ShyneGTA
So i have a friend who loves music, collects it, very good dancer, and unfortunately does not have any musical talent.
He insists that he can DJ, already bought VDJ (made him get the licensed version), i sold him him my old BCD200 and he was ok for a while, i told him to learn how to beat match, listen to the beats and try to match them up so they sound like one, basic stuff, etc.
Somehow he figured that he was ready for the next step, after only a few weeks. I told him that DJing was like playing an instrument, there are unwritten rules, and it cannot be learned overnight. You must find a comfort zone, something that works for you, and you must start with the basics. So he came over one day and played around with my TTs for a while, showed some basics, etc.
The next weekend, he calls. Says he just bought a new laptop and wants me to come with him to help choose a set of TTs. Once again i said to him, "take it easy, master the basics, its not a cheap hobby, you can end up loosing a lot of money"
So he bought some high end CD Decks (model is irrelevant). As you are well aware, BCDs need a lot of tweaking in order to get them to work decently. He has no patience, so now he wants to buy a high end mixer-controller-sound card, whatever.
For some reason he thinks that the more expensive the equipment is, the easier it will be for him to be successful in this business, he does not know how to hook up the equipment (i had to go over and set it up for him, he couldn't figure it out), has no patience or interest on how this stuff works.
Now this dude has spent over $3 000 and counting the last couple of weeks. He has gone around saying that he knows me, that i recommend him, and bar/club owners are calling to see what the deal is. Ive told him many times that he is way over his head, things just don't plug in and work flawlessly and perfect, and most importantly, you have to know WHAT you are doing, and you have to be good at it and that some people just don't have it in them, just like playing an instrument or playing a sport.
People in the industry who know me are well aware that i recommend NO ONE! So my reputation is not at risk. However, how would you get this dude to come to his senses and realize this business is not for him, he is not very good, does not understand it, and listening to him mix is like watching the Brazilian soccer team playing baseball with a hockey puck, its a train wreck!
He insists that he can DJ, already bought VDJ (made him get the licensed version), i sold him him my old BCD200 and he was ok for a while, i told him to learn how to beat match, listen to the beats and try to match them up so they sound like one, basic stuff, etc.
Somehow he figured that he was ready for the next step, after only a few weeks. I told him that DJing was like playing an instrument, there are unwritten rules, and it cannot be learned overnight. You must find a comfort zone, something that works for you, and you must start with the basics. So he came over one day and played around with my TTs for a while, showed some basics, etc.
The next weekend, he calls. Says he just bought a new laptop and wants me to come with him to help choose a set of TTs. Once again i said to him, "take it easy, master the basics, its not a cheap hobby, you can end up loosing a lot of money"
So he bought some high end CD Decks (model is irrelevant). As you are well aware, BCDs need a lot of tweaking in order to get them to work decently. He has no patience, so now he wants to buy a high end mixer-controller-sound card, whatever.
For some reason he thinks that the more expensive the equipment is, the easier it will be for him to be successful in this business, he does not know how to hook up the equipment (i had to go over and set it up for him, he couldn't figure it out), has no patience or interest on how this stuff works.
Now this dude has spent over $3 000 and counting the last couple of weeks. He has gone around saying that he knows me, that i recommend him, and bar/club owners are calling to see what the deal is. Ive told him many times that he is way over his head, things just don't plug in and work flawlessly and perfect, and most importantly, you have to know WHAT you are doing, and you have to be good at it and that some people just don't have it in them, just like playing an instrument or playing a sport.
People in the industry who know me are well aware that i recommend NO ONE! So my reputation is not at risk. However, how would you get this dude to come to his senses and realize this business is not for him, he is not very good, does not understand it, and listening to him mix is like watching the Brazilian soccer team playing baseball with a hockey puck, its a train wreck!
Mensajes Fri 06 Mar 09 @ 5:14 pm
Tear Em 'Up
Dude, it is his money....you can't stop him from spending it. If he is really a friend, be supportive....
Mensajes Fri 06 Mar 09 @ 5:18 pm
ShyneGTA
i failed to mention, after i set up the BCD for him, he called the next day because it didn't work, i spent 2 hours with him on the phone, i felt bad because i sold it to him and he was probably going to think that sold him a lemon. After 2 hours on the phone the magic question was asked, "Do you think that if i plug it in it might work?" i didn't want to be rude, but let me put it in simple words, this guy is too stupid to understand even the basics of anything, djing, cars, women, etc. And if you try to explain things, its a if he gets lost and says "f|_|ck it, i don't understand this one so ill ask the next question" And it is me the one who has to waste time sorting out his equipment issues, and its time that would rather spend "cuddling" with my wife.
Mensajes Fri 06 Mar 09 @ 5:31 pm
A Man and His Music
That's why they made caller ID. You do not have to be available every time he calls. Let him leave a message, and when he asks why you did not get right back in touch with him, tell him the truth, you were busy. Help him as much as you can, and hope he gets a gig. It's like being thrown in the deep in, he will swim or drown. The crowd will let know quick, if he has any skills.
Plus, we all know none of the Canadian DJs can spin anyway.
Yo, my brother Marcel, what's up?
Plus, we all know none of the Canadian DJs can spin anyway.
Yo, my brother Marcel, what's up?
Mensajes Fri 06 Mar 09 @ 10:13 pm
andytaylor125
Sounds like the guy needs to learn the hard way. You've tried your best. As long as he isn't hurting your reputation it's all good.
Let him get on with it I guess. Some bar might hire him if he asks enough people, and he probably won't even be able to get his stuff set up. "Unfortuately" you'll be busy already working (or "cuddling" with your wife perhaps) so you won't be able to help him. Then he'll get fired before he even starts. Or he'll mess it up in some other way if he's bad.
