5 Things For Mastering School Dances | Episode 1 | School Dance DJ Tips

[@DjGabeReal512]

“Out of those hits, come up with two or three and play them off the get go”... This advice is #GOLDEN for any gig!!! It was a complete game changer for me.

[@chrisperry3525]

i'll try that, good idea. there are some sucky school dj's here and getting ANYone on the floor is a challenge..i've come in and see they line the dancefloor edges with chairs cause the kids don't dance! I'll start with songs the girls sing - they come out to the floor then teh boys are sure to follow!

[@rjpimprov]

Thank you for being spot on about speakers and what is needed. Sick of hearing guys say that two evolve 50s works for 250 kids. They barely work for 50

[@DJRickWeb]

Agree. Evolves seriously are a great speaker but they have one application even coverage and moderate volume for wedding and corporate events of less than 150 people in my eyes.

[@rmietus]

I agree with having the right sound system for an event, but this dude is seriously misinformed regarding what those evolves can do. Could it use some more bass at times, yes! But barely working for events of 50, smh?????

[@rjpimprov]

I was being sarcastic in that I wouldn’t use them for any number of people. Owned them. Couldn’t get rid of them fast enough. Not a sound that I find pleasant at all compared to a regular 12” box. And actually I found the sub to be the most impressive part of the array.

[@steelimpressionsentertainm9542]

Ryan Parker yeah, that’s pretty sarcastic considering some of the largest DJ companies use those every weekend and they sound great for what it is! Obviously EV has done something right considering their popularity and wide spread usage. To each their own!

[@rjpimprov]

For sure. I own ekx. Do not prefer the sound of the arrays at all.

[@MrBootchie]

Hey Dj Rick be safe Hurricane coming your way appreciate everything you do one love from New Orleans.

[@djnoy842]

I'm doing a school dance this Friday, thanks for the helpful tips!

[@austinbollinger1259]

DJ Noy do you mind sending me your playlist of songs you will play at your school dance?

[@djnoy842]

@@austinbollinger1259 alot of Taylor Swift, one direction, Disney. For young elementary

[@alexwankowicz7630]

10/10 video! Good job telling it like it is with hard truths some Dj's don't want to hear. Teens can be picky and to fully rock a school dance you need a specific skill set, thanks for sharing.

[@GearItFirst]

"Master School Dances.." catchy phrase there, Rick... ;)

[@dj_thomas_dean_official]

Was thinking the same thing!

[@justwatchingyoutube3285]

Agree with all 5 points. When it comes to the music they request like Mumble rap or ex: Gucci Gang or Rake it up play about a minute and your good. They get bored after at the most 2nd chorus. They love lights. When I pick up a new School especially High School the first thing they ask do you have lights. They mean lights not a couple sound activated swarms and pars. Couldn't agree more you have to be a hype man or if you can't get one. I involve my crowd all the time. For example I ask for the seniors to make some noise while playing "My House" or split the crowd and play My Friends and get them to hype each other up. First homecoming dance of the season coming next week for us can't wait.

[@koolkiwikat]

On point regarding sound, there's no replacement for displacement!

[@Mark-xg1if]

Where I live your music doesn’t need to be up to date in fact so long as it’s not years old if it’s still considered good then it will be good. Rest of the List makes up for it though probably by far the best list I’ve found

[@tonyrobeski1091]

Great video !

[@DJMichaelKhoury]

Rick Web, you are awesome thank you for this.

[@TeddyG16]

Much appreciated!!!

[@xmojo736]

I am 15, but I can seriously never connect with school dance students! They just never wanna dance, I try getting on the mic, playing bangers, (what they want) and everybody is so picky and everyone likes their own music and doesn’t wanna branch and it’s so irritating, and makes me feel like a bad DJ, but any other event I do is fantastic for some reason

[@djrowdy9351]

DJ Typical Mojo same

[@weesebowski8651]

I played new school music at a college gig and nobody was dancing maybe 5. I played 90's and a few hits here and there and the party was started, nobody wanted to leave....I had to tell the gig manager to turn the lights on! But transitioning within the 2-3 min mark was what helped! Also this gig was a disaster I had an external issue with music memory so I had to just play what I had on the laptop. It was an anxiety attack but thankfully I had music to just get the party going hard right off the error.

[@rowanscott8478]

I recently went to a town event and the DJ had six srx 812p's plus 4 Yorkville subs and 10 qsc k10.2's

[@teamtypical1304]

As a kid I hope my taste of music doesn’t change so I can keep up to date, seems tough to do on your own

[@amberhendricks9791]

AMEN!! Spot on, Rick! ROCK those dances! 💪💃🎤🎧

[@utinker]

Making a playlist of modern “Quick Mixes” When and How should I use them in a 3 to 4 hour gig?

[@DJRickWeb]

Like short edits? About 60 percent of the tracks I play are short mixes.

[@robmezz1337]

Awesome video. Love all your YT and Insta vids. You've given purpose and meaning to my life again lol. Keep doing what you're doing you're amazing. Make sure your gear stays dry with Florence coming up!

[@C-Dub1906]

That’s what’s up. Great info Bro!! Thank you

[@hankshepherd5834]

Very good!

[@ChargingWizard]

When you say you put the Tops on a high pass filter, can you explain why you do that? 5:57

[@DJRickWeb]

Remove bass from the speaker so it can push louder volumes.

[@chrisfoxevententertainment7689]

Great video again Rick. Thanks.

[@chadfamularo299]

Stay safe hope all fairs well for you

[@firstbeatmobiledj3891]

Good topic Rick... BTW, did you evac your place? Stay safe bro!

[@DJRickWeb]

I have to work. So I can't evacuate unless I want fired

[@jamesdietrich5544]

Please stay safe DJ Rick Web from DJ Nos and Absolute DJs!!!!!!

[@luisin4657]

Just be a real DJ 🫠 bring the slappers and bring the bangers…

[@ryanryanakalkwilliams9228]

Great info. Thanks

[@alphatecmusic8016]

I have a interesting idea for the next "I got 5" video. What about 5 different DJ/mixing transitions between two songs which sound and work good? :)

[@DJRickWeb]

Nope. That would be a tutorial based topic. Aka it takes longer to make and is not what the 5 series is ment for. The mixing is slated to be an upcoming tutorial video though

[@vinnygallagher7771]

If you could only afford 1 sub to start out with, what would you get? Top 3 chioces ?

[@crownstone]

Thanks I got a 8 th grade graduation coming up soon!!!!

[@Jack-uy6tc]

Hey DJ Rick Web, thanks for the video---you're always giving back to the community, (us newer DJ's)- My question is- for larger venues --more people -- does it help to add more tops to achieve better sound. ( I heard once that adding more speakers doesn't net that much more dB output )

[@DJRickWeb]

It's all relative. Adding more tops does increase output. But you only notice a difference if you double the previous amounts. 2 to 4 to 8 to 16. Basically over 4 tops there is normally a better speaker solution where 2 can produce the same volume of sound. And do it cleaner with better quality output.

[@DJFiezta]

I use 4 qsc K12.2 tops and two bassboss dual 18 subs for my school dances. More than enough

[@LeveLup_89]

Love it love it love it all 100% solid points.

[@columia730]

Helpful stuff

[@motivespeed]

Rick, so what led you to a controller over CDJs? was it just because of learning on serato from the start? the easier portability? or costs? I myself prefer cdj's its nice to turn up to a club with usb sticks of music and headphones and its all i need to go.

[@DJRickWeb]

Cheaper, more portable, and yes easier to learn serato. I am looking at turntables or CDJs right now and I am scared because I will prob hate using the SZ afterwards lol

[@motivespeed]

@@DJRickWeb if you run the djm 900 srt version it has built in serato as well as functions as a 900 nexus. You get more hot cue and loop banks in serato. But lugging my cdj2000s and djm2000 can be a chore sometimes. I have my first wedding gig at the end of the month, been enjoying your tips and seeing some of how you do things to take refrence from. Keep up the videos!

[@DJDynablend]

Yes kids have no attention spans anymore, switch songs every 60 seconds or else.

[@matthewbohn765]

Won’t lie, I think school dances are one of the hardest things to play. They can’t just go grab another drink if they’re not a fan of the song that’s on. Goes back to #1... gotta be stocked up on the latest and greatest and be able to throw it down nonstop.

[@DJRickWeb]

I maybe get 3 request total at the schools I DJ at now. Soooo not sure why they would bug any DJ. If you play the right music and establish the trust at the beginning you shouldn't have an issue

[@andrebryant516]

DJ Dynablend bullshit if they love the song they will go with it

[@deejayjuanpachanga]

Excellent points Rick.

[@aclayton42]

Great video! Been almost 20 years since I was at a school dance in school. I don't have any real desire to DJ them, but just curious, are there no real slow songs played anymore at school dances? I get the club feel etc, just when I was in school, the dances were always more similar to weddings (only no older songs, just current stuff at the time), where there were pretty much full songs and a ton of slow songs to dance to. Like the entire reason for the school dances was to slow dance/etc ;-) with the opposite sex, which seems kinda less likely with high energy club music? Great job on all the videos though, always entertaining/interesting!

[@DJRickWeb]

Little to no slow songs anymore. Like 4 to 5 total the whole dance. You can get away with doing full songs I just dont find it to be successful for building a business on school dances.

[@matthewbohn765]

Slow songs are still a thing, but I tend to play them less often. I have a school dance coming up that’s from 8-10pm. I’m only planning to play 3 slow dance songs. 1 about every 40 minutes, and one at the end of the night. I use them as a good chance to change the tempo of the music I’m mixing.

[@justwatchingyoutube3285]

I play no more than 4 slow ones. honestly the slow songs get kids on the floor if you are having a problem with it.

[@DJDynablend]

I turned down a school prom, because I don't know what im doing when it comes to school gigs. Did I do the right thing??

[@matthewbohn765]

DJ Dynablend I would say so. Schools are really particular about clean edited music. I know a lot of club guys don’t have that kind of stuff. I got a call about doing a Spanish wedding and told them I wouldn’t be a good fit for them, because I don’t know anything about Spanish music. Not a day I wanted to ruin for them.

[@DJRickWeb]

If the students want you you should do it. But honestly that's your choice.

[@lilclout5118]

For my school prom we had a freshman be our DJ, let it be know that my school is located in Hollywood. How could my school not get an actual good DJ is beyond me. Like I cant hate on the freshman on getting a gig but all he had was his Macbook with his itunes for 700 students. I literally walked out and went to bed out of crippling depression. Later on that night the seniors got him on the verge of alcohol poisoning at a house party, while the dad of the chick hosting the party was drinking with them. Yikes

[@KenHartstatecollege]

Great info!

[@StreetMobTruckin]

Great video Rick! I agree on everything you said, just kinda worried on the music part. Here's why! now and days.... around 30% - 40% of the kids listen to whats called garbage music. Meaning they like listing to artist that are on sound cloud or spinrilla...... which mean NO CLEAN MUSIC. Fire Ball and Calabria 2008 don't seem to work as good as before lol but wish you best of luck in NC!

[@spencerrandomguy2097]

I have a feeling he means clean versions. Schools are very particular about no profanity.

[@DJRickWeb]

So download the music, contact the artist, and make your own edits! I do it.

[@StreetMobTruckin]

I tried before...... they don't want to work if money is not involved!

[@DJRickWeb]

Have you counter them with the I am a DJ that will be playing this for thousands of high school students and I throw out your name everytime I play it? I also say that I have no reason to distribute your song as me having a copy is an advantage for me over all other DJs. Normally works everytime.

[@StreetMobTruckin]

Would you like to see the emails lol I got to work with a few.... most of them responded with "i'm good g" lol

[@Antweezy]

first HS dance is this weekend. Would 2 mini kintas and 4 uplights be enough lighting? I can't afford beams haha

[@DJRickWeb]

Yeah use the uplights as crowd wash instead of uplights. You will get more out of only having 4 that way

[@cameronlockett5698]

hi dj rick web brilliant video

[@shaynekant8959]

Nice videos keep it up 👍👍

[@ericcollazo2046]

@dj rick web should I play some edm music for prom?

[@DJRickWeb]

It really depends on the school. If you can program your sets and make it work. I always try to throw some in or at least some edm remixes of hip hop songs

[@ericcollazo2046]

Ok thanks. I have one more question. Should I play pop music and Spanish music as well?

[@DJRickWeb]

That depends on demographics at your schools. I have some that I dont need to and others that I have to play some Spanish to satisfy the crowd

[@ericcollazo2046]

Thank you for answering my questions. It really helped.

[@matthewbohn765]

I think Rick answered these really well. What should be played will entirely depend on where you’re playing (geographically) and who you’re playing for (demographically).

[@djtoxic7461]

What’s the cheapest lighting

[@DJRickWeb]

Gonna discuss in upcoming lighting videos

[@DjGabeReal512]

Good stuff bro.

[@mheberling5939]

Awesome video. I am a teacher in Ohio and my district does not have the money to hire a DJ. I offered to purchase the equipment and DJ for the middleschool dances. 1. Is a Harbinger m120 4 channel mixer with two 12" Harbinger speakers sufficient for a school dance? I found it for $100 used. Keep in mind I am just starting out. I will be using my MacBook pro and que the songs in advance. Its 6th, 7th and 8th grades with about 200-300 student's able to attend. 2. If this will not be adequate sound, what would you suggest on the used market decent quality and cheap?

[@DJRickWeb]

I would rather you save the money and buy one better speaker. Then eventually add a second. Also you can rent speakers fairly cheap if you look around

[@mheberling5939]

@@DJRickWeb What would you suggest as a better speaker? I will follow your suggestion on the used market.

[@DJRickWeb]

@@mheberling5939 ev zlx 15p if you can afford it.

[@mheberling5939]

DJ Rick Web if you think that one speaker could do more for me than the harbinger m120, I’ll go tomorrow to GC and see if they have it used.

[@DJRickWeb]

@@mheberling5939 absolutely. I would look into your purchasing options. It normally cost more from GC

[@xcavata]

DMX seems hard, I'mma Soundswitch tf outta my system

[@DJRickWeb]

DMX is not hard at all. Computer based isnt. The hard part is creating the initial scenes for all your lights. It takes time. But after that it's all set.

[@ThisIsWheelLife]

Can you name a few good transitions?

[@soentertainmentdjs2316]

Talking with your hands like Barr! 😂

[@djwobblesosa6434]

hey you guy alto ts308

[@djwobblesosa6434]

i have 4 JBL PRX815, 4 JBL PRX825, 4 JBL PRX818XLFW

[@richardmoral8888]

NUMBER 1

[@Ghstrdr7571]

DJ Stevie “B” Second!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DJFiezta]

One bassboss dual 18 does the same job as two JBL duals

[@DJRickWeb]

Its cost more than 2 JBLs though. And it limits your flexibility if your a multiop in terms of having multiple setup possibilities

[@DJFiezta]

DJ Rick Web no not really. You wouldn't think that if you could see my setup

[@DJFiezta]

DJ Rick Web and it costs more but it does much better than 2 jbls

[@DJRickWeb]

I have heard them in person I know there capabilities. I can get 2 powered srx 828s for 3.5k. Just one bassboss sub cost 5k. The one I would say is comparable to two srx.

[@DJFiezta]

DJ Rick Web I own them, so do I. And I got them for less so that was a plus for me too

[@FEEAR1000]

How do you get permission for filming or taking pictures of the kids having fun?

[@DJRickWeb]

Crowd shots not focusing on an individual kids is completely legal.

[@FEEAR1000]

DJ Rick Web ah okay that’s true. I’m a beginner and just started doing middle school dances that’s why I was curious. Thanks for the reply bro love the videos

[@luisin4657]

How much should u charge?🤔

[@DJRickWeb]

Check out my school marketing video. That kinda talks about that. But if you wanna find out a schools budge times ticket price by sales price

[@StreetMobTruckin]

First!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@djwobblesosa6434]

cool

[@iambobby3537]

be able to say your dj name... sorry man for the shade. love your vids. What about giveaways like flashing foam sticks and such?

[@joechalmers8524]

Third 👍

[@abukamara7382]

Rick. I'm. A .DJ

[@Carlos-st7it]

No kids listen to transitions, trust me. Before I was a dj I had no clue.

[@DJRickWeb]

They dont know what a transition is but they can tell if the beat changes instantly. You can see it in the crowd they all pause and then continue vs just continuing to dance with no interruptions