has be be different options. 

Feel free to check out Learn2Dj on this website and check out the blog area where we go over tidbits to make dj easier. We can do instruction virtually. It does not matter that I am based in the Bay Area in San Jose. We go over everything to beat matching to setting up your dj business. 

Check out Learn2Dj.org which leads you to my site for dj instruction. 

This week I have been focused on some mixes. I thought of the music that really made me passionate about djing and my latest mix is all about it.

For 7 years, I worked at a night club in San Jose. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday it was packed. I do remember the line was so long to get inside and it was one of the premier spots in San Jose. One thing that got people excited was the music. Times were a little different in the late 90s and early 2000s. Music was house based. There was probably like 3 to 5 hip hop songs during the night but the vibe was house music. I do like hip hop but house is what really made me move. Here is the best of the best tracks that they played at the time. True Classics!

https://www.mixcloud.com/wingmansj/late-90s-early-2000s-house-club-mixxx-bay-area-edition/

Greetings. This is a mini blog compared to my longer ones. Going to keep it short and to the point!

Before you select any dj for your event it is good to hear what they are all about. Its funny since sometimes people ask to see you perform and then you have to turn them down since you are playing at private events. For respect for your clients, the dj does not invite other guests to the event. A good way to see what is in the dj’s skill set is to see what they have on their mix cloud. Mixcloud is a website that hosts dj mixes. People can see the style of music a dj plays and if the dj can beat match. Beat matching is putting songs together so it is a seamless transition to keep the energy on the dance floor.

For your Bay Area dj, please look at their reviews then if satisfied please check their mixes out. If a dj does not have a mix to share then move on. There are many djs out there but hearing their mixes is the best way to really know a dj.

www.mixcloud.com/wingmansj

Is it uplighting necessary? Uplighting is a nice touch to any party. It does add a sense of classiness. It can also provide a club vibe to the venue.

Some djs offer it as an upgrade but also some venues are stepping it up and including it in their package. Typically, they are wireless so there is less wires so it looks classy and one does not need to worry about being close to a power source.

Uplights can be on the whole night and the remote can make the uplights flash different colors if they are synced. These lights have a 6 to 10-hour battery life. A color that is typical if the client does not ask for a certain color is amber. Amber is a very neutral color.   As opposed to the dj lights that turn on during the dance portion of the night. Ideally the dj does not want to turn those on during the first dance since it will make it difficult for the photographer to take good pictures. These lights can be sound activated and can flash different colors and the hopes of these lights are to draw people to the dance floor to shake a little leg. It would be beneficial to place them evenly around the room.

So are uplights necessary? No they are not. Do they add anything to the venue? It does add some charm to the room. Some venues are already beautiful none will be needed but it does create a vibe and can really look beautiful in some pictures.

I am a proud SJSU alumni and I like to keep tabs on my school. I had an opportunity to play at a fundraiser. They were at first going to have a band and have me be the start of the night but that did not pan out. I did not get a special playlist but I was told to play appropriate music for the night. A lot of the time one would play background music during dinner time so the guests can be able to talk. Then the end, the dj would play the festive music at a louder volume to get everyone to the dance floor and keep them on the dance floor.

The venue was an Elks Lodge in San Jose. It was right off the 87 so it was really easy to go to. They do have a stage area for the dj and a huge dance floor.  I unloaded my gear and took it to the stage. They had the baseball and softball players there to help with the service of the food.

I knew the most of the crowd was going to be 30 and up. Also I knew the players were more about 20 years old.  So for the dinner portion of the night I was playing mellow familiar background music. All the players for both sports were introduced. Once they did all the auctions and the raffles it was time to pump up the volume. I went with the classic dance jams that all ages would enjoy.

https://www.directmusicservice.com/blog/2020/02/dms-mini-mix-week-407-dj-wingman/

Not everyone can speak Spanish. What happens if you find a really good dj but his Spanish is non existent? I have been a part of many Spanish weddings. Some weddings playlist have been all in Spanish. There have been times where the bride and groom offered to have a guest make the announcements in Spanish. Most of the time they just want to make the grand entrance in their language then the rest of the announcements the dj can do. They mostly do that so that the last names are pronounced correctly.

My Spanish is ok but I do have assistants who speak perfect Spanish so if the bride and groom want that then I make sure that assistant is available.

Also what helps is to have a script of what they are going to say. Some people say they are professionals and want to wing it but I advise to have a script. When it comes to announcements I like to repeat what is being said then rephrasing it so the folks that are not paying attention can follow directions. I do not advise using google translator for the Spanish translation because sometimes its translated but it’s not the correct meaning. If a Spanish script is written then it should be translated by a fluent speaker. 

For most Spanish weddings, I like to play a lot of cumbias. It’s the cumbias that gets everyone out of their seats and onto the dance-floor. Best bet is to have a playlist from the couple with Spanish music. 

Call Black and White Affair to book your latin party. Always repping the bay and now in Southern California.