What makes a DJ a great DJ?

Today's question is a great topic for a discussion: What makes a DJ a great DJ?

We all have our own way of deciding what makes someone or something great. For DJ's like you and me it could be based on things that the crowd wouldn't think or care about.

Let me share my way of rating DJ's and share your way in the comment section. Join the conversation! :)

Enjoy the video and share the knowledge!

djTLMtv

DJ TLM

[djcuervo]

Technique 25% + Crowd Control 25% + Track Selection 50%= Great DJ

[cobydavon]

A great DJ should also be willing to #ShareTheKnowledge

[DonDadda]

I love this guy, out of all DJs on YT he's by far the most down to earth and respectable dude. He's the only one I found who really has an open mind and understands all sides of an argument and that people have different views and opinions ✌ big up my guy, I learned a lot from you. From DE to NL!

[rjcharlie]

For me a great DJ can touch people's souls. Connect with people on a higher plane and then take them on a musical journey.

[isaacsalazar]

100% agree ....
- Technique
- Music selection
- Skills
- Clear transitions;
Its to me the most fundamentals factors to rate a DJ
Thanks for the video & topic, its a good one'

[ZÆŁ-sg]

Dj Tlm, I pretty much agree with your statement. It's all about song selection & how a Dj creatively delivers it. Showing off ones personality & expressing yourself is a great way to connect with your audience.

[ClectaSkiMusic]

Where Im from versatility counts.... Around these parts (The Caribbean) you gotta play ALL genres from Hip Hop, Dancehall, Soca, Reggaeton, Reggae, EDM, Club, R&B, Soul, Pop, 80s, 90s, Dubstep etc.... Its all about looking at your crowd & what fits the mood & dropping the right tracks... Also having a VERY huge knowledge about music & all different genres..

[antoonberes]

Me as a retro house, hardcore/gabber, old trance listener and starting dj, love when the dj can keep the vibe going, in waves, as if it's al one super big song with just different 'vibes' if you know what i mean, and that the energy comes in waves, like when the music get's more energetic, then more hypnotic, then more energetic and so on. Or what i really love when done well is when the climax of one song 'feeds' the other song and the beat of the other song becomes the 'drop/end of climax' of the climax of the first one (sorry for my bad english, i normally speak dutch)

[grant]

Another great topic. I was recently interested in this as well. Posted in a DJ forum I'm a part of to see what they thought were the most important skills for a DJ to have.. Had 59 responses n here were the results:
Track Selection - 14
Ability To Read Crowd - 13
Musical Originality & Integrity - 6
Unique tunes - 5
Beat Matching - 4
Mixing ability (inc. Phrasing) - 3
Playing in key - 3
Equipment control - 3
Set structure - 2
Crowd sourcing ability - 2
Knowing your role - 2
Mic skills - 2

I DJ purely in a mobile setting and am often baffled by what seems to be the most important factors for the crowd in this setting. 1. If they don't know it.. they won't dance. 2. Less is more (technical skill can seem like showing off) eg. Often a cut on the 1 is more effective than a clean transition. It has a heavier impact and they like to hear that clear change from one song to the next. 3. Personality is key. As I am often interacting with them in a conversation, discussing requests and discussing parts of the night with the key guests etc. If they like me and the way I interact with them, they will always provide positive feedback.

My question would be.. why is what makes a good DJ in a mobile setting so different from what makes a good club/festival DJ?

[derpletonnobodypants]

Observing the crowd! Having something unique in their set!

[ElkinMarenco]

I heard

"The great DJ always knows what's the next song"

[edgarayala]

For me, what makes a good deejay is playing the right song at the right moment. Creating a flow and surprising me. Mixing smoothly and with intent. I am also impressed by tricks, musical range, and uniqueness of tracks. I don't care what equipment you use as long as you know how to use it WELL

[PhilosBias]

off the subject..you always motivate me because you dont talk down on the different rates and genres of dj's you always keep it positive and for that i thank you..
p.s.
most likely why you get such few dislikes..keep it up bro

[williampetcos]

The way i see it, a great dj is flawless in their transitions. Dynamic and smooth transitions that lets the music be the show. A lot of big djs just mash in tracks, and forget about blending. They also use effects in a positive and creative way, instead of just mashing in a 1/4 loop roll with a filter over it and calling it unique.

[djflipthaboss]

Times have changed and for me I see it this way... If a Dj Can get so deep into music he can become a producer or remix dj to add more to his style and catalog, that can make him great. So besides Technique, Selection and Charisma I think a Dj's catalog can make him become Great. The public going to parties as well as other djs will rate him whether they want to admit it or not... Just imagine going to a party and hearing djs play songs or remixes of a particular dj who also has Technique and selection on Lock... Thats a #Boss.

[djtraxx]

I just came across your page today. This was the second video of yours I've watched and I have to say that both were excellent. Your b-boy analogy was perfect and I don't even know a lot about it. You communicate this stuff well and you don't take any longer than you have to to explain things, so I didn't get bored like I do with a lot of other DJ videos. So far you've only reinforced what I've already felt to be true about your topics, but I have a feeling that as I keep watching more of your videos I will learn some new things. Keep up the good work DJ!

[aaronmc]

I do a lot of EQ work!!! EQ is the key you can do a lot of genres without using any air horns or special effects... The only color effect I use is filter.. when I do my spin backs I use echo with filter smooth as hell..lol... I do a little scratching here and there but my EQ work is important. Believe me I respect the skills of scratching DJs.. that's why I practice my scratching... With DJing you're always learning and learning different skills!

[kelvinhicks]

I see this is a couple of years old, but I’m going to comment anyway. I’m a house music DJ. My list of great DJs consist of Tony Humphries, DJ Punch, Louie Vega, and a few more. What makes a great DJ to me in the house music genre are: 1: Transitions
2: knowing what to play next
3: reading the crowd
Not necessarily in that order, but in my opinion, all 3 are important.

[OFFICIAL_M]

As a DJ myself I pride myself on my word play with different tracks and making good segues into the next track...That sticks out to me when I go out clubbing, I specifically look for that In the DJ along with the other standard criterias

[knkn]

Wow, I love how you used the B-boy comparison at the end as I've been breaking for 10 + years. That has to be EXACTLY how the average person see's Djing. Most just trying to have a good time and enjoy their night. Thanks for putting that into perspective!