You never know, he might pull it out the bag and be alright on the night. Then he'll be busy working so he won't have time to bug you. And he might even learn some of those things you've been trying to teach him eventually.
Good luck!
Let him get on with it I guess. Some bar might hire him if he asks enough people, and he probably won't even be able to get his stuff set up. "Unfortuately" you'll be busy already working (or "cuddling" with your wife perhaps) so you won't be able to help him. Then he'll get fired before he even starts. Or he'll mess it up in some other way if he's bad.
You never know, he might pull it out the bag and be alright on the night. Then he'll be busy working so he won't have time to bug you. And he might even learn some of those things you've been trying to teach him eventually.
Good luck!
Mensajes Fri 06 Mar 09 @ 10:18 pm
Octavia Decibelle
TearEmUp wrote :
Dude, it is his money....you can't stop him from spending it. If he is really a friend, be supportive....
Not that he shouldn't be. But I don't see the supportiveness in letting someone spend 30, 000 on equipment that he can't even be bothered to read the manuals for apparently. And I certainly don't see it in letting him make a fool out of himself and possibly tarnish his reputation by performing at some club with his current skills. No one needs a mark.
Friends don't let friends drink and drive. This isn't far from it.
Mensajes Sat 07 Mar 09 @ 6:58 am
Tear Em 'Up
DJ Binky wrote :
Not that he shouldn't be. But I don't see the supportiveness in letting someone spend 30, 000 on equipment that he can't even be bothered to read the manuals for apparently. And I certainly don't see it in letting him make a fool out of himself and possibly tarnish his reputation by performing at some club with his current skills. No one needs a mark.
Friends don't let friends drink and drive. This isn't far from it.
TearEmUp wrote :
Dude, it is his money....you can't stop him from spending it. If he is really a friend, be supportive....
Not that he shouldn't be. But I don't see the supportiveness in letting someone spend 30, 000 on equipment that he can't even be bothered to read the manuals for apparently. And I certainly don't see it in letting him make a fool out of himself and possibly tarnish his reputation by performing at some club with his current skills. No one needs a mark.
Friends don't let friends drink and drive. This isn't far from it.
I would assume the person is an adult...that means he is responsible for his own actions. Using your analogy, you can't stop and alcoholic from drinking, just from killing himself, or someone else. If they really want to drink they will just sneak it...
Mensajes Sat 07 Mar 09 @ 7:54 am
Caliente123
One thing i don't like is, someone telling club owners and bars that i recomended that person. They have to hear it from me first...
I don't see a problem with the guy is spending his own money, just the recomendation part. Talk to your friend and tell him that you don't like the idea about him going behind your back.
I don't see a problem with the guy is spending his own money, just the recomendation part. Talk to your friend and tell him that you don't like the idea about him going behind your back.
Mensajes Sat 07 Mar 09 @ 9:26 pm
sirkitbreaker
you cant stop any of it really he can say all he wants about you recommending him but the proof lies in the demo cd
Mensajes Sun 08 Mar 09 @ 3:31 am
Charlie Wilson
It's good to be able to mix at all levels however as far as your DJing goes he will drag you down if he's crap by telling everyone that you and him are DJ bros n all that, they will think your the have the same skill level.
Thats how it works.
A lot of people don't know what to do in life and they see something that someone is doing well and think I'll have ago at that but their really not cut out for it.
Thats how it works.
A lot of people don't know what to do in life and they see something that someone is doing well and think I'll have ago at that but their really not cut out for it.
Mensajes Sun 08 Mar 09 @ 2:21 pm
Dazmax
Sounds like youve spent enough time bangin your head off the brick mate.
Its not at all cool for him to be usin your name so he needs to be put strait on that. These are your gigs, i have no doubt you got them by hard work and building your rep over years, not by name dropping.
As long as its not on your patch or messin with your rep let him do what he thinks he can do. If he has no patience he will give up V quickly.
The experience might make him realise whats realy involved and if he still wants to go for it by all means help. Be honest with him tho.
Good luck
Daz
Its not at all cool for him to be usin your name so he needs to be put strait on that. These are your gigs, i have no doubt you got them by hard work and building your rep over years, not by name dropping.
As long as its not on your patch or messin with your rep let him do what he thinks he can do. If he has no patience he will give up V quickly.
The experience might make him realise whats realy involved and if he still wants to go for it by all means help. Be honest with him tho.
Good luck
Daz
Mensajes Sun 08 Mar 09 @ 5:55 pm
Farm yard Bob
Let him get on with it.
Best case is he doesn't make a dick out of himself and slowly gets better.
Worst case is he is utter rubbish, gets fired and gives up, this one is preferable, atleast then you can buy his cd players cheap.
always look on the bright side.......
Best case is he doesn't make a dick out of himself and slowly gets better.
Worst case is he is utter rubbish, gets fired and gives up, this one is preferable, atleast then you can buy his cd players cheap.
always look on the bright side.......
Mensajes Mon 09 Mar 09 @ 9:20 am
DJ Marcel_1
A Man and His Music wrote :
Yo, my brother Marcel, what's up?
Hangin at a little bar that called me in to sub out for the regular DJ (whom I don;t know from a hole in the ground)
I brought down the video box, plugged it in to their Projector and spun the night using 99% music videos. They loved it and offered me the Saturday night job.
Back on topic......
Your friend is like all "greenhorns"; knows enough to be dangerous. you've already warned him now let him go to the school of hard knocks, and pre-warn any of your clients that you do NOT recommend him in any way shape or form.
He'll sink or swim on his own.
Mensajes Mon 09 Mar 09 @ 9:30 